MS in Clinical Psychology

The Department of Psychology and Counseling offers a program leading to the Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology. The goals of the program are oriented toward the development of theoretical, research, and applied intervention models, which are relevant to the individual as well as to society.

With the scientist-practitioner model as a focal point and with an emphasis on developing skills in theory building and research design, the Clinical Psychology Program provides training relevant to assessment, prevention, and treatment of behavioral and emotional dysfunction. Instruction is also provided in basic and applied research methodologies.

The program is geared toward providing students with the background needed for understanding human service delivery systems, working as clinicians, and designing research projects. The curriculum also provides the necessary foundation for the pursuit of doctoral level studies.

Master of Science in Clinical Psychology

Applicants to the program are required to submit:

Applicants to the program are required to submit:

Consideration for full acceptance into the program will be given to applicants holding a baccalaureate degree in psychology, with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 and a grade point average of 3.0 in psychology. For applicants without the baccalaureate in psychology, a minimum of 15 academic credits in psychology is required, including Introductory General Psychology, Experimental Psychology, and Statistics.

Applicants who do not meet the above criteria may be considered for conditional acceptance or for non-degree status pending completion of admission requirements.

Graduate Writing Proficiency Examination:The Graduate Writing Proficiency Examination is required of all graduate students. Students must take the writing proficiency examination in the first semester of enrollment. Students must register to take the examination which is administered only once each semester.

Comprehensive Examinations: Required for students selecting the non-thesis option.

Thesis: Optional

A non-thesis option is available for graduate students pursuing a terminal master's degree. Students electing this option will be prepared to fill positions as school psychologists, psychometricians, mental health psychologists, and psychology associates which do not require the doctoral degree. This option will not apply to graduate students who aspire to continue their education at the doctoral level where they will be trained for the independent practice of clinical psychology and/or for doctoral level positions in other areas of psychology.

Academic advisement allows students to explore career options so that they can be guided toward either the thesis or non-thesis option. Those graduate students who anticipate pursuing doctoral level study in psychology will continue to be required to develop and acceptable thesis as approved by a committee of faculty and the student advisor.

The non-thesis option will require completion of all required graduate courses leading toward a Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology with the exception of Thesis. In lieu of the thesis, these students will be required to take two additional graduate courses totaling at least six credit hours. Courses which may be elected for this requirement must be chosen from the following list:

Required Courses for the Master of Science Degree in Clinical Psychology:

Electives: