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Psychology: Clinical
MA

The Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology is a 3-year program directed at meeting the requirements for licensure as a Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the state of Massachusetts. Students are accepted for fall admittance, and they form a cohort that takes all of its courses together for the next 3 years.

This small and intimate group experience allows students individual face-to-face attention by faculty and promotes substantial growth in clinical and academic expertise. Students are required to enroll in both academic and applied courses including a practicum and an internship.

Although the curriculum provides a broad exposure to a variety of therapy modalities, the emphasis is on training in a behavioral perspective.

  • develop a background in applied research and to train problem-solving skills
  • be exposed to a variety of therapy modalities
  • gain extensive experiential learning opportunities, practica, internships, and intensive supervision
  • be prepared for licensure as certified Mental Health Counselors in the state of Massachusetts

M.A. in Psychology students may also choose concentrations in

Student success

Kebeh Sando - Student Speaker - Commencement - 2019
Kebeh Sando MA '19

Clinical therapist dedicated to improving the lives of others

MA in clinical psychology mean starting salary:
$57,188

NACE Data Collection of Class of 2022 Graduate Alumni

A limited number of assistantships are available on a competitive basis. This award is subject to the work needs of the position and department, your satisfactory performance of duties, your academic record, and availability of funds, and may be subject to change.

Learn more about assistantships at UMass Dartmouth

University requirements for graduate admissions

  • Submit an application via the online portal. Be sure to provide your full legal name and to capitalize the first letter of all proper nouns.
  • Pay non-refundable $60 application fee (American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa) via the online portal. For Nursing applicants, the non-refundable application fee is $75.
  • Statement of Purpose, minimum 300 words. Unless otherwise indicated in the program requirement details, indicate your graduate study objectives, research interests and experience, and business or industry experience if applicable. If you are applying for a teaching or research assistantship, include any special skills or experience that would assist us in making assistantship decisions.
  • Resume
  • Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended (regardless of whether a credential is earned or not). Unofficial transcripts are accepted for admissions application review, once enrolled a final official transcript is required. International students applying with an transcript evaluation, please submit that document with your unofficial transcripts. International applicants for Data Science must submit semester-by-semester transcripts as well as consolidated transcripts. 
  • Many programs have specific recommendations/requirements, please see the additional program-specific requirements for more information.
  • International students: official TOEFL iBT, IELTS, Pearson PTE or Duolingo (if accepted by program) score. Unofficial scores are accepted for admissions application review, once enrolled official scores are required and must be sent by the testing agency (copies/scans not accepted). This is required of any applicant who did not earn a bachelor’s degree or higher degree from an accredited academic institution in the U.S. or accepted English-speaking country, see exemptions for more details. We require an overall/total minimum score of 72 on the TOEFL iBT or BAND 6.0 on the IELTS or a 52 on the Pearsons PTE Academic for entrance to any program and a minimum score of 79 on the TOEFL iBT or BAND 6.5 on the IELTS for consideration for a teaching assistantship. Some programs require higher minimum scores (see program-specific requirements). Most programs also accept the Duolingo with a minimum score of 95. The following programs do not accept the Duolingo: Art Education, Biology/Marine Biology, Marine Science and Technology (MS, PSM, PhD), Nursing (MS, DNP, PhD), Psychology: Clinical, and Public Policy. 
  • All official documents are required for enrollment, please have documents (ie. test scores) sent prior to the expiration. 

Program-specific requirements

Candidates must submit the required application materials, university requirements and program-specific requirements, for consideration.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis prior to the deadline. We recommend submitting your application by the priority deadline for the best chance of admittance. Most spots are already filled by the final deadline. Applicants are accepted into the program once a year, for the fall semester only.

Successful candidates have the following qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or a closely related field.
  • A minimum undergraduate cumulative average of 2.75 on a 4.0 grading scale. Students not meeting this requirement but who otherwise give evidence of strong academic ability may be accepted.
  • Completion of psychology statistics or research methods course.
  • Some work experience related to the field of Psychology/Social Work.

In addition, this psychology option has specific admissions requirements:

  • 3 letters of recommendation, one should be submitted from a present or former agency supervisor capable of addressing your clinical potential. Applicants will be required to provide the recommenders name and email address so we can contact the recommender for the letter of recommendation.
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, while not required, will be considered if submitted.
  • Final candidates will be required to attend a personal interview with the Admissions Committee. Interviews are held mid-February.
  • Upon acceptance to the program, students are required to sign acknowledgments of the conditions of a Competency/Fitness and a Full Participation policy.

Program deadlines

Psychology: Clinical faculty

Our faculty are experts in the field and have extensive experience in areas including:. 

  • pediatric psychology
  • health psychology
  • clinical training
  • clinical research
  • cognitive and behavioral therapies

 

Anna Schierberl Scherr, PhD
Elizabeth Richardson
Elizabeth Richardson, PhD
Joshua Masse
Joshua Masse, PhD
Rowland Barrett, PhD
Raina Lamade, PhD
Ted Powers
Ted Powers, PhD
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