Psychology
MTSU's Clinical Psychology program prepares graduates for a career in psychometry or for doctoral training in clinical psychology.
Psychology, Clinical Concentration, M.A.
The psychology Master's, with a concentration in Clinical Psychology, in the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences at MTSU, emphasizes a broadly based scientist-practitioner approach, and the course of study offers preparation to pursue doctoral training or employment involving clinical interviewing and psychological assessment.
The curriculum and practical aspects of the program meet certification requirements for the State of Tennessee's Certified Psychological Assistant designation. In addition to the core requirements, the Clinical program offers training in two specializations: general clinical and health/neuropsychology. The skills training does not provide preparation to practice psychotherapy or professional counseling at the terminal Master's level.
News Briefs
Alum credits Clinical Psychology program for preparedness as a psychometrist
As a lifelong Tennessean, Myra Pennington is now a Psychometrist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. As a student in MTSU's Clinical Psychology program, Pennington said she gained "valuable knowledge" about psychology across multiple fields. "My specialization in the program was the neuropsychology track, where I acquired important insights into how the brain plays significant roles in everything we do. I have been told by staff whom I work with at Vanderbilt that due to my training and education in MTSU's Clinical Psychology program, I was the most qualified applicant for the position. I am honored to say that I have been very efficient in my role, and; I owe that to the preparedness the program provided me." Pennington said the relationships she made during the program are irreplaceable. "The relationships built with my cohort members and with the professors in the program mean so much to me. I now have a wonderful network of connections within the field. The faculty in the program are all kind, down-to-earth people who love their students."
Analyst works with crime data, trends for TBI
Caitlin Orman began working as a statistical analyst for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation soon after earning her master's in Clinical Psychology in August 2013. She helps coordinate the production of several annual crime publications and provides technical assistance to contributing agencies in the collection and analysis of crime incident data and crime trends. "The Clinical master's program at MTSU provided me with the research, writing, and critical thinking skills needed to perform my job," Orman says. "The program also cultivated my passion for crime research, which I was able to explore through my master's thesis that focused on unwanted sexual experiences and self-blame in women." Orman served a clinical psychology practicum at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, assisted with research as a graduate assistant, and also taught as an adjunct instructor in fall 2013.
News Briefs
Alum credits Clinical Psychology program for preparedness as a psychometrist
As a lifelong Tennessean, Myra Pennington is now a Psychometrist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. As a student in MTSU's Clinical Psychology program, Pennington said she gained "valuable knowledge" about psychology across multiple fields. "My specialization in the program was the neuropsychology track, where I acquired important insights into how the brain plays significant roles in everything we do. I have been told by staff whom I work with at Vanderbilt that due to my training and education in MTSU's Clinical Psychology program, I was the most qualified applicant for the position. I am honored to say that I have been very efficient in my role, and; I owe that to the preparedness the program provided me." Pennington said the relationships she made during the program are irreplaceable. "The relationships built with my cohort members and with the professors in the program mean so much to me. I now have a wonderful network of connections within the field. The faculty in the program are all kind, down-to-earth people who love their students."
Analyst works with crime data, trends for TBI
Caitlin Orman began working as a statistical analyst for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation soon after earning her master's in Clinical Psychology in August 2013. She helps coordinate the production of several annual crime publications and provides technical assistance to contributing agencies in the collection and analysis of crime incident data and crime trends. "The Clinical master's program at MTSU provided me with the research, writing, and critical thinking skills needed to perform my job," Orman says. "The program also cultivated my passion for crime research, which I was able to explore through my master's thesis that focused on unwanted sexual experiences and self-blame in women." Orman served a clinical psychology practicum at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, assisted with research as a graduate assistant, and also taught as an adjunct instructor in fall 2013.
Related Media
Psychology, Clinical Concentration, M.A.
Graduates from the Clinical Psychology master’s program will be prepared to pursue doctoral training and/or to work in various mental health and related settings. Some occupations of recent alumni include:
- Adjunct instructor
- Behavior therapist
- Behavioral consultant
- Board-certified behavior analyst
- Case manager
- Certified psychological assistant
- Psychometrist
- Research field assessor
- Research interview specialist
- Statistical analyst III
Employers of MTSU alumni include
- AGAPE
- Athena Care
- Cumberland University
- Frontier Health
- Haynesville Correctional Center
- LifeCare Foundations
- MTSU Advising Center
- Nashville Neuropsychology & Family Services
- Positive Behavior Supports Corp.
- Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
- Tennessee Family Solutions
- University of Alabama-Birmingham, Neurology Department
- University of Tennessee Medical Center, Pat Summitt Clinic
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Psychiatry Clinic
- Youth Villages
Doctoral programs where MTSU graduates have attended include
- East Tennessee State University
- Florida Institute of Technology
- Jackson State University
- Tennessee State University
- Trevecca Nazarene University
- University of Alabama-Birmingham
- University of Central Arkansas
- University of Cincinnati
- University of Georgia
- University of Maryland
- University of Kwazulu-Natal
- University of Missouri
- University of Montana
- Utah State University
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Western Carolina University
MTSU’s Career Development Center
MTSU offers a comprehensive Career Development Center that serves students throughout the full student experience and beyond. They collaborate with faculty and staff to equip students with the tools to be marketable to the world of work and continuing education.
Students can schedule an appointment or check online resources and job boards at mtsu.edu/career.
Students can find current internship opportunities by talking to faculty and visiting the University job and internship board called Handshake .
Wondering what you can do with your major? Check out our What Can I Do with A Major In guides.
- Letter to Applicant
- Clinical Handbook (AY 24-25) (Adobe PDF)
- Clinical Supplemental Application (Adobe PDF)
- Graduate Assistantship Program
- Field Practicum Application Approval Form (Adobe PDF)
- MTSU Graduate Student Forms
Psychology Master's Training Model
The clinical program operates on the scientist-practitioner model of training. The coursework emphasizes empirically-based clinical methods. To further emphasize the “scientist” component of training, all students are required to take six semester hours of graduate statistics and research methods. Additionally, students can elect to complete an empirical thesis as a part of their training. Some recent students have presented their thesis work at national professional conferences including the American Psychological Association, the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy, the Society of Pediatric Psychology, and the Society for Research in Child Development. For additional research experience, students may take an elective in Independent Research. The “practitioner” component of the program is emphasized through course content, skills-based coursework (e.g., cognitive assessment, personality assessment), and the clinical practica. Meetings on professional issues (e.g., applying for licensure or certifications) conducted by the practicum coordinator also is part of the required practicum course.
Professional Licensure Disclosure
Finally, the curriculum and practica are designed to meet certification requirements for the State of Tennessee’s Certified Psychological Assistant (CPA), the current master’s level psychology certification. Because of frequent change in the Tennessee licensure and certification laws, however, we cannot guarantee that our program will fully meet the requirements when you apply for certification.
The MA Psychology, Clinical disclosure provided on MTSU’s professional licensure disclosure website indicates the states and territories where MTSU has determined, through reasonable and good faith effort, that the program does or does not meet the educational requirements for other US states and territories. Current and prospective students not located in Tennessee or who plan to seek licensure or certification outside the state of Tennessee should contact the appropriate state licensing agency or board and discuss their plans with an advisor before enrolling in the program to ensure they have the most up-to-date information and guidance regarding licensure requirements.
CONTACT US
Please fill in the form below and we will contact you very soon