| Master of Arts or Master of Science In Clinical Psychology |
| Your kind of program |
The clinical program provides students with the very best in graduate
instruction both in and outside of formal classroom settings. The program is
accredited by the Master's in Psychology Accreditation Council and is a member
of the Council of Applied Master's Programs in Psychology and prepares students
for certification to practice psychology. Graduates receive training that
enables them to work in a variety of settings such as community mental health
centers, psychiatric hospitals, prisons, comprehensive care centers, and
schools. Some graduates also choose to teach at two year academic institutions.
Students are encouraged to work with faculty on the many exciting research
projects being conducted in the department. In addition, the department's
Psychological Center provides hands-on training for graduate students in
the clinical psychology program.
|
| About the program |
| The clinical program is based on the philosophy that the master's degree is first and foremost a degree in psychology and that students should achieve a broad base of knowledge in the field. Thus, students take 5 psychological foundations courses which prepare the graduate to enter the field of psychology and also provide the general psychology courses required by state licensing boards. Clinical students also receive intensive instruction in psychodiagnostics, which emphasizes the administration, scoring, and interpretation of a variety of intelligence and personality tests. The psychotherapy curriculum is primarily cognitive-behavioral in nature though a variety of techniques and orientations are presented. Students learn how best to conduct psychotherapy with adults, children, families, and couples. Students are expected to participate in research and a master's thesis is required. |
| Read what recent graduates say about the program. |
| Clinical Practicum |
To gain experience conducting therapy and psychological evaluations, a
supervised two- semester, 600 hour clinical practicum is required. Clinical
psychology students serve their practica at the MSU
Psychological Center, an on-campus treatment center which providestherapy
and assessments for children, adults and families from the community as well as
for university students and staff. In addition to gaining experience conducting
therapy and assessments, our clinical graduate students receive 2-1/2 hours per
week of supervision with our Ph.D. licensed clinical psychologists. This allows
for a fine-tuning of clinical skills as well as an added assurance that the
clinician is providing the best and most ethical services to the Center's
clients. Clinicians who have graduated from our program often comment that the
Murray State clinical practicum left them better prepared than their peers, who
graduated from other institutions, for work in the field of psychology.
|
| Admission Requirements |
|
It is expected that students will enter the program with at least 15 credit hours in Psychology, with specific coursework in Statistics or Research Methods, or their equivalent. Applicants are expected to meet the MSU requirements for unconditional admission. Additional requirements are a minimum 3.0 GPA in undergraduate psychology courses, three letters of reference from undergraduate professors, and a personal statement. The Graduate Training Committee reserves the right to deny admission to a student or to discontinue training of a student who, in the opinion of the committee, would not be able to function competently in the area of clinical psychology. In this regard, there are continuing evaluations of student's academic progress, interpersonal skills, performance in practicum, and personal growth as a clinician. The deadline for Fall admissions is March 15th. |
| Program of Studies |
Department of Psychology
212 Wells Hall
Murray State University
Murray, Kentucky 42071
Phone: 270.809.2851
Fax: 270.809.2991