Clinical Psychology M.S.

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 practicum, the student is provided the opportunity to administer psychological tests and use various techniques of counseling and psychotherapy, cognitive and behavioral therapy and other evidence-based practices. Students who complete all requirements in the clinical area, and who become licensed, often work in psychiatric hospitals, in mental health centers, or with Licensed Psychologists in private practice.

Clinical Psychology students may complete a general program of study in clinical psychology or may choose a specialization. A specialization in neuropsychology is available for graduate students completing the clinical psychology degree program. A clinical neuropsychology certificate program is also available for students with a master’s or doctoral degree who desire training in neuropsychology. The sequence of courses includes brain functioning and neuroanatomy, psychopharmacology, organic mental diseases, diagnosis and neuropsychological assessment. This sequence of classes does not permit or qualify students to practice neuropsychology independently or identify themselves as a Clinical Neuropsychologist, which requires doctoral level training and licensure.

Students seeking admission to the clinical psychology degree programs should have completed the following undergraduate prerequisites: Introductory Psychology, Psychological Statistics, Research Methods, Learning and Conditioning, Physiological 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. 

Certification and Licensure

The M.S. in Clinical Psychology can qualify students to take the exam for a Licensed Psychological Associate (L.P.A.) 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 may complete an additional 3000 hours of supervised practice after receiving his or her degree and initial LPA license. However, following consultation with their Faculty Advisor and/or the Graduate Admissions Coordinator in Psychology and Counseling, substitutions in course work or additions of course work may qualify graduates also for the licensing exam to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (L.P.C.) through the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors. For example, many M.S. alumni have the L.P.A. and the L.P.C. The L.P.C. also requires 3000 hours of supervised practice after the completion of the master’s degree.

Sequence of Classes

The courses which should be taken first are comprised of basic general, clinical and counseling courses that provide, in conjunction with the undergraduate prerequisite courses, the basis and foundation for the later applied courses. These courses for clinical psychology students include PSYC 5312 Counseling Theories, PSYC 5308 Advanced Psychopathology and Diagnosis, PSYC 5328 Issues and Professional Ethics, PSYC 5340 Advanced Psychological Statistics and Design, and PSYC 5384 Cognitive Behavioral Theory and Applications. Depending on their degree plan, students may take PSYC 5320 Advanced Human Growth and Development, PSYC 5345 Group Processes, PSYC 5350 Clinical Neuropsychology, PSYC 5354 Psychopharmacology, PSYC 5366 Assessment of Mental Ability I, or other courses approved by their advisor. Consultation with the instructor of the course is often helpful to make sure that students have had appropriate prerequisites.

The applied courses are more specialized clinical applications and should be taken after the basic courses are taken. A student's formal degree plan (Clinical Psychology Degree Plan) with specific courses should be completed and approved/signed by their Faculty Advisor and the Graduate Admissions Coordinator before 12 semester hours are completed. Students in clinical psychology must successfully complete (with a grade of B or higher) PSYC 5392 Applied Counseling Practice and PSYC 5393 Applied Therapy prior to enrollment in PSYC 5396/PSYC 5397 Supervised Practicum in Psychology.