Master of Science in Clinical Psychology

Get the Tools to Offer Hope

People are hurting. You can help. Build the knowledge and clinical skills to provide expert diagnoses and care to those struggling with mental and behavioral disorders in The University of Texas at Tyler’s Master of Science in Clinical Psychology program.

In preparation to work in psychiatric hospitals, in mental health centers or with doctorate-level psychologists, you’ll learn from expert professors who are published researchers and active in patient care. Your degree will satisfy the educational requirement to become a Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA) in Texas, so you can move into the profession ready to make a vital impact in East Texas or wherever your career takes you.

Why Earn a Master’s in Clinical Psychology at UT Tyler?

You’re a compassionate caregiver with an analytical mind. Maybe you’re ready to build on your undergraduate studies in psychology to deepen your knowledge and become a licensed professional. Or, you’ve discovered a passion for understanding and addressing mental health issues and are ready to take your career in a new direction.

Whatever brings you to this point, UT Tyler’s MS in clinical psychology program will prepare you for what’s next. Here’s how:

• Experiential learning: You’ll gain more than knowledge; you’ll acquire a wealth of experience putting what you learn into practice. Hundreds of hours of supervised work in various clinical settings will give you the opportunity to grow and hone your skills in a supportive environment.
• Ready for licensure: When you graduate, you will have satisfied the educational requirements to pursue LPA licensure in Texas.
• Preparation to serve a variety of populations: We emphasize the importance of working effectively and sensitively with a wide variety of populations in our region and across the world. From your fellow students to the clients you serve in our community, you’ll be exposed to various experiences and perspectives.
• Outstanding faculty: Learn from faculty who are practicing therapists, skilled teachers, active scholars and innovative researchers with externally funded research projects. They are devoted to your success and ready to support your professional growth.
• Affordable: Build your professional skills without building a burden of debt. We offset our already low tuition with graduate assistantships, scholarships and other forms of financial support.

What You’ll Learn

The MS in clinical psychology is a 60-credit-hour degree program designed to prepare you to serve in clinical settings like psychiatric hospitals and mental health centers or under the supervision of doctoral-level psychologists in private practices.

You’ll learn about research methods and assessment techniques and gain in-depth knowledge of theory and clinical practice. Choose the standard course program, or acquire advanced knowledge of the biological foundations of cognition and behavior with a specialization in neuropsychology.

Through supervised practicum assignments, you’ll reinforce what you’ve learned and sharpen your clinical skills while gaining valuable hands-on experience.

During the program, you will:

• Build skills, knowledge and the ability to apply them to treat clients with mental health issues in a variety of clinical mental health settings.
• Learn to employ a variety of counseling and psychotherapy approaches with an emphasis on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
• Develop your identity as a professional and learn how to offer care in an ethical manner.
• Learn to conduct and evaluate psychological research.
• Learn how to administer psychological and diagnostic tests as part of the treatment of mental and emotional disorders.
• Grow in your ability to work effectively and sensitively with clients across racial, ethnic, gender and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Gain the hands-on experience that will give you confidence as you begin your professional career.

See Full Degree Requirements for the MS in Clinical Psychology

Visit the Department of Psychology & Counseling

What Can You Do With a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology?

Use your advanced knowledge and diagnostic skills in patient care in settings like hospitals and mental health centers. As a Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA) in Texas, you’ll be able to function as a psychologist in private practice and other settings under the supervision of a doctoral-credentialed psychologist.

Your master’s degree from UT Tyler can also serve as a stepping stone to doctoral studies. Follow this path to engage in research, university teaching and advanced clinical practice.

Or, look beyond clinical settings toward applications of psychology in industry. Leverage your intricate knowledge of relational dynamics and human psychology into a career as a human resources manager or market research analyst.

How to Apply

Graduate Admission Requirements

The MS in clinical psychology is open to students with a bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited institution. However, students seeking admission to the program should have completed the following undergraduate prerequisites: Psychological Statistics, Research Methods or Experimental Psychology and Abnormal Psychology. If you lack these prerequisites, you can still be admitted but will need to take these courses as soon as possible after you begin the program.

Your application requires the following:

• Complete the online application.
• Official transcripts for all prior college- or graduate-level work, submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
• Department Information Sheet. (For this item, your statement of purpose and to request letters of recommendation, use our departmental online application system.)
• A statement of purpose describing your career goals and how the program at UT Tyler will help you to achieve them.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• A background check. There is a $45 fee. Use package code UM12bg.
• Applicants with an undergraduate degree from a non-U.S. institution must submit the results of an English proficiency examination:
  • The minimum TOEFL or IELTS scores are 560 on the paper and pencil test, 220 on the computer-based test or 87 on the internet-based test (TOEFL/IBT) or an overall band score of 7.0 (IELTS) with 6.5 or greater in each subsection. TOEFL and IELTS test scores are valid for only two years.

Review Detailed Application Requirements

See General Graduate School Admissions Requirements

Tuition

Total Program Tuition Cost: Estimated tuition for full-time, in-state, on-campus enrollment is $26,250. Tuition varies by delivery method and hours taken per semester. Calculate your estimated tuition with the tuition calculator.

Important Dates

March 15

Application deadline for students wishing to begin the program in the following fall.

October 1

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) opens for the upcoming academic year.

October 15

Deadline for students seeking admission for the following spring.