J. Art Gillaspy, PhD: Department Chair
Telephone: (501) 450-3193 | Email: artg@uca.edu
J. Art Gillaspy, PhD: Mental Health Counseling Program Coordinator
Telephone: (501) 450-3193 | Email: artg@uca.edu
Femina Varghese, PhD: Counseling Psychology Program Director
Telephone: (501) 450-5421 | Email: fvarghese@uca.edu
Joan Simon, PhD: School Psychology Program Director
Telephone: (501) 450-5411 | Email: jsimon@uca.edu
The Department of Psychology and Counseling has a strong tradition of graduate education for mental healthcare professionals. Our graduate programs prepare students to become Licensed Psychologists, School Psychology Specialists, or Licensed Professional Counselors who provide evidence-based services for children, adults, and families in a variety of healthcare and educational settings. Our graduate programs include the following:
The MS program in Mental Health Counseling is well respected for producing high quality, effective Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs).
Jump to §1. | Go to the department’s Mental Health Counseling page.
The 60-hour EdS program in School Psychology is accredited by National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and leads to certification as a School Psychology Specialist.
Jump to §2 | Go to the department’s EdS, School Psychology page.
The PhD program in Psychology, Counseling Psychology Track, began in 2008 and is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).
Jump to §3.1 | Go to the department’s PhD, Psychology, Counseling Psychology Track page.
The PhD program in Psychology, School Psychology Track, is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and is the only doctoral program in School Psychology in Arkansas.
Jump to §3.2 | Go to the department’s PhD, Psychology, School Psychology Track page.
[1] Mental Health Counseling
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The MS program in Mental Health Counseling prepares graduates to provide comprehensive counseling services to groups and individuals. Graduates work as Licensed Professional Counselors in mental health centers, private practice, and community agencies. The program has high academic and practice standards that are consistent with state and national qualifications for licensed professional counselors. The program is geared toward the standards and values of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
[1.1] Admission Requirements
All applicants for the Mental Health Counseling (MHC) MS program must meet the general requirements of the Graduate School and specific requirements of the MHC program.
February 1 is the deadline for all completed application materials – for summer or fall admission.
Application to the UCA Graduate School – at least three weeks before department application deadline:
- Online application and fee payment
- Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework
Application to the Mental Health Counseling program:
- Mental Health Counseling Program Application—hard copy of program application form (downloaded from Department of Psychology and Counseling website).
- Scores for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)—general test only. Use school code 6012 to have GRE scores sent to UCA.
- Three (3) letters of recommendation from professional references qualified to comment on your academic and professional potential.
- Personal Statement
A 400-500 word statement of applicant’s interest in counseling, how UCA’s program fits applicant’s goals, and career aspirations (double-spaced, 12 pt. font). - Prerequisite coursework (any outstanding prerequisite coursework must be completed before starting classes in the program):
- General Psychology
- Psychological Statistics
- Research Methods
- Abnormal Psychology
- Theories of Personality
- On-campus interviews are required for applicants and will be conducted after the February 1 application deadline. However, telephone or Skype interviews may be arranged depending on circumstances.
- Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check (will be requested after the interview)
[1.2] Program Curriculum (60 hours)
Required Coursework (48 hours)
| Course | Course Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 6398 | Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling and Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 6354 | Theories of Psychotherapy | 3 |
| PSYC 6370 | Advanced Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 6314 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| PSYC 6356 | Group Therapy | 3 |
| COUN 6350 | Counseling Process and Skills | 3 |
| COUN 6360 | Research Methods in Counseling (PSYC 6331 may be taken in place of COUN 6360 by students who have completed PSYC 6330) | 3 |
| PSYC 6325 | Diagnosis and Treatment of Addictions | 3 |
| COUN 6381 | Counseling Practicum I | 3 |
| PSYC 6355 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| PSYC 6393 | Marriage and Family Therapy | 3 |
| COUN 6382 | Counseling Practicum II | 3 |
| COUN 6334 | Analysis and Measurement of the Individual | 3 |
| COUN 6342 | Career Counseling | 3 |
| PSYC 6372 | Psychopharmacology | 3 |
| COUN 6V41 | Counseling Internship | 3 or 6 |
Elective Coursework (12 hours from the following)
| Course | Course Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 6315 | Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| PSYC 6316 | Child Psychopathology | 3 |
| PSYC 6330 | Advanced Psychological Statistics | 3 |
| PSYC 6331* | Research Design (PSYC 6331 may be taken in place of COUN 6360 by students who have completed PSYC 6330) | 3 |
| PSYC 6335 | Identification and Remediation of Learning Problems | 3 |
| PSYC 6350 | History of Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 6360 | Organization and Operation of the Schools | 3 |
| PSYC 6361 | Research Lab in Psychology and Counseling | 3 |
| PSYC 6362 | Special Topics in Psychology and Counseling | 3 |
| PSYC 6363 | Foundations of Social and Affective Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 7312 | Learning and Cognition | 3 |
| PSYC 7315 | General Linear Models | 3 |
| PSYC 7320 | Regression and Multivariate Analysis | 3 |
| PSYC 7325 | Physiological Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 7361 | Psychological Treatments and Methods | 3 |
| COUN 6361 | Practicum in Counseling III | 3 |
| COUN 6362 | Practicum in Counseling IV | 3 |
[1.2.1] Curriculum Substitutions for Counseling Psychology Doctoral Students
For students enrolled in the doctoral program (Counseling Psychology Track) who do not enter the program with a master’s degree in counseling or a counseling related field, the following substitutions will be made:
Doctoral students earning the MS in Mental Health Counseling will not be eligible for licensure by the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling unless they complete COUN 6V41 (Internship in Counseling) and PSYC 6372 (Psychopharmacology).
[1.3] Grade Requirements
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. In addition, the Arkansas counseling board will not allow C grades for application toward licensure. Therefore, grades below B will not be accepted toward completion of the degree.
[1.4] Comprehensive Examination
A comprehensive examination must be satisfactorily completed before internship. Dates of the comprehensive examination are
Spring Testing: 1st Tuesday and Wednesday in April – for following fall internship
[1.5] Licensure
Students completing the Mental Health Counseling program are eligible to take the examination for licensure as a Licensed Associate Counselor under Act 593 of 1979. After 3,000 hours of post-degree, supervised experience, they are eligible for examination as a Licensed Professional Counselor.
[2] School Psychology
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The 60-hour EdS program in School Psychology prepares graduates to provide comprehensive school psychological services to preschool through secondary students and their caregivers. The program prepares entry-level school psychology practitioners to apply scientifically based psychological and educational principles and practices in all dimensions of their professional work. (The EdS program replaces the previous 60-hour MS/PMC combination program and uses an identical curriculum.) UCA’s 60-hour School Psychology curriculum has been approved at the specialist level by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) since 1994 and adheres to the ethical standards and values of NASP and the American Psychological Association (APA).
[2.1] Admission Requirements
All applicants for the School Psychology (SP) program must meet the general requirements of the Graduate School and specific requirements of the SP program.
March 1 is the deadline for all completed application materials.
Application materials include the following:
- Graduate School application
- Scores for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) – general test (not required for applicants with a completed graduate degree)
- Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework
- School Psychology Program Application
- Three (3) letters of recommendation from professional references qualified to comment on your academic and professional potential
- Prerequisite coursework—12 semester hours of undergraduate psychology coursework including:
- General Psychology
- Statistics
- Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check (see program information for details)
- On-campus interviews are generally required for program applicants.
[2.2] Program Curriculum: Required Coursework (60 hours)
| Course | Course Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 6398 | Legal and Ethical Issues in Psychology and Counseling | 3 |
| PSYC 6372 | Psychopharmacology | 3 |
| PSYC 6375 | Professional School Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 6354 | Theories of Psychotherapy and Counseling | 3 |
| PSYC 6370 | Advanced Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 6316 | Psychopathology and Developmental Disorder in Childhood | 3 |
| COUN 6350 | Research Methods in Counseling | 3 |
| PSYC 6373 | Consultation and Supervision in Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 6313 | Psychoeducational Assessment I | 3 |
| PSYC 7310 | Behavioral and Emotional Assessment of Children | 3 |
| PSYC 6355 | Multicultural Issues in Psychology and Counseling | 3 |
| PSYC 6332 | School Psychology Practicum I | 3 |
| PSYC 6315 | Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| PSYC 8305 | Psychoeducational Intervention I | 3 |
| PSYC 6376 | Psychoeducational Assessment II | 3 |
| PSYC 6356 | Group Psychotherapy and Counseling | 3 |
| PSYC 6333 | School Psychology Practicum II | 3 |
| PSYC 8310 | Psychoeducational Intervention II | 3 |
| PSYC 6V42 | Internship in Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 6V42 | Internship in Psychology | 3 |
[2.3] Grade Requirements
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.
[2.4] Portfolio Exit Requirement
Students must complete the program’s portfolio requirement before beginning internship in Year 3. Each student will submit a professional portfolio that includes descriptions of how the student is achieving each of the program’s goal areas and supporting coursework and other professional activities. All documents generated by this process will be placed in the student’s file. The portfolio will be reviewed during the Annual Review Process. For any student requiring a corrective action plan, a Student Corrective Action Plan will also be completed.
[2.5] Licensure and Certification
After successful completion of all 60 hours and the Praxis II (school psychology) exam, students must successfully pass a criminal background check in order to be eligible to become a School Psychology Specialist through the Arkansas Department of Education. Praxis II exam scores must be sent to the UCA College of Education’s Director of Candidate Services. Praxis II online registration code #6012 should be used to ensure that the scores will be sent to UCA.
[3] PhD in Psychology
The PhD program in Psychology offers two tracks, Counseling Psychology and School Psychology. The program is designed to prepare school psychologists and counseling psychologists for professional practice in applied and research settings. Prospective students apply for admission to one of these programs. Both tracks are accredited by the American Psychological Association.
Questions related to either program’s accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:
American Psychological Association
750 1st Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Telephone: (202) 336-5979 | Email: apaaccred@apa.org | Web: accreditation.apa.org
[3.1] Counseling Psychology
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The Counseling Psychology track is designed to prepare counseling psychologists to provide evidence-based psychological services and conduct research in a variety of clinical and academic settings. The Counseling Psychology track began in 2008 and is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).
[3.1.1] Admission Requirements
All applicants for the Counseling Psychology track must meet the general requirements of the Graduate School and specific requirements of the doctoral program.
January 15th is the deadline for all completed application materials – for summer or fall admission
Application materials include the following:
Before the application for Counseling Psychology can be approved by the department, an applicant must complete an Online Graduate School Admission application and submit official transcripts of all completed college course work.
In addition, the following items are required by the department:
- Completed, typed Counseling Psychology Application for Admission which can be found at the following link: Program Application Form
- Submit official Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) score on the General Test
- Twelve (12) semester hours of undergraduate preparation in psychology
- Three (3) 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
- Current résumé or vita.
- Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check (see program information for details)
It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all materials are received by the admissions deadline.
[3.1.2] Program Curriculum: Required Coursework (120 hours)
| Course | Course Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 7360 | Foundations of Counseling Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 6398 | Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling and Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 6354 | Theories of Psychotherapy | 3 |
| PSYC 6330 | Advanced Psychological Statistics | 3 |
| PSYC 6331 | Research Design | 3 |
| PSYC 6370 | Advanced Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 6314 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| PSYC 6356 | Group Therapy | 3 |
| COUN 6350 | Counseling Process and Skills | 3 |
| COUN 6342 | Career Counseling | 3 |
| PSYC 7315 | General Linear Models | 3 |
| PSYC 6393 | Marriage and Family Therapy | 3 |
| COUN 6381 | Counseling Practicum I | 3 |
| PSYC 6313 | Psychoeducational Assessment I | 3 |
| PSYC 7V41 | Doctoral Research Seminar | 3* |
| PSYC 7361 | Psychological Treatments and Methods | 3 |
| PSYC 7320 | Regression and Multivariate Analysis | 3 |
| COUN 6382 | Counseling Practicum II | 3 |
| PSYC 6379 | Personality Assessment | 3 |
| PSYC 7312 | Learning and Cognition | 3 |
| PSYC 6355 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| ELECTIVE | PSYC or COUN elective at 6000 level or above | 6 |
| PSYC 7V65 | Doctoral Practicum in Counseling Psychology | 12* |
| PSYC 6350 | History of Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 8320 | Integrated Health Care in the Community | 3 |
| PSYC 6363 | Foundations of Social and Affective Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 7325 | Physiological Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 9V10 | Dissertation | 9* |
| PSYC 6373 | Consultation and Supervision in Psychology | 3 |
| COUN 6334 | Analysis and Measurement of the Individual | 3 |
| PSYC 9605 | Doctoral Internship in Professional Psychology | 6 |
| PSYC 9606 | Doctoral Internship in Professional Psychology | 6 |
| * PSYC 7V41 is taken for a total of 3 semester hours; PSYC 7V65 is taken for a total of 12 semester hours; PSYC 9V10 is taken for a total of 9 semester hours. | ||
Master’s Degree Requirement
All students in the Counseling Psychology Track who have not previously earned a master’s in counseling or a counseling-related field will earn a master’s in Mental Health Counseling after the completion of the appropriate 60 hour coursework and comprehensive examination. For such students, the following substitutions will be made in the Mental Health Counseling program:
Doctoral students earning the MS in Mental Health Counseling will not be eligible for licensure by the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling unless they complete COUN 6V41 (Internship in Counseling) and PSYC 6372 (Psychopharmacology).
[3.1.3] Grade Requirements
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. In addition, for students in the Counseling Psychology track, grades below B will not be accepted toward completion of the degree.
[3.1.4] Comprehensive Examinations
Master’s comprehensive examinations must be satisfactorily completed to be eligible for the MS degree in Mental Health Counseling. Master’s comprehensive examinations are typically given on the 2nd Tuesday and Wednesday in November.
Doctoral qualifying examinations (written and oral exams) must also be satisfactorily completed before pre-doctoral internship. Doctoral qualifying exams are typically given in April.
[3.1.5] Licensure
Students completing the PhD program are eligible to apply for Licensure as a Psychologist through the Arkansas Board of Psychology (ABP) provided that they successfully meet all ABP licensure criteria and requirements.
[3.2] School Psychology
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The School Psychology Track prepares graduates to provide comprehensive school psychological services to preschool through secondary students and their caregivers. The program prepares doctoral-level school psychologists to apply scientifically based psychological and educational principles and practices in all dimensions of professional work. The doctoral program in School Psychology has been granted voluntary inactive status by the American Psychological Association (APA) and is no longer accepting new students.
[4] Graduate Course Links
Follow this link for COUN course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for PSYC course descriptions: course link.