Program Overview

Introduction to the MS in Clinical Psychology Program

The MS in Clinical Psychology program at San José State University is designed to train top clinicians in the field to serve clients from a variety of cultural backgrounds with varied clinical problems. The program values community-based psychotherapy from an evidence-based practice approach.

Program Overview

The program is an in-person, full-time program with no option for part-time study. Classes occur during the daytime, typically requiring 34 days per week on campus. The application cycle begins in October with a deadline for submitting all materials on February 1.

Application Process

The application process involves submitting materials through CalStateApply. All applications are reviewed at one time after the deadline in February. There are no early admissions, and the program only offers admission for Fall. Applications are not re-reviewed after decisions have been made by the committee.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission, applicants must:

• Meet all University graduate admissions requirements
• Have a baccalaureate degree in Psychology or any baccalaureate degree with a minimum of 30 semester units in Psychology
• Have taken the required six courses in psychology, including:
  1. General or Introduction to Psychology
  2. Elementary Statistics
  3. Introduction to Research Methods
  4. Psychobiology or equivalent
  5. Upper division course in Psychopathology/Abnormal Psychology
  6. Upper division course in Clinical Psychology or Theory and Methods of Counseling
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all Psychology coursework and a minimum of 3.0 in the last two years of academic work attempted
• Provide evidence of a minimum of 100 hours of paid or volunteer applied clinical experience working with persons in a counseling/helping capacity
• Submit three letters of recommendation, including one from a clinical supervisor and one from a professor

Writing in English

Writing in English is an essential aspect of graduate training in clinical psychology. Applicants must possess adequate proficiency in graduate-level writing. Students are required to pass a first-semester course that satisfies the Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement set by the University.

TOEFL Requirements

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test is often required for international students or those who earned their degree from a university outside of the United States. The current requirements for the TOEFL are 100 (Internet-Based), 570 (Paper-Based), 240 (Computer-Based).

Tuition and Fees

The program is currently one of the most affordable institutions from which to obtain a graduate degree with respect to tuition. Current costs for tuition can be found on the main University website.

MFT Licensing

The MS in Clinical program offers all of the coursework for the pre-degree licensing requirements for all of the Marriage Family Therapy (MFT) requirements. In addition to the educational requirements for licensure, one must also have completed 3,000 hours of acceptable supervised experience and pass the examinations administered by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS).

Full-Time Study over 2 Years

The program requires full-time study over two years, with students enrolling in 5 courses per semester. The program lasts for two years, though some students graduate in the summer of their second year to complete pre-degree licensing requirements.

Applied Clinical Experience Requirement

Applicants are required to have 100 hours of applied clinical experience by the February 1 application deadline. This experience must be with clinical populations in a mental health setting and must be supervised by a mental health professional.

Felony Convictions

Applicants with prior felony convictions may face consequences in completing the MS Clinical Psychology degree program, clinical internships, and later licensure as a psychotherapist. The nature of the criminal conviction could impact the ability to obtain an internship and complete required pre-degree clinical hours.