Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Graduate Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Graduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Psychology-Clinical Psychology Specialization (M.A., Ph.D.)


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Master of Arts, Plan A only (thesis): Total 35 credit hours*


M.A. Degree Requirements


 *Note: The M.A. in Psychology-specialization in Clinical Psychology is not offered as a terminal degree. It is earned in the process of completing the Ph.D. degree requirements in the two specialty areas.

  • Psychology core 11 credit hours
  • Thesis 6 credit hours
  • Clinical Psychology core 18 credit hours

Required M.A. Psychology core classes: 11 credit hours


Thesis: 6 credit hours minimum


M.A. Oral Examination


The master’s thesis must be defended in a final oral examination administered by the student’s advisory committee.

Joint Master’s Program with Juris Doctor


Students who are already enrolled in the School of Law at the University of South Dakota and who have sufficient background in psychology may qualify for this Board of Regents authorized joint-degree program leading to the M.A. in Psychology.  Individuals with an interest in this program should consult with the department chairperson.

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology


Areas of Ph.D. Specialization:

Clinical Psychology
           Specialization within Clinical Psychology: Clinical/Disaster Psychology

Each student’s specific program of study will be determined in consultation with the academic advisory committee and the faculty of the respective graduate specialty program. Students in the Clinical Psychology program are required to complete a year‑long pre-doctoral clinical psychology internship at an approved site.

Each doctoral student is required to take a comprehensive written examination preliminary to admission to final candidacy for the doctoral degree. This examination covers theory, method and research findings in psychology as well as the field of specialization. Clinical students are also required to complete an Oral Clinical Examination prior to internship and preliminary to admission to doctoral candidacy. This examination provides an opportunity for clinical students to demonstrate competencies in assessment and intervention, professional ethics, and the integration of science and practice.

Completion and oral defense of an original dissertation represent the capstone requirements for the degree. Successful completion of the final oral examination is required of all students recommended for the Ph.D. degree in Psychology.

For specific requirements regarding the doctoral programs’ written and oral exams, please contact the Psychology Department.

Ph.D. Requirements for Specialization in Clinical Psychology: 106 credit hours (118 credit hours if simultaneously completing the Specialization in Clinical/Disaster Psychology)


  • Master’s courses and thesis 35 credit hours
  • Clinical psychology core 44 credit hours minimum 
  • Additional stats/methods course 3 credit hours
  • Electives 6 credit hours
  • Predoctoral Clinical Psychology Internship 3 credit hours
  • Dissertation 15 credit hours minimum

Specialization in Clinical/Disaster Psychology: 21 credit hours


The Doctoral Specialization in Clinical/Disaster Psychology requires 18 credit hours of coursework in the disaster psychology area in addition to completion of PSYC 780 (3 credit hours) and all course requirements for the Specialization in Clinical Psychology (as described above).

Clinical/Disaster Psychology elective course work: 3 credit hours from the following:

Note

PSYC 780 – Rural Community Psychology is a required core course for the Specializations in Clinical Psychology and Clinical/Disaster Psychology. Therefore, if a clinical student pursuing the Clinical/Disaster Specialization chooses all six of his/her elective credits from the Disaster Psychology courses listed above, he/she only need to take 12 hours beyond the minimum credits required for completion of the Clinical Psychology doctoral degree.

Additional requirements for the Clinical/Disaster Specialization:

Doctoral students pursuing this specialty track are required to complete a thesis and/or a dissertation on a trauma or disaster-related field of psychology and must complete a disaster response simulation as a capstone measure.

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