Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology

The Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology is designed to produce Master's-level practitioners who are qualified to sit for licensure as Licensed Psychological Associates (LPA) by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists.  Recent changes to Texas state licensure rules and regulations require 60 hours of coursework in order to be eligible to obtain an LPA and practice independently. The program provides supervised practicum experiences and equips students with applied skills in psychological assessment, diagnosis and clinical intervention.  A Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from SHSU also prepares students for further graduate study and/or community college teaching. Students must successfully complete two capstone evaluations in assessment and psychotherapy typically during their last semester of the program.

While the program is primarily practitioner-oriented and all students are admitted under the non-thesis degree plan, students may gain valuable research experience by joining faculty members' research labs.  In addition, a limited number of students may pursue a formal thesis when a faculty mentor supports their prospectus and agrees to supervise their thesis research.  

Students seeking admission to the Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology must submit the following documents to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

1. Graduate Application: The Graduate Application is an institutional application required by SHSU. Students must provide biographical and educational information and information relevant to determining State of Texas residency.
2. Application fee: An application fee is required for all applications to graduate programs at SHSU.
3. Transcripts documenting all prior degrees.* (18 hours of coursework in psychology is required)
4. Applicants are expected to have earned a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 from the accredited institution granting the undergraduate degree.  Applicants who have an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 and do not possess graduate coursework demonstrating significant improvement are encouraged to provide an explanation for the applicant’s low GPA and why the GPA is not indicative of the applicant’s academic and professional potential in the Letter of Intent.
5. Letter of intent: The Letter of Intent is your opportunity to discuss your fit with the program offered at Sam Houston State University. While you have a significant amount of freedom to discuss anything you would like in your letter of intent, please, address your short-term and long-term academic/professional goals, your views on diversity and inclusion, and how your interests and goals fit with our program. You may also want to describe your research interests and how they align with specific faculty research agendas.
6. Three letters of recommendation that discuss the applicant’s suitability for graduate study.  The most useful letters of recommendation come from university faculty who are able to describe the applicant’s potential for success in graduate study.
7. Official GRE scores.
8. Curriculum Vita (CV) with sections emphasizing education, research experience, volunteer or clinical experience, and any notable achievements, awards, or proficiencies.

*Applicants may submit unofficial transcripts for review by the admissions committee. However, under university policy, admission decisions are contingent upon receipt of official transcripts.

Students will be admitted for the Fall (no summer admissions). The application deadline for Fall enrollment is February 15.

Admission to the MA in Clinical Psychology program is competitive and the number of available positions is limited.

Note: Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

In addition to the courses listed below, all students must complete two capstone evaluations in assessment and psychotherapy near the end of their program. The details of the comprehensive examinations are set out in the Program Handbook.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The MA in Clinical Psychology is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

• Eligibility to pursue licensure at the Master's level as a Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA) in the state of Texas.
• Clinical skills for conducting psychological interventions with a variety of clinical populations.
• Assessment skills for conducting psychological evaluations of cognitive and emotional functioning.
• Research skills that allow graduates to be effective scholars and consumers of the scientific literature.
• Qualification to teach in community college and other educational settings.