[1] Departmental Admission and Retention Requirements
In addition to the general requirements for admission to the graduate school, students approved are required to submit scores on the General Section of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE). Applications to specific programs must be made to the Department of Psychology and Counseling. In some cases, personal interviews may be required.
Graduate students must be admitted to a specific program before taking any graduate courses.
[2] General steps in pursuing a master’s degree in Psychology or Counseling
1. An application and typed essay to a specific program must be filed with the program chairperson of the Psychology/Counseling department, including
a. Three letters of recommendation from former college professors or individuals otherwise
qualified to comment on your professional and academic potential
b. Submission of transcripts of all completed course work
c. GRE scores (general section)
d. Completion of any prerequisites or other requirements specific to individual programs
2. Admissions Committee approval
3. Petition for Candidacy must be completed and submitted to the Graduate School prior to, or during the semester of, completing one-half of required coursework.
4. Comprehensive examinations must be completed satisfactorily before internship.
5. Register for internship course and file for graduation.
[3] Critical Dates
[3.1] Deadlines for application to the program
March 15 for summer and fall admissions
July 15 for fall admissions
February 10 for Ph.D. admissions
[3.2] Comprehensive Examinations
Fall Testing date: 2nd Tuesday in November for students who will intern in the spring
Spring Testing date: 1st Tuesday in April for students who will intern in the fall
School Psychology students: Masters students take written comprehensive exams in the fall of the second year. Doctoral students take written and oral comprehensive exams in the spring of the fourth year.
[4] Grade Requirements for Continued Enrollment
Students receiving three Cs in graduate courses will not be permitted to continue in the program, nor will they be permitted to enroll in any other program in the Department of Psychology and Counseling.
[5] Community Counseling
[5.1] Purpose
Courses in counseling are designed to (1) provide the student with competencies necessary to provide counseling services in a variety of clinical settings and (2) meet counseling licensure requirements in Arkansas.
[5.2] Master of Science Degree
The department offers the Master of Science degree in Community Counseling. Successful completion of 60 semester hours of graduate credit is required for the MS degree in Community Counseling.
[5.2.1] Course requirements for Community Counseling Program (60 hours)
Before application can be approved for Community Counseling, applicant must have twelve semester hours in psychology, including general psychology, statistics, abnormal psychology, and theories of personality. All deficiencies must be made up before final acceptance into the program.
Required Coursework (48 hours): PSYC 6314, PSYC 6325, PSYC 6354, PSYC 6355, PSYC 6356, PSYC 6370, PSYC 6372, PSYC 6393, PSYC 6398, COUN 6334, COUN 6341/6642, COUN 6342, COUN 6350, COUN 6360, COUN 6381, COUN 6382.
Electives (12 hours): choose 4 of the following: PSYC 6363, PSYC 6330, PSYC 6315, PSYC 6379, PSYC 6316, PSYC 6335, PSYC 6361, PSYC 7312, PSYC 7325.
[5.3] Licensure
Students completing the Community Counseling degree program are eligible to take the examination for licensure as an Licensed Associate Counselor under Act 593. After 3000 hours of post-degree, supervised experience, they are eligible for examination as a Licensed Professional Counselor.
[6] Graduate Courses in Counseling (COUN)
Follow this link for COUN course descriptions: course link.
[7] Counseling Psychology
The department offers a M.S. program in Counseling Psychology and a doctoral emphasis in Counseling Psychology (leading to a Ph.D in School Psychology – Emphasis in Counseling Psychology):
The doctoral emphasis in Counseling Psychology is designed to prepare professional Counseling Psychologists who understand psychological theories, principles, and techniques and can apply this knowledge for the assessment and treatment of psychological conditions in a variety of community mental health settings.
The M.S. degree in Counseling Psychology is designed so that it may serve either as an entry point into professional employment or as preparation for a doctoral program. The M.S. program emphasizes the understanding of psychological theories, testing, and counseling at a level that will enable graduates to function successfully as Licensed Psychological Counselors in a variety of mental health facilities.
Before the application for Counseling Psychology can be approved, an applicant must have
- Completed, typed application form
- Twelve semester hours of undergraduate preparation in psychology (see program application for specifics).
- Official transcripts of all completed college course work.
- Official Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores on the General Section, must include Verbal and Quantitative sections.
- Three letters of recommendation from former college professors or individuals otherwise qualified to comment on the applicant’s professional and academic potential.
- A 500-word statement of purpose which includes your interest in the field of psychology and your goals upon completion of the degree.
[7.1] Course Requirements for Counseling Psychology
Students must apply either to the M.S. or to the doctoral emphasis in Counseling Psychology. Admission to the M.S. program does not imply continuation in the doctoral emphasis.
Curriculum Requirements for M.S. in Counseling Psychology (60 hours)
For a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, the student must meet the following course requirements and pass a comprehensive examination.
Category I (39 hours)
PSYC 6313, 6314, 6330, 6331, 6350, 6354, 6356, 6379, 6398, 6342; COUN 6350, 6381, 6382.
Category II (9 hours)
Three courses from PSYC 7325, 7312, 6363, 6370.
Category III (12 hours)
One course from: PSYC 6315, 6355, or 6393.
Three courses from PSYC 5353, 6316, 6325, 6335, 6345, 6361, 6362, 6363, 6372, 6375, 6376, 6381, 6643; COUN 6342,
All electives must be approved by advisor.
- Only three hours of problem courses may be used in the program.
- Six hours may be transferred from another college if approved by the Counseling Psychology Committee or chairperson.
Upon completion of all course work and satisfactory performance on a comprehensive examination, the student will take an internship in an approved mental health facility. It will be a full-time 600-hour internship for the equivalent of one regular semester.
Curriculum Requirements for doctoral emphasis in Counseling Psychology (120 total degree hours required). The sequence of courses are subject to change.
Fall Year 1
| P7360 Foundations of Counseling Psych |
| P6330 Advanced Statistics |
| P6354 Theories of Counseling |
| P6398 Legal and Ethical Issues |
Spring Year 1
| P6314 Psychopathology |
| P6331 Research Design |
| C6350 Counseling Process and Skills |
| P6356 Group Therapy |
Summer Year 1
| P6370 Advanced Development Psychology |
| P7315 General Linear Models |
| P6393 Marriage and Family Therapy |
Fall Year 2
| C6381 Counseling Practicum I |
| P6313 Psycho-Ed Assessment I |
| P7141 Doctoral Research Seminar |
| P7361 Psychological Treatments |
| P7320 Multivariate Statistics |
Spring Year 2
| C6382 Counseling Practicum II |
| P6379 Personality Assessment |
| P7141 Doctoral Research Seminar |
| P6316 Child Psychopathology |
Summer Year 2
| P7312 Learning and Cognition |
| P6355 Multicultural Issues in Counseling |
| P7141 Doctoral Research Seminar |
Fall Year 3
| P7365 Doctoral Practicum in Counseling Psychology | |
| C6342 Career Development | |
| P6315 Applied Behavior Analysis | |
| P7330 Research/Grant Writing | |
Spring Year 3
| P7365 Doctoral Practicum in Counseling Psychology |
| P6361 Problems in Psychology |
| P6363 Advanced Social Psychology |
Summer Year 3
| P6355 Multicultural Issues in Counseling P7365 Doctoral Practicum in Counseling Psychology |
|
| P7325 Physiological Psychology | |
Fall Year 4
| P7365 Doctoral Practicum in Counseling Psychology |
| P8315 Mental Health Promotion & Prevention |
| P6310 Dissertation |
Spring Year 4
| P6310 Dissertation |
| P6373 Consultation/Supervision |
| *Doctoral Comprehensive Exams |
Summer Year 4
| P9310 Dissertation |
Fall Year 5
PSYC 9605 Doctoral Internship in Professional Psychology
Spring Year 5
PSYC 9606 Doctoral Internship in Professional Psychology
Total Semester Hours: 120
[7.2] School Psychology
The School Psychology programs are designed to prepare professional School Psychologists who understand psychological theories, principles, and techniques and can apply this knowledge to a variety of school-related issues and settings. A second objective of the program is to provide a solid academic background for students who intend to work for higher degrees in psychology.
Required components for an application to the School Psychology program include:
- Completed, typed application form
- Twelve (12) successfully completed semester hours of undergraduate preparation in psychology
- Goal statement – The goal statement should include an explanation (1-3 pages in length) of why you chose to pursue a career in School Psychology and why you have chosen to pursue graduate studies at the University of Central Arkansas.
- Three letters of recommendation – These letters are to be sent directly to: School Psychology Program Director, Department of Psychology and Counseling, Box 4915, Conway, AR 72035-0001
At least one letter should be from a person familiar with your academic performance.
5. Official copy of scores from Graduate Record Examination – must include Verbal and,
Quantitative portions of exam.
6. Official transcripts of all completed college coursework.
[7.2.1] Course Requirements for School Psychology
Students must apply to either the M.S. program or the Ph.D. program. Admission to the M.S. program does not imply continuation toward the Ph.D. degree.
Curriculum for the Specialist-Level Certification Program
Fall Year 1
PSYC 6330 Advanced Psychological Statistics
PSYC 6354 Theories of Psychotherapy and Counseling
PSYC 6370 Advanced Developmental Psychology
PSYC 6375 Professional School Psychology
Spring Year 1
PSYC 6313 Psycho-Educational Assessment I
PSYC 6314 Psychopathology
PSYC 6331 Research Design
PSYC 6373 Individual and Organizational Consultation
Summer Year 1
PSYC 6335 Identification and Remediation of Learning Problems
PSYC 6398 Legal and Ethical Issues in Psychology and Counseling
PSYC 7325 Physiological Psychology
Elective (PSYC 6355, PSYC 6356, PSYC 6393)
Fall Year 2
PSYC 6315 Applied Behavior Analysis
PSYC 6332 School Psychology Practicum I
PSYC 8305 Intervention I
Comprehensive Examination
After successful completion of 45 hours (including six hours of approved electives) and the comprehensive examination, the student is awarded the M.S. degree in School Psychology. This does not meet the requirements for licensure or certification in Arkansas. The student must complete the additional 15 hours, including the one-year internship, to be eligible for licensure or certification in Arkansas as a School Psychology Specialist (60 hours total).
Spring Year 2
PSYC 6333 School Psychology Practicum II
PSYC 6376 Psychoeducational Assessment II
PSYC 7310 Behavioral and Emotional Assessment of Children
Fall and Spring, Year 3
PSYC 6342 Internship
Total Semester Credit Hours: 60
After completion of the 60-semester hour sequence, the student receives his/her certificate of completion and is eligible for licensure/certification in Arkansas as a School Psychology Specialist.
Curriculum for the Ph.D. Program
Fall Year 1
PSYC 6330 Advanced Psychological Statistics
PSYC 6354 Theories of Psychotherapy and Counseling
PSYC 6360 Organization and Operation of Schools: Implications for School Psychologists
PSYC 6370 Advanced Developmental
PSYC 6375 Professional School Psychology
Spring Year 1
PSYC 6313 Psycho-Educational Assessment I
PSYC 6314 Psychopathology
PSYC 6331 Research Design
PSYC 6373 Individual and Organizational Consultation
Summer Year 1
PSYC 6393 Marital and Family Therapy
PSYC 6335 Identification and Remediation of Learning Problems
PSYC 6398 Legal and Ethical Issues in Psychology and Counseling
Fall Year 2
PSYC 6315 Applied Behavior Analysis
PSYC 6332 School Psychology Practicum I
PSYC 7141 Doctoral Research Seminar in Psychology
PSYC 8305 Psycho-Educational Intervention I
*Master’s Comprehensive Exams
Spring Year 2
PSYC 6333 School Psychology Practicum II
PSYC 6376 Psychoeducational Assessment II
PSYC 7141 Doctoral Research Seminar in Psychology
PSYC 7310 Behavioral and Emotional Assessment of Children
Summer Year 2
PSYC 6355 Multicultural Issues in Psychology and Counseling
PSYC 6356 Group Psychotherapy and Counseling
PSYC 7141 Doctoral Research Seminar in Psychology
PSYC 7315 Application of General Linear Models to Experimental Design
Fall Year 3
COUN 6381 Practicum in Counseling I
PSYC 7320 Regression and Multivariate Analysis
PSYC 7330 Research/Grant Writing (Grant for dissertation research)Spring Year 3
PSYC 6363 Advanced Social Psychology
PSYC 7305 Doctoral Practicum in School Psychology I
PSYC 8310 Psychoeducational Intervention II
Summer Year 3
PSYC 7325 Physiological Psychology
PSYC 9310 Dissertation in Psychology
PSYC 7350 Teaching in Psychology (optional)
Fall Year 4
PSYC 7306 Doctoral Practicum in School Psychology II
PSYC 8315 Mental Health Promotion and Prevention
* Doctoral Comprehensive Exams
Spring Year 4
PSYC 7335 Program Evaluation in School, Community, and Mental Health Settings
PSYC 9310 Dissertation in Psychology
PSYC 7307 Doctoral Practicum in School Psychology III
Summer Year 4
PSYC 9310 Dissertation in Psychology
Year 5
PSYC 9605 Doctoral Internship in Professional Psychology
PSYC 9606 Doctoral Internship in Professional Psychology
Total Semester Hours: 120
[7.3] Admissions Material
Admissions material for each program may be found on the Department of Psychology and Counseling web site (follow links to Graduate Programs).
[Dead links removed 2015-11-16.]
[8] Graduate Courses in Psychology (PSYC)
Follow this link for PSYC course descriptions: course link.