Psychology-Specializations in Clinical and Human Factors (M.A., Ph.D.)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Master of Arts, Plan A only (thesis): Total 30 - 35 credit hours*

Areas of M.A. Specializations:

Clinical Psychology
Human Factors Psychology

M.A. Degree Requirements

*Note: The M.A. in 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 or electives 18 credit hours
Or
Human Factors Psychology core and electives 13 credit hours

Required M.A. Psychology core classes (both specializations): 11 credit hours

PSYC 711 - SEMINAR: PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY 1 to 3 (1 credit hour required)
PSYC 722 - SEMINAR: DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 1 to 3 (1 credit hour required)
PSYC 741 - SEMINAR: SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 1 to 3 (1 credit hour required)
PSYC 764 - SEMINAR IN PERSONALITY THEORIES 1 to 3 (1 credit hour required)
PSYC 771 - RESEARCH DESIGN AND STATISTICS I 3
PSYC 772 - RESEARCH DESIGN AND STATISTICS II 3
PSYC 777 - SEMINAR IN STATISTICAL TOPICS 1 to 3
Quasi-experimental designs. 1 credit hour required.

Additional required courses for M.A. in Psychology with Clinical Psychology specialization: 18 credit hours

Additional required courses for M.A. in Psychology with Human Factors specialization: 13 credit hours

Human Factors Core Requirement: 7 credits

PSYC 707 - SEMINAR : SENSATION AND PERCEPTION 1 to 3 (3 credit hours required)
PSYC 737 - SEMINAR IN HUMAN FACTORS RESEARCH 1 to 3 (4 one credit hour semesters required)

Human Factors Electives Requirement: 6 credits

6 credits (2 courses) to be chosen from the following list of electives:

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
Human Factors 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 (Clinical or Human Factors). Students in the Clinical Psychology program are required to complete a year‑long internship at an approved site. Internship/practicum placements are also encouraged for Human Factors students.

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 the depth and breadth of their clinical knowledge and skills.

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 Clinical Psychology: 106 credit hours

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
Internship 3 credit hours
Dissertation 15 credit hours minimum

Clinical Psychology core course work (Ph.D.): 44 credit hours

PSYC 701 - SEMINAR: ETHICS & PROFESSIONAL ISSUES 3
PSYC 705 - SEMINAR IN LEARNING, MEMORY AND COGNITION 1 to 3 (3 credit hours required)
PSYC 714 - CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY 2
PSYC 749 - VERTICAL CLINICAL TEAM 2 (6 credit hours minimum)
PSYC 765 - PEER SUPERVISION PRACTICUM 2 (4 credit hours minimum)
PSYC 769 - CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY PRACTICUM 1 (6 credit hours minimum)
PSYC 779 - CHILD PSYCHOPATHOLOGY 2
PSYC 780 - RURAL COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY 3
PSYC 781 - CHILD AND FAMILY PSYCHOTHERAPY 3
PSYC 782 - PSYCHOTHERAPY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 3
PSYC 783 - PSYCHOTHERAPY TECHNIQUES WITH ADULTS 3
PSYC 786 - SEMINAR: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 1 (6 credit hours minimum)

Specialization in Clinical/Disaster Psychology: 21 credit hours

The Doctoral Specialty in Clinical/Disaster Psychology includes the above requirements for the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program. However, the students in this specialization must also take 18 hours of additional course work in the disaster psychology area.

Clinical/Disaster Specialization required course work: 18 credit hours

PSYC 655 - CRISIS INTERVENTION 3
PSYC 656 - DISASTER MENTAL HEALTH 3
PSYC 657 - TRAUMATIC STRESS 3
PSYC 658 - SERVING THE DIVERSE COMMUNITY IN DISASTER 3
PSYC 754 - BEHAVIOR THERAPY 3
PSYC 780 - RURAL COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY 3 (core clinical course )

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

Note

PSYC 780 – Rural Community Psychology is also a required core course in the Clinical Program. 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.

Ph.D. Human Factors Psychology Program: 84 credit hours

Master’s courses and thesis 30 credit hours
Human Factors core 3 credit hours
Psychology specialization and elective courses 36 credit hours
Dissertation 15 credit hours minimum

Human Factors Core Course Work: 3 credit hours

PSYC 775 - MULTIVARIATE STATISTICS 3

Graduate Certificate in Disaster Mental Health

Graduate Certificate in Disaster Mental Health: 12 credits

This graduate certificate is offered to prepare mental health professionals to serve their communities in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disaster, terrorist attacks and public health emergencies. It is intended both for existing mental health professionals and as a supplement to graduate training in the approved mental health professions. The graduate certificate is also available to civic officials, emergency managers, first responders and disaster relief workers, as recommended by the National Biodefense Science Board. Participants in this category, however, cannot receive the American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Services certificate. To access the Certificate contents, click here