Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology: Enrollment Policies

Statement of Non-Discrimination

Divine Mercy University  admits qualified students of any age, race, sex , religion, color, nationality, or ethnic origin.  Applicants should understand that the central mission of Divine Mercy University is the development of a Christian approach to mental health science and practice. The University welcomes qualified students from both faith and non-faith-based worldviews; nonetheless, all students who seek admission must sincerely desire to share the University’s mission and objectives and respect the University’s Catholic-Christian identity and approach.  Given its distinct and unique goal of integrating human sciences with the Catholic view of the person, the degree programs at the University will differ from non-religious programs in their approach, while maintaining the rigor in both the quantity and quality of education and clinical training.

Disability Support Services

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) the University is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to any student who has a disability. Any student who has a documented disability must provide supporting documentation to the Enrollment Services Office at the beginning of the first semester. Once documentation is complete, the student should inform the instructor directly during the first week of class regarding accommodations made for particular class/classes.

Course-for-Credit or Audit

Any student enrolled in an the University program may choose to audit a course during registration for a semester, with the approval of their academic advisor and subject to the enrollment limitations listed below.  Audit tuition is approximately one-half of the current regular tuition.

A limited selection of master’s-level courses may be taken on a course-for-credit or audit basis by non-degree seeking students holding an appropriate baccalaureate degree. Any non-degree person wishing to register on a course-for-credit or audit basis must submit a completed application, official undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) transcript(s), and the required application fee ($35). Personal statements, GRE scores, letters of recommendation and interviews are not required. The application is reviewed and approved by the Department Chair and registration will be subject to the enrollment limitations that follow.

Only the following courses are eligible to be taken by non-degree students (unless special permission is received from the Department Chair and Academic Dean): INT 510, INT 511, INT 615, INT 625, PSY 500, PSY 503, PSY 504, PSY 605.  Students receiving permission to register course-for-credit or audit are not admitted nor guaranteed admission to a program.  Enrollment is subject to limitations of class size, with priority given to degree candidates and students enrolled for credit, any special requirements for auditing a particular class, the exclusion of auditors or non-degree students from a particular class or a given type of class, and prerequisites.  

For students taking a course-for-credit or audit, attendance is required (see “Class Attendance”).  Auditing students will not be obliged to complete any of the class requirements.  No academic credit is awarded for auditing a course.

A student currently taking a course on an audit basis may petition through the Office of Enrollment Services to switch to a “course-for-credit” basis.  Such petition must be presented to and approved prior to the commencement of the third scheduled week of classes.  Students who have previously audited a class for which they later wish to receive credit may later enroll in the same course, for credit, by registering and paying the regular tuition.  Students who have previously audited a class, and who are now taking the course for credit are required to complete the assignments for the course as outlined by the current syllabus for that class, including any requirements for class participation, papers, and examinations.  The student may, however, petition the instructor and Academic Dean in writing for a modification of the class attendance requirement of the University.

Criteria for Transfer of Credit

Graduate credits are transferable from regionally accredited institutions.  Courses considered for transfer must have been completed within a period of six years prior to acceptance into the University’s programs.  Exceptions to this time limit may be granted for applicants who have been actively involved in the field in which the degree was earned on a continuous basis prior to admission.  Extension, continuing education, or in-service courses that are not intended by the institution offering the courses as part of a degree program are not acceptable for transfer credit to the University.  No graduate credit can be awarded for undergraduate-level courses.

Students admitted to the Psy.D. Program may petition for the transfer of a maximum of 18 credit hours. All transfer courses must have been earned at a graduate-level program in a regionally accredited college or university.

Transfer of graduate credits earned at other institutions is not automatic.  Only graduate credit for courses determined to be equivalent to courses offered at the University can be transferred for course credit.  In addition, only courses for which a grade of B (3.0) or better is obtained will be considered for transfer.

Applicants should note that given the unique mission of the University, certain courses completed at other academic institutions may differ significantly in content, although a similar title is given to the course at both institutions. Therefore, the following courses typically are not eligible for transfer from another institution:

  • INT 510 The Person: Integrating Philosophical, Theological, Psychological Perspectives I
  • INT 511 The Person: Integrating Philosophical, Theological, Psychological Perspectives II
  • INT 615 Flourishing through Freedom and Moral Development
  • INT 625 Flourishing through Relationships, Vocations, and Life Commitments
  • PSY 512 Law, Ethics, and Psychology
  • PSY 516 Basic Interviewing and Clinical Skills
  • PSY 609 Adult Psychotherapy
  • PSY 610 Child Psychotherapy
  • PSY 611 Marital Psychotherapy
  • PSY 724 Advanced Adult Psychotherapy
  • PSY 734 Advanced Child, Marriage, and Family Therapy I
  • PSY 736 Child Psychopathology
  • PSY 836 Advanced Personality Assessment

Students wishing to apply for transfer of credit to the University must be enrolled in a degree program and must submit the appropriate transfer of credit form (obtained from the Office of Enrollment Services) to the Program Director prior to the end of the second semester in which they are enrolled in their degree program. This request will be reviewed by the Dean who will notify the student of the decision regarding the request.

Enrollment Status

Students attending the University enroll in one of four enrollment status categories: Full-Time, Part-Time, Leave of Absence and Withdrawn. Each program academic catalog specifies the nature of each of these four categories for the various academic programs of the University.

Psy.D. Full-Time Status

A Psy.D. Program student is considered full-time if the student is: a) enrolled in a minimum of nine credit hours for two of the three previous semesters; b) enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours each semester and is enrolled in a practicum/externship; c) actively working on a dissertation (i.e., enrolled for dissertation credit hours); or d) engaged in a pre-doctoral internship.

Psy.D. Part-Time Status

The Psy.D. Program is a full-time program.

Students should be aware that courses at the University are offered once each academic year and often have pre-requisites. Part-time attendance and/or taking classes outside the established sequence could postpone eligibility for externship as well as graduation.  There is a seven-year limit to complete the Doctor of Psychology Program.

If a reduced course load changes a student’s enrollment status from full-time to part-time, it is the student’s responsibility to recognize the possible consequences (i.e. potential reduction of financial aid awards, SEVIS status, degree completion time, etc.) and take necessary action with the corresponding office (Financial Aid, International Student Coordinator, Registrar, Academic Advisor, etc.).

Leave of Absence

Should a student enrolled in a degree program of the University find it necessary to interrupt active pursuit of their degree, he or she should discuss the need for a leave of absence with their academic advisor and must petition the Academic Dean in writing. Generally, a leave of absence is granted for good cause, and for a minimum of one academic semester for onsite programs or one term for online programs, and limited to one academic year.  Requests will be considered prior to the beginning of an academic semester.  For any request made during the academic semester, the grade assigned will follow the University’s withdrawal policy.

The right to make use of the University’s facilities is suspended while the leave of absence is in effect.  The student who discontinues active enrollment in courses without being granted a leave of absence, or a student granted a leave of absence who does not return to active enrollment in courses at the close of the approved period of time will be considered withdrawn, must apply for re-admission to the degree program, subject to the regulations and requirements then in force.  In such cases, acceptance into the program is not guaranteed, and any courses taken prior to the interruption of enrollment may not count toward graduation if they were not completed within the time allowed for degree completion.

While DMU policy may allow students a leave of absence of up to one calendar year, students who take advantage of this policy may be required to begin repayment of Title IV federal loans.  Students who are participating in Title IV federal financial aid programs may be granted a leave of absence of up to 180 days in a calendar year without entering repayment.  Therefore, students receiving federal financial aid are required to receive counseling from the Financial Aid Office prior to being granted a leave of absence.

Withdrawal from the University

A withdrawal from the University is defined as dropping all registered courses or failure to enroll each semester prior to completing all requirements for graduation.  To withdraw from the University at any time other than the close of the semester, students are required to consult their academic advisor and the Financial Aid Office, complete the University’s withdrawal procedure with the Office of Enrollment Services, and obtain official written notification of withdrawal.  Discontinuation of class attendance or notification to an instructor of withdrawal does not constitute an official withdrawal from the University.  Any student who withdraws from the University will be assigned a grade of Withdrawal (W), Withdrawal Passing (WP), or Withdrawal Failing (WF) as stated in the University’s course change policy.  Refunds will be made in accordance with the University’s refund policy.  In instances where the University’s withdrawal procedure is not completed, students will be responsible for the full payment of their accounts.

A student who withdraws from the Institute and wishes to continue coursework at the Institute must re-apply for admission following all applicable procedures required and pay the appropriate re-application fees.  

Life Experiences and Course Exemptions

The University does not permit course exemptions for life experiences.

Deferral of Enrollment

Admission is granted only for the semester to which the applicant applies.  Deferral of enrollment does not guarantee deferral of financial aid package. Those failing to register for the semester for which they have received acceptance can request that their application remain active for up to two years from the year for which they originally applied, provided:

  1. the applicant understands that admission to a future semester is not guaranteed and their application will be re-considered with the pool of applicants for the year they choose to apply;
  2. the request to maintain an active application file must be received in writing by the Office of Admissions prior to August 15 of the year for which they were offered enrollment;
  3. the applicant confirms to the Office of Admissions his or her desire to be re-considered for admission prior to January 1 of the year for which they would like to enroll.  This confirmation comprises updated materials for their file to reflect their work or study since the time of their original application, including:
  1. Personal Statement “A” explaining how their current goals coincide with study at the University;
  2. official transcripts reflecting any academic work completed since the original submission;
  3. at least one letter of recommendation from a professor or employer which reflects the applicant’s accomplishments or abilities;
  4. test scores (GRE, and TOEFL or IELTS, if applicable). (Students must re-take tests if test scores have expired prior to enrollment,);
  5. admission or degree requirements adopted since original application may be required as well;
  6. application fee of $55; and,
  7. interviews may or may not be required at the discretion of the Admission Committee.

Re-Application for Admission of Previously-Enrolled Students

Students who have withdrawn from the University in good standing may re-apply for admission.  If their re-application is within three years of their withdrawal, they are not required to re-submit official transcripts from their education prior to the University but should be prepared to submit the following:

  1. revised application form, including updated contact information;
  2. revised Personal Statement “A,” stating the reasons for their desire to return to complete their studies at the University;
  3. official transcripts reflecting any academic work completed during the time they have been away from the University;
  4. at least one letter of recommendation from a professor or employer which reflects the applicant’s accomplishments or abilities in the time they have been away from the University; and,
  5. application fee of $55.

The student will be required to adhere to the admission and degree requirements adopted since original matriculation or to special requirements imposed as a condition of re-admission, such as repetition of certain examinations or courses.

If it has been more than three years since the student’s withdrawal they must re-submit all application materials as required by the Office of Admissions.

Students who have financial obligations to the University are ineligible until these obligations are satisfied.

Registration for Classes

Attendance at any University class is not permitted unless the person is registered for the class. Students whose accounts are not current will not be permitted to register for classes.  Students registering for a course-for-credit or audit must register no later than the last day of the published add/drop period each semester or term.

For onsite programs 

For planning purposes, fall semester registration for returning students takes place in April of the preceding academic year and spring and summer semester registration for returning students takes place in November of each year.  New student registration opens in June.  Any student registering for courses outside of the published registration period are subject to a late registration fee. Students must meet with their academic advisor prior to registering each semester and have the academic advisor sign the completed registration form.  It is the option of each new student admitted to make an appointment with an academic advisor prior to registering.

For online programs

Registration occurs automatically. Notification is given prior to the start of the term, if a student does not wish to continue they must contact Enrollment Services.

Add/Drop Course Change Policy

Students are permitted to add or drop courses without incurring an academic record of the course throughout the published registration period and during the published Add/Drop Period, with the approval of their academic advisor and Registrar. For online students, this is six days from the course start date.

Course changes made after the published Add/Drop period will be recorded in the student’s academic record (as described in the following paragraph) and require the approval of the instructor, academic advisor, and Registrar’s Office. Course changes other than as described above, require the signature of the instructor, academic advisor, and Registrar’s Office. Classes meeting in an intensive format or on a shortened semester calendar (eg. summer session) follow adjusted add/drop and refund schedules. All registration changes are subject to the Registration Change Fee (Add/Drop Fee) and the Refund Policy of their respective program.

A student who follows the published course change procedures may drop or withdraw from courses after the published Add/Drop Period and prior to the published “Last Day to Withdraw and Receive a “W” and receive a Final Grade of Withdrawal (“W”). After the published “Last Date to Withdraw and Receive a “W” each academic semester, a student who withdraws from a course will be assigned a Final Grade of either Withdrawal Passing (“WP”) or Withdrawal Failing (“WF”) by the instructor based upon actual work completed at the time of the withdrawal. A “W” or “WP” will not affect the student’s cumulative grade point average. A WF is treated as a failing grade for grade point average computation.