Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology (MA)

Graduates from the Master’s program will be trained to be competent, effective scholar-practitioners, able to understand and apply the best available clinical evidence to effect growth and healing in individuals, couples, families, and communities. Students will also begin to explore an area of focused interest. Housed within the same School as the doctoral program, master’s degree students can take elective courses in forensics, neuropsychology, geropsychology, or clinical health psychology, or take deep dives into specific types of therapy and treatment such as trauma therapy, addictions treatment, couples therapy, family therapy or dialectical behavior therapy. Graduates will be eligible to practice independently in Kentucky as Licensed Psychological Practitioners after two years of post-Master’s supervision.

Accreditation
As a new stand-alone Master’s degree, the MA in clinical psychology is not yet accredited by the American Psychological Association (750 First Street, Washington DC 20002; 202 336-5979). (Accredited status is not required for licensure in Kentucky or any other state that allows Master’s level licensure, as APA just began accrediting Master’s degree programs in 2023.)

Specific Admission Requirements
In addition to the general University requirements, the applicant must submit three letters of reference and a three-page, double-spaced, typed autobiography, which includes relevant personal and professional experience and aspirations. The GRE is not required for application to admission. Applicants will also be evaluated on the basis of personal attributes; therefore, personal interviews
are required. Those selected for interviews are notified regarding specific dates and times. Students are admitted to the program only in the Fall semester.

It is expected that applicants will have a background in psychology at the undergraduate level with at least a minimum of 18 credit hours in psychology.

Transfer Credit Policy
If admitted to the PsyD program at Spalding University after the completion of the MA degree at Spalding University, all 60 credits will be accepted toward the PsyD degree as long as grades are B or higher. A minimum of a 3.5 GPA in the MA program will be required for consideration to the PsyD program. No credits from another Master’s degree program will be accepted for transfer into the MA
program.

Comprehensive Examination
Students are required to pass both parts of a two-part Comprehensive Examination to receive the MA degree. Specific information regarding this exam is available in the MA Graduate Student Handbook.

Practicum Experiences
Students are placed at a practicum site in their second year of the program. The practicum lasts from August to July of the second year and consists of both assessment and psychotherapy experiences. All sites must meet the training requirements established by the SOPP, and are carefully monitored by program administrators.

Residency and Progression
MA students must spend at least one year in full-time residence at Spalding. This requirement is met by completing at least 18 credit hours of course work in one year (defined as the Fall, Spring, and Summer sessions). MA students must always complete a minimum of 15 credit hours per year. Students who fail to meet these regulations are subject to dismissal.

Program Sheet
Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology