Master of Science in Psychology: Concentration in Clinical Psychology
Program Overview
Master of Science in Psychology: Concentration in Clinical Psychology
The Master of Science in Psychology: Concentration in Clinical Psychology provides students with a degree that confers eligibility to sit for the State of California Marriage and Family Therapy license after completing 3,000 approved hours, 1,700 hours of which must be acquired post-masters.
Overview
The Clinical Psychology Master's Program at SF State was founded in 1952 and has been running continually ever since. The program emphasizes theoretical and applied training from psychodynamic, family systems, multicultural, and community psychology perspectives.
Degree Requirements
The program provides two years of full-time training, leading to the Master of Science degree in Psychology with a concentration in Clinical Psychology, as well as the academic preparations and pre-master's supervised hours for the State of California Marriage and Family Therapy (M.F.T.) license.
Graduate Programs in Psychology
Application to a graduate program is completed through the Cal State Apply application process. The graduate admission application must be submitted by the deadline to be considered for admission. The department accepts applications for the fall semester only, with a deadline of February 1st.
Written English Proficiency Requirement
Graduate students pursuing a Master of Science in Psychology: Concentration in Clinical Psychology must meet both of the following proficiencies to advance to candidacy (graduation):
- Level 1: Satisfactory completion of both PSY723 Clinical Methods: Psychological Assessment; and PSY728 Conference to Accompany Psychology Practicum (fall semester).
- Level 2: Satisfactory completion of the Comprehensive Written Examination (PSY 896 or PSY 896EXM [0 units]) or PSY 898 Master's Thesis.
Prerequisites
Applicants to the Master of Science in Psychology: Concentration in Clinical Psychology must have:
- Preparation in psychology, or other fields which emphasize understanding of human functioning, as any of the social sciences or, in some instances, in fields that deal with specialized forms of human expression and experience.
- Required prerequisites are coursework in psychological statistics and upper-division courses in personality theory and abnormal psychology. Coursework in developmental psychology and cultural perspectives is desirable.
- Experience working directly with people in a helping or service-oriented situation.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Master of Science in Psychology: Concentration in Clinical Psychology the student will be able to:
- Develop technical skills in clinical assessment, diagnosis of psychopathology, psychological testing, and professional writing.
- Develop familiarity and proficiency with major psychological theoretical orientations, and with models of psychotherapy.
- Learn to integrate theory and practice in psychotherapy through presenting and evaluating casework and applying ethical and legal principles.
- Demonstrate professional-level writing and ability to autonomously apply clinical and theoretical knowledge in an independent project.
- Identify practical uses of advanced psychological knowledge.
- Define a career path appropriate to the psychological specialty studied.
- Specify the educational and/or experience levels required of the chosen psychological career.
- Apply psychological knowledge and skills in the professional work setting.
- Make a successful transition from the master's program to a professional career or doctoral program.
Course Requirements
The Master of Science in Psychology: Concentration in Clinical Psychology requires 60 units, including:
- PSY 723: Clinical Methods: Psychological Assessment (3 units)
- PSY 724: Clinical Issues: Drugs, Brain, and Behavior (3 units)
- PSY 728: Conference to Accompany Psychology Practicum (6 units)
- PSY 729: Psychology Practicum (12 units)
- PSY 753: Seminar in Therapeutic and Developmental Change I (3 units)
- PSY 754: Seminar in Therapeutic and Developmental Change II (3 units)
- PSY 821: Clinical Methods: Diagnosis and Advanced Psychopathology (3 units)
- PSY 822: Clinical Methods: Marital and Family Systems Theory and Therapy (3 units)
- PSY 828: Conference to Accompany Advanced Psychology Practicum (6 units)
- PSY 829: Advanced Psychology Practicum (12 units)
- PSY 891: Seminar in Selected Problems (3 units)
- PSY 896 and 896EXM: Directed Reading and Culminating Experience Examination (3 units) or PSY 898: Master's Thesis