Graduate Programs
Master of Arts
in Clinical Psychology
Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology
The M.A. in Clinical Psychology is a three-year, 54-credit-hour degree program comprising 30 credit hours of coursework, 6 credit hours of practicum (at the WLU Behavioral Health Clinic), and 18 credit hours of professional internship (over one year). The total number of courses/credit hours is necessary to meet the licensure requirements set for by the WV Board of Examiners of Psychology.
The M.A. in Clinical Psychology will qualify graduates to pursue licensure as a clinical psychologist in West Virginia* with a terminal Master’s degree. Post-graduate supervision hours and successfully passing licensure exams are required for professional licensure in WV.
*In the United States, the requirements for practicing as a clinical psychologist vary by state. In some states, you can practice as a clinical psychologist with a master’s degree; in others, a doctoral degree is required. Additionally, each state has its own licensing requirements, which typically include completing a certain number of supervised clinical hours, passing a licensing exam, and meeting other educational and professional requirements. Those seeking clinical psychology licensure in other states will need to review licensure requirements for that specific state.
**This is a full-time program. Students are discouraged from working full-time while in the program as significant time and effort are required for course and clinical work.
As part of the graduate Practicum, students are required to work under clinical supervision (about 20 hours a week, unpaid) at the WLU Behavioral Health Center during their operating hours. It is recommended that students not work elsewhere full-time during their Practicum course series. For the Internship I, II, and III course sequence (a full calendar year), students are required to work under clinical supervision at an approved off-WLU campus site (about 40 hours a week). Internship salary/hourly pay is negotiated between the student and their internship site. Students will have assistance in internship site placements. Local placements are not guaranteed. Students may be required to travel to internship sites within the state of West Virginia. Students will have a “gold card,” meaning they can be paid as a supervised psychologist at their internship site.
Students must pass background checks and other site-specific requirements for practicums and internships.
Application Deadline
May 31 - Application Deadline (Fall admission only) Priority Deadline is March 1
“My experience in the Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology program so far has been both interactive and educational. I feel that the learning material in this program is going to provide me with all of the skills and knowledge needed to be a practicing clinical psychologist after graduation.”
– Susie Smith, MACP graduate ‘2022
Admissions Requirements
- Online Application (no fee to apply)
- Official transcripts of any bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, with a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Up to 9 credit hours can be transferred from a qualifying graduate program, and applicants will be required to demonstrate mastery of course content.
- Two letters of recommendation. Letters should be from professional references who can attest to the applicant’s work ethic, interpersonal skills, and ability to succeed in graduate coursework.
- Personal Statement. A statement of the applicant’s career goals indicating how earning this degree will enhance the applicant’s career goals. Please describe your research and/or professional experience specific to this program and how these experiences influenced your decision to achieve a graduate education specifically in clinical psychology at the Masters level. This statement should be approximately one to two pages in length.
- Professional resume or curriculum vitae.
Standardized Test scores: Applicants are required to complete either the Graduate Record Exam Psychology Subtest (GRE-Psychology OR the Psychology Major Field Test (MFT) as part of their application. Applications will not be considered without test scores, and a minimum score in the 60th percentile or higher is recommended to be considered a competitive candidate. Due to the rigorous nature of the program, a foundational knowledge of psychology is necessary to be successful in the program.
To take the required tests online, you will need to ensure that your computer meets the minimum requirements; see the testing website for details.
GRE Psychology Subtest: To schedule the GRE Psychology Subtest, applicants should create an account (https://www.ets.org/gre/test-takers/subject-tests/register.html) in order to schedule and pay to take the test. The GRE Subject Tests are offered 2 weeks per month in September, October, and April at computer-delivered centers worldwide. The test can also be taken at home on certain dates during those three months. For more information, please visit this link. Be sure that you register for the Psychology Subject Test, not the General Test. You will need to send us the scores as part of your application.
Psychology Major Field Test: The Psychology Major Field Test will be offered remotely during the month of February and the month of May. To register to take the test, please email Dr. Tammy McClain at tmcclain@westliberty.edu with your legal name and email address and the specific date in February or May that you would like to take the test. Once you have been registered, you will receive an email near the time of your test date with instructions on how to pay for and access the test. The test will be computer-delivered and will be proctored by Proctor U for an additional fee. Your test scores will be made available to us automatically at the end of the month when you take the test.
We will begin reviewing completed applications on the first week in March. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Graduate Assistantships will be considered from the March batch of applicants. If there is still room in the cohort, we will consider completed applications submitted between March 1 and May 31st.
7. For applicants from a country where English is not the only official language, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) completed in the last two years is required. Minimum score: 550
International students may apply to the MACP program but are required to meet the same criteria for licensure as noted in the MACP Student Handbook. It is important to note that Internship placement and licensure are not guaranteed and are contingent upon the specific requirements of the internship site and the licensing board.
Priority is given to applications received by March 1st. Applicants are urged to apply early including the submission of their test scores. Applications will not be reviewed by the selection committee without test scores.
Admission is granted on a competitive basis and does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Applicants may meet the minimum requirements but may be denied admission based on such factors as program capacity or academic discretion. Each cohort of up to 12 students (pending clinic space and supervisor availability) will start in the Fall semester and take the same sequence of courses. Students must pass a background check before their practicum experience/course. Students in their third year will complete an internship (Summer, Fall, Spring) which may require relocation to another part of WV – local internship placements are not guaranteed. There is a 4:1 ratio of students to clinical supervisor.
Graduate Assistantships: A limited number of graduate assistantships in the Psychology Department may be available. Any open graduate assistantships will be listed in the GA section of the WLU Job Opportunities page. These are very competitive and priority consideration is given to those who apply by the priority application date.
Applications are due May 31, 2024
Coursework:
Lecture courses are typically offered in the evenings at WLU. Clinical practicums are conducted at the WLU Behavioral Health Clinic during normal business hours. Students taking the Practicum courses are required to work approximately 20 hours a week (unpaid) in the clinic in preparation for their Internship. Internships are at an off-campus site that provides mental health services. Students taking Internship courses (Summer, Fall, and Spring) are required to work approximately 40 hours a week at their internship site. Internship placements may require an application and interview and are competitive. A local placement is not guaranteed. For the Internship, students negotiate their salary, working days/hours, and any time off with their specific internship site. Practicums and Internships must be completed in West Virginia and require the supervision of a WV-licensed clinical psychologist. The Practicums and Internships are required to meet the educational requirements for licensure as a clinical psychologist in West Virginia. See WV Board of Examiners of Psychologists for more information.
Below is an example of typical course work and progressions. The MACP uses a cohort system with students from each year taking the same coursework together. This is a full time program with a Fall only start date.
MACP students are encouraged to contact WLU financial aid and housing office with questions specific to those areas. Any course work related inquiries should be sent to the Department Chair &/or MACP Coordinator.
Fall Year 1
PSYC 541 Psychopathology & Diagnosis
PSYC 540 Clinical Assessment I
PSYC 520 Developmental Psychology
(9 credit hours total)
Spring Year 1
PSYC 543 Individual Psychotherapy & Treatment Planning
PSYC 542 Clinical Assessment II
PSYC 544 Empirically Supported Treatments
(9 credit hours total)
Fall Year 2
PSYC 535 Biological Bases of Behavior
PSYC 530 Research Methods
PSYC 560 Clinical Practicum I
MACP students will complete their practicum hours during the day at the WLU Behavioral Health Clinic.
(3 credit hours total)
**As part of the Practicum, students are required to work under clinical supervision (about 20 hours a week, unpaid) at the WLU Behavioral Health Center during their operating hours. It is recommended that students not work elsewhere full-time during their Practicum
Spring Year 2
PSYC 555 Ethics, Professional and Divsersity Issues in Psychology
PSYC 525 Substance Abuse
PSYC 561 Clinical Practicum II
(9 credit hours total)
MACP students will complete their practicum hours during the day at the WLU Behavioral Health Clinic.
(3 credit hours total)
**As part of the Practicum, students are required to work under clinical supervision (about 20 hours a week, unpaid) at the WLU Behavioral Health Center during their operating hours. It is recommended that students not work elsewhere full-time during their Practicum
Summer Year 2
PSYC 562 Clinical Internship I
(6 credit hours total)
MACP students will typically complete their internship hours during the day at an external site in the state of West Virginia. Students will have assistance in internship site placements, local placements are not guaranteed – students may be required to travel to internship sites. Students will have a “gold-card” meaning they are able to be paid as a supervised psychologist at their internship site.
**For the Internship I, II, and III course sequence (a full calendar year), students are required to work under clinical supervision at an approved off-WLU campus site (about 40 hours a week). Internship salary/hourly pay is negotiated between the student and their internship site. It would be difficult and is not recommended for students to work full or part-time during their Internship course sequence.
Fall Year 3
PSYC 563 Clinical Internship II
(6 credit hours total)
For the Internship I, II, and III course sequence (a full calendar year), students are required to work under clinical supervision at an approved off-WLU campus site (about 40 hours a week). Internship salary/hourly pay is negotiated between the student and their internship site. It would be difficult and is not recommended for students to work full or part-time during their Internship course sequence.
Spring Year 3
PSYC 564 Clinical Internship III
(6 credit hours total)
For the Internship I, II, and III course sequence (a full calendar year), students are required to work under clinical supervision at an approved off-WLU campus site (about 40 hours a week). Internship salary/hourly pay is negotiated between the student and their internship site. It would be difficult and is not recommended for students to work full or part-time during their Internship course sequence.
Congratulations to our First Cohort of Psychology Grads!
Performance Standards
- Continued participation in the program requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 and consistent coursework progress.
- All classes, including practicum and internship, must be completed within five (5) academic years.
- Students who take a leave of absence will join the next available cohort. Reapplication may be necessary if the total leave extends beyond two (2) academic years.
- A grade of “C” in one course will require remediation. A grade of “C” in two courses will result in dismissal from the program.
Behavioral Health Clinic on Campus
Graduate students in the WLU Clinical Psychology program and provide services under the supervision of licensed clinical faculty in the program.
More Information
- Graduate Assistant positions at WLU (priority application for Psychology program
- In what states can I be licensed to practice Clinical Psychology with a master’s degree in psychology?
- Meet the Clinical Psychology Graduate Students
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Do I have to have majored in Psychology to apply to this program?
A: No. A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or University is required. However, it is required that applicants have a strong background in psychology in order to be prepared for graduate-level psychology work in the program. A score in the 60th percentile or higher on the Psychology Subject GRE or the Psychology Major Field test is required. Lower test scores may be considered if accompanied by very strong other application components.
Q: How long is the program?
A: The program is three years. This is to prepare students to meet the licensure requirements for clinical psychology in the state of West Virginia. The last year is an internship which may require students to travel/related to an approved internship site in the state of West Virginia.
Q: What is the cost of the program?
A: See the WLU business website for the most up-to-date tuition information.
Q: Can I work while I am in the program?
A: We do not recommend that students work while in the program. Students are encouraged to meet with a financial aid counselor to discuss their options for financial assistance. Some students choose to work part-time (and some full-time) during their first year of the program while taking classes at night. However, note that for the Practicum course series students are required to work approximately 20 hours a week on campus (unpaid) in the WLU Behavioral Health Clinic during their normal working business hours. It is very difficult to work while taking 2nd-year classes and completing the Practicum course requirements. For the Internship course sequence, students are required to work approximately 40 hours a week at an approved WV internship location. Students in Internship will negotiate their salary, working hours, and time off with their individual internship site placements.
Q: Are there any graduate assistantships, or other ways of helping to pay for the program?
A: A limited number of graduate assistantships in the Psychology Department may be available. Any open graduate assistantships will be listed in the GA section of the WLU Job Opportunities page. These are very competitive and priority consideration is given to those who apply by the priority application. There may also be Federal work study positions for those that quality.
Q: Is the program online?
A: No. Online programs do not meet the educational licensure requirements for clinical psychology licensure in WV. Some coursework may be online or remote (via Zoom).
Q: Why is the Psychology GRE or Psychology Major Field Test required as part of the application?
A: Students must demonstrate a strong knowledge base specific to psychology. The test score, along with transcript information, GPA, letters of reccommendation and personal statement are all taken into consideration as part of the application.
Q: Is a thesis required?
A: No, there is no thesis requirement. The focus is on preparation for clinical work and consumption of empirical research, not conducting original research.
Q: How many students are in the program?
A: We admit a small number of students each Fall semester (average is 6-10). This may be less or more depending on clinical space and clinical supervisor availability. The same group of students take all of their coursework together as a cohort.
Q: How is a clinical psychology program (licensed clinical psychology) different from a counseling program (licensed professional counselor, LPC)?
A: Each profession has different education and licensure requirements that vary by state.
The WLU Clinical Psychology program follows the American Psychological Association (APA) Core Learning Goals for Masters degree candidates.
If you are interested in becoming a licensed professional counselor, WLU offers a Master of Arts in Art Therapy & Counseling
Q: Is this program accredited?
A: As of Spring 2024: The APA Commission of Accreditation Master’s Accreditation Work Group (MAWG) has been making progress on policy documents and developing procedures and processes for the accreditation of master’s programs. They are in the process of training consultants to implement the initial accreditation review of select “piloted” programs. Please continue to visit the website for status updates.
WLU has two faculty members that are a part of the accreditation commission and once the process is approved we will be applying for accreditation for our program.
Q: Where can I work as a licensed clinical psychologist?
A: A West Virginia-based internship is required as part of the MACP program in which students work under a student “gold card” supervisory status. After program graduation, then it depends; The MACP program at WLU qualifies graduates with the educational requirements to pursue licensure as a clinical psychologist in the state of West Virginia with a terminal Master’s degree. It is the responsibility of each state to set forth mandates on what training and examination requirements are necessary for a professional to practice psychology, as well as what limitations are placed at each licensing level (i.e. Masters vs Doctorate). Each psychological professional must become familiar with what capabilities their license affords them, as well as possible limitations to the scope of practice for each state. Different states have different requirements.
Q: Can I take graduate classes at WLU and then transfer to another program?
A: Students interested in transferring any credits must contact the institution they wish to transfer credit to with specific questions about transfer credit. This program is meant to be a terminal Masters Degree for those wishing to pursue licensure in the state of WV. It is NOT recommended that you apply if you do not intend to complete the full program.
Q: What is the difference between a Masters Clinical Psychology Degree and a Doctoral Clinical Psychology degree?
A: In West Virginia, both Masters and Doctoral level students take the same licesensure exam (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology) as part of the psychology licensure requirements. Doctoral level programs usually require a thesis and a dissertation, along with additional coursework and clinical supervision. Students who graduate from the MACP program with their Masters degree can apply to Doctoral level programs.
Q:
Your Future as a Psychologist
Percent Change in Employment 2028
source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm#tab-6
More Information
Please contact us anytime to discuss your future.
Dr. Tifani Fletcher
Chair, Department of Psychology
College of Sciences
Office: Main Hall 359 C
CUB137
304.336.8106
tifani.fletcher@westliberty.edu
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