Clinical Psychology, M.A. - Florida School of Professional Psychology
The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Clinical Psychology degree program is designed to introduce students to basic clinical skills that enable them to serve the mental health needs of diverse client populations. The M.A. in Clinical Psychology degree program is designed to serve as a preliminary step for students who wish to pursue a doctoral degree in clinical psychology. In addition, while the program curriculum is designed to prepare students for doctoral study, the theoretical and clinical knowledge learned in the program can be applied to independent practice under certain conditions.
The master’s degree program is designed to provide students a strong clinical orientation with an emphasis in psychological assessment. The master’s degree program offers several unique advantages to those individuals who hope to subsequently pursue a doctoral degree.
The first year of our Master of Arts (M.A.) in Clinical Psychology program provides students with foundational coursework, followed by a full-year practicum experience and additional coursework. This program emphasizes the development of attitudes, knowledge, and skills essential in the formation of master’s-level professionals who are committed to the ethical provision of quality services.
For more information on state licensure and certification information please visit NLU’s Public Disclosures page.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):
- Students will demonstrate the delivery of effective assessment services in a manner consistent with professional standards, by identifying the strengths and areas of improvement and accurately communicating findings in a professional manner.
- Students will demonstrate competence in application of the relevant body of knowledge in the areas of psychology that form the foundation of psychological practice, by applying relevant concepts to their clinical practice.
- Students will demonstrate competence in relationship skills when working with clients, colleagues, supervisors and others.
- Students will demonstrate competence in the integration and appreciation of culturally relevant strategies into assessment and intervention when working with diverse populations.
In addition to the College of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Graduate Admission Requirements, applicants must:
- Submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Submit a personal/ professional goal statement with a self-appraisal of qualifications for the profession
- Submit a minimum of three professional letters of recommendation, addressing topics/questions as established and periodically revised by the faculty. Letters of recommendation must be written by individuals who know the candidate from an academic or professional perspective and are able to comment on the candidate’s capacity for undertaking graduate studies.
- Complete an interview with members of the program Admissions Committee
- Have successfully completed a minimum of five undergraduate courses, with a grade of "B" or better, that serve as a basic foundation for coursework in clinical psychology. Several of these courses serve as direct prerequisites to the Florida School of Professional Psychology courses. The following three courses are required:
- Introduction to psychology or general psychology (may be waived if the applicant has completed a Bachelors or Masters degree in Psychology or related mental health field)
- Abnormal, psychopathology, or maladaptive behavior
- Statistics or research methods
- Two additional courses in the field of psychology
Note: All applicants are automatically admitted to both degrees, M.A. and Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology, if admission criteria are met and acceptance by the Program Admission’s Committee is granted. Undergraduate students who apply for the Psy.D. degree, can choose to be considered for acceptance into the M.A. program if not granted acceptance into the Psy.D. program. Those students who are offered admittance into the M.A. program in place of the Psy.D. program can re-apply for the Psy.D. program during year two of the M.A. program. For Psy.D. Admission, an undergraduate degree grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) or a conferred graduate degree grade point average of 3.25 (on a scale of 4.0) is required.
Program Details:
- Requires 50 SH for completion
- Requires successful completion of all sections of the Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation (CCE) – Diagnostic and Intervention
- Requires completion of all core courses with a grade of "B" or better with an overall program GPA no lower than 3.0 on a scale of 4.0
- Requires completion of all program requirements within five years of matriculation into the program
- Students may transfer a maximum of 15 semester hours of graduate level degree coursework, certain rules apply
Required Courses
Core Courses - 36 SH
| PSYD 701 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| PSYD 710A | Professional Issues: Ethics, Conduct, and Law | 1.5 TO 3 |
| PSYD 710B | Professional Issues: Ethics, Conduct, and Law | 1.5 TO 3 |
| PSYD 730 | Psychopathology I | 3 |
| PSYD 731 | Psychopathology II | 1 TO 3 |
| PSYD 736 | Clinical Interviewing | 1.5 TO 3 |
| PSYD 737 | Cognitive Assessment | 3 |
| PSYD 740 | Issues in the Assessment and Treatment of Diverse Populations | 1 TO 3 |
| PSYD 744 | Issues in the Assessment and Treatment of Diverse Populations II | 1.5 |
| PSYD 771 | Objective Personality Assessment | 3 |
| PSYD 772 | Projective Personality Assessment | 3 |
| PSYD 773 | Integrative Assessment | 3 |
| PSYD 838 | Interventions I | 3 |
| PSYD 839 | Interventions II | 3 |
Professionalization Group Requirements - 1 SH
| PSYD 711 | Professionalization Group I | 0 TO 1 |
Practicum and Seminar Requirements - 7 SH
| PSYD 820 | Diagnostic Practicum and Seminar I | 3 |
| PSYD 821 | Diagnostic Practicum and Seminar II | 3 |
| PSYD 822 | Diagnostic Practicum & Seminar II – Extended | .5 TO 1 |
Electives - 6 SH
Students are required to complete 6 SH of electives that may be satisfied with advanced skills Clinical Psychology courses if student is concurrently admitted to both, M.A. and Psy.D. Clinical Psychology programs.