Master's in Clinical Psychology

• Applied Behavior Analysis: the ethical design, implementation and evaluation of environmental modification to produce socially significant improvements in behavior. The aim is to prepare students for a career working in residential, school and community-based settings with a wide variety of clients, including children, adults, and seniors diagnosed with developmental disabilities, behavioral difficulties, major mental illness and a variety of geriatric conditions.
   
• Counseling Specialization: focuses on the development of essential clinical skills that are reinforced via intensive course work and file placement. While a strong theoretical foundation is presented, classes emphasize the development of practical skills. During clinical placement, students learn to work with populations ranging from children, through adolescents, adults and the aged.
   
• School Psychology Specialization: educates well-rounded specialist-level graduates who will fill the increasingly varied roles of today's School Psychologist, who help students, teachers administrators and parents overcome obstacles to learning and personal development, obstacles that include but are not limited to: family disruptions, mental health problems and disabilities, inadequate exposure to instruction (e.g., from medical illness and poor attendance) and academic difficulties.

The master's-level Thesis Track in Clinical Psychology prepares students for a PhD and in some cases, PsyD programs in the field. The emphasis is placed on psychological theory, assessment and research. This program often attracts students who already work in the profession, but seek to advance their knowledge and skills in preparation for doctoral work.

The Practitioner Track in the MS clinical degree program prepares student for employment in psychology under the supervision of a doctoral-trained and licensed psychologist. This course of study provides excellent preparation for careers as psychological associates, psychologists in the school setting or as clinicians in the hospital setting. This practitioner-based program also prepares students for entry into PsyD programs, and serves as an ideal introduction to master's-level counselor licensure through the LCPC.

The focus of this program is to provide a strong master's-level foundation in the areas of clinical psychology and marriage and family therapy. The program is designed for individuals who wish to gain knowledge and develop skills related to providing psychotherapeutic services in a variety of settings. In addition, this program provides an academic and practical foundation that may be helpful for students who plan to enter doctoral programs in family therapy or clinical, counseling, community or developmental psychology.

This degree provides individuals with a background in the development and application of psychological theories, basic scientific methods and principles of psychological science. The program provides pre-doctoral training and builds practitioner-oriented competencies.