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 12 credit hours
Thesis 6 credit hours
Clinical Psychology core 17 credit hours

Required M.A. Psychology core classes: 12 credit hours

PSYC 703 - Modern Psychology 3 cr hrs
PSYC 705 - Learning, Memory, and Cognition 1 to 3 cr hrs (3 cr hrs required)
PSYC 771 - Research Design and Statistics I 3 cr hrs
PSYC 772 - Research Design and Statistics II 3 cr hrs

Thesis: 6 credit hours minimum

PSYC 798 - Master’s Thesis Research 1 to 6 cr hrs

Additional required courses for M.A. in Psychology with Specialization in Clinical Psychology: 17 credit hours

PSYC 747 - Seminar: Science and Practice I 2 cr hrs
PSYC 748 - Seminar: Science and Practice II 1-2 cr hrs (1 credit hour required)
PSYC 749 - Vertical Clinical Team 2 cr hrs
PSYC 750 - Adult Psychopathology 3 cr hrs
PSYC 751 - Psychological Assessment I 3 cr hrs
PSYC 752 - Psychological Assessment II 3 cr hrs
PSYC 760 - Orientation to the Field of Clinical Psychology 1-2 cr hrs (1 cr hr required)
PSYC 786 - Seminar: Professional Development 1 cr hrs (2 credit hours required)

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. 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 41 credit hours minimum
Additional stats/methods course 3 credit hours
Electives 9 credit hours
Predoctoral Clinical Psychology Internship 3 credit hours
Dissertation 15 credit hours minimum

Clinical Psychology core course work (Ph.D.): 41 credit hours

PSYC 701 - Seminar: Ethics & Professional Issues 3 cr hrs
PSYC 709 - Teaching of Psychology 1 cr hrs
PSYC 714 - Clinical Psychopharmacology 2 cr hrs
PSYC 749 - Vertical Clinical Team 2 cr hrs (6 credit hours minimum)
PSYC 765 - Peer Supervision Practicum 2 cr hrs (2 credit hours minimum)
PSYC 768 - Clinical Supervision Practicum 1-3 cr hrs (1 cr hr required)
PSYC 769 - Clinical Psychology Practicum 1 cr hrs (6 credit hours minimum)
PSYC 773 Research Methods in Clinical Psychology 3 cr hrs ##Pending SDBOR approval and submission from department
PSYC 779 - Child Psychopathology 2 cr hrs
PSYC 780 - Rural Community Psychology 3 cr hrs
PSYC 781 - Child and Family Psychotherapy 3 cr hrs
PSYC 783 - Psychotherapy Techniques With Adults 3 cr hrs
PSYC 786 - Seminar: Professional Development 1 cr hrs (6 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 required course work: 18 credit hours

PSYC 754 - Behavior Therapy 3 cr hrs
PSYC 778 - Crisis Intervention 3 cr hrs
PSYC 780 - Rural Community Psychology 3 cr hrs (core clinical course )
PSYC 784 - Disaster Mental Health 3 cr hrs
PSYC 785 - Traumatic Stress 3 cr hrs
PSYC 787 - Serving the Diverse Community in Disaster 3 cr hrs

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

PSYC 755 - Management in Disaster Mental Health 3 cr hrs
PSYC 757 - Directed Readings in Disaster Psychology 3 cr hrs
PSYC 758 - Directed Research in Disaster Psychology 3 cr hrs

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.