Dec 03, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Psychology, MA


Program Coordinators by Concentration Area:

  • Clinical Psychology Concentration: Robert Carels (104 Rawl Building; 252-737-5070; carelsr14@ecu.edu)
  • Industrial and Organizational Psychology Concentration: Jennifer Bowler (320 Rawl Building; 252-328-6474; bowlerj@ecu.edu)
  • School Psychology Concentration: Christy Walcott (214 Rawl Building; 252-328-1378; walcottc@ecu.edu)

The Psychology, MA is a post-baccalaureate program (34-45 s.h.), which includes three concentrations: clinical psychology, industrial and organizational psychology, and school psychology. All concentrations in the program include a minimum of 3 s.h. in research skills, 3 s.h. in ethics and professional practice, 6 s.h. in applied research, internship or thesis, and a required subspecialty core. Please see below for specific concentration requirements. 

The clinical psychology concentration (45 s.h.) is earned en route to the Health Psychology, PhD  (clinical health concentration). The clinical psychology concentration is generally completed in the first two years of study. The program provides didactic training in ethics, psychological assessment and diagnosis, and psychotherapy. In addition to classroom learning, the student will also engage in supervised practica experiences during the first-year of training in addition to the second-year practicum. Finally, students will gain research experience through the completion of a thesis project during the second year of training. Admission to the master’s concentration is contingent upon admission to the clinical health concentration in the Health Psychology, PhD .

The industrial and organizational psychology concentration (45 s.h.) is designed for students wishing to apply psychological expertise to situations involving human resources in organizations. Students are required to complete either a summer internship between the first and second year of the program or a thesis project. The coursework for the industrial and organizational psychology concentration provides a preliminary foundation for the occupational health psychology concentration in the Health Psychology, PhD . However, acceptance into the industrial and organizational concentration does not guarantee acceptance into the occupational health psychology concentration in the health psychology doctoral program . Students who are enrolled in the industrial and organizational concentration and wish to pursue the doctoral program in health psychology with a concentration in occupational health psychology must apply for admission to the doctoral program.

The school psychology concentration (34 s.h.) is earned en route to the Health Psychology, PhD  (pediatric school concentration) or the Specialist in School Psychology, SSP . The school psychology concentration is generally completed in the first two years of study. It provides foundational courses for practice in schools and related settings, including classroom training in ethics, assessment, and intervention. Students also complete a research project. The thesis is required of students admitted to the doctoral program; either thesis or directed research projects are required for students admitted to the SSP program. Admission to the master’s school psychology concentration is contingent upon admission to the pediatric school psychology concentration in the Health Psychology, PhD  or to the Psychology, MA/Specialist in School Psychology, SSP  program.

The degree requires a minimum of 34-45 s.h. as follows:

II. Ethics and Professional Practice - 3 s.h.


(Select one of the following courses.)

III. Concentration Areas - 22-33 s.h.


(Select a concentration in consultation with the program coordinator.)

A. Clinical Psychology Concentration - 33 s.h.


(Admission to the clinical psychology concentration is contingent upon admission to the clinical health concentration in the health psychology doctoral program .)

B. Industrial and Organizational Psychology Concentration - 33 s.h.


C. School Psychology Concentration - 22 s.h.


(Admission to the school psychology concentration is contingent upon admission to the pediatric school psychology concentration in the health psychology doctoral program  or to the MA/SSP school psychology program.)

IV. Applied Research, Internship, or Thesis Options - 6 s.h.


(Select by concentration area and in consultation with the program coordinator.)

A. Clinical Psychology Concentration - 6 s.h.


(Thesis is the only available option for this concentration.)

B. Industrial and Organizational Psychology Concentration - 6 s.h.


(Select the internship or thesis option.)

1. Internship (6 s.h.)


2. Thesis (6 s.h.)


Note:

The thesis is required of students admitted to the doctoral program.

C. School Psychology Concentration - 6 s.h.


(Select the applied research or thesis option.)

2. Thesis (6 s.h.)


Note:

The thesis is required of students admitted to the doctoral program; either thesis or directed research projects are required for students admitted to the CAS program.

Licensure/Certification Requirements in North Carolina


The curriculum for all ECU Certificates, Degrees, and other Graduate Programs  have been designed to meet the licensure/certification requirements in North Carolina and prepare students to sit for licensure/certification exams in North Carolina. The various licensure boards in each state are responsible for setting requirements for licensure/certification in their state. Other states have their own requirements, and you’ll want to make sure your program meets criteria in your home state (or state where you intend to work) before you apply. Search our state  Licensure Dashboard to see if the program you’re interested in meets the educational requirements for licensing/certification in your home state (or state where you intend to work).