GRADUATE PROGRAMS:
M.A. Requirements

General requirements of the program

Classes

A total of 31 (for thesis students) or 33 (for internship students) semester hours are required for graduation: 25 for required courses and either six thesis hours or eight internship hours. Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average.

Demonstration of competence

Upon completion of the 25 hours of course work (nine courses), students must demonstrate competence in several core areas (e.g., statistics and methods, ethics, assessment, psychotherapy, psychopathology) by completing a thesis or an internship competency project (ICP).

Internship or Thesis

Students have the option of completing a master's thesis and/or pursing an internship. The thesis involves a research project that makes a significant contribution to the field. Topics pursued by students in our master's program have included body image in eating disorders, HIV infection and childhood abuse, humor as a moderator between social conflict and psychological distress, and ethical issues regarding informed consent for psychotherapy.

Students who are particularly interested in going on to Ph.D. programs should strongly consider the thesis option, since most Ph.D. programs prefer individuals who have prior research experience. Applicants who are interested in the thesis option and whose research interests/experience overlap with those of a faculty member should contact that faculty member directly.

Students may begin work on an 800-hour internship following successful completion of their courses. Students select internships (subject to program approval) based on personal interests. The greater Denver area offers a rich variety of internship possibilities, and our students have worked at a variety of agencies, including community mental health centers, inpatient and residential treatment facilities, social services, hospitals, probation and diversion programs, and university counseling centers.

At minimum, students must complete either an 800-hour internship or a thesis. Students also have the option to complete both or to do a thesis and a 400-hour internship.

Required Courses

Below is the current curriculum. However, this is not a contract; we reserve the right to change course requirements.

Year One:
Fall:	PSY 5713 - 3 : Advanced Statistics
	PSY 6140 - 3: Theories of Assessment
	PSY 6200 - 3: Developmental Psychopathology
	PSY 6500 - 3: Adult Psychopathology
Spring:	PSY 5360 - 3: Psychotherapy I
	PSY 5730 - 3: Clinical Psychology: Ethics and Issues
	PSY 5990 - 3: Clinical Research Methods (Prerequisite: Advanced Statistics)
	PSY 6420 - 3: Applied Assessment (Prerequisite: Theories of Assessment)
Maymester:	PSY 7830 – 1: Clinical Interviewing

Year Two:
	Internship (8 credits, 800 clock hours)
	Thesis (6 credits)

 

Students can complete the program in slightly less than two years.