The Department of Psychology offers graduate study leading to both Master’s and Doctoral degrees.  Students working toward the Master of Science (MS) degree may choose a concentration in either General Psychology or Clinical Psychology. Students working towards the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Psychology will focus on Clinical Health Psychology or Behavioral and Community Health Sciences (BCHS).  

Students who are interested in becoming community college teachers or researchers, or in pursuing further study toward the doctorate are advised to select the concentration in General Psychology. In addition, those who are interested in pursuing doctoral work in School Psychology can take Educational Psychology courses through the general Psychology concentration. If students' vocational goals include working in therapy or assessment services, they should pursue the Clinical Psychology concentration.

Admission Requirements

*Students are admitted to the Psychology department during the Fall semester only.
**Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required as part of the application packet and prior to receiving an offer of admission.

Unconditional Admission. In addition to the general requirements for admission to the College of Graduate Studies, the Department of Psychology requires:

1. a minimum of 15 semester hours in Psychology, including at least one course in each of the following:
   1. social, personality, cognitive, or developmental Psychology,
   2. research methods, quantitative methods, or experimental Psychology, and
   3. physiological Psychology.  Students desiring admission to the Clinical Psychology concentration must also have an undergraduate course in abnormal psychology;
2. a 3.00 grade point average (on a scale of 4.00 points) in Psychology or major area;
3. an overall undergraduate grade point average of 2.8 (on a scale of 4.00 points).
4. completed supplemental application (located on the psychology department’s website), including a written personal statement.
5. three current letters of recommendation from professors, employers, and/or other professionals qualified to assess the applicant’s ability to complete graduate studies. Two letters should be from professors or psychologists.

Conditional Admission. Applicants can be granted conditional admission under the general provisions of the College of Graduate Studies whenever the requirements in a), b), and/or c) above are not met, if additional program slots are available. Applicants also must have a minimum grade point average of 2.8 in the undergraduate major, a 3.00 grade point average during last two years of undergraduate course work, and/or a minimum total Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of 291 (900 on the old scale) in order to be admitted with conditional status in Psychology.

Change of Status. In order to achieve unconditional status and advance to candidacy, students must

1. complete all undergraduate prerequisites listed on the Program Card by the major advisor;
2. earn a B average, with no grade below C, in the first 15 graduate-level hours of their planned program of study; and
3. successful completion of PSYC 528 with a B or better.

Continuing Status. Continuing status is dependent upon maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, with no more than two grades of C (including grades of U), as well as a favorable review by the departmental graduate faculty committee. For anyone with a grade below C, continuing status is subject to further departmental review.  Each student will be evaluated annually.  This evaluation will include academic performance, departmental contribution and professionalism.  The student should complete coursework with a grade of “B” or higher.  Students are required to show good standing in the program.  Thus, in the event of any concern, written documentation will be given to allow adequate time for the student to adjust the behavior in question.

Clinical Psychology Curriculum

General Psychology Curriculum

Continuing Status. Continuing status is dependent upon maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, with no more than two grades of C (including grades of U), as well as a favorable review by the departmental graduate faculty committee. For anyone with a grade below C, continuing status is subject to further departmental review.  Each student will be evaluated annually.  This evaluation will include academic performance, departmental contribution and professionalism.  The student should complete coursework with a grade of “B” or higher.  Students are required to show good standing in the program.  Thus, in the event of any concern, written documentation will be given to allow adequate time for the student to adjust the behavior in question.