Apr 01, 2026

2016-2017 Argosy University Academic Catalog—Graduate Programs | Volume 7, Issue 1

2016-2017 Argosy University Academic Catalog—Graduate Programs | Volume 7, Issue 1 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology Degree Program—Illinois School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University | Chicago

Program Overview

The Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Psychology degree program is designed to prepare students for admission into the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology degree program and does not prepare student to receive a license at the master’s level. The MA in Clinical Psychology degree program is designed to introduce students to basic clinical skills that integrate individual, couples/family, and group theoretical foundations of applied psychology. Students are also exposed to various assessment and intervention skills necessary when working with clients.

The MA in Clinical Psychology degree program can be completed in as little as two years, but must be completed within five years. Admission to the MA in Clinical Psychology degree program or completion of the master’s degree does not guarantee admission into the PsyD in Clinical Psychology degree program at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University | Chicago. However, if admitted to the doctoral program, up to 43 credit hours from the MA in Clinical Psychology degree program will apply toward the PsyD in Clinical Psychology degree program curriculum.

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. Depending on state requirements, the program may help to prepare students for licensure in psychology or counseling at the master’s level. Additional coursework may be needed for licensure at the master’s level.

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 they wish to practice.

Foundation Courses

The Illinois School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University | Chicago requires applicants to successfully complete, with a “C” or better, five undergraduate courses that serve as a basic foundation for course work in clinical psychology. Several of these courses serve as direct prerequisites to the Illinois School of Professional Psychology | Chicago courses. The following three courses are required:

*Introduction to psychology or general psychology
Abnormal, psychopathology, or maladaptive behavior
Statistics or research methods

Two additional courses in field of psychology must also be completed.

Students must complete foundation courses before they matriculate in the PsyD in Clinical Psychology degree program

* This course may be waived if the applicant has completed a Bachelors or Masters degree in Psychology.

Enrollment Requirements

Students have the option to maintain a full-time or part-time course load. 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. Students may not register for more than 15 credit hours during the fall and spring terms and 9 credit hours during the summer terms without approval from the department.

Retaking Courses

Students who earn a grade below a “B-” in any course are required to retake the course.

Additional Requirements for Academic Progress

Students must make satisfactory academic progress toward a degree by maintaining a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0). All students must complete the program within five years after entry into the program. Students must take the Master’s Therapy Practicum no later than the third year after entry into the program. Students who receive a grade below “B-” in a core course must retake the course during the next academic year or sooner. Students who have a grade lower than “B-” in an elective course will be required to retake that elective course or take a new elective course in place of the original course.

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 Illinois School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University | Chicago retains the right to modify these requirements in accordance with the demands of the profession of psychology. See the Recommended Course Sequence for more information on when to complete specific courses.

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

Successful completion of 50 credit hours that includes
- 43 credit hours of coursework
- 6 credit hours of practicum
- 1 credit hour of portfolio
A GPA of at least 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0)
Completion of the MA Clinical Evaluation Conference tasks
A completed Petition to Graduate submitted to campus administration

Program Requirements

Students enrolled in the MA in Clinical Psychology degree program at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University | Chicago are required to satisfactorily complete 50 credit hours distributed as follows: core course requirements, 34 credit hours; intervention elective requirements, 6 credit hours; general elective requirements, 3 credit hours; practicum and practicum seminar requirements, 6 credit hours; portfolio requirement, 1 credit hour. In addition, students are required to complete professionalization group.

Core Course Requirements— Students Are Required to Take the Following

Core Course Requirements— 34 Credit Hours

Intervention Elective Requirements — Students Choose Two of the Following

Intervention Elective Requirements — 6 Credit Hours

General Elective Requirements–Students Choose From the Following

General Elective Requirements—3 Credit Hours

Professionalization Group Requirements — Students Are Required to Take the Following

Professionalization Group Requirements — 0 Credit Hours

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

Practicum and Practicum Seminar Requirements — 6 Credit Hours

Portfolio Requirements–Students Are Required to Take the Following

PP7499 - Portfolio Development (1)

Portfolio Requirements–1 Credit Hour

Professionalization Group Requirements

During the first year in the MA in Clinical Psychology degree program, students participate in weekly Professionalization Groups that focus on topics related to professional psychology. Through readings and discussions led by faculty members, students begin to develop professional identities and become familiar with current issues in clinical psychology. Professionalization Groups provide an environment where students can freely exchange concerns, questions, and issues relevant to their studies and future careers.

Practicum and Practicum Seminar Requirements

Students in the MA in Clinical Psychology degree program are required to complete 6 credit hours (one academic year) of practicum and practicum seminar (PP6201 and PP6202 ). All students who enter the practicum application process must be in good academic standing, have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 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. The Illinois School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Chicago faculty review all practicum applicants to determine their academic and clinical suitability. Student readiness is determined by the director of Clinical Training in consultation with the Illinois School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Chicago faculty. No student may begin a practicum without having attended the Illinois School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Chicago for a minimum of two semesters.

Practicum Prerequisites

The Clinical Training Department and the campus dean or program dean of the MA in Clinical Psychology degree program have the discretion to make decisions on whether a student would be allowed to seek a practicum or attend a practicum if these requirements have not been met successfully.

Please refer to the Illinois School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Chicago Clinical Training Manual for a more detailed description of practicum and practicum seminar requirements and guidelines. All students are responsible for being familiar with the information contained in the clinical training manual.

The following courses are practicum prerequisite courses and must be completed and/or transferred prior to beginning the practicum:

Portfolio Requirements

The Portfolio is intended to help students synthesize their performance and experiences within the master’s degree program. It includes both scholarly and personal reflection components that illustrate personal and professional growth and development within the program. The portfolio evaluates the student’s competency levels as they related to personal development, theoretical knowledge, clinical conceptualization ability,and scientific understanding as it relates to clinical work.

Course/Credit Transfer

Transfer of Courses/Credit to the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology degree program from the MA in Clinical Psychology Degree Program

43 of the 50 semester credit hours required in the MA in Clinical Psychology degree program transfer to the PsyD in Clinical Psychology degree program.

The following courses do not count as transfer credit into the doctoral degree program:

Students who wish to transfer to the PsyD in Clinical Psychology degree program from the MA in Clinical Psychology degree program must apply for admission to the PsyD in Clinical Psychology degree program. Students who are admitted to the PsyD in Clinical Psychology degree program must complete all MA in Clinical Psychology degree program requirements before beginning the doctoral degree program.