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Psychology and Counseling

[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.

Admissions material for each program can be found online:

Community Counseling MS

Counseling Psychology MS

Counseling Psychology Doctoral Emphasis (PhD, School Psychology)

School Psychology MS

School Psychology PhD

[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
    1. Three letters of recommendation from former college professors or individuals otherwise qualified to comment on your professional and academic potential
    2. Submission of transcripts of all completed course work
    3. GRE scores (general section)
    4. 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 PhD 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: Master’s 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] Counseling Psychology

The department offers a Master of Science (MS) program in Counseling Psychology and a doctoral emphasis in Counseling Psychology (leading to a PhD 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 MS 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 MS 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

  1. Completed, typed application form
  2. Twelve semester hours of undergraduate preparation in psychology (see program application for specifics).
  3. Official transcripts of all completed college course work.
  4. Official Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores on the General Section, must include Verbal and Quantitative sections.
  5. Three letters of recommendation from former college professors or individuals otherwise qualified to comment on the applicant’s professional and academic potential.
  6. A 500-word statement of purpose which includes your interest in the field of psychology and your goals upon completion of the degree.

[6.1] Course Requirements for Counseling Psychology

Students must apply either to the MS or to the doctoral emphasis in Counseling Psychology. Admission to the M.S. program does not imply continuation in the doctoral emphasis.

[6.1.1] Curriculum Requirements for MS 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.

[6.1.2] Curriculum Requirements for doctoral emphasis in Counseling Psychology (120 total degree hours required)

The sequence of courses is subject to change.

Fall Year 1

PSYC 7360 Foundations of Counseling Psych
PSYC 6330 Advanced Statistics
PSYC 6354 Theories of Counseling
PSYC 6398 Legal and Ethical Issues

Spring Year 1

PSYC 6314 Psychopathology
PSYC 6331 Research Design
COUN 6350 Counseling Process and Skills
PSYC 6356 Group Therapy

Summer Year 1

PSYC 6370 Advanced Development Psychology
PSYC 7315 General Linear Models
PSYC 6393 Marriage and Family Therapy

Fall Year 2

COUN 6381 Counseling Practicum I
PSYC 6313 Psycho-Ed Assessment I
PSYC 7141 Doctoral Research Seminar
PSYC 7361 Psychological Treatments
PSYC 7320 Multivariate Statistics

Spring Year 2

COUN 6382 Counseling Practicum II
PSYC 6379 Personality Assessment
PSYC 7141 Doctoral Research Seminar
PSYC 6316 Child Psychopathology

Summer Year 2

PSYC 7312 Learning and Cognition
PSYC 6355 Multicultural Issues in Counseling
PSYC 7141 Doctoral Research Seminar

Fall Year 3

PSYC 7365 Doctoral Practicum in Counseling Psychology
COUN 6342 Career Development
PSYC 6315 Applied Behavior Analysis
PSYC 7330 Research/Grant Writing

Spring Year 3

PSYC 7365 Doctoral Practicum in Counseling Psychology
PSYC 6361 Problems in Psychology
PSYC 6363 Advanced Social Psychology

Summer Year 3

PSYC 6355 Multicultural Issues in Counseling
PSYC 7365 Doctoral Practicum in Counseling Psychology
PSYC 7325 Physiological Psychology

Fall Year 4

PSYC 7365 Doctoral Practicum in Counseling Psychology
PSYC 8315 Mental Health Promotion & Prevention
PSYC 9310 Dissertation

Spring Year 4

PSYC 9310 Dissertation
PSYC 6373 Consultation/Supervision
*Doctoral Comprehensive Exams

Summer Year 4

PSYC 9310 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] 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:

  1. Completed, typed application form
  2. Twelve (12) successfully completed semester hours of undergraduate preparation in psychology
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

[7.1] Course Requirements for School Psychology

Students must apply to either the MS program or the PhD program. Admission to the MS program does not imply continuation toward the PhD degree.

[7.1.1] 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 (must be taken in the Spring semester)
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 6355 Multicultural Issues in Counseling
PSYC 6398 Legal and Ethical Issues in Psychology and Counseling
PSYC 7325 Physiological Psychology

Fall Year 2

PSYC 6315 Applied Behavior Analysis
PSYC 6332 School Psychology Practicum I
PSYC 8305 Intervention I
Comprehensive Examination

Total MS semester credit hours: 45

After successful completion of 45 hours and the comprehensive examination, the student is awarded the MS degree in School Psychology. This degree is insufficient for school psychology licensure in any state. Fifteen additional hours (earning a Post-Master’s Certificate [PMC]) are required.

Spring Year 2

PSYC 6333 School Psychology Practicum II
PSYC 6356 Group Psychotherapy
PSYC 6376 Psychoeducational Assessment II

Fall and Spring, Year 3

PSYC 6342 Internship in Psychology (3 hours per semester)

Total PMC semester credit hours: 15
Total semester credit hours (MS and PMC): 60

After completion of the 60-semester hour sequence, the student receives his/her PMC and is eligible for licensure/certification in Arkansas as a School Psychology Specialist.

[7.1.2] Curriculum for the PhD 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 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 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

Upon the successful completion of the prescribed 45 hours and the comprehensive examinations, the student is eligible to receive the MS degree.

Spring Year 2

PSYC 6333 School Psychology Practicum II
PSYC 6356 Group Psychotherapy and Counseling
PSYC 6376 Psychoeducational Assessment II
PSYC 7141 Doctoral Research Seminar in Psychology

At this time, the student is eligible to take the Praxis II examination in preparation for licensure as a School Psychology Specialist once the internship is complete.

Summer Year 2

PSYC 6355 Multicultural Issues in Psychology and Counseling
PSYC 7141 Doctoral Research Seminar in Psychology
PSYC 7315 Application of General Linear Models to Experimental Design
Elective

Fall Year 3

COUN 6381 Practicum in Counseling I
PSYC 6350 History and Systems of Psychology
PSYC 7320 Regression and Multivariate Analysis

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

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 7307 Doctoral Practicum in School Psychology III
PSYC 7335 Program Evaluation in School, Community, and Mental Health Settings
PSYC 9310 Dissertation in Psychology

Summer Year 4

PSYC 9310 Dissertation in Psychology

Fall Year 5

PSYC 9605 Doctoral Internship in Professional Psychology

Spring Year 5

PSYC 9606 Doctoral Internship in Professional Psychology

Total Semester Hours: 120

[8] Graduate Course Links

[8.1] Graduate Courses in Counseling (COUN)

Follow this link for COUN course descriptions: course link.

[8.2] Graduate Courses in Psychology (PSYC)

Follow this link for PSYC course descriptions: course link.