Master of Science in Psychology

An overview of our program...

The Clayton State University Master of Science in Psychology degree program is unique in that it is designed as a terminal or professional master’s degree that combines a heavily applied community oriented training model with extensive research preparation. The Department of Psychology will be offering two highly distinctive tracks of study: applied development psychology, which will be accepting applicants for Fall 2010, and clinical psychology, which is slated to start in Fall 2011. Both of the proposed tracks include field experiences, either in the form of internships or clinical supervision and strive to serve the needs of the broader community. The Department of Psychology at Clayton State University is uniquely prepared to provide this program because of the highly diverse, multicultural faculty and student body (among the most diverse in the Southeastern United States). Please see below for full description of the two tracks of study.

About the Program

The Master’s program in Applied Developmental Psychology will begin Fall 2010. This degree program is designed specifically for students who seek a professional career working with children and adolescents in varied settings including government and non-profit agencies, research centers, and parent education programs. With advanced knowledge of patterns of development (both typical and atypical) and skills in assessing child and adolescent development, and devising, implementing, and evaluating programs to serve an increasingly diverse population of youth, students will be well prepared for a variety of rewarding careers. This program offers a unique emphasis on the application of knowledge in community settings and will also prepare student who wish to pursue doctoral training in applied developmental, developmental, clinical, or educational psychology.

The Master’s program in Clinical Psychology will begin fall semester 2011. This degree program will prepare students to be competent, ethical practitioners of psychological services in the community. Students will develop skills in psychological assessment, and in a variety of therapeutic modalities, including individual, family, couples, and group therapy. Students will be able to apply knowledge from various frameworks (e.g. cognitive, behavioral, psychodynamic and humanistic) to a wide variety of psychological problems. This program emphasizes learning to consider the uniqueness of each individual and the influence of culture and ethnicity when providing services to people from diverse backgrounds. Students will be prepared to work in a broad range of mental health settings as well as to pursue doctoral level training in clinical or counseling psychology.