Admission Deadlines Admission Criteria Admission Status Degree Requirements Curricula Assistantships South Carolina residency Financial Assistance Faculty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Admission Deadlines

A COMPLETE APPLICATION SHOULD BE RECEIVED BY THE USCA GRADUATE OFFICE BY MAY 1, 2008 TO BE CONSIDERED FOR ADMISSION IN THE FALL 2008 SEMESTER.  After this date, applications will be accepted on a space-available basis.

Admission Criteria

Acceptance by the Department of Psychology will be done on the basis of the applicant's total academic profile.

This profile includes:

1. A completed application to the Graduate Office, University of South Carolina Aiken.

2. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with at least 15 hours in psychology.

3. Transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work (3.00 overall undergraduate GPA preferred).

4. Three letters of recommendation, two of which must be from faculty in an academic setting.

5. A written personal statement of intent.

6. Satisfactory performance on the Graduate Record Examination (Verbal, Quantitative, and Advanced Psychology).    back to top

Admission Status

Admission may be granted at one of three levels:

• Full admission status: Applications with satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination, satisfactory references and undergraduate records indicating good academic performance.

or

• Provisional status: Applicants who intend to seek a graduate degree, but lack sufficient requirements for full admission status, or who intend to transfer to another college or university. Students admitted under the  provisional status must attain full admission status if they wish to enroll for more than 12 hours or for applied core or advanced courses. To gain full admission status, students must have a 3.0 GPA following their 12 hours of credit.

The curriculum is designed to allow students to pursue their degree as either part-time or full-time students.

Application forms for admission to graduate studies may be obtained from Karen Morris in the USCA Graduate Office, Penland Administration Building.    back to top

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Applied Clinical Psychology degree requires:

• Successful completion of an approved program of study providing a minimum of 45 hours of graduate credit.  A student’s official program of study must be approved by the Director of the Graduate Program, Psychology Department Chair, and the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

• Practicum/course requirements to include at least 600 clock-hours of applied/clinical experiences.

• Successful completion of a Master's Thesis.   back to top

Curricula

I. Core Course Requirements (All Required) 15 Hours

APSY 610 Developmental

APSY 620 Psychopathology

APSY 625 Statistics and Research Methods

APSY 640 Social Psychology

APSY 650 Learning

II. Applied Core Course Requirements (All Required)   21 Hours

APSY 600 Ethical and Professional Issues in the Practice of Psychology

APSY 680 Assessment I

APSY 720 Theories and Techniques of Counseling and Psychotherapy

APSY 725 Group Therapy and Counseling

APSY 780 Assessment II

APSY 790 Practicum in Applied Clinical/Counseling Psychology (6 Hrs; 2 Semesters)

III. Advanced Topics (Must take at least one course)   3 Hours

APSY 700 Advanced Topics in Applied Psychology

APSY 765 Topics in Cognitive Neuroscience

IV. Thesis (Two semester minimum required)   6 Hours

APSY 798 Thesis Preparation (1 Hour)

APSY 799 Thesis (5 Hours)

V. Professional Electives 3 Hours

APSY 630 Career and Lifestyle Development

APSY 699 Independent Research

APSY 791  Advanced Practicum

A total of 45 hours are required for the MS Degree

Detailed course descriptions are available from the USC Aiken Undergraduate and Graduate Program Bulletin and on-line.   back to top

Graduate Assistantships

Eligible students may receive a graduate assistantship, which includes monetary support in addition to significantly reduced tuition for both resident and non-resident students.  Assistantship experiences are generally available in applied clinical/community settings.  Questions about the program and assistantship stipend opportunities may be directed to Dr. Thomas L. Boyd, Psychology Graduate Program Director.  back to top

 Resident Status

The University may establish a differential in tuition and fees between State residents and non-residents, and must determine the resident classification of applicants and students. See South Carolina Code of Laws (59-112-10 et seq.).    back to top

Financial Assistance

Graduate students are eligible to apply for institutional scholarships and federal student aid. For more detailed information, you should contact the Office of Financial Aid located in Room 102 of the Administration Building (803/641-3476).

Students may also be eligible for graduate assistantships, which include a stipend and tuition reduction. Assistantship experiences are generally available in applied clinical/community settings.    back to top