Dr. Tina Zottoli expects to take a new PhD student for the 2026 cycle. Students who are interested in working with Dr. Zottoli should list her as their first-choice for mentor in their application.

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Dr. Tarika Daftary-Kapur, expects to take a new PhD student for the 2026 cycle. Students who are interested in working with Dr. Zottoli should list her as their first-choice for mentor in their application.

Questions about applying to the Montclair State Clinical Psychology PhD program should be directed to the program’s admissions website. Detailed information is available on the graduate program website. The program also typically offers an open house in the Fall each year.

To ensure fairness and consistency for all prospective students, and because the lab receives a high volume of inquiries, we cannot provide specific feedback for subsequent applications. The Clinical Psychology PhD program at Montclair State University is highly competitive. Not being admitted in a previous cycle is not necessarily a reflection of your qualifications for doctoral training.  Applicants are encouraged to hone their skills in the intervening year and reapply if they believe they are strong candidates. 

Both Dr. Zottoli and Dr. Daftary-Kapur look for students with strong academic backgrounds and excellent writing skills. Additionally, they seek students for whom research training is a primary goal or at least equally important as clinical training, ensuring a strong alignment with the lab’s research-focused environment. Candidates should be familiar with Dr. Zottoli’s and/or Dr. Daftary-Kapur’s work and have clearly articulated interests in their areas of research.  

Dr. Zottoli is primarily focused on guilty plea decision-making, wrongful conviction, and the legal capacities of youthful defendants. These areas are expected to remain her research priorities for the foreseeable future.​

Dr. Daftary-Kapur is currently focused on the analysis and development of second-look legislation, particularly as it applies to youth, as well as guilty plea decision-making. These topics are expected to continue to be the primary focus of her research in the foreseeable future.

Given their close collaboration, applicants will often find they have interests that overlap with both Dr. Daftary-Kapur and Dr. Zottoli. If that describes you, mention both of them in your application materials It is important to clearly explain why you believe you are a strong fit for each, highlighting your alignment with their separate or common research areas. 

To ensure fairness and consistency for all prospective students, and because the lab receives a high volume of inquiries, the directors and lab members do not offer individual meetings with applicants prior to admission decisions. Applicants who are offered interviews will also have the opportunity to meet with current doctoral students. 

Contacting the lab prior to submitting your application is not required and does not affect chances of acceptance. However, if questions remain after reviewing the website and this FAQ page, you may contact the lab at legal-decisions-lab@montclair.edu.

No. To ensure fairness and consistency for all prospective students, and because the lab receives a high volume of inquiries, we are not able to provide personalized feedback on CVs, personal statements, or other application materials.