James C. Denniston, Chair and Associate Professor
DennistonJC@appstate.edu

Kenneth M. Steele, Assistant Chair and Professor
SteeleKM@appstate.edu

Robert W. Hill, Program Director for Clinical Health Psychology and Associate Professor
HillRW@appstate.edu

Timothy J. Huelsman, Program Director for I-O Psychology and Associate Professor
HuelsmanTJ@appstate.edu

Pamela Kidder-Ashley, Program Director for School Psychology and Associate Professor
AshleyPK@appstate.edu

Denise M. Martz, Coordinator for Graduate Programs and Professor
MartzDM@appstate.edu

Doris G. Bazzini, Program Director for Psychology, General Experimental, and Professor
BazziniDG@appstate.edu

http://www.psych.appstate.edu/

The Department of Psychology offers the following graduate programs:
            Master of Arts in Clinical Health Psychology (Major Code: 115A/42.0201)
            Master of Arts in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Human Resource Management (Major Code:
                        258A/42.0901)
            Master of Arts in Psychology, General Experimental (Major Code: 226A/42.0101)
            Master of Arts/Specialist in School Psychology (Major Code: 125A/42.1701) [T]
            Graduate minor in Psychology (276/42.0101)

Students enrolled in all programs are required to complete a 12-hour core sequence of courses in general psychology and research methods, earn a passing score on a comprehensive exam, and score above the 60th percentile on the GRE Psychology Subject Test or Academic Concentration Achievement Test (ACAT) prior to graduation.

Clinical Health Psychology: The purpose of the Master of Arts in Clinical Health Psychology (115A/42.0201) is to prepare the student to function competently in a variety of applied psychological, medical or integrative health care settings, and develop skills applicable to evidence-based clinical practice. Through a program of course work and a strong experiential learning requirement (including practica and an internship), students develop multiple applied competencies, including diagnostic interviewing, cognitive and personality assessment, psychotherapy skills, behavioral medicine assessment, treatment, and prevention interventions, as well as research training. Using s scientist-practitioner model, graduates are prepared for professional practice with eligibility for licensure as Licensed Psychological Associates in NC and also prepared to pursue doctoral training. The Master of Arts in Clinical Health Psychology consists of 57 semester hours of graduate study including a required internship and an optional thesis.

Graduates from the Clinical Health Psychology programs are eligible to apply for licensure as a Psychological Associate in North Carolina. Students enrolled in all programs are required to complete a 12-hour core sequence of courses in general psychology and research methods, earn a passing score on a comprehensive exam, and score above the 60th percentile on the GRE Psychology Subject Test or Academic Concentration Achievement Test (ACAT) prior to graduation.

Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Human Resource Management: The Department of Psychology participates jointly with the Department of Management to offer an interdisciplinary Master of Arts degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology & Human Resource Management (258A/42.0901). This interdisciplinary M.A. degree is designed to equip students with advanced specialized training in human resource management. Students will have the opportunity to develop knowledge of theories, methods, and research findings and to acquire skills in applying this knowledge to organizational activities such as employee recruitment, selection, motivation, training and development, and performance appraisal. The program consists of 48 semester hours that include required course work in both the Psychology Department and the Management Department. Either an internship or a thesis is required.

Psychology, General Experimental: The primary purpose of the Master of Arts in Psychology, General Experimental (226A/42.0101) is to provide a sound program of intensive course work and independent research beyond the bachelor’s degree. The General Experimental program is based on a mentoring model with student-faculty academic and research relationships as a central component. Upon completion of this program, the student is prepared to pursue various scientific and applied activities. Most students choose to pursue doctoral work at other institutions. The Master of Arts in Psychology, General Experimental (226A/42.0101) consists of 33 semester hours including a thesis.           

School Psychology: The School Psychology program is fully accredited by NCATE/NASP and by the NC Department of Public Instruction. The program is multidisciplinary and is designed to prepare graduates who are able to use their knowledge in the areas of psychology, education, and counseling to address the needs of children and adolescents in schools. Students are trained to provide comprehensive school psychological services, including psycho-educational assessment and intervention planning, consultation and problem solving, in-service education, individual and group counseling, program development and evaluation, and applied research. For students who enter with the bachelor’s degree, the program requires three years of full-time study leading to a Master of Arts degree in School Psychology (125A/42.1701)[T] and a Specialist in School Psychology (SSP) degree (125A/42.1701)[T]. The program consists of 72 semester hours, including a year-long, full-time internship in a public school setting and completion of the national certification exam.

Upon completion of the requirements, the student will be awarded a Master of Arts degree in School Psychology (125A/42.1701)[T] and a Specialist in School Psychology (SSP) degree (125A/42.1701)[T] and will be eligible for licensure as a Level II School Psychologist in North Carolina.

The Clinical Health Psychology and I/O Psychology MA programs qualify for Academic Common Market status, and students from the southeastern states outside of North Carolina may qualify for a reduction to in-state tuition. Currently, the Clinical Health Psychology program is open in the following states: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and West Virginia. The I/O Psychology program is open in the following states: Delaware, Maryland, and West Virginia. Students should contact their home state’s ACM coordinator to request consideration. The complete list of coordinators is available on the Southern Regional Education Board website: http://www.sreb.org.

PROGRAM OF STUDY FOR THE GRADUATE MINOR IN PSYCHOLOGY (276/42.0101)

A graduate minor in Psychology consists of 9-12 semester hours of graduate PSY courses, including PSY 5655, Advanced General Psychology, with the remaining courses to be planned in consultation with an adviser in the Department of Psychology. Therapy, assessment, and practicum courses, and PSY 5989 may not be included in the minor.

PROGRAM OF STUDY FOR THE MASTER OF ARTS IN CLINICAL HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY (Major Code: 115A/42.0201)

Admission Requirements: Baccalaureate degree in from an accredited college or university; complete application to the Cratis Williams Graduate School (http://www.graduate.appstate.edu), including resume, three letters of recommendation, official GRE general exam scores, and official transcripts from all colleges attended; completion of approved courses (or demonstrated competence in the subject matter) in General Psychology, Research Methods (including statistics), and Psychological Tests and Measurements; statement not exceeding two pages describing the applicant’s academic and professional goals. Applicants should describe their research interests and identify a potential mentor from the General Experimental faculty. Applicants who make the first cut will be invited for an interview.

Basic Criteria for Unconditional Admission: (Undergraduate GPA X 400]) + GRE-V + GRE-Q = 2100.

Location: On campus

Other Requirements for the MA in Clinical Health Psychology:

Thesis: Optional
Proficiency: Will be met by completion of PSY 5020.
Comprehensive: Each candidate will satisfactorily complete a comprehensive examination by scoring at or above the 60th percentile of the GRE subject test or scoring at the 70th percentile on the Area Achievement Concentration Test (ACAT).
Product of Learning: None required

PROGRAM OF STUDY FOR THE MASTER OF ARTS IN INDUSTRIAL-ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY AND HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (Major Code: 258A/42.0901)

Admission Requirements: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; complete application to the Cratis Williams Graduate School (http://www.graduate.appstate.edu), including resume, three letters of recommendation, official GRE general exam scores, and official transcripts from all colleges attended; completion of courses in General Psychology and Introductory Statistics; statement not exceeding two pages describing the applicant’s academic and professional goals.

Basic Criteria for Unconditional Admission: (Undergraduate GPA X 400) + GRE-V + GRE-Q = 2100

Location: On campus

Other Requirements for the MA in I-O Psychology and HRM:

Thesis: Optional
Proficiency: Will be met by completion of PSY 5020.
Comprehensive: Each candidate will satisfactorily complete a psychology subject exam (either the GRE subject test or the ACAT) and will pass the Human Resources Certification Institute’s (HRCI) Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Exam.
Product of Learning: None required

PROGRAM OF STUDY FOR THE MASTER OF ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY, GENERAL EXPERIMENTAL (Major Code: 226A/42.0101)

Admission Requirements: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; complete application to the Cratis Williams Graduate School (http://www.graduate.appstate.edu), including resume, three letters of recommendation, official GRE general exam scores, and official transcripts from all colleges attended; completion of approved courses (or demonstrated competence in the subject matter) in General Psychology and Research Methods (including statistics); statement not exceeding two pages describing the applicant’s academic and professional goals. Applicants should describe their research interests and identify a potential mentor from the General Experimental faculty.

Basic Criteria for Unconditional Admission: (Undergraduate GPA X 400) + GRE-V + GRE-Q = 2100

Location: On campus

Other Requirements for the MA in Psychology, General Experimental:

Thesis: Required
Proficiency: Met by completion of PSY 5020.
Comprehensive: Each candidate will satisfactorily complete a comprehensive examination by scoring at or above the 60th percentile on the GRE Subject Test or score at the 70th percentile on the Area Achievement Concentration Test (ACAT).
Product of Learning: None required

PROGRAM OF STUDY FOR THE MASTER OF ARTS/SPECIALIST IN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY (Major Code: 125A/42.1701)[T]

Admission Requirements: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; complete application to the Cratis Williams Graduate School (http://www.graduate.appstate.edu), including resume, three letters of recommendation, official GRE general exam scores, and official transcripts from all colleges attended; completion of approved courses in Psychological Tests & Measurements, General Psychology, and Research Methods including Statistics or demonstrated competence in the area; statement not exceeding two pages describing the applicant’s academic and professional goals. Applicants who make the first cut will be invited for an interview.

Basic Criteria for Unconditional Admission: (Undergraduate GPA X 400) + GRE-V + GRE-Q = 2100

Location: On campus

Other Requirements for the MA/SSP in School Psychology:

Thesis: Optional
Proficiency: Will be met by completion of PSY 5020.
Comprehensive: Each candidate will satisfactorily complete the first component of the comprehensive exam by scoring at or above the 60th percentile of the GRE subject test or score at the 60th percentile on the Achievement Concentration Test (ACAT). Each candidate will also satisfactorily complete both a comprehensive exam administered by the Program Director and the Praxis Examination in School Psychology administered through ETS.
Product of Learning: None required