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BGSP welcomes all people who share an interest in unconscious dynamics and the study of psychoanalytic thought. Anyone with a minimum of a baccalaureate degree from any field of study is encouraged to apply, regardless of age, race, gender, gender identity, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability or socioeconomic status.

Admissions Criteria

BGSP’s highly individualized approach to learning and an interview-based admissions process that emphasizes character and personality attracts a distinctive pool of applicants to BGSP each year.

Because we are seeking curious minds who are passionate about the human experience, we admit students with outstanding academic records, as well as those who may not thrive in traditional educational settings, but possess qualities that can help them become gifted clinicians. Through their academic achievements, and their life experiences, suitable applicants demonstrate an appreciation for a variety of factors underlying human behavior. They demonstrate an interest in understanding what drives themselves and others around them.

Throughout the admissions process, the admissions team endeavors to gather information about the applicant’s ability and desire to learn and thrive at BGSP. At a minimum, applicants to the master’s programs are required to have earned a baccalaureate degree from an approved undergraduate institution, while applicants to the doctoral programs and the Certificate program are required to have earned a master’s degree from an approved institution or BGSP. Beyond these credentials, however, applicants demonstrate through their personal statement and interviews (when invited) their motivation to learn, capacity to understand oneself and others, academic and applied interests, and readiness to engage in studies of unconscious processes, either as a central focus of study (in the clinical programs), or as a crucial component for understanding social and cultural dynamics.

In order for BGSP to determine academic readiness for graduate level study, applicants submit transcripts, 2 letters of recommendation, a statement of interest and a writing sample. For those applicants who meet the academic criteria, there will be three admissions interviews scheduled with the faculty. In addition, applicants who are interviewing are asked to write a spontaneous response to a psychoanalytic text.

International applicants are also evaluated for English proficiency based on their TOEFL or IELTS scores (required) and their performance during the admissions interview and on their writing samples. Some international students require additional training in writing in a second language. Newly accepted students are sometimes advised that this training and support will be required in order to succeed in the program, and may choose to register for additional writing support throughout the course of their studies at BGSP.

Graduates of a Master’s program at BGSP who wish to continue in the Certificate or one of the doctoral programs are required to apply to that program separately. At that time, their readiness to progress into an advanced clinical or academic program is assessed on the basis of interviews and their previous work at BGSP.

BGSP does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, gender identity, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability or socioeconomic status in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other School-administered programs.

How to Apply

To apply to the Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis, enter our Online Application Portal or download a PDF application.

Application Deadlines

BGSP offers admission on a rolling calendar basis.  However, we do have application deadlines in order to ensure that there is enough time to review your application. Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed for the next admissions cycle.

Application Deadlines:

  • Fall Semester (September start) – May 1st
  • Spring Semester (February start) – November 1st

Required Application Materials

For application to the following degree programs: MA in Psychoanalysis; MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling; MA in Psychoanalysis, Society & Culture; Doctor of Psychoanalysis; Doctor of Psychoanalysis in Psychoanalysis, Society & Culture; Certificate in Psychoanalysis; and CAGS in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy.

Applicants should provide all following materials to the Admissions Office:

  • Completed online application or printed application form
  • Application fee of $100
  • One-page personal statement of interest
  • Two (2) current letters of reference and two (2) letter of reference waiver forms (At least one reference should be academic, and the others should be from professional or academic sources)
  • Official copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts
  • Academic writing sample

Note: The GRE is not required for application to any of our programs

Admissions Office
Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis
1581 Beacon Street
Brookline, MA 02446

admissions@bgsp.edu

Interview Process

Following a review of the completed application materials, applicants may be scheduled for three (3) interviews with three (3) of our faculty members. Interviews generally take place virtually via Zoom.

Faculty consider the applicant’s readiness to work at the graduate level, motivation, potential to think independently and to deeply explore human nature. This is also an opportunity for the applicant to learn about BGSP.

How to Apply – Accelerated PsyaD

To apply to the Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis, enter our Online Application Portal or download a PDF application.

Accel PsyaD Application Deadlines

Application Deadlines for the Hybrid Accelerated Psya.D. for Certified Analysts:

  • Fall Semester (September start) – May 1st; every two years
  • Next cohort application deadline: May 1st, 2024

For more information on deadlines and applying for the Hybrid Accelerated Psya.D. for Certified Analysts, contact admissions@bgsp.edu.

Required Application Materials

For application to the Hybrid Accelerated Psya.D. for Certified Analysts, applicants should provide all of the following materials to the Admissions Office:

  • Completed online application or printed application form
  • Application fee of $100
  • One-page personal statement of interest
  • Two (2) current letters of reference and two (2) letter of reference waiver forms (At least one recommendation should be from the analytic institute you attended, one letter from a supervisor, and one from another relevant source)
  • Official copies of undergraduate, graduate, and psychoanalytic certificate training transcripts
  • Documentation of hours of training analysis completed, minimally 300 hours (this should come from the analytic institute attended for certificate training)
  • Qualifying paper: applicants submit a copy of their final paper or final capstone experience in their post-graduate certificate in psychoanalysis program.

Interview Process

Applicants for the Hybrid Accelerated Psya.D. Program for Certified Analysts are only required to have two (2) interviews with two (2) of our faculty members. Interviews generally take place virtually via Zoom.

Faculty consider the applicant’s readiness to work at the graduate level, motivation, potential to think independently and to deeply explore human nature. This is also an opportunity for the applicant to learn about BGSP.

FAQs

Q: How much will my program cost?

A: Our tuition and fees are charged on a per-credit basis, so the cost per semester will vary depending on the number and type of courses that you choose to take.  For a breakdown of the cost of attendance by program and enrollment status, click here.

.Q: What do I need to include with my application?

A: To apply to one of our degree programs, please include the following: Application form, $100 application fee, a one page personal statement of interest, two current letters of reference, two letter of reference waivers, official copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts, and an academic writing sample.  International applicants, click here for additional information.

Q: I would like to study part-time. Is this possible?

A: Yes, students may choose to enroll part-time or full-time in any of our degree programs. Choosing part-time enrollment leads to a longer time to degree, but allows the student to take fewer courses each semester.

Q: Are your programs accredited?

A: The Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis, including the New York and New Jersey campuses, is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Learning. For more information about our accreditation, click here.

Q: Is your doctoral program APA accredited?

A: The American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation is the national accrediting authority for professional education and training in psychology. Because our programs are in psychoanalysis, not in psychology, this accreditation is not relevant to our programs. The American Board for Accreditation in Psychoanalysis (ABAP) is a national accrediting authority for professional education and training in psychoanalysis. BGSP’s psychoanalytic training programs (Psya.D. and Certificate in Psychoanalysis) are accredited by ABAP.

Q: What are my chances of being admitted?

A: We encourage all those who are interested in studying with us to apply as we make every effort to carefully review each application. Qualified applicants demonstrate their motivation and capacity to understand self and others as evidenced in their written application and admissions interviews; their readiness to undertake graduate level academic study; and their motivation to engage in emotional and intellectual learning

.Q: What kind of career prospects do I have with this degree?

A: Our graduates choose a variety of careers after completion of their degree. For examples and alumni profiles, click here.

Q: My prior degree is not in psychology, or a related field. May I still apply?

A: We welcome applicants with baccalaureate and graduate degrees from all academic backgrounds. Applicants are not required to have studied psychology, psychoanalysis, or a related field prior to applying to BGSP. We provide the foundational courses in psychoanalysis and related fields as part of the required curriculum for all students in our degree programs.

Q: Do you accept transfer credit?

A: Yes, it is possible to request equivalency for previous graduate work in psychoanalysis. Requests are evaluated on a case by case basis by the Dean of Students, and cannot be guaranteed at the time of admission.

Q: I would like to teach at the university level. Can I do this with the PsyaD?

A: Many of our graduates do qualify to work as adjunct professors at colleges and universities. Because the PsyaD degree is not a PhD degree, it is more difficult to obtain a full-time or tenure-track faculty position at a university.

Q: Do you have a minimum GPA or GRE score requirement?

A: Our admissions process focuses on candidates’ readiness for the deep and challenging work we do, and emphasizes individual interviews. We admit students with outstanding academic records, as well as those who may not have thrived in traditional educational settings, but possess qualities that can help them become gifted clinicians. For this reason, we have neither minimum GPA nor GRE requirements for admission.

Q: How long should my academic writing sample be?

A: For application to most of our degree programs, the academic writing sample should be about 5-10 pages in length. You may turn in something longer, but it is not required. For applicants to the Hybrid Accelerated Psya.D. for Certified Analysts, the academic writing sample should be your final capstone project from your psychoanalytic Certificate program. Due to the length of these papers (usually more than 100 pages), you may choose to provide an electronic copy of your qualifying paper instead of a print version.

Q: What is the average class size?

A: Classes at BGSP are small, and the average class size is 10. Small class size is one of the benefits of attending a small graduate school like BGSP, allowing for more individual attention and a richer learning experience.

Q: How long does it take to graduate?

A: The time to degree will vary depending on the program you choose and your enrollment status. In general, the Master of Arts programs are designed to be completed in 2 years at a full-time pace, though many students choose to proceed at a slower pace to facilitate integration of course material and clinical learning. Applicants are advised to consult with the Admissions Committee, and students with their advisors, as to the best pace for them. In the Doctor of Psychoanalysis programs, students typically take a full time pace at the Master’s level (pre-candidacy level) and a part time pace at candidacy level, completing in 8 years.

Q: Do you conduct admissions interviews?

A: Yes, following completion of the application file, applicants may be selected for interviews. Interviews take place on site, and you will be scheduled for three interviews with three of our faculty members.

Q: Do you offer scholarships?

A: We offer tuition discounts to selected first-time applicants entering the M.A. program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or One Year Program from backgrounds in human service agencies. For more information, see Types of Aid. In addition, BGSP is authorized to offer US Title IV Federal Student loans for US citizens and eligible non-citizens. We also encourage students to seek out private grants or scholarships to help fund their education.

Q: Can I apply for a graduate assistantship?

A: We do not offer graduate assistantships at this time.  However, we do offer an extremely limited number of paid positions for students who have completed at least one year of study at BGSP.  Please note that we are not able to guarantee a position in a job at the time a student is accepted for admission. These positions are filled as they become available.  On average, jobs are 5-10 hours per week, and are paid by the hour.

Contact Admissions

If you would like to reach the Admissions Department directly to ask questions or schedule a visit, you can email admissions@bgsp.edu or call (617) 277-3915.

The Admissions department offers many other opportunities to learn more about BGSP. Join our mailing list and be informed about upcoming events and deadlines. Check our events calendar for upcoming Informational Open Houses and Webinars.

Most Informational Open Houses for the Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis are held at 1581 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA 02446.

If you are located outside of the United States or are otherwise unable to attend an Informational Open House, we invite you to attend an Informational Webinar. These offer the same benefits as an Informational Open House from the convenience of your home.