Program Mission: The Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology is designed for students with career interests in master’s-level clinical practice or those who plan to obtain a Ph.D. or Psy.D. The foundation of the Clinical Psychology program is the scientist-practitioner model with training rooted in theoretical knowledge and ethical practice. The clinical training component provides students with instruction in empirically-based psychotherapies, assessment, and diagnosis, culminating in a practicum and a two-semester internship. The research focus of the program is designed to develop students’ critical thinking and quantitative skills, and includes coursework in research design and analysis, and a required thesis.
Admission Requirements: To be eligible for degree candidacy, applicants must meet all of the requirements for admission to the Graduate School (see “Admission to Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs”). A limited number of students are accepted each year and admission to the program is competitive. Prior to consideration for acceptance, students must provide evidence of admission to the Graduate School. Three letters of recommendation attesting to the applicant’s potential for successful completion of graduate work must also be submitted. In addition, students must meet at least one of the following requirements in order to be considered for admission:
- A 3.0 grade point average in all undergraduate courses and a 3.25 GPA in undergraduate psychology (based upon a 4 point scale).
- Although the program has no minimum GRE requirement, the average GRE scores of enrolled students in recent years has been 1100 (V+Q).
In the unusual situation where a student does not meet the specific entrance requirements, but believes he or she warrants exceptional consideration, the student may petition the Clinical Psychology Committee for consideration.
Applications and other supporting data should be submitted to the Graduate School prior to February 15 for consideration for admission the following fall semester. To gain admission, applicants must present a transcript from an accredited institution approved by EIU showing the completion of twenty semester hours of course work in psychology. The following courses are required for admission: statistics; experimental psychology; and abnormal psychology. Courses considered critical for graduate preparation and strongly recommended include: learning or behavioral management; tests and measurement; personality theory; developmental psychology (child or adolescent). Deficiencies in course work must be made up prior to or concurrently with the graduate program. Petitions for waiver and/or substitution may be made to the departmental clinical psychology committee.
Degree Audit: The graduate plan of study is the EIU Degree Audit, which is generated automatically at the time of degree or certificate candidacy. Modifications of the standard EIU Degree Audit are submitted by the graduate coordinator to the certification officer in the Graduate School at the time modifications are approved. The Degree Audit serves as an unofficial summary of requirements for the program. Degree and certificate candidates are advised to review the comprehensive summary of the Degree Audit process specified on the “Requirements for All Degree and Certificate Candidates” section of the Graduate Catalog. Individual programs may require candidates to submit plans of study in addition to the Degree Audit, candidates should consult with the program coordinator.
