Graduate Programs

Master of Arts

in Clinical Psychology

Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology

The M. A. in Clinical Psychology is a 57 credit hour degree program which consists of 30 credit hours of coursework, 9 credit hours of practicum (over the course of 1 year) and 18 credit hours of professional internship (over the course of one year). The total number of credit hours is necessary to meet the licensure requirements set for by the WV Board of Examiners of Psychology. 

The MA in Clinical Psychology will qualify graduates to pursue licensure as a clinical psychologist in the state of West Virginia* with a terminal Masters degree.  

The program provides opportunities for three distinct groups: (1) traditional and non-traditional students seeking to practice professionally as licensed psychologists in the state of West Virginia; (2) those wishing to pursue a doctorate in psychology or related fields; and (3) mental health practitioners already working in the field who have previously completed their bachelor’s degree and are seeking advancement in their respective occupations.

*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, while in other states, 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. 

Application Deadline

March 1 - Priority Application Deadline (Fall admission only)

“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

  1. Online Application (no fee to apply)
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.  This statement should be approximately one to two pages in length.
  5. Professional resume or curriculum vitae.
  6. Standardized Test Scores.  Applicants should submit one of the following:
  • Major Field Test in Psychology completed in the last two years. Minimum score: 60th percentile. Applicants can click on this ETS website to learn more about the Major Field Test in Psychology.   Applicants can request to complete the Major Field in Psychology test at West Liberty University (in person or remotely) the first Friday in February. Cost is $30.  Contact the Department Chair for more information, or to set up an appointment.

OR

  • Graduate Records Examination (GRE) Subject Test in Psychology completed in the last two years.  Minimum score:  60th percentile.  Applicants can click on this ETS website to learn more about the GRE Subject test including test dates (offered three times a year), registration and cost.  It is suggested that applicants complete the test well in advance of their application. 

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

Priority is given to applications received by March 1st. Applicants are urged to apply early including the submision of their 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 will start in the Fall semester and take the same sequence of courses.  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 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. 

Sample Coursework

Lecture courses are typically offered in the evenings at WLU. Clinical practicums are typically conducted at the WLU Behavioral Health Clinic. Internships are typically at an off campus site that provide mental health services. Practicums and Internships must be completed in West Virginia and require the supervision of a WV licensed clinical psychologist. 

MACP students are encouraged to contact WLU financial aid and housing office with questions specific to those areas.  Any course work related inquries 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)

Summer Year 1

PSYC 560 Clinical Practicum I
MACP students will typically complete their practicum hours during the day at the WLU Behavioral Health Clinic. 
(3 credit hours total)

Fall Year 2

PSYC 535 Biological Bases of Behavior
PSYC 530 Research Methods
PSYC 561 Clinical Practicum II
(9 credit hours total)

Spring Year 2

PSYC 555 Ethics, Professional and Divsersity Issues in Psychology
PSYC 525 Substance Abuse
PSYC 565 Clinical Practicum III
(9 credit hours total)

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. 

Fall Year 3

PSYC 563 Clinical Internship II
(6 credit hours total)

Spring Year 3

PSYC 564 Clinical Internship III
(6 credit hours total)

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.
  • Students must successfully complete an oral clinical defense prior to internship, which will consist of work samples in the area of therapy and assessment.  A dispositional appraisal will also be completed.

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.

Your Future as a Psychologist

Percent Change in Employment 2028

PsychologistsPsychologists14%

Social SciencesSocial Sciences11%

All OccupationsAll Occupations5%

source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm#tab-6

Overall employment of psychologists is projected to grow 14 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. Employment growth will vary by occupation. Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm

More Information

Please contact us anytime to discuss your future.

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