Frequently Asked Questions

Q.  What is your MA program's emphasis?

A.  Although we don't call it a "clinical" psychology MA program, a main objective of graduate study in psychology at SUNY Brockport is to provide outstanding training in psychopathology and DSM-IV diagnosis, psychological assessment, and therapy.  (In other words, we teach clinical skills.)  One of our program's greatest strengths is its emphasis in methods of observation, intervention and research with behavior disorders and developmental disabilities.  Our MA students learn a broad range of clinical activities applicable to child, adolescent and adult populations in both inpatient (institutional, residential) and outpatient settings.  We want our MA graduates to be well-equipped to enter into a variety of mental health service occupations or to pursue doctoral-level training, typically in an applied subdiscipline such as clinical or counseling psychology.

Q.  What are your criteria for acceptance into the program?

A.  We emphasize a scholar-professional, "scientist-practitioner" model of training and seek students with a strong interest in both science and practice in clinical psychology.  Accordingly, we look for excellent grades (accepted students often have a GPA of  3.5 or higher), GRE scores of at least 500-530 (verbal and quantitative) and excellent letters of recommendation.  We also prefer that at least two of an applicant's three required letters of recommendation be from professors who have taught them in more than one course, and/or were supervisors for an applicant's undergraduate research or independent study experiences.

Q.  Will completing an MA at SUNY Brockport increase my chances of successful acceptance into a doctoral program?

A.  Yes, it certainly will, if you plan your master's studies wisely.  Students aiming for PhD-level work are strongly encouraged to involve themselves in ongoing research during the MA program, to complete a master's thesis of publishable quality, to present their work at regional or national conferences, and to maintain an outstanding record at SUNY Brockport.

Q.  Will taking courses on a non-matriculated basis improve my chances of acceptance into the MA in Psychology program?

A.  Possibly.  Students who enroll for courses on a non-matriculated basis and then apply for admission have the greatest chance of acceptance if they: a) earn a 4.0 GPA in all courses taken as a non-matriculated student; b) take courses offered by Department of Psychology faculty, including at least one 600-level course; and c) receive a strong letter of recommendation from the Department of Psychology faculty member(s) who taught them while in non-matriculated status.  Your academic record as an undergraduate, however, is also crucial in evaluating your suitability for master's-level training.