The Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Psychology is designed to be responsive to the needs of a variety of Alaska behavioral health service settings and to meet prerequisites for licensing requirements at the master’s level in psychology or behavior analysis for the State of Alaska. The MS program has two tracks: a Clinical track and a Behavior Analysis track.
- The Clinical track allows graduates to pursue the licensed psychological associate (LPA) license in Alaska.
- For students completing an additional 12 credits of approved coursework with UAA, this program meets the educational requirements to pursue the licensed professional counselor (LPC) license in Alaska.
- The Behavior Analysis track includes coursework that is part of an Association for Behavior Analysis International® verified course sequence. The Behavior Analysis track prepares students to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) examination to earn a nationally-recognized certification, a prerequisite for professional licensure in the state of Alaska.
The goal of the program is to provide students with a well-rounded education that includes an evidence-based background in the best practices applicable to community mental health settings. The curriculum addresses local behavioral health needs in a context that is culturally-sensitive and community-focused.
This program is designed to meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in the State of Alaska. However, the program might not meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in other states. Please see UAA's Licensure and Certification website for more information.
Admission Requirements
- Complete the Admissions Requirements for Graduate Degrees.
- The deadline to submit an application is posted on the department website. This is the only opportunity for program admission each year. Forms and instructions are available on the Psychology Department website.
- Complete adequate prerequisite coursework for either the Clinical track or the Behavior Analysis track:
- The Clinical track prepares students who plan to seek employment in agencies that provide counseling or master's level clinical psychology services or in private practice providing counseling or master's level clinical psychology services. Prerequisites for the Clinical track: undergraduate training in general psychology, statistics and research methods, learning or applied behavior analysis, abnormal psychology, behavioral neuroscience, clinical psychology, and psychological testing. Examples of UAA courses that meet these requirements are PSY A111, PSY A200 or PSY A468, PSY A260 and PSY A261, PSY A345, PSY A370, PSY A425, and PSY A473. Alternative courses and/or experiences will be considered. Applicants without an undergraduate degree in psychology must have met all prerequisites before admission. Applicants with an undergraduate degree in psychology who have not met all prerequisites may be admitted provisionally. Prerequisites must be completed successfully within the first year of admission to the program.
- The Behavior Analysis track prepares students who plan to seek employment in agencies that provide behavior-analytic services. Prerequisites for the Behavior Analysis track include: undergraduate training in psychology, social work, education, justice, human services, or related fields. Students should have completed coursework in human development, learning, statistics and research methods, abnormal psychology, and behavioral neuroscience. Examples of UAA courses that meet these requirements are PSY A200 or PSY A468, PSY A260 and PSY A261, PSY A345, and PSY A370. Alternative courses and/or experiences will be considered. Applicants who have not met all prerequisites may be admitted provisionally. Prerequisites must be completed successfully within the first year of admission to the program.
- Submit a letter of intent describing the applicant’s interest and purpose in pursuing the MS in Clinical Psychology. The letter should address the reasons why the degree is being sought at this point in the applicant’s professional development. See instructions on the electronic application.
- Submit three professional letters of reference that address the applicant’s suitability for the program.
- Complete disclosure Items and accompanying letter of explanation (if required) on the electronic application.
- Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) that documents the applicant’s vocational and professional experiences, academic achievements, research accomplishments, special projects, recognitions, and other information relevant to the applicant’s qualifications for the program.
- Department approval for admission to graduate study is contingent on the applicant’s qualifications, interests, and available space.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete the General University Requirements for Graduate Degrees. Students must meet all applicable university requirements and achieve a minimum grade of B in all coursework applied to the degree. Students in the Clinical track are required to comply with the American Psychological Association (APA) ethical guidelines throughout the program. Students in the Behavior Analysis track are required to comply with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Professional and Ethical Compliance Code throughout the program. Violation can result in immediate dismissal from the program.
- Complete the following program requirements:
Program Requirements for Clinical Track
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY A604 | Biological and Pharmacological Bases of Behavior | 3 |
| PSY A611 | Ethics and Professional Practice | 3 |
| PSY A612 | Human Development in a Cultural Context | 3 |
| PSY A622 | Multicultural Psychopathology | 3 |
| PSY A623 | Intervention I | 3 |
| PSY A624 | Group Therapy | 3 |
| PSY A626 | Family Therapy | 3 |
| PSY A627 | Community-Based Intervention Skills | 3 |
| PSY A634 | Applied Psychological Assessment | 3 |
| PSY A639 | Research Methods | 3 |
| PSY A654 | Cultural Issues in Psychotherapy | 3 |
| PSY A670 | Psychotherapy Internship (must complete 6 credit hours) | 6 |
| PSY A681 | Substances of Abuse in Alaska | 1 |
| PSY A682 | Clinical Interventions for Substance Abuse | 1 |
| PSY A683 | Substance Abuse Assessment and Treatment Planning | 1 |
| PSY A695C | Psychotherapy Practicum | 3 |
| Complete one of the following options: | 3-6 | |
| Non-thesis Option: | 3 | |
Complete any UAA Psychology 600 level course | ||
| Thesis Option: | 6 | |
| Thesis | ||
| Total | 48-51 | |
A minimum of 48 credits is required for the degree.
Program Requirements for Behavior Analysis Track
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY A600 | Strategies of Behavior Change | 3 |
| PSY A604 | Biological and Pharmacological Bases of Behavior | 3 |
| PSY A610 | Single Subject Research Designs | 3 |
| PSY A611B | Ethics for Behavior Analysts | 3 |
| PSY A612 | Human Development in a Cultural Context | 3 |
| PSY A613 | Behavioral Assessment | 3 |
| PSY A623 | Intervention I | 3 |
| PSY A655 | Interventions for Challenging Behavior | 3 |
| PSY A668 & A668L | Learning and Behavior and Learning and Behavior Laboratory | 4 |
| PSY A678 | Advanced Applications of Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| PSY A695B | Applied Clinical Skills Practicum (must complete 6 credit hours) | 6 |
| Complete one of the following options: | 11 | |
| Thesis Option: | ||
| Thesis 1 | ||
Complete 5 credits from the list of electives below. 2 | ||
| Multicultural Psychopathology | ||
| Research Methods | ||
| Advanced Behavioral Supports for Neurodivergence | ||
| Cultural Issues in Psychotherapy | ||
| Organizational Behavior Management | ||
| Substances of Abuse in Alaska | ||
| Clinical Interventions for Substance Abuse | ||
| Substance Abuse Assessment and Treatment Planning | ||
| Advanced Topics in Psychology | ||
| Thesis-Equivalent Option: | ||
| Individual Research 3 | ||
Complete 5-8 credits from the list of electives below. 2 | ||
| Multicultural Psychopathology | ||
| Research Methods | ||
| Advanced Behavioral Supports for Neurodivergence | ||
| Cultural Issues in Psychotherapy | ||
| Organizational Behavior Management | ||
| Substances of Abuse in Alaska | ||
| Clinical Interventions for Substance Abuse | ||
| Substance Abuse Assessment and Treatment Planning | ||
| Total | 48 | |
- 1
Students in the thesis option must complete 6 credits of PSY A699. They may not take PSY A698 as an elective.
- 2
Courses not in the list of electives may apply with advisor approval.
- 3
Students in the thesis-equivalent option complete 3-6 credits of PSY A698.
A minimum of 48 credits is required for the degree.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology will be able to:
- Apply a broad knowledge of contemporary psychology, with special emphasis on clinical psychology or behavior analysis.
- Demonstrate acceptable skills in research analysis (including writing and mastery of APA style).
- Demonstrate competence in basic clinical skills in psychology or behavior analysis sufficient to practice under general supervision.