How to Apply to Psychology at the University of Miami: A BA or BS in the College of Arts and Sciences With a 2.8 GPA to Declare, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese, Canadian High School and Transfer Students

At the University of Miami (UM), psychology is in the College of Arts and Sciences, with a BA or BS in Psychology. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on UM’s official information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. Choose a major on the application, declare after entry

• Choosing on the application: you select your intended major and its school or college in the Common App. UM notes that the Final Credentials Deadline is also the deadline to change to a major in another school or college.
• Declaring psychology: you need a 2.8 combined, UM and psychology GPA.
• Application materials: the Common App personal statement (650 words or fewer; UM requires no supplemental essay), activities, one letter of recommendation from a counselor or teacher, and your high school transcript. Non-English transcripts need an official English translation from the school or an accredited agency; self-translations are not accepted. The application fee is $75.

2. Psychology major requirements

• Credits: 33 credit hours of PSY courses, each C- or better; you need a 2.3 psychology GPA to graduate with the major.
• BA core: Introduction to Psychology (PSY 110), Introduction to Research Methods (PSY 290) and Introduction to Biobehavioral Statistics (PSY 291), plus 200-, 300- and 400/500-level PSY courses. BA students must complete a minor.
• BS core: the BA core plus intermediate and advanced research methods (PSY 390, PSY 490), with Calculus I and II. BS students must minor in a STEM field such as biochemistry, biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics or physics.
• Research and honors: research projects (PSY 280/380/480) and a senior honors thesis (PSY 580/581).
• Residency: at least half the major, including all 300-level and higher PSY courses, must be taken at UM; AP Statistics credit cannot count toward the major.

3. Deadlines and decisions

• Early Decision I (binding): 1 November; financial aid 15 November, final credentials 13 November; decisions mid-December.
• Early Action (non-binding): 1 November; financial aid 15 November, final credentials 20 November; decisions late January.
• Early Decision II (binding): 5 January; final credentials 25 January; decisions late February.
• Regular Decision: 5 January; final credentials 5 February; decisions 1 April.
• Scholarships: ED I and EA applicants are considered for Premier Scholarships as well as merit scholarships; ED II and RD applicants for merit scholarships. Early applications incomplete by their final credentials deadline roll over to Regular Decision.

4. Testing and English

• Testing: UM generally requires SAT or ACT scores, but students graduating from a secondary school outside the United States may apply with or without them, which covers students in China and Canada. You can self-report scores; enrolling students send official reports.
• English: non-native speakers submit official TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores (TOEFL Home Edition accepted, TOEFL Essentials not), valid for two years. Competitive applicants generally score above:
  • TOEFL 80 on the old scale, or 4.5 on the new scale for tests after 21 January 2026 (including Paper and Home Editions);
  • IELTS 6.5;
  • Duolingo 120.
• Waivers (examples): three years at an English-medium high school outside the US; official SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing of 650+ or ACT English of 27+; A or B in AP English or IB HL English. Request a waiver through the applicant portal.
• Below the English requirement: academically qualified applicants may be offered admission for the following year if they complete level five of UM’s Intensive English Program within one year.
• Chinese and Canadian curricula: UM’s by-country list loads dynamically and could not be read for this guide. UM says competitive A-Level applicants typically take 3–4 subjects with predicted Bs or higher, and IB applicants typically score 5–7. For Gaokao or BC expectations, see that page or email intladmission@miami.edu.

5. Costs and aid

• 2026-27 estimates (US$, on campus): tuition 66,312, fees 2,030, housing 16,958 and meals 9,400, for direct costs of 94,700; with books, personal costs and transportation the total is 98,872. The estimated total for international students is 104,091, including mandatory university health insurance (4,483) and a higher transportation allowance. 2027-28 costs are not yet published.
• Scholarships: every applicant is automatically considered for merit scholarships, with no separate application; UM advises applying early.
• Need-based aid: foreign nationals who want institutional need-based aid must submit the CSS Profile by their plan’s deadline. UM does not say whether requesting aid affects international admission.

6. Transfer students

• Deadlines: fall entry 1 April (financial aid 15 April); spring entry 1 November; decisions on a rolling basis, and late applications are reviewed as space allows.
• Materials: the Common App for transfer (including a 250-word essay on why you are transferring), all college transcripts, and a College Report from any US institution attended; a recommendation is optional. If you studied outside the US, see UM’s international evaluation requirements.
• Testing and English: no test scores are needed with more than 24 college credits by entry; with fewer, you send your high school transcript and test scores, though testing is optional if you finished secondary school outside the US. Non-native speakers submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo.
• Credit: evaluated course by course after admission; only grades of C or better transfer, and online psychology courses need department chair approval. At least half of your major and minor credits, and your final 45 credits, must be completed at UM.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply through the Common App by 1 November (ED I or EA) or 5 January (ED II or RD), choosing psychology
• Aim above TOEFL 4.5, IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 120; decide whether to send SAT/ACT
• Arrange an official English translation of your transcript; submit the CSS Profile if you want need-based aid
• After entry, reach a 2.8 combined, UM and psychology GPA to declare the major

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Same deadlines; testing is optional for graduates of high schools outside the US
• Non-native speakers with three years at an English-medium high school can request an English waiver

Transfer students:

• Fall deadline 1 April, with rolling decisions
• No test scores needed with 24+ credits; only C or better transfers; your final 45 credits are taken at UM

Sources: University of Miami, Admission plans and deadlines; First-year application requirements; English proficiency requirements; Eligibility requirements by country; Transfer admission requirements; Transferring credits; 2026-27 estimated cost of attendance; Scholarships; Psychology BA/BS in the Academic Bulletin. Information is for fall 2027 entry (costs are 2026-27 figures). Check the University of Miami for the latest details.