Frequently Asked Questions MA Program

What does this program emphasize?

Students in the program are trained according to the Scientist-Practitioner Model, with dual emphases on research and clinical knowledge designed to provide a solid clinical foundation. Students are encouraged to participate in additional research projects (other than thesis) so that they may be prepared for the rigorous research orientation of most Ph.D. programs in Clinical Psychology. Further, the promotion of professional clinical skills in assessment and psychotherapy is an important element of this training. The graduate curriculum also includes Community Psychology and Health and Behavioral Medicine. Students will be instructed on relevant issues in clinical practice, such as ethics and professional conduct, the development of trusting therapist-client relationships, and empirically supported psychotherapeutic interventions.

What can I do with a M.A. in Clinical Psychology?

Students who complete the program are eligible to be licensed as a Psychological Associate in the state of North Carolina. Most of our graduates work in community mental health centers, hospitals, or practice agencies. Approximately 50% of students go on to doctoral level programs.

What is the orientation of the program?

The orientation of the program is eclectic in nature. The core faculty members are trained in a variety of psychotherapeutic orientations, including cognitive behavioral, behavioral health, community and interpersonal paradigms.

How can I be considered for admission?

The Masters of Arts program in Clinical Psychology is no longer accepting applications. For information about our newly developed PsyD program, please visit https://clinicalpsychpsyd.appstate.edu

What is the ASU Psychology Department like?

There are 36 full time faculty members in the department. The Clinical Psychology program has 8 core faculty members who teach required courses, act as mentors, and often serve as thesis chairs. Additionally, students will take classes with other faculty members. See: http://psych.appstate.edu.

There are approximately 800 Psychology undergraduate students and 80 Psychology graduate students in the department at any given time. Students from the Industrial/Organizational, General Experimental, and School programs will be in many of the required core classes, and there are multiple opportunities to establish relationships with students outside of the Clinical program. Many of the Clinical applied classes have 8-15 students.

How do I get financial aid?

Complete a Free Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA) on the web at http://fafsa.ed.gov and list the schools you are considering on the form. You will receive an estimate of financial aid based on your current income. Students typically receive between $3,000 and $5,000 a semester for tuition and living expenses. Out of state students may receive more if they are independent.

What kind of support is available?

Most first year students are offered a 10-hour graduate assistantship, which pays $2,500 per semester (updated 2016). Several 15+ hour assistantships are typically available each year.

For both the thesis and non-thesis option, students in the first year (spring semester) have the opportunity to take Teaching of Psychology, a requirement for those students who would like to be able to teach an introductory Psychology class in the second year. There are often additional assistantships available within and outside of the Psychology department. Many Clinical graduate students teach General Psychology in their second year because they enjoy the experience of independently teaching a course as well as the assistantship support.

What is the tuition for graduate students at ASU?

Tuition (and fees) for in-state students is approximately $3,700 per semester. For out-of-state students, tuition is approximately $9,975 per semester. View current tuition figures. Out-of-state tuition waivers are available on a competitive basis during the 1st year of study. Independent students may apply to establish NC residency for their second year.

Clinical Psychology Graduate Handbook

More detailed information about the Clinical Psychology Graduate Program policies, curriculum, procedures and other information can be found in the Clinical Psychology Graduate Program Handbook (DOCX, 177 KB).