May 18, 2025  
2012-2013 Argosy University Academic Catalog—Graduate Programs | Volume 3, Issue 2 
    
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2012-2013 Argosy University Academic Catalog—Graduate Programs | Volume 3, Issue 2 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology Degree Program—American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Washington DC

Program Overview

The Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Psychology degree program is designed to meet the needs of both those students seeking a terminal degree at the master’s level and those who eventually plan to pursue a doctoral degree. The master’s degree program is designed to provide students a strong clinical orientation as well as an emphasis in psychological assessment.

The MA in Clinical Psychology degree program at the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Washington DC offers several unique advantages to those individuals who hope to subsequently pursue a doctoral degree. The program can be completed on a part-time basis. Admission to the master’s degree program or completion of the master’s degree does not guarantee admission to the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology degree program at the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Washington DC. If admitted to the doctoral degree program, however, most master’s -level coursework taken at the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Washington DC will apply toward the PsyD in Clinical Psychology degree program at the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Washington DC.

Program Goals and Objectives

The MA in Clinical Psychology degree program has been designed to educate and train students so that they might either be prepared to enter a doctoral degree program in clinical psychology or enter a professional career as master’s-level practitioners. The program is designed to provide a strong background in assessment and to introduce students to basic clinical interventions skills. Students also receive an introduction to scientific methodology and the bases of scientific psychology. Specific objectives of the program include:

Entry-level preparation of practitioners of psychology capable of ethically delivering diagnostic and therapeutic services effectively to diverse populations of clients in need of such treatment.

  • Students will know the current body of knowledge in applied areas of psychology that serve as foundations for clinical practice or as a bases for entry into a doctoral program.
  • Students will learn to value diversity (broadly defined as issues related to gender, age, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, national origin, religion, physical ability, and social economic status) and be able to work effectively with diverse clients.
  • Students will gain an entry- level understanding of the principles of assessment as well as understand and competently use specific techniques.
  • Students will develop a competency in at least two theoretical orientations and be able to apply therapeutic techniques derived from these orientations to clients. Additionally, students know how to monitor their professional activities and guide their actions in accordance to the profession’s ethical standards.

Entry-level preparation of practitioners of psychology who understand the bases of scientific psychology.

  • Students will know the current body of knowledge in developmental psychology and at least one other bases of human functioning (e.g., including biological aspects of behavior, cognitive/affective aspects of behavior, and historical and philosophical context of psychology).

Entry-level preparation of practitioners of psychology who are able to evaluate and use the existing and evolving body of knowledge and methods in the practice and science of psychology to enhance applications of psychology.

  • Students demonstrate an entry-level proficiency in being able to critically evaluate the existing theoretical and research literature in psychology.

Graduates will, at an entry-level, evaluate and use the existing and evolving body of knowledge and methods in the practice and science of psychology to enhance their practice.

Eligibility for Licensure

The MA in Clinical Psychology degree program curriculum’s focus is preparation for the PsyD in Clinical Psychology degree program and not for independent practice. The MA in Clinical Psychology degree program is not license-eligible in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Master’s-level licensure varies from state to state. It is the student’s responsibility to determine the requirements for professional licensure in the state he or she wishes to practice.

Foundation Courses

The American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Washington DC requires applicants to successfully complete, with a “C” or better, five undergraduate courses, three of which are mandatory. These serve as a basic foundation for program coursework. Several of these courses serve as direct prerequisites to American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Washington DC courses. The three required foundation courses are listed below:

Abnormal psychology or maladaptive behavior

Introduction to psychology or General Psychology

Statistics or research methods

Two additional psychology courses must also be completed.

Applicants who have not completed these courses prior to admission must complete them no later than the end of the first academic year of enrollment. It is recommended that applicants complete these courses prior to admission. Missing foundation courses may prohibit students from enrolling in the required first-year curriculum that, in turn, may delay the start of practicum. Additionally, students who plan to enroll full- time may be unable to do so every semester if all foundation courses are not completed prior to matriculation. This may have implications for financial aid and for international student’s visa status.

Enrollment Requirements

Students must be continuously enrolled for the duration of their program.

Additional Requirements for Academic Progress

In order to remain on track for degree completion within the maximum time frame allotted, students are expected to complete credit hours according to the suggested incremental time frame table below.

Suggested Incremental Time Frame Completion Rates

End of Year One  9 credit hours
End of Year Two 18 credit hours
End of Year Three 27 credit hours
End of Year Four 36 credit hours
End of Year Five 47 credit hours

Student Advisement

Faculty Advisors

Faculty members serve as advisors to those students who have been or are in their Professionalization Groups. Faculty advisors are available for consultation on student professional development, academic/training progress, and other American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Washington DC professional issues.

Students are required to meet with their faculty advisors at least once each semester, usually once following receipt of grades and again for purposes of registration. Students are encouraged to meet as often as necessary with their advisor to review their progress through the program and to discuss their performance in classes, seminars, and training sites. Faculty will file a memo in the student’s academic file indicating the date of the meeting and, if appropriate, a summary of the meeting. Add/Drop Request Forms require faculty advisor signatures.

Students are required to meet with their faculty advisor when directed to do so by the Student Professional Development Committee (SPDC). This would occur when a student is experiencing academic, clinical, or personal difficulties.

Changing Faculty Advisors

A student may initiate a request for a change of advisor only after completing one full academic year. If a student wishes to change advisors, she or he should discuss this with the current advisor and the prospective advisor. If all parties agree to the change, the student must then obtain, complete, and return a Change of Status Form to the Office of the Registrar with signatures from the student, the original advisor, the new advisor, and the program chair.

Graduation Requirements

To be eligible for graduation, students must meet the following requirements:

  • The satisfactory completion of 47 semester credit hours, which must be completed by the end of the fifth year of matriculation. The total credit hours must include:
    • 40 credit hours of required courses
    • 6 credit hours (one year) of practicum and practicum seminar
    • 1 credit hour of Integrative Paper
  • A grade point average of at least 3.0 on a scale of 4.0
  • Completion of the master’s Clinical Presentation Evaluation
  • A completed Petition to Graduate submitted to campus administration

Writing Program

Students have the option of taking a Professional Writing Course at Argosy University, Washington DC. Faculty can recommend the course or another writing development option to students. Students having difficulty with writing assignments may access the Student Writing Lab for additional help.

Program Requirements

The MA in Clinical Psychology degree program requires the satisfactory completion of 47 semester credit hours, distributed as follows: assessment requirements, 14 credit hours; bases course requirements, 3 credit hours; individual differences requirements, 9 credit hours; intervention requirements, 9 credit hours; methodology requirement, 3 credit hours; professional issues requirements, 2 credit hours; practicum requirements, 6 credit hours; and integrative paper requirement, 1 credit hour.

Assessment Requirements—Students Are Required to Take the Following

 

Assessment Requirements—14 Credit Hours

 

Bases Course Requirements—Students Are Required to Take One of the Following

 

Bases Course Requirements—3 Credit Hours

 

Individual Differences Requirements—Students Are Required to Take the Following

 

Individual Differences Requirements—9 Credit Hours

 

Intervention Requirements—Students Are Required to Take the Following

 

Students Choose One of the Following

 

Intervention Requirements—9 Credit Hours

 *Students intending to apply for the PsyD in Clinical Psychology degree program should select PP 7373 Integrative Assessment  to satisfy the Intervention elective requirement. Successful completion of this course is required in order to be eligible to take the first year practicum in the PsyD in Clinical Psychology degree program.

Methodology Requirements—Students Are Required to Take the Following

 

Methodology Requirements—3 Credit Hours

 

Professional Issues Requirements—Students Are Required to Take the Following

 

Professional Issues Requirements—2 Credit Hours

 

Practicum Requirements—Students Are Required to Take the Following

 

Practicum Requirements—6 Credit Hours

** Practicum and corresponding seminar require concurrent enrollment.

Integrative Paper Requirements—Students Are Required to Take the Following

 

Integrative Paper Requirements—1 Credit Hour

 

Additional Information for Students Who Plan to Apply to the Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology Degree Program

Students enrolled in MA in Clinical Psychology degree program who plan to apply to the PsyD in Clinical Psychology degree program are encouraged to take specific courses listed below within the stated elective requirements. Students should refer to “Students Who Plan to Apply to the Doctor of Psychology Degree Program” under the “Recommended Course Sequence for the Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology Degree Program” for details on how to incorporate the courses listed below during Year Two:

Note:

† PP 7201 Statistics and Research II  and PP 7373 Integrative Assessment  may be taken in addition of the stated requirements for the terminal MA in Clinical Psychology degree program.

Professionalization Group Requirements

The Professionalization Group, which meets on a weekly basis during the first and second semester, will provide first-year students with important direction and assistance as they begin their education and training. This group assists students with an orientation to the field as well as an introduction to key issues in the training and development.

Practicum and Practicum Seminar Requirements

The practicum is the first opportunity provided to American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Washington DC students for clinical field training. The student will have the opportunity of working under supervision with a clinical population within a mental health delivery system. The practicum is an essential part of clinical training and all students are required to participate in the practicum experience.

The practicum is a required 600- hour training experience that takes place during an academic year, beginning in September and concluding in June. The practicum is treated as a course and with the practicum seminar carries 3 credit hours per semester or 6 credit hours for the academic year. A practicum may not be done in a student’s place of employment, nor is any student excused from the practicum requirements. Students who come to the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Washington DC with extensive clinical backgrounds may be placed in practicum sites in areas where they do not have previous experience and where they have an interest.

All students enrolled in a practicum must also concurrently enroll in a practicum seminar. The seminar meets weekly through the fall and spring semester and allows the student to reflect on various practicum experiences and to acquire additional skills and attitudes useful in field training. The specific content and emphasis of the seminar varies according to the practicum setting and focus of the enrolled students and the professional expertise of the faculty member.

All students who enter the practicum application process must be in good academic standing, have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on scale of 4.0 and have completed the academic planning which will allow for all the practicum prerequisite courses to be completed prior to the beginning of the practicum.

No student may begin a practicum without being in attendance at the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Washington DC for a minimum of two semesters.

To be eligible to begin the practicum, the student must have successfully completed the following:

Practicum Prerequisites

 

Practicum and Probation

Students must not be on probation at the time of application to practicum or at the time practicum begins.

In cases when the director of Clinical Training or program faculty has reservations about a student’s readiness for practicum, the director of Clinical Training will discuss the situation with the student and the student’s advisor. In those cases where there is a shared concern among the student’s mentors, a plan of remediation, to be implemented prior to the clinical training in question, will be designed by the Clinical Training Committee and forwarded to the SPDC.

Procedures for Practicum Remediation

Procedures for practicum remediation are described in the Clinical Training Manual.

Practicum Description

The goal of the practicum is to correlate students’ field experience with attained levels of academic experience. The practicum is focused on assessment, diagnosis, and intervention in keeping with the overall emphases of the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Washington DC MA in Clinical Psychology degree program.

Relationship of Master’s- and Doctoral -Level Practicum

The master’s practicum is not equivalent to the practicum in the doctoral degree program. Students who enroll subsequently in the doctoral program will have to take both the doctoral Practicum I and II sequence.

Evaluation of Student Progress

Evaluation of student progress in clinical field training focuses on three areas: theoretical knowledge base, clinical skills, and professional attitudes. A thorough review of site and seminar evaluations is conducted by the Clinical Training Department, and an overall grade of “Credit” or “No Credit” is included in the student’s academic record.

Student Evaluation

Students must meet the same standards of conduct as outlined for the Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology  degree program. Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology degree program students are evaluated by the same Student Professional Development Committee and in the same manner as the doctoral degree program students.

Clinical Presentation Evaluation Requirements

For the master’s degree program student, the Clinical Presentation Evaluation (CPE) is a competency- based examination designed to evaluate the student’s mastery of basic clinical skills. The master’s CPE assesses competencies in assessment, case formulation, psychotherapy planning, and implementation.

Students should be capable of demonstrating clinical competence both conceptually and in application. Students prepare to demonstrate their competency by integrating classroom theoretical work, practice gained in class, clinical field training at their practicum and the practicum seminars. Therefore, passing the seminar and site evaluation do not guarantee a passing grade on the CPE.

To be eligible to take the CPE, a student must be in good standing, have a GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0, not be on probation, and must be enrolled in the master’s practicum sequence.

The master’s CPE is composed of the formulation of a psychotherapy case and analysis of an associated session. The student should use a theoretical orientation represented by one of the intervention courses in the MA in Clinical Psychology degree  program or a treatment framework used by the practicum agency. This competency is demonstrated during the spring semester of the master’s practicum. The student demonstrates this competency by successfully completing three related tasks:

  • Observational Component The practicum seminar leader observes the student performing a psychotherapy session and judges whether the student is demonstrating competency in maintaining a therapeutic relationship and in carrying out interventions appropriate to the treatment framework and the issues presented in the session. The seminar leader may directly observe the student interview a client or the student may submit a video or audiotape of an interview with a verbatim transcript. With approval of the director of Clinical Training, a role-played interview with a faculty member may be substituted for a client interview.
  • Written Component The seminar leader reviews the student’s written report of the observed case as well as the student’s self-critique of the interview with the client and judges whether the report demonstrates competency in understanding the client’s presenting problem, case formulation, and analysis of the therapeutic process.
  • Oral Presentation The student presents the case in the practicum seminar and fields questions from seminar members. The seminar leader judges whether the student can present a case in a cogent, organized manner, integrate essential information, and provide thoughtful answers to questions in the seminar. While the student may be supervised on the case presented, she or he must not be supervised on the particular interview presented for the CPE. The interview, case formulation, and analysis of the session should offer a view of the student’s independent clinical work. The interview should last no more than 60 minutes.

In the event that the student fails the CPE, feedback will be provided and the student will be given a second opportunity to demonstrate competence using a different case. Failure to demonstrate competency on the second case is grounds for dismissal from the practicum and the student will be referred to the SPDC

Integrative Paper Requirements

As part of the requirements for the Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology degree program, each student is required to complete the Integrative Paper (IP). The IP is designed to evaluate the student’s ability to independently present and integrate psychological literature. The paper consists of an in-depth review, summary, and integration of the current literature on an approved topic. Each student must register for the 1-credit hour course Integrative Paper (PP 6011 ). This course is graded on a “Credit” or “No Credit” basis, credit being granted upon approval of the paper.

Recommended Course Sequence for the Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology Degree Program at the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Washington DC

Student progress through the Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Psychology degree program at the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Washington DC is intended to be sequential. Certain courses are offered to first-year students that provide a theoretical and practical foundation for courses that will follow. In addition, certain advanced courses require the student to have the background of more basic courses in order to benefit fully from the course experience. Students must satisfy all stated prerequisites for a course before a registration for that course can be considered official. This catalog and registration materials contain the prerequisites for any given course.

Terminal Master’s Degree Program

 

Year One

 

Fall Semester

 

Spring Semester

 

Summer Semester

 

Year Two

 

Fall Semester

 

Spring Semester

 

Summer Semester

 

Notes:

*Intervention elective course options include PP 8030 Psychodynamic Theory and Therapy , PP 7373 Integrative Assessment , PP 8050 Family and Couples Therapy , and PP 8060 Group Psychotherapy .

**Bases course options include PP 7000 History and Systems , PP 7040 Cognition and Affective Processes , PP 7050 Physiological Psychology , and PP 7060 Social Psychology .

***Practicum and corresponding seminar require concurrent enrollment.

Students Who Plan to Apply to the Doctor of Psychology Degree Program

Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology degree program students interested in applying for the PsyD in Clinical Psychology degree program should follow the following course sequence:

Year One

 

Fall Semester

 

Spring Semester

 

Summer Semester

 

Year Two

 

Fall Semester

 

Spring Semester

 

Summer Semester

 

Note:

† Students intending to apply for the PsyD in Clinical Psychology degree program should take PP 8050 Family and Couples Therapy , PP 7201 Statistics and Research II , and PP 7373 Integrative Assessment .

Course/Credit Transfer

In addition to the institutional requirements, Argosy University, Washington DC requires that all graduate work submitted for transfer be completed within the last five years. If coursework was completed more than five years prior to admission, then the student must provide evidence that they have remained current with the course’s subject area (e.g., attendance of continuing education workshops, supervision). Students may only transfer a total of 15 semester credit hours into the MA in Clinical Psychology program.

Non-Transferable Courses

Two or more courses may be combined to transfer to one American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Washington DC course, if all other conditions are met. The total number of credit hours of the courses submitted for transfer must meet or exceed the total number of hours for the courses being transferred.

Students requesting to transfer Cognitive Assessment (PP 7370 ) or Projective Personality Assessment (PP 7372 ) must have both an approved course that meets the course transfer requirements and must pass a competency examination. Students wanting to transfer credit should complete a Course Transfer Form for each course and submit to the Office of the Registrar. The Office of the Registrar will do an initial review and forward to appropriate faculty for decision. Students will be notified of faculty decision and approvals will be recorded on transcript. If the request is denied, all material will be returned to student. Students may resubmit with additional information.