Program Overview

Program Overview

The Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology program at Penn State Harrisburg is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in clinical psychology. The program focuses on the theoretical and practical aspects of clinical psychology, preparing students for careers in research, practice, and academia.

Program Requirements for Admission

To be considered for admission to the program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• GPA: Students must have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or above (on a 4.0 scale) in the last 60 credits of course work.
• Education: The applicant must have completed at least 18 credits in psychology as part of their four-year Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Supporting Materials:
  • Three professional letters of recommendation, at least two of which should be academic
  • A resume or curriculum vitae
  • A writing sample (e.g., a course paper)
  • A brief (two-page) interest statement
• GRE scores are not required for admission or graduate assistantships/scholarships.
• A personal interview is required

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the Fall semester is April 30. Early application is encouraged, especially for those hoping to be considered for merit-based awards. Decisions are made on a rolling basis beginning in January.

Admissions Timeline

The admissions process involves the following steps:

1. Submit a completed application, including all required components, through the application portal.
2. The Professor-in-Charge and another core faculty member review the application to verify that the minimum application requirements have been met.
3. A core faculty member interviews selected applicants via Zoom.
4. The interviewing faculty member shares their impressions with the Professor-in-Charge, who makes a final decision on admittance.
5. Applicants who have been offered admission must accept the offer within two weeks.

Program Details

The program includes a comprehensive curriculum, courses overview, practicum and internship opportunities, program expectations, and learning outcomes. The program is designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of clinical psychology and prepare them for successful careers in the field.