Brockport / Catalogs / 2013-14 / Programs / Psychology (MA)

Master of Arts in Psychology

Michael Fox: This program reflects changes that passed the College Senate but not published in the 2011-13 catalogs. Have these changes met with all needed approvals so that we can publish this program in the catalog and offer the course of study? Melissa Brown says this has been approved by Albany and is the program currently offered.

Description

The MA in Psychology program is designed to prepare students for further study at the doctoral level and/or for careers in psychology and the helping professions. Students choose one of three tracks that best serves their educational goals:

  • Clinical (with applied emphasis): a 48 credit program designed for students interested in developing clinical skills; it emphasizes diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of psychological and behavioral disorders, and it culminates in a semester-long practicum placement in an applied setting.
  • Clinical (with research emphasis): a 39-42 credit program designed for students who want to move on to PhD programs, usually in clinical psychology; it emphasizes diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of psychological and behavioral disorders, but students in this track also engage in research; the culmination is a Master's thesis based on empirical research, rather than a practicum.
  • General: a 30-36 credit program designed for students who want to move on to PhD programs, usually in non-clinical areas of psychology; through independent study and active research collaboration, this track provides the most opportunities for working closely with faculty mentors; the culmination is a Master's thesis based on empirical research.

All three tracks share a core set of courses, taken in the first year and building upon their undergraduate experiences, that provide advanced knowledge of scientific psychology, often in a seminar format. In the clinically-focused tracks, students are trained as scientists and practitioners, concerned with the application of psychological principles to the treatment and prevention of behavior disorders. Courses provide theoretical and practical training in contemporary methods of assessment, behavioral and cognitive-behavioral clinical intervention, and program evaluation.

Admission to the Program

Admission will be based on:

  • scores from the Graduate Record Examination General Test (including verbal, quantitative and analytical writing),
  • academic transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate course work,
  • letters of recommendation, a completed application, and
  • a personal interview.

Applicants will be considered for fall admission only. Contact the Graduate School for further information and for details on the application deadlines for this program.

Program Requirements

Students in this program pursue a Master of Arts degree and must meet the College's standards for graduate study.

Once matriculated, a student may proceed on a part-time basis, as long as reasonable progress is made toward the degree. Students must enroll for six credits or more per semester.

The MA in Psychology program has three tracks from which to choose:

  1. clinical track with applied emphasis,
  2. clinical track with research emphasis, or
  3. general track with research emphasis.

Core Courses (18 credits; required of all tracks)

  • PSH 634 Psychopathology (3 credits)
  • PSH 640 Biopsychology (3 credits)
  • PSH 701 Research Methods (3 credits)
  • PSH 602 Applied Multivariate Statistics (3 credits)
  • PSH 631 Social Psychology (3 Credits)
  • PSH 684 Developmental Psychology (3 credits)

Clinical Track with Applied Emphasis (30 credits)

  • PSH 702 Applied Behavioral Analysis (3 credits)
  • PSH 703 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (3 credits)
  • PSH 704 Assessment (3 credits)
  • PSH 709 Pre-Practicum (3 credits)
  • PSH 710 Practicum (9 credits)
  • Electives (9 credits)

Clinical Track with Research Emphasis (21 credits)

  • PSH 702 Applied Behavioral Analysis (3 credits)
  • PSH 703 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (3 credits)
  • PSH 704 Assessment (3 credits)
  • PSH 698 Independent Readings (3 credits)
  • PSH 699 Independent Study (3 credits)
  • PSH 798 Thesis (6 credits)

General Track with Research Emphasis (12 credits)

  • PSH 698 Independent Readings (3 credits)
  • PSH 699 Independent Study (3 credits)
  • PSH 798 Thesis (6 credits)

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the program will be able to:

  • Analyze biological bases of behavior
  • Analyze acquired or learned bases of behavior
  • Analyze social / cultural / systematic bases of behavior
  • Analyze individual or unique bases of behavior
  • Critique and apply principles of research methodology
  • Apply psychological principles and theories to practical problems in the field of psychology
  • Synthesize clinical coursework and apply it outside the classroom (applies to Clinical Track with Applied Emphasis only)
  • Produce a substantive research paper describing data that elucidates a psychological topic
  • Apply ethical and professional standards to relevant research and/or clinical situations
  • Explain the role of social and cultural diversity in human characteristics, experiences and behavior
  • Select and administer appropriate assessment and intervention techniques (applies to clinical tracks only)

Department of Psychology

Department Chair: Melissa Brown
Location: Holmes 133
Visit Website
Email: psychdpt@brockport.edu
Phone: (585) 395-2488
Fax: (585) 395-2116

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Laurel A McNall Ph.D
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Jennifer J Ratcliff Ph.D
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Susan M Shonk Ph.D
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Jeffery  Snarr Ph.D
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