Clinical Psychology M.S.
Total Semester Credit Hours = 60
The Clinical Psychology program provides the opportunity for the student to understand, evaluate, and counsel persons with psychological problems, and to draw upon community resources for assistance in working with these persons. During completion of the M.S. degree and approved practicums, the student is provided the opportunity to administer psychological tests, use various techniques of psychotherapy such as cognitive and behavioral therapy and other evidence-based practices, and become familiar with research practices in clinical psychology. Students who complete all requirements of the Clinical Psychology M.S. who become licensed at the master’s-level often work in psychiatric hospitals, in mental health centers, with Licensed Psychologists in private practice, or after 3000 hours of supervision, in independent practice with a Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA) license. Students may also wish to earn licensure at the doctoral level and pursue doctoral-level clinical psychology training upon graduation from this program.
Clinical psychology students may complete a general program of study in clinical psychology or may choose a specialization in neuropsychology.
Students seeking admission to the Clinical Psychology degree program should have completed the following undergraduate prerequisites: Psychological Statistics, Research Methods or Experimental Psychology, and Abnormal Psychology. Students lacking these program undergraduate pre-requisites should take them as soon as possible during their graduate program.
The Master of Science in Clinical Psychology degree program requires 60 credit hours of graduate course work, for either the general clinical or neuropsychology emphases.
Licensure
The M.S. in Clinical Psychology qualifies students to take the exam for a Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA) from the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists. An LPA license requires practicing under the supervision of a Licensed Psychologist. To practice independently, an LPA must complete an additional 3000 hours of supervised practice after receiving his or her degree and initial LPA license. Licensure also requires passage of the EPPP and Jurisprudence exam. The M.S. in Clinical Psychology does not meet licensure requirements for the LPC credential and students who are interested in the LPC should consider the CMHC program in our department.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the graduate program in Clinical Psychology, the individual must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Submit official transcripts from all institutions attended.
- Submit a Department Information Sheet which includes a Statement of Purpose.
- Submit three (3) Evaluations of Academic Potential forms.
- Complete the background check.
- If proof of English proficiency is required, the program has the following requirements:
- The minimum TOEFL or IELTS scores are 560 on the paper and pencil test, 220 on the computer-based test, or 87 on the internet-based test (TOEFL/IBT), or overall band score of 7.0 (IELTS) with 6.5 or greater in each subsection. TOEFL and IELTS test scores are valid for only two years.
- Submission of a curriculum vitae, which provides an opportunity for students to outline previous education, research, and life experiences.
Degree Requirements
Total Semester Credit Hours = 60
Foundation Courses (42 hrs.)
All clinical psychology students are required to complete a foundation of 42 credit hours as follows:
Biological Bases of Behavior - GENERAL TRACK
Biological Bases of Behavior - NEURO TRACK
Required:
General Program of Study in Clinical Psychology
Students who wish to complete the general program of study in clinical psychology may choose 12 SCH of Psychology and Counseling electives.
They should consult their faculty advisor and specify the courses in their degree plans.
Neuropsychology Specialization (15 hrs.)
Students who choose to complete the neuropsychology specialization must include the following courses:
| PSYC 5356 | Neuropsychological Assessment of Memory | |
| PSYC 5358 | Neuropsychological Assessment: Fixed Battery | |
| PSYC 5359 | Flexible Neuropsychological Battery | |
| | Elective (3 hours) | |