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 Clinical Psychology concentration in the Master of Arts in 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 are designed to 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.
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
- 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
Doctoral programs where MTSU graduates have attended include
- East Tennessee State University
- Florida Institute of Technology
- Tennessee State University
- Trevecca Nazarene University
- University of Alabama-Birmingham
- University of Central Arkansas
- 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
- Letter to Applicant
- Clinical Handbook (AY 23-24) (Adobe PDF)
- Clinical Handbook (AY 21-22) (Adobe PDF)
- Clinical Supplemental Application (Adobe PDF)
- Clinical Supplemental Reference Forms (Adobe PDF)
- Graduate Assistantship Program
- Field Practicum Application Approval Form (Adobe PDF)
- MTSU Graduate Student Forms
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 theAmerican 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. 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.
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