May 16, 2025

2015-2016 Argosy University Academic Catalog—Graduate Programs | Volume 6, Issue 1

2015-2016 Argosy University Academic Catalog—Graduate Programs | Volume 6, Issue 1 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology Degree Program—Arizona School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University

Program Overview

The Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Psychology degree program is designed to educate and prepare students to enter master’s level professional careers and to pursue doctoral studies in psychology. The Arizona School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University provides an educational program that is designed to provide the necessary theoretical and clinical elements that will allow graduates to be effective members of a mental health team. The program introduces students to basic clinical skills that integrate individual and group theoretical foundations of applied psychology into appropriate client interaction and intervention skills. Additionally, it offers excellent preparation for those considering application to the Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology degree program.

Program Objectives

Specific objectives of the program are:

Students will demonstrate the delivery of effective assessment services in a manner consistent with professional standards, by identifying the strengths and problems of clients and accurately communicating findings in a professional manner.
Students will demonstrate competence in the delivery of effective interventions in a manner consistent with professional standards, by utilizing a theoretical model and applying appropriate therapeutic interventions.
Students will demonstrate competence in application of the relevant body of knowledge in the areas of psychology that form the foundation of psychological practice, by applying relevant concepts to their clinical practice.
Students will demonstrate competence in relationship skills, by working effectively with clients, colleagues, supervisors and others.
Students will demonstrate competence in providing professional services to clients from diverse backgrounds by integrating information about and appreciation of diversity into assessment and intervention.

Eligibility for Licensure

The MA in Clinical Psychology degree program is not license-eligible in the state of Arizona. 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

Applicants should have completed the following five foundation courses, or their equivalent, with a grade of “C-” or better:

Abnormal psychology

General psychology

Tests and measures or psychological assessment

Statistics or research methods

Personality theories

These courses provide a foundation for the required curriculum and offer perspectives and information that complement those of the clinical psychology program. Students who have not completed these courses prior to admission must do so no later than the end of the first year of enrollment, and receive a grade of “C-” or better. Students may not be eligible to register for certain courses in their program for which one or more of the foundation courses serve as prerequisites.

Argosy University offers undergraduate courses in all of the above subject areas online. Students who have completed one or more foundation courses after being admitted to the program must submit an official transcript documenting their completion to the Student Services Department. Students may also choose to fulfill the requirements for these courses (except the statistics course) by independent reading and passing an equivalency exam. The exams are offered at the beginning of each semester and consist of 200 multiple-choice questions. A passing score is 140. Students will be allowed to take an exam twice, and if they have not successfully passed the exam on the second attempt, they will be required to take a course to fulfill the foundation course requirement.

Enrollment Requirements

Students in the MA in Clinical Psychology degree program have the option to maintain a full-time or part-time course load. Students are encouraged to register for a minimum of 6 credit hours each semester. The most effective way of achieving the program’s objectives is to take the theoretical and practical courses over a two- or three-year period in the order recommended by the faculty.

Additional Requirements for Academic Progress

Each student must make academic progress toward their MA in Clinical Psychology degree by maintaining a GPA of 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0). A grade of “No Credit” (“NC”) is considered a grade lower than “B-” for purposes of academic warning, dismissal, or academic standing matters other than calculation of GPA. This applies to all courses that are graded as “Credit/No Credit” (“CR/NC”) [See “Retaking Courses,” in the text which follows]. Students must proceed through the course of study at a pace leading to completion within a maximum time period of five years.

The suggested incremental time frame completion rates are as follows:

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	50 credit hours

Students taking an approved temporary withdrawal from the University will have the maximum time frame for completion of the program extended for the length of temporary withdrawal. The leave period will not be counted in the determination of the student’s year in the program.

Retaking Courses

Students who receive a grade below “B-” in a core course must retake this course no later than the end of the next calendar year. Core courses in the MA in Clinical Psychology degree program include all courses except the required psychotherapy courses.

Students who receive a grade below “B-” in a required psychotherapy course must either retake the same course or substitute the remaining option from the list of four required psychotherapy courses in order to satisfy the program requirement. However, it is in the student’s best interest to retake the same course, since only the second higher grade is used to calculate the cumulative grade point average. Also, students who are subsequently admitted to the PsyD in Clinical Psychology degree program must receive a grade of “B-” or better in all four of the required psychotherapy courses.

Graduation Requirements

Students who are admitted into the MA in Clinical Psychology degree program will be responsible for completing the program requirements that are in effect at the time of their admission. The school retains the right to modify these requirements in accordance with the demands of the profession of psychology.

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

50 credit hours, which must be successfully completed by the end of the fifth year of matriculation. The total credit hours must include:
- 44 credit hours of required courses
- 6 credit hours of practicum and practicum seminar
Passing grades (“CR”) for Practicum I and II, and Professionalization I and II
GPA of at least 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0)
A completed Petition to Graduate submitted to campus administration

Program Requirements

Students enrolled in the MA in Clinical Psychology degree program at the Arizona School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University are required to satisfactorily complete 50 credit hours distributed as follows: assessment requirements, 6 credit hours; clinical intervention and psychotherapy requirements, 18 credit hours; elective requirements, 3 credit hours; ethics and professional conduct requirements, 5 credit hours; human development requirements, 3 credit hours; psychopathology requirements, 6 credit hours; statistics and research methods requirements, 3 credit hours; and practicum and practicum seminar requirements, 6 credit hours.

Assessment Requirements — Students Are Required to Take the Following

Assessment Requirements — 6 Credit Hours

Clinical Intervention and Psychotherapy Requirements — Students Are Required to Take the Following

Students Choose Three from the Following

Clinical Intervention and Psychotherapy Requirements — 18 Credit Hours

Elective — Students Are Required to Take the Following

Elective (3)

Elective — 3 Credit Hours

Ethics and Professional Conduct Requirements — Students Are Required to Take the Following

Ethics and Professional Conduct Requirements — 5 Credit Hours

Human Development Requirements — Students Are Required to Take the Following

PP7010 - Lifespan Development (3)

Human Development Requirements — 3 Credit Hours

Psychopathology Requirements — Students Are Required to Take the Following

Psychopathology Requirements — 6 Credit Hours

Statistics and Research Methods Requirements — Students Are Required to Take the Following

PP7200 - Statistics and Research I (3)

Statistics and Research Methods Requirements — 3 Credit Hours

Practicum and Practicum Seminar Requirements — Students Are Required to Take the Following

Practicum and Practicum Seminar Requirements — 6 Credit Hours

Professionalization Group Requirements

During the first year, students participate in weekly Professionalization Groups that focus on topics related to professional psychology. Through readings and discussions led by a faculty member, students can begin to develop a professional identity and become familiar with current issues in clinical psychology. The group is designed to provide a comfortable environment in which students can freely exchange concerns, questions, and issues relevant to their studies and their future careers. The faculty member who leads the student’s Professionalization Group also serves as his/her academic advisor.

Practicum and Practicum Seminar Requirements

The practicum is an opportunity for Arizona School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University students to work under supervision with a clinical population in a behavioral health delivery system. The practicum requires the student to adjust to and work in an established program in a way that is mutually beneficial to the training site and to the student’s professional growth. The learning that takes place in such an environment will transfer to other clinical situations, and becomes an integral part of the foundation for sound clinical practice in the future. Students are required to participate in two years of practicum, typically during the second and third years of study.

Each practicum requires a minimum of 500 hours (approximately 16 hours per week) of clinical training. Some practicum sites may require additional hours beyond this minimum requirement. It is expected that at least half of the total practicum hours should involve direct service, including diagnostic or intervention sessions with clients, psychological evaluations, and preventive or outreach services. The practicum/seminar carries 3 credit hours per semester, or 6 credit hours per academic year. Some practicum sites require placement for 12 months per calendar year.A practicum may not be done in a student’s place of employment, nor are practicum requirements waived.

All students placed on practicum are covered by professional liability insurance, purchased through the school. This coverage is mandatory even if the student is otherwise insured. Payment for insurance coverage is made through the Student Services Department at the time of practicum registration.

Practicum Eligibility Requirements

All students who enter the practicum application process must be in good academic standing, have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on scale of 4.0), and have completed the academic planning which will allow for the following practicum prerequisite courses to be successfully completed prior to the beginning of the practicum (see below). Students must demonstrate the readiness to assume a professional role and interact appropriately with clients. Personal adjustment issues, interpersonal difficulties, poor communication skills, or other behavioral problems may reflect on a student’s ability to interact with clients in a competent and ethical manner. Students on probation are not eligible to make application to practicum or to begin practicum. Students placed on probation during practicum must petition the Director of Clinical Training regarding their eligibility to continue practicum.

Practicum Prerequisites

To be eligible for practicum, a student must have successfully completed (or transferred, if applicable) the following courses:

Practicum Seminar Requirements

All students enrolled in the practicum must also attend the practicum seminar. The seminar meets weekly throughout the academic year 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 as well as the area of expertise of the faculty member.

Practicum Evaluation

Student progress in practicum training is evaluated through the use of Evaluation Forms that are forwarded to each site supervisor and seminar faculty by the Clinical Training Department each semester. The Evaluation Form asks the supervisor to assess student progress in three basic areas of clinical functioning:

Theoretical knowledge
Clinical skills
Professional attitudes

It is expected that supervisors will review this written Evaluation Form with the students and provide direct feedback regarding the student’s clinical strengths and weaknesses. Supervisors are responsible for returning this form to the Director of Clinical Training on a timely basis. Seminar leaders will maintain primary responsibility for monitoring student progress and will evaluate student progress each semester. The seminar leader will discuss each student’s progress in site visits with the site supervisor. If students are having difficulty of any kind on their practicum, they are encouraged and expected to consult with their seminar leader and the Director of Clinical Training. Supervisors are advised to contact the Director of Clinical Training with concerns as they arise. Based upon the site and faculty evaluations, the Director of Clinical Training assigns a grade of “Credit/No Credit” for the practicum and practicum seminar.

Course/Credit Transfer

Transfer of Courses/Credit from Other Institutions

Students who have completed graduate coursework at another institution may petition for transfer of courses into the MA in Clinical Psychology degree program up to a maximum of 15 credit hours (five courses). For a course to be considered eligible for transfer, the following conditions must be met:

The course must have been taken no more than five years prior to enrollment at the Arizona School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, unless the student can present evidence of ongoing work experience or continuing education in that area, or passes an approved examination for the course.
The course must have been a graduate-level course, taken for graduate-level credit at a regionally accredited institution. In the case of an institution outside of the United States, the appropriate state or national accreditation is required.
The course submitted for transfer of a 3-credit hour course must itself be at least 3 credit hours.
The student must have earned a grade of “B” or above in the course.
Practicum, practicum seminars and the first-year Professionalization Group are not eligible for transfer.

All course transfer requests must be submitted to the Student Services Department before or during the first year of enrollment in the program. Request forms are available from the Student Services Department. A separate form must be submitted for each course request. The transfer request must be accompanied by a transcript reflecting completion of the course and the grade received, along with other supporting documentation, such as course description, syllabus, and work samples. The request will be reviewed and a decision rendered within four weeks of the request. If approved, the transferred course and credit hours will appear on the student’s transcript as a “transfer course” under the corresponding course number and title. No transfer credit will be given for courses taken elsewhere after matriculation into a degree program at the Arizona School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University.

Transfer of Courses/Credit from another Argosy University Campus

Students who transfer from one Argosy University campus to another may receive credit hours for a course taken at the original campus, if the course is identical to the one offered at the transfer campus. In cases where the course is similar but not identical, the campus has the option to review for approval or denial. Students at the Arizona School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University who wish to submit course transfer requests for courses taken at another Argosy University campus must do so before or during the first year of enrollment at the Arizona School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University.

With prior approval of their advisor and campus dean or program dean, students are allowed to take up to 6 credit hours of coursework at another Argosy University campus, exclusive of Professionalization Group, practicum, Clinical Research Project, and online courses.