Psychology, M.A./Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology Concentration)

General Information

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Graduate School Contact:
Angela Edwards; edwardag@etsu.edu; (423) 439-4703

Wallace E. Dixon, Jr., Ph.D., Chair
420A Rogers-Stout Hall
Box 70649
(423) 439-6656
e-mail: dixonw@etsu.edu

Jill D. Stinson, Ph.D., Director of Clinical Training
Graduate Coordinator
420 Rogers-Stout Hall
Box 70649
(423) 439-4772
e-mail: stinson@etsu.edu

Main Psychology Department Phone: (423) 439-4472, Fax: (423) 439-5695

Web Address: https://www.etsu.edu/cas/psychology/

Carol Jensen, Clinical Psychology Executive Aide, (423) 439-4461; Fax: (423) 439 4472

The clinical psychology program is guided by the scientist-practitioner model and places a strong emphasis on research and interdisciplinary clinical training. Though diverse in respect to methods of inquiry and areas of study, the faculty is of one mind in promoting scientific inquiry as the foundation of clinical psychology. The program’s philosophy also emphasizes the respect for and understanding of cultural and individual diversity in policies for recruitment, retention, the development of faculty and students, and in the curriculum and filed placements.  The program has nondiscriminatory policies and operating procedures, and it avoids any actions that would restrict program access or completion on grounds that are irrelevant to success in graduate training or the profession.

The primary mission of the articulated master’s/doctoral program in the Clinical Concentration in Psychology at ETSU is to provide training in clinical psychology emphasizing rural behavioral health and practice in the context of integrated primary health care. ETSU has a uniquely cooperative relationship with its surrounding community and region. Because of this relationship the program is unique in what it can offer students in the field of health services psychology.          

All students receive a curriculum of general clinical training as well as training in the basic science of psychology. Thus, the first two years of the program are highly structured. Due to the emphasis in primary care and rural health practice as well as adherence to the generalist model of training, the advanced coursework is more structured than some programs in clinical psychology, but students are afforded the opportunity for individualization through electives, research emphasis, and externship placements.

The program is designed for full-time study only as a 5-year post-baccalaureate articulated M.A./Ph.D. program, with the fifth year being an off-campus full-time internship that is in keeping with APA/APPIC requirements.  Students seeking a terminal master’s degree will not be considered for admission. The clinical concentration is accredited by the American Psychological Association.

Admission Requirements

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To be accepted into the clinical concentration students must apply for, and engage in, full time study. Applicants to the MA/PhD degree program are evaluated once each year only, for admission in the fall semester; applicants are not considered for spring admission. All application information must have been postmarked by December 1st for a candidate to be considered for admission in the following fall term. Students are admitted from two applicant pools, dependent upon level of preparation. All applications are considered with the expectation that the applicant will pursue the PhD. The two applicant pools are:

1. Students holding a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution will be considered for the M.A./Ph.D. program. Students admitted to the Clinical Concentration in Psychology Ph.D. program complete the requirements for an M.A. in Psychology, Clinical Psychology Concentration (47 hour program of study with thesis) as part of their Ph.D. requirements.
2. Students already holding the M.A. or M.S. in psychology from a regionally accredited institution may also apply to the M.A./Ph.D. program. The master’s degree must be commensurate with the M.A. program in Psychology at ETSU and involve the successful completion of an empirically-based thesis project. Students possessing a master’s degree without an empirically-based thesis will be required to complete an empirically-based thesis before being admitted to doctoral candidacy. All students, regardless of entry level must complete the curriculum requirements reflective of the broad and general science of psychology, as well as those reflective of the scientific, methodological, and theoretical foundations of the clinical practice of psychology

The following are required:

1. Completed University application forms;
2. A grade point average of at least 3.00 (based on a 4.00 scale) in undergraduate and/or graduate level work overall and in Psychology courses;
3. A minimum of 18 semester hours in undergraduate psychology, including courses in statistics, experimental design, personality, history and systems, and abnormal psychology. Students lacking some of these prerequisite courses, but presenting an exceptional undergraduate record, may be granted graduate admission, but they will be expected to remove all undergraduate deficiencies during their first academic year;
4. GRE scores (Verbal, Quantitative, and Written Analysis) are required for application and are taken into account in the admissions process;
5. Letters of recommendation from at least three persons familiar with the applicant’s academic background, aptitude for graduate study, and future performance as a psychologist;
6. A personal statement of 500-750 words indicating the applicant’s academic experiences, research interests, and career goals. Prior undergraduate research interests and involvement are weighted heavily as is an interest and commitment to working in a rural and/or primary care setting;
7. A willingness to be interviewed by members of the admission committee.

A curriculum vita (CV) greatly facilitates the admissions review process and applicants are encouraged to submit a CV along with other application materials.

Offers and Acceptances

First-round offers are made in writing prior to April 1^st. A response is not required until April 15^th (or the first Monday after April 15^th, if April 15^th falls on a weekend). Between April 1^st and the decision date, offers may be made to students over the phone when a position comes up. These verbal offers are official, but will be followed up by a written confirmation within 48 hours. After being made, offers cannot be withdrawn by the university until after the decision date and then can be withdrawn only if the student fails to respond to the offer by the decision date. After the April 15^th decision date, if there are more open slots, offers may be made. If an offer is made after the decision date, the length of time to make a decision on the offer will be clearly stated. The length of time may vary, but students will have at least a week in which they may visit the university before making a decision.

Transfer of Credit

Students with graduate credit earned at another institution, upon matriculation at ETSU, may petition to have these credits applied toward their degree requirements at ETSU. While such credits are not automatically transferred and must be approved by the Director of Clinical Training and the School of Graduate Studies, a maximum of 9 semester hours earned elsewhere could be applied. Though students holding a master’s degree may not be required to complete a second master’s degree, they should expect to have to complete substantial components within the master’s, in that all required courses have to be accepted as equivalents or taken within the program. See the Clinical Psychology Program Student’s Handbook for full details.

Changing Concentrations

Students must designate either the Experimental or the Clinical concentration of the PhD Program in Psychology upon application, and be admitted into a specific concentration.  A student desiring to change concentrations must formally reapply to the program and concentration.  Changing concentrations within the PhD Psychology program CANNOT be accomplished by filing a Change of Program of Study form with the School of Graduate Studies.

Waiving Core Course Requirements

Students may petition to waive specific courses through examination. The designated course instructor, along with the DCT will review petitions. Students must present evidence of completion of a similar course to that in the petition: transcript evidence and a course syllabus constitute the required documentation. Upon approval to sit for a waiver examination, students will be provided an opportunity for examination by the designated course instructor, and the course instructor will determine pass or failure of the examination. If the examination is passed, the instructor will recommend a course waiver to the DCT. The total number of degree hours will not be reduced, but an alternate course may then be substituted for degree credit

Student Support

On average, six students are admitted per year, with all students receiving University support through a graduate assistantship for at least the first two years. The support includes a stipend plus tuition waivers for the academic year (fall and spring terms.) Sources of graduate assistant support in the remaining two years pre-internship vary, and include community training grants and contracts, teaching assistantships, or faculty grants. The stipend amount as well as the contract period after the first two years may vary according to the source of the grant. For example, some community placements have a stipend of $10,000 for 12 months and include travel reimbursement. Others have a stipend of $12,000 for a 12 month period. To date, 100% of enrolled students have received at least 4 years of graduate assistantship support.

Student Handbook for the ETSU Psychology (Clinical Psychology Concentration) Graduate Program

Matriculating students are responsible for adherence to procedures and policies outlined in this catalog as well as those contained in the Student Handbook for the ETSU Psychology (Clinical Concentration) Graduate Program. Refer to that document for critical departmental guidelines and policies concerning Clinical and Professional Learning Experiences, Documentation of Clinical Experience and Supervision, Annual Student Evaluations, additional Ph.D. requirements, Thesis and Dissertation Guidelines, Comprehensive Examination, Oral Defenses, Academic Performance requirements, Academic Probation, Dismissal, and Appeal, Clinic Responsibilities, Graduate Assistantships, and Professional Development.

Matriculation Requirements

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The School of Graduate Studies, among other criteria, specifies that students must maintain at least a 3.00 average to remain in good academic standing.

Specific departmental requirements also apply. All students in the M.A./Ph.D. program are expected to be enrolled as full-time students and to devote themselves full-time to their graduate pursuits during their enrollment in degree-related activities. Students are expected to be active in research collaboratively with members of the department faculty each semester they are enrolled.  In addition to coursework and research, students are required to participate in clinic and field experiences commensurate with their level of training and type of graduate assistantship.

Students are required to complete the Masters Comprehensive Case Presentation and the Preliminary Project.  Details of these requirements are included in the Clinical Psychology Program Student Handbook, which is available at the program’s website.  Also available on the website are the program’s policies and procedures including, but not limited to student evaluations and progressive remediation.

Total credits for the M.A. in the Clinical Psychology Concentration within the MA/PhD Psychology Program equal 47 while the total credits for the Ph.D. equal 51-52 making the total credits required for the degree equal 98-99.

Psychology, M.A./Ph.D. Degree Requirements: 98-99 credits

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For student’s entering with a baccalaureate degree. 

M.A. Core Requirements	15 credits
M.A. Concentration	32 credits
Ph.D. Core Requirements	3 credits
Ph.D. Concentration	24 credits
Additional Requirement	3-4 credits
Culminating Experience	15 credits
Advisor Approved Electives	6 credits
TOTAL	98-99 credits

Psychology, Ph.D. Degree Requirements: 51-52 credits

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For student’s entering with a master’s degree in psychology.  

Ph.D. Core Requirements	3 credits
Ph.D. Concentration	24 credits
Additional Requirements	3-4 credits
Culminating Experience	15 credits
Advisor Approved Electives	6 credits
TOTAL	51-52 credits