Clinical Psychology Graduate Program

The program requires a total of 50 hours of graduate level course work. The program is designed for full-time students to graduate in two calendar years (Fall admission). Part-time students are not admitted to the program. The program is completed in person at WCU’s Cullowhee campus.

PSY 748 – Human Neuropsychology (3 hrs)

PSY 686 & 687 – Internal and External Practicum in Psychology (6 hours)

PSY 624 - Advanced Developmental Psychology (3 hrs)

PSY 651 – Advanced Research Methods: Statistics (4 hrs)

PSY 652 – Advanced Research Methods: Design and Communication (3 hrs)

PSY 661 – Assessment I (4 hrs)

PSY 662 – Personality Assessment (4 hrs)

PSY 671 – Advanced Psychopathology (3 hrs)

PSY 672 – Evidence-based Psychotherapy I (3 hrs)

PSY 675 – Cognitive and Behavioral Interventions (3 hrs)

PSY 677 – Group Psychotherapy (3 hrs)

PSY 680 – Directed Study (3 hrs) (requires Instructor permission to register)

PSY 599 – Pre-thesis (3 hrs) (requires Instructor permission to register)

PSY 699 – Thesis (6 hrs) (requires Instructor permission to register)

Fall 1st Year

PSY 651: Adv. Research Methods (4)

PSY 661: Assessment I (4)

PSY 671: Adv. Psychopathology (3)

PSY 680: Directed Study (3)

Spring 1st Year

PSY 652: Adv. Research Methods (3)

PSY 662: Personality Assessment (3)

PSY 672: Evidenced-Based Psychotherapy (3)

PSY 677: Group Psychotherapy (3)

PSY 599: Pre-Thesis (3)*

Fall 2nd Year

PSY 748: Human Neuropsychology (3)

PSY 675: Cognitive & Behavioral Interventions (3)

PSY 686 & 687 – Internal and External Practicum in Psychology (3-4 hours)**

PSY 699: Thesis (3)

Spring 2nd Year

PSY 624: Advanced Developmental Psychology (3)

PSY 686 & 687 – Internal and External Practicum in Psychology (3-4 hours)

PSY 699: Thesis (3)

Optional Graduate Level Elective (3)

 

* Students will propose a thesis project at the end of their first year in the program, and must . Students must successfully defend their thesis during their final semester in the program in order to graduate. More information on the thesis project requirements can be found in the program handbook.

** Students complete an internal practicum within the department’s McKee Clinic (completing 3-4 psychological assessments) as well as an external practicum in the community (see Clinical/Practicum tab below). Students wishing to meet   requirements to become licensed psychological associates will need to complete a total of 500 hours of practicum experience between their internal and external practica (see Licensure Information tab below).

After graduation, students who complete the required 500+ practicum hours may apply to become a licensed psychological associate (LPA) in North Carolina. An LPA is a mental health professional who provides psychological services under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. LPAs are permitted to perform a range of activities, including conducting assessments and evaluations, and providing individual and group therapy. The program is designed to meet LPA licensure requirements in the state of NC; students wishing to practice outside of the state following graduation should consult the licensure requirements in those states. More information about LPA licensure can be found at NC Psychology Board’s website.

Students wishing to become licensed psychologists will need to complete additional training at the doctoral level after graduating from the MA program.

Our mission is to train well-rounded, competent, and ethically minded graduates using the scholar-practitioner model. Our training model is geared to prepare students for doctoral level study, whether that is within WCU’s Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Health Service Psychology (Combined Clinical- School), or within external PhD or PsyD programs outside of WCU. Graduates of our program are also eligible for licensure in NC as a licensed psychological associate (LPA) if they complete 500 practicum hours.   

Graduate students complete 50 credits of coursework over two years. Students who wish to be eligible for licensure upon graduation must complete six credits (a total of 500 hours) of clinical practicum. All students complete a thesis under the close mentorship of our excellent faculty. Coursework is completed in face-to-face settings. You will complete some courses with graduate students from the School Psychology program. Class sizes are kept small to maximize the learning experience. Our program is known for its attention to students’ individual needs and career goals.

The deadline for applications is March 1st, but we encourage students to submit their application early. All applications are completed online. Approximately two weeks after the deadline, you will hear from us about interview day date(s). An undergraduate psychology degree is not required. However, applicants without an undergraduate psychology degree must have at least 18 hours of undergraduate credit in psychology which must include general psychology, 6 hours of statistics and/or research methods, and abnormal psychology.

 

Completed applications will include:

• A complete application form
• GRE General Test scores within the last 5 years (Psychology GRE scores are not required)
• A personal statement describing your research interests, reasons for applying to the program, and how the program will help you meet your future goals
• At least 3 letters of recommendation
• Unofficial transcripts for every undergraduate university you attended; accepted students will then be required to submit official transcripts
• An academic resume or CV

Each year, the Clinical Concentration of the Psychology MA program at WCU receives approximately 50-75 applications. Approximately 20-25 students are invited for an on-campus interview day, typically held during the third or fourth week of March. Of the applicants invited for an interview, we accept between 6 and 10 students (the top 10-15% of the applicant pool). The clinical track only admits students for the Fall semester. Although we do our best to let students know as soon as we can after the interviews have been completed, we adhere to the April 15th deadline (American Psychological Association) for decisions.

A typical incoming class will have an average GPA of 3.5 or better. The GRE scores (V+Q) of our students are generally in the 305 to 315 range. A majority of incoming students have experience with independent research as an undergraduate. An undergraduate psychology degree is not required. However, applicants should have at least 18 hours of undergraduate credit in psychology which must include general psychology, 6 hours of statistics and/or research methods, and abnormal psychology. Please know that all components of the application are taken into consideration, including interpersonal skills and professionalism (interview), personal statement, letters of recommendation, ability to articulate your reasons for pursuing graduate study in clinical psychology, and other relevant educational or clinical experiences. We do not accept students solely based on any one component of the application. If you have questions about your application and what experiences to pursue, please contact the program director, Dr. David Solomon (dsolomon@wcu.edu).

• Courses in Evidence-based Assessment (child and adult) and Psychotherapy (individual and group therapy), Psychopathology (DSM-5), Human Neuropsychology, Advanced General Psychology, Research Methods, Statistics, etc.
• One-on-one mentoring in research, experience with conference submissions and presentations, journal manuscript writing, as well as other professional development opportunities.
• Practicum experiences and clinical supervision through our Psychology Department McKee Assessment and Psychological Services Clinic (serving children and families in the community), and opportunities for placement with WCU Counseling and Psychological Services, the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville, Jackson County Psychological Services, the Institute for Applied Neuroscience, Center for Research, Assessment, and Treatment Efficacy (CReATE), TEACCH Autism Program, and the Department of Corrections, etc. Note that placements are determined based on agency availability, faculty recommendations, and student fit (i.e., an interview may be required). Student preference is also taken into consideration, but the program director will oversee the placement process.

Our faculty members are excited to involve students in a variety of research opportunities. Some areas of expertise among our faculty include stress and trauma, neuropsychology, child maltreatment, substance use problems, depression, anxiety, personality, gender and sexuality issues, social and emotional development across the life span (children, adolescents, adults), body image and eating disorders, emotion regulation and coping, and forensic psychology. Our students and faculty also have access to state-of-the art eye-tracking and EEG equipment. Opportunities for collaboration with faculty from disciplines other than clinical psychology (e.g., social/personality psychology, experimental psychology, education, criminology and criminal justice, and school psychology) are also available. Please feel free to contact any of the faculty members to hear more about their current research and ways to get involved.

A majority of our incoming graduate students are awarded some form of Graduate Assistantship or stipend in return for valuable educational experience as a teaching or research assistant. Other financial support, including tuition remissions, is available on a competitive basis. Students who are admitted may apply for a variety of scholarships and awards (see the Graduate School website for more information).

Most of our students (@75%) go on to doctoral programs in clinical psychology or related field, while others get licensed (in NC). In recent years, 100% of our graduates have either been admitted to PhD/PsyD programs or had a job offer upon completion of our program. Getting in to a PhD program in clinical psychology is tremendously competitive, but we believe our curriculum and focus on research experiences will prepare students for the next level of training. Licensure in NC (LPA) is also an option.