Graduate Catalog

Psychology, Master of Arts

Program concentrations leading to the Master of Arts in Psychology are available in the following areas:

  • General/Theoretical Psychology
  • Clinical Services

General/Theoretical Concentration (48 credits)

This concentration is intended for those students who wish to develop a broad-based understanding of psychology for varied purposes (not necessarily involving clinical applications). Students complete 21 credits in the core courses as detailed below and select an appropriate set of elective courses from available department offerings with the approval of an advisor. The Closure Experience requirement for this concentration may involve either Psychology 555 or Psychology 554/556.

Core Courses (21 semester hours)

PSYC 503Research Methods and Statistics I

3

PSYC 504

3

PSYC 508Biological Bases of Behavior

3

 

PSYC 514Human Development

3

Or

PSYC 518Advanced Human Development

3

 

PSYC 517Personality Theories in Psychology

3

PSYC 521Social Psychology

3

 

PSYC 522Cognitive/Affective Bases of Behavior

3

Or

PSYC 523Contemporary Learning Theories

3

Clinical Services Concentration (48 credits)

This concentration is intended for those who wish to function in a mental health agency or other human services setting where the psychologist provides a range of consultative, assessment, and therapeutic functions. In consultation with the advisor, selection of electives in this concentration may focus on specific client populations and areas of expertise. A course of studies can be designed that emphasizes work with children and adolescents and/or work with adults. Students considering admission into the Psy.D. program at the post-master’s level should apply for admission into the Clinical Services track. Choice of electives and their sequencing should be discussed with the advisor and/or chairperson.

Assessment and Diagnostic Methods (9 credits minimum)

PSYC 531Psychopathology

3

Or

PSYC 532Child Psychopathology

3

 

PSYC 561Introduction to Psychological Testing

3

PSYC 562Cognitive Assessment

3

 

PSYC 580Assessment of Adult Personality andýPsychopathology

3

Or

PSYC 581Socio-Emotional Assessment of ChildrenýAnd Adolescents

3

PSYC 531, PSYC 532, PSYC 561, PSYC 580 and PSYC 581: required

PSYC 562: elective

Intervention Methods (9 credits minimum)

PSYC 571Introduction to Individual Psychotherapy

3

PSYC 577Practicum (Group)

3

COUN 518Foundational Counseling Techniques

3

COUN 584Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling

3

PSYC 572Introduction to Group Psychotherapy

3

PSYC 573Therapy With Children

3

PSYC 574Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

3

PSYC 571 and PSYC 577: required

COUN 518, COUN 584, PSYC 572, PSYC 573 and PSYC 574: elective

PSYC 571, PSYC 577 and COUN 518: “B” grade required for this course.

Electives (3-9 credits)

Selection of elective courses in the department is in consultation with the advisor.

Closure Experience (0-6 credits)

Students, in consultation with their advisor and the department chairperson, may select one of the three alternatives listed below to meet the Closure Experience requirements of this concentration.

Two of these (PSYC556, 578) are credit-bearing courses which reduce the number of elective credits from nine to six (see above).

PSYC 554

0-3

PSYC 555Professional Contribution

0

PSYC 556Master's Thesis

3

PSYC 578Clinical Internship

3

PSYC 578: variable credit, three-credit minimum

Students should note that the internship option requires permission of the advisor and the department chairperson. Further details regarding these alternatives are available in the Student Handbook.

Students are encouraged to complete core courses early in their program of study.

The program stresses development of competencies. Alternate courses may be approved for those who can demonstrate competency in a required area. Test-out procedures should be discussed with the advisor or department chairperson for those who seek course waivers of required courses. The student should understand that program adjustments will not diminish the number of credits required for a degree; they will, however, allow the student to take more advanced specialty courses as part of the program of study.

Psychology students are encouraged to take their comprehensive examinations immediately upon completion of the seven required courses. Further details regarding the comprehensive exam are available in the Student Handbook.