Clinical/Counseling Psychology, MS
Dr. Nichelle Jackson-Gause, Clinical Program Director
Mission and Outcomes
The mission of the Master of Science program in Clinical/Counseling Psychology is to prepare students to be competent, ethical practitioners of psychological services in the community. Students will develop skills in psychological assessment, and in a variety of therapeutic modalities, including individual therapy with adults and children; as well as family, couples, and group therapy. Graduates of the program will be able to apply knowledge from various theoretical frameworks (e.g., cognitive, behavioral, psychodynamic, humanistic) to intervene effectively with a wide variety of clinical concerns related to mental and emotional wellness. The program's training philosophy emphasizes the importance of recognizing the uniqueness of each individual and the influence of culture and ethnicity when providing services to people from diverse backgrounds. Students will be expected to develop self-awareness, empathy, and compassion for people living with mental illness as well as other factors that contribute to emotional distress. This program prepares graduates to work in a broad range of mental health settings. In addition, the program prepares students for doctoral training in clinical or counseling psychology, specifically.
Graduates of the program will be able to:
- Use critical thinking skills to assess mental health and implement effective interventions using a variety of therapeutic modalities and theoretical approaches (e.g., cognitive, behavioral, psychodynamic, humanistic).
- Understand and apply ethical standards to the provision of psychological services in the community.
- Demonstrate knowledge and skills to intervene effectively with individuals from varying cultural backgrounds.
- Interpret and apply research methods and statistical techniques to advance the study and practice of clinical psychology.
- Use interpersonal and written communication effectively and professionally.
Additional Admission Requirements
In addition to the general requirement of the School of Graduate Studies, admission to the Master of Science in Clinical/Counseling Psychology program will be based upon the following:
- A completed undergraduate degree from an accredited institution. Application deadline is March 15th (February 1st for International Applicants).
- New students are only accepted for fall semester. Applications received or finalized after this deadline will be considered for the next review period.
- A minimum of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale)
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
- Typical GRE score (combined Verbal & Quantitative) for accepted applicants is 280 or higher.
- The GRE General test is required; scores for the psychology subject test will not be accepted.
- For applicants with a cumulative 3.0 or higher GPA from the applicant’s degree-granting institution, submission of GRE scores is optional.
- For applicants whose cumulative GPA is 2.75-2.99 from the applicant’s degree-granting institution, submission of GRE scores is required. Applications will not be reviewed without the submission of scores by the deadline.
- Statement of Purpose that is a maximum of two (2) typewritten pages, single-spaced. The statement should describe the applicant's pertinent and professional experience and education, as well as their interests and goals in pursuing the Master of Science in Clinical/Counseling Psychology degree.
- A resume or curriculum vitae (CV) must also be attached to the end of personal statement.
- 2 letters of recommendation
- Preferably from a previous faculty who can speak to the applicant's preparedness for graduate study. If a faculty member is not available, professional recommendations are acceptable.
- Foundational Coursework: Introduction to Psychology, Human Development, Psychological Statistics, Research Methods, & Abnormal Psychology
- A grade of C or higher in each course and course credit cannot be more than 10 years old.
- A minimum of 3 courses must be completed and reflected on the applicant's transcript at the time of application.
- A required interview with the departmental admissions committee (by departmental invitation only; all applicants will not receive an interview).
International Applicants Only
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores: Required for applicants who have not earned a baccalaureate degree from a United States institution and whose native language is not English. The minimum score on the written test is 550, 78 on the internet-based test, and 213 on the computer-based test.
- GPA conversion (if needed)
- Application Deadline is February 1st.
In order to be awarded the Master of Science (MS) in Clinical/Counseling Psychology, a student will complete a minimum of 60 hours of coursework. Additionally, all students awarded the MS in Clinical/Counseling degree must successfully pass the comprehensive exam and complete 600 supervised clinical hours. Please note that all students must complete and submit an electronic copy of a Master’s Degree Plan of Study during the first semester of the program. Modifications to the suggested plan of study may result in an increase in the length of time to graduation.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Use critical thinking skills to assess mental health and implement effective interventions using a variety of therapeutic modalities and theoretical approaches (e.g., cognitive, behavioral, psychodynamic, humanistic).
- Understand and apply ethical standards to the provision of psychological services in the community.
- Demonstrate knowledge and skills to intervene effectively with individuals from varying cultural backgrounds.
- Interpret and apply research methods and statistical techniques to advance the study and practice of clinical psychology.
- Use interpersonal and written communication effectively and professionally.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical/Counseling Required Courses | 60 | |
| PSYC 5000 | Advanced Development | 3 |
| PSYC 5020 | Cultural Issues in Applied | 3 |
| PSYC 5040 | Advanced Research Methods and | 3 |
| PSYC 5160 | The Helping Relationship | 3 |
| PSYC 5350 | Adv Psychopathology & Diag | 3 |
| PSYC 5170 | Theories and Practice | 3 |
| PSYC 5190 | Theories & Practice w/ Youth | 3 |
| PSYC 5110 | Ethics in Clinical Settings | 3 |
| PSYC 5280 | Dev. Disorders & Psychopath | 3 |
| PSYC 6120 | Intro to Psychological Assess | 3 |
| PSYC 6520 | Career Development Theory & Pr | 3 |
| PSYC 6800 | Special Topics in Clinical Psy | 3 |
| PSYC 6885 | Prof Identity & Practice | 3 |
| PSYC 5150 | Group Therapy | 3 |
| PSYC 6500 | Psychopharmac & Drugs of Abuse | 3 |
| PSYC 6510 | Grief & Crisis Intervention | 3 |
| PSYC 6590 | Clinical Practicum | 3 |
| PSYC 6591 | Clinical Practicum II | 3 |
| PSYC 5180 | Advanced Theories & Practice | 3 |
| PSYC 5200 | Family and Couples Therapy | 3 |
| Comprehensive Exam (Required) | 0 | |
| PSYC 6900 | Clinical Comprehensive Exam 1 | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |
- 1
The Clinical/Counseling program requires students to take the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE) to assess proficiency of knowledge gained from matriculation in the program. The exam will be administered in the spring semester of the student’s second year. Eligible students take the exam at the first available testing date. The exam covers the following areas: Human Growth and Development, Social and Cultural Diversity, Helping Relationship, Group Work, Career Development, Assessment, Research and Program Evaluation, Professional Orientation and Ethical Practice, and Psychopathology. All Clinical/Counseling students are required to successfully pass the comprehensive exam. More information on the CPCE can be found here: https://www.cce-global.org/assessmentsandexams/cpce
Psychology (PSYC)
The exploration of seminal theories and theorists of human development, such as Erikson, Piaget, Bronfenbrenner, and Vygotsky. Students will learn the distinguishing features of the different theoretical perspectives, and there will be a heavy emphasis on evaluating how these theories influence practice in applied settings.
This course studies multicultural trends and characteristics of diverse groups, including how attitudes and behaviors are influenced by factors such as gender, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and disability. Students are encouraged to explore personal attitudes, stereotypes, biases, myths, and misconceptions about culturally diverse people and how these may impact therapeutic relationships.
The first of a two-course sequence, this course focuses on the major methodological approaches utilized in clinical and developmental research settings. Emphasis will be placed on the common parametric approaches for evaluating group differences. Emphasis is also placed on understanding the fundamentals of the research process including how to design, conduct, analyze, report, and critically evaluate psychological research. Statistical computer packages will be integrated in order to learn how to practically apply descriptive and inferential statistics to the design and interpretation of experimental research methods
The second of a two-course sequence, this course focuses on methodological strategies appropriate for use with small sample sizes, such as permutation testing, and nested data structures such as hierarchical linear modeling, commonly encountered in clinical and developmental settings. Statistical computer packages will be further integrated in order to learn how to practically apply correlation and regression statistics to the design and interpretation of quasi-experimental and non-experimental research methods. Emphasis is placed on students learning how to apply their mastery of research methods and statistics to generate a formal research proposal.
Prerequisites: PSYC 5040
This course is designed to teach students to evaluate ethical issues related to applied professional practice in human services in a systematic way. Students will become familiar with professional ethics codes and develop an ability to apply these codes to a variety of problem situations. The course also examines ethical and legal standards, risk management, and professional credentialing.
An exploration of the theory and practice of group psychotherapy. Emphasis is on learning how to develop and lead therapy groups. Experiential exercises will be included.
This is a practical introduction to the skills needed to establish and maintain a successful therapeutic relationship, as well as an exploration of the various interpersonal and intrapersonal issues that may need to be addressed in such relationships. The course will include role-playing and other experiential exercise as part of the learning process.
This course presents theories and techniques of individual psychotherapy using a variety of models, including psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, and integrative approaches. Emphasis is placed on learning to discern which approaches are best suited to individual clients and problems.
This course is a continuation of Theories and Practice of Psychotherapy I. It is designed to continue to introduce students to research and application of therapeutic techniques of individual psychotherapy using a variety of models, including behavioral, cognitive, manualized, and integrative approaches to particular mental health disorders.
This didactic/experiential course presents theories and techniques of individual psychotherapy with children and adolescents (ages 6-17) using a variety of empirically supported models, including but not limited to behavioral, cognitive, trauma-focused, narrative and play-based approaches. Emphasis is placed on learning to discern which approaches are best suited to individual clients and problems.
This course focuses on assessment and psychotherapy with couples and families. Students will learn a variety of theories and approaches to working with the family system.
A review of theory and recent empirical findings pertaining to cognitive and linguistic development from infancy to adolescence. Students will review both normative and atypical patterns of development and evaluate the relative role of genetics and environmental settings on the development of these domains.
Restrictions: Psychology - Graduate
An overview of theory and recent empirical findings pertaining to social and emotional development from infancy to adolescence. Students will review both normative and atypical patterns of development and evaluate the relative role of genetics and environmental settings on the development of these domains. In particular, students will evaluate literature focusing on important contexts of social and emotional development, including family, peers, and schools.
This course is an advanced overview of the neural systems involved in the regulation of human behavior, focusing on the interactions between the cortical, limbic, and hypothalamic systems. Topics may include developmental neuroscience, learning and memory, behavioral disorders, stress, aggression, and common central nervous system disorders in both children and adults. A previous neuroscience course or courses is strongly encouraged.
This course uses an ecological approach to examine the impact of educational systems on the child. The course explores mechanisms of development based on the theories of Bronfenbrenner, Vygotsky and Erikson to shed light on how the educational system interacts with the child's risk factors, resilience, family environment, and early childhood experiences.
This course will explore common developmental disorders and major forms of child and adolescent psychopathology, evaluate current etiological models and diagnostic standards, and review empirical evidence on current treatment approaches.
This course is designed to instruct students in the phenomenon of adult psychopathology and the present diagnostic system used by the majority of mental health professionals (DSM-IV). The course will consider psychopathology from a descriptive and etiological perspective as well as review theoretical and research contributions to our understanding of the etiology and maintenance of psychopathology.
PSYC 5800 is a graduate-level course that will explore various topics and issues in the field of clinical, counseling, and applied developmental psychology. Topics covered will be chosen to meet the needs and interests of graduate students in the MS program in Psychology and will make use of the expertise of the faculty and consultants.
This didactic/experiential course will review and explore various theories and procedures in the administration, scoring, interpretation, synthesis and report writing for various observational, diagnostic and multi-informant assessments for adults, children and adolescents and their families. Relevant cultural, ethical and legal ramifications of assessment will also be explored.
Prerequisites: PSYC 5350
Supervised field experience in an agency that provides services to children and families. Students will complete a minimum of 225 hours of documented work within the selected agency setting and will prepare a final report regarding outcomes of the internship for the course supervisor. Students must have completed a minimum of 15 hours of course work within the Applied Developmental Psychology Masters with a minimum GPA of 3.0 prior to enrolling in the internship. Requires permission of program coordinator for the Master of Science in Psychology.
This course will review theories and models from neuroscience and behavioral pharmacology including but not limited to major psychotropic medications and the neurological processes by which they operate, common drugs of abuse and processes involved in the addiction process and treatment of substance misuse within a culturally sensitive framework.
Prerequisites: PSYC 5350
This course will provide a foundation of the theoretical concepts associated with the impact and consequences of acute stress on victims, first responders, families, and community members, taking into account the process of grief and loss, complicated grief, dying, death, and bereavement, and the long-term consequences of unresolved trauma. Particular attention is paid to the treatment of the human stress response, effective counseling strategies, methods and techniques for immediate response, comorbidity, anxiety and depression, abuse, domestic violence, suicidology, impact dynamics of crisis and trauma, survivor guilt, and cultural sensitivity.
Prerequisites: PSYC 5170
This course will provide a foundation of the theoretical concepts associated with career development theories, career and personality assessments, and the practice of career counseling. The focus will be on career development theories, concepts, models, assumptions, and research. Emphasis will be placed on lifestyle and career development, life-planning, assessment, and occupation information from a multicultural perspective and in a variety of career counseling settings.
Supervised practice in psychotherapy in mental health settings. Students will complete a minimum of 225 hours of documented work within the selected agency setting. Requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 and permission of program coordinator for the Master of Science in Psychology.
Supervised practice in psychotherapy in mental health settings. Students will complete a minimum of 225 hours of documented work within the selected agency setting. Requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 and permission of program coordinator for the Master of Science in Psychology.
Exploration of diverse topics under the guidance of faculty in the department. This course will allow students an opportunity to focus on content that may be of minimal focus within the regular curriculum but that is of particular interest and relevance to their personal professional goals.
PSYC 6800 is a graduate-level course that will explore various topics and issues in the field of clinical and counseling psychology. Topics covered will be chosen to meet the needs and interest of clinical graduate students and will make use of the expertise of the faculty and consultants.
PSYC 6885 is a graduate-level course where program policies will be strengthened. In the course, students will also explore the professional functioning, credentials, and licensing criteria for master’s-level Clinical and Counseling students. Additionally, the course will address the roles and responsibilities of therapists in various settings as well as focus on developing and maintaining a professional identity in the field of professional counseling.
Psychology 6890 provides a focused examination of assessment and psychotherapy with an actual client. Completion of this course serves as a portion of the capstone experience in the Master in Clinical Counseling Program. This course entails two distinct components: preparation of the professional paper literature review (Fall Semester), and preparation of the case conceptualization and oral defense (Spring Semester). Working with a faculty advisor, the student prepares a professional paper that demonstrates his/her development of a therapist identity and theoretical orientation, mastery of theoretical and empirical information relevant to case conceptualization, diagnosis and treatment.
Completion of this course serves as a portion of the non-thesis degree completion option. This course entails two distinct components: preparation and oral defense of the professional paper and intensive preparation for the comprehensive exam, which will be taken during completion of Psychology 6899. Working with a faculty advisor, the student prepares a professional paper that demonstrates his/her mastery of theoretical and empirical information relevant to his or her specific training track (i.e. Clinical or Applied Developmental). Please see the MSP website for specific policies regarding successful completion of this course. Requires permission of program coordinator for the Master of Science in Psychology and student must currently have a 3.0 GPA or above.
Completion of this course serves as the second portion of the of the non-thesis degree completion option. During this course, students will finalize their professional paper and make all revisions that were required by their professional paper committee during the oral defense portion of Psychology 6890. Please see the MSP website for the full policy regarding completion of this course. Requires permission of program coordinator for the Master of Science in Psychology, and student must currently have a 3.0 GPA or above and must have passed Psychology 6890.
Prerequisites: PSYC 6890
Clinical Masters in Psychology students will enroll in this course in order to sit for the program comprehensive exam. The comprehensive exam is designed to assess the knowledge gained through students' matriculation in the Masters of Science-Clinical program.
Working with a faculty advisor, the student develops and defends a research proposal and begins conducting the research. Students must have a minimum of 24 hours of course work with a GPA of 3.0. Requires permission of program coordinator for the Master of Science in Psychology.
Working with a faculty advisor, the student develops and defends a research proposal and begins conducting the research. Students must have a minimum of 24 hours of course work with a GPA of 3.0. Requires permission of program coordinator for the Master of Science in Psychology.
Eric Bridges
Mark Daddona
Deborah Deckner-Davis
Catherine G. Deering
Nichelle Gause, Clinical Program Director
Brian M. Goldman
Christina Grange, Practicum Coordinator
Pinar Gurkas
Charlie Harris
Chizara A. Jones
Samuel Maddox
Antoinette Miller, Department Chair
J. Celeste Walley-Jean, Dean, School of Graduate Studies
Eckart Werther