Psychology M.A.

Major in Psychology

(Major Code: 5119)

Admission Requirements:

For full admission to the program an applicant should have:

Grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of class work.
Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or a substantial equivalent (see below).
GRE Verbal score not below the 50th percentile.
GRE Quantitative score not below the 25th percentile.
GRE Analytical Writing score of 4 or higher.

All applicants need to apply to the university graduate school and supply official transcripts. This application also includes the departmental application, three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a writing sample. If space is available, applications may be reviewed for conditional admission if they do not meet the requirements for full admission (above). Conditions of admission are based on student needs and are discussed with the applicant.

The admissions committee may contact a student to arrange an in-person, virtual, or phone interview.

Deadlines: Review of applications for fall admission will begin April 1. All applications received after April 1 will be reviewed for any remaining positions. The deadline for spring admission is December 1.

Substantial equivalent for admission without a bachelor’s degree in Psychology includes 18 hours of psychology course work that includes the following courses: general or introduction, child or developmental, statistics, experimental or research methods, one course form abnormal or personality, and one course from the following: learning, cognition, psychological testing, or biological psychology. Note that some graduate courses have undergraduate course prerequisites.

All application materials should be uploaded to the WTAMU Graduate School Applicant Portal or sent directly to the WTAMU Graduate School.

Graduate School
West Texas A&M University
WTAMU Box 60215
Canyon, Texas 79016
graduateschool@wtamu.edu

For more information, contact the department at 806-651-2590.

Application portal and information available online:
https://www.wtamu.edu/academics/graduate-school/apply/index.html

The M.A., Psychology, offers three options:

42-hour Thesis Option
42-hour Comprehensive Option
60-hour Clinical Psychology Option

Degree Requirements:

Psychology Core: All Options (24 hours)

Thesis Option (42 hours)

Psychology Core (24 hours)
Approved electives (12 hours) - no more than six hours from areas outside PSYC
Students will be required to prepare and defend a thesis, including continuous enrollment in at least six hours of thesis credit:
- PSYC 6301 Thesis I
- PSYC 6302 Thesis II

Comprehensive Option (24 hours)

Psychology Core (24 hours)
Approved electives (18 hours) - no more than six hours from areas outside PSYC
The Comprehensive Option includes a comprehensive exam, based on course work and program goals and objectives. The comprehensive exam is comprised of both a written and oral component. Students are eligible for the comprehensive exam toward the end of their course work and must pass both components prior to graduation.

Clinical Psychology Option (60 hours)

Psychology Core (24 hours)
Other required courses (30 hours)
Approved electives (6 hours) - may include courses from areas outside PSYC.

Notes:

Changes in the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council and/or Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists rules and regulations can impact program requirements. This applies to requirements for supervision and completion of practicum and internship as well.

A student wishing to obtain licensure in Texas must also have no criminal convictions other than minor traffic violations. Requirements for licensure vary from one profession to another and from state to state. If you are interested in professional licensure, please check with the appropriate licensing body in the state where you intend to practice. The M.A. Psychology Program, Clinical Psychology option at WTAMU may or may not meet requirements for licensure or certification in other states.

Additional Requirements: The Clinical Psychology option includes a comprehensive exam model, based on course work and program goals and objectives. The comprehensive exam is comprised of both a written and oral component. Students eligible for the comprehensive toward the end of their course work and must pass both components prior to graduation.