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 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
One course from below (3 cr)
PSYC 722 - Seminar: Developmental Psychology 1 to 3 cr hrs
PSYC 741 - Seminar: Social Psychology 1 to 3 cr hrs
BIOL 530 - Neurobiology (C) 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 (2 cr hrs 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 786 - Seminar: Professional Development 1 cr hrs (2 cr hrs 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 56 credit hours minimum includes the following:
- Additional stats/methods course 3 credit hours
- Predoctoral Clinical Psychology Internship 3 credit hours
- Electives 6 credit hours*
Dissertation 15 credit hours minimum

* must include PSYC 509 unless student has an approved undergraduate course in History and Systems of Psychology

Clinical Psychology core course work (Ph.D.): 56 credit hours

PSYC 701 - Seminar: Ethics & Professional Issues 3 cr hrs
PSYC 714 - Clinical Psychopharmacology 2 cr hrs
PSYC 749 - Vertical Clinical Team 2 cr hrs (6 cr hrs minimum)
PSYC 765 - Peer Supervision Practicum 2 cr hrs (4 cr hrs minimum)
PSYC 768 - Clinical Supervision and Consultation 2 cr hrs
PSYC 769 - Clinical Psychology Practicum 1 cr hrs (4 cr hrs 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 (3 cr hrs minimum)
PSYC 894 - Clinical Psychology Internship (C) 1 cr hrs (3 cr hrs required)
Electives 6 cr hrs*
Two courses from the following (not completed for MA)
PSYC 722 - Seminar: Developmental Psychology 1 to 3 cr hrs (3 cr hrs required)
PSYC 741 - Seminar: Social Psychology 1 to 3 cr hrs (3 cr hrs required)
BIOL 530 - Neurobiology (C) 3 cr hrs
Advanced statistics coursework (choose one from the following)
PSYC 775 - Multivariate Statistics 3 cr hrs
PSYC 777 - Seminar in Statistical Topics 1 to 3 cr hrs (3 cr hrs required)
EDER 763 - Qualitative Methods of Educational Research 3 cr hrs

Dissertation 15 credit hours minimum

PSYC 898 - Doctoral Dissertation Research 1 to 15 cr hrs (15 cr hrs required)

Specialization in Clinical/Disaster Psychology: 21 credit hours

The Doctoral Specialization in Clinical/Disaster Psychology requires 12 credit hours of coursework in the disaster psychology area in addition to completion of 9 credit hours of coursework that double counts from PSYC 780 (3 credit hours), PSYC 754 (3 credit hours), and by completing a Clinical/Disaster Pscyhology elective from the designated list (3 credit hours) and all course requirements for the Specialization in Clinical Psychology (as described above).

Clinical/Disaster Psychology required course work: 12 credit hours

PSYC 754 - Behavior Therapy 3 cr hrs (could be taken as elecive in Ph.D. requirements-double count)
PSYC 778 - Crisis Intervention 3 cr hrs
PSYC 780 - Rural Community Psychology 3 cr hrs (core clinical course also required course in Ph.D.-double counted)
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:

Note: could be taken as elective in Ph.D. requirements-double count

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.

Student Learning Outcomes

Content knowledge of core areas of clinical psychology as determined by Clinical Psychology Program guidelines (attached). Student will have demonstrated mastery in 4 core content courses listed in the program guidelines.
Students will understand research methods and statistical analysis at a level suitable to design, implement and complete an independent research project.
Students develop presentation and communications skills appropriate for a professional in the field of clinical psychology.
Students will successfully complete two external practica experiences.

Courses or Programs Leading to Professional Licensure or Certification

The University of South Dakota as of July 1, 2020, cannot confirm whether any particular course or program meets educational prerequisites for professional licensure or certification in states other than South Dakota. If you are planning to apply for licensure/certification in a state other than South Dakota after completion of your program, contact the academic department offering your major or CDE at 605.658.6152 or by email at cde@usd.edu. USD is working to comply with these requirements and will provide up-to-date information as it becomes available.

If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference the State Authorization webpage below.

Information about State Authorization & Professional Licensure