Program Overview

Clinical Psychology, MA

The Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Psychology program is a 60-hour program designed to develop mastery of the scientific principles and methods of psychology and their application to clinical issues. The primary education and training mission of the program is to provide a program of study with an applied clinical emphasis to prepare students for the practice of psychology or counseling at the master's level of licensure.

Program Description

Students are required to take a sequence of core curriculum coursework that emphasizes major academic areas within the discipline of psychology before advancing to specialized coursework in the area of clinical psychology that prepares them for the professional application of psychological principles. In addition, students receive supervised clinical practicum experience as part of their training. They may also choose to complete an empirical thesis under the supervision of a faculty advisor.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the MA Clinical Psychology program will demonstrate knowledge of developmental, empirical, physiological, and social psychology principles. Graduates will demonstrate mastery of the basic principles of clinical assessment and their therapeutic application as well as the ethical use of these principles. Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of research design and statistical analysis.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the university admission requirements outlined for all graduate programs, the MA Clinical Psychology program requires:

• A bachelor's degree in psychology, or a bachelor's degree with 15 semester hours of undergraduate coursework in psychology for unconditional admission.
• A cumulative grade point average (G.P.A.) of no less than 3.0 on a 4-point scale.
• Graduate Record Exam (G.R.E.) scores taken within the last five years from the application date.
• Two letters of evaluation from individuals such as professors and employers who can attest to the applicant's potential for success in a graduate program of study.
• An application essay describing their educational and professional goals as well as their qualifications for graduate study.

Admission Deadline

The graduate program in Clinical Psychology only accepts students for Fall admission. Application materials should be submitted electronically by March 15 for priority consideration for Fall admission. The final deadline for receipt of complete applications is June 15.

Program Requirements

Course List

• Required Core Courses:
  • PSYC 5311: Research Methods and Statistics I
  • PSYC 5312: Research Methods and Statistics II
  • PSYC 5321: Biological Bases of Behavior
  • PSYC 5323: Advanced Social Psychology
  • PSYC 5324: Advanced Developmental Psychology
• Required Clinical Courses:
  • PSYC 5322: Advanced Personality Theories
  • PSYC 5341: Graduate Psychopathology
  • PSYC 5342: Professional Issues and Ethics in Psychology
  • PSYC 5343: Intellectual Assessment
  • PSYC 5344: Personality Assessment
  • PSYC 5349: Diversity Issues and Multiculturalism in Psychology
  • PSYC 5350: Introduction to Psychotherapy
  • PSYC 5352: Therapy with Multiple Clients: Interpersonal and Group Dynamics
  • PSYC 5356: Applied Behavioral/Cognitive Psychology
  • PSYC 5357: Psychopharmacology
  • PSYC 5398: Clinical Practicum (three semesters)
• Electives: Select 6 hours of electives, which may include 6 hours of PSYC 5395 - Thesis.

Course Sequence

Courses must be taken in the prescribed sequence. Failure to take the courses as prescribed may result in a delay in time toward graduation as courses are typically offered only once per rotation year.

Additional Requirements

• Annual Performance Evaluation: Students' progress in the program will be formally evaluated at the end of each semester.
• Practicum: Students will participate in three practicum placements as part of their clinical training.
• Thesis Option: Students may elect to complete a thesis option in addition to the required coursework.

Exit Requirement for All Students

An oral examination will be given toward the end of the program over a therapy and testing case conducted during their practicum placement.

Additional Exit Requirements for Students Completing a Thesis

A final oral thesis defense will be required of all students completing a thesis.

Grade-Point Average

A minimum grade-point average of 3.0 ("B") on a 4-point scale in all graduate-level work taken at this university is required for graduation.

Registration Restrictions

Students who have not been accepted into the MA Clinical Psychology program may enroll in certain courses with permission of the instructor and satisfaction of course prerequisites.