Psychology M.A.

M.A. in Psychology

(Major Code: 5119)

Admission Requirements:

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 (approximately 1000 words in length) describing academic objectives, research interests, and career goals;
an academic writing sample.

Preference will be given to applicants with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher in the last 60 hours of coursework who have earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or a substantial equivalent. Applicants who meet criteria for full admission and those being considered for conditional admission (see below) may be contacted for an in-person or virtual interview.

Substantial equivalent for admission without a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology includes 18 hours of psychology course work including:

general psychology or introduction to psychology;
child development, lifespan development, or developmental psychology;
statistics;
experimental psychology or research methods;
abnormal psychology or personality;
learning, cognitive psychology, psychological testing, or biological psychology.

Note that some graduate courses have undergraduate course prerequisites.

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.

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

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

The M.A. Program in Psychology offers three options:

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

Prospective students may apply for primary admission to the Thesis or Comprehensive Options. At 24 hours, current students in good standing may apply for secondary admission to the Clinical Psychology Option. Secondary admission to the Clinical Psychology Option is subject to student academic performance and program capacity.

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 of Psychology
Thesis (6 hours; see below)

Additional Requirements: 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 Exam Option (42 hours)

Psychology Core (24 hours)
Approved electives (18 hours)
- No more than six hours from areas outside of Psychology

Additional Requirements: The Comprehensive Exam Option includes a comprehensive exam, based on coursework 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 coursework. Both components must be passed prior to graduation.

Clinical Psychology Option (60 hours)

At 24 credit hours, current graduate students in good standing are eligible to apply through the department to complete the Clinical Psychology Option. If accepted, students will complete the following:

Psychology Core (24 hours; already completed before acceptance to clinical psychology option)
Required courses (24 hours; see Additional Requirements below)
PSYC 6099 Practicum in Psychology and Counseling (6 hours; see Additional Requirements below)
Thesis (PSYC 6301 and PSYC 6302) or 6 hours of graduate Psychology electives and the comprehensive exam (for details, see above)

Additional Requirements:

In addition to the Psychology Core, students wishing to obtain licensure must complete each of the following courses:

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 cannot have any 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.