PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY PLANS

The graduate programs in professional psychology provide a breadth of background in psychology as an academic discipline along with specific course work and specialized training in one of three areas:  (1) Clinical Psychology, (2) Family Therapy, and (3) School Psychology. The three areas and the specific requirements of each are described in detail in the pages that follow. The graduate programs in professional psychology lead to the Master of Arts degree. While completing a degree program does not automatically qualify the graduate for any specific license or clinical credential, many of our graduates meet the requirements for licensure in Texas as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC); a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT); a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP); a Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA); or for a number of other professional credentials. For further information about credentialing, contact the Coordinator of Graduate Programs in Professional Psychology or the Advising office, School of Human Sciences and Humanities.

Because enrollment is limited, admission is offered only to the most qualified applicants. The ordinary minimum standard for admission is at least a 3.2 grade point average, the prerequisite undergraduate psychology preparation for each program as listed in the program descriptions on the following pages and evidence of clinical aptitude. Application to all three programs also requires the general test of the Graduate Record Exam (current within the past five years). We prefer that applicants have all prerequisite courses completed at the time of application. Any applicant admitted who has not completed all prerequisites must do so within the first two semesters following admission to remain in good standing. The percentage of applicants accepted into the professional psychology programs generally ranges between 35% and 60% depending on the program.

APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Applicants may apply to only ONE professional psychology program during any admissions period. There is an application fee for the program application as described below. The program application fee is in addition to the fee for university admission.

A.            Application for admission to a Professional Psychology Program

The Professional Psychology Programs application process requires submitting the application documents described below. The current program application fee is $35, payable to the “University of Houston-Clear Lake.” All applications materials must be submitted in a single envelope, including recommendations and transcripts, which the applicant submits as described below. Applicants submit GRE scores to the university following the standard reporting procedure as well as entering them onto the program application form.

There are seven components to the professional psychology application:

1.  An application form (at the end of this brochure or available on the university website).

2. A Curriculum Vitae (an expanded resume describing previous education, all work experience, relevant course work,
any relevant volunteer activities, and honors, presentations, papers, avocations or other relevant life experiences).

3.  A brief, 1000-word essay stating your reasons for wanting this training and how it fits into your career goals.

4. Three (3) Recommendations for Applicant Admission. The form can be found at the end of this brochure or on the university website. Instructions to the applicant and to the recommender are printed on the form. THE APPLICANT SHOULD COLLECT ALL RECOMMENDATIONS AND RETURN THEM IN THE APPLICATIONS ENVELOPE ALONG WITH OTHER APPLICATION DOCUMENTS. We prefer that the recommender place the form in a sealed envelope, sign his/her name across the envelope flap and onto the body of the envelope before returning the envelope to the applicant. Recommendations from academic faculty, mental health professionals, and/or work supervisors who know the applicant well are especially solicited.

5. Transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended (except University of Houston-Clear Lake transcripts which will be generated internally). These transcripts are in addition to the transcripts sent directly to the university Admissions office. The applicant should collect all transcripts and include them in the applications envelope;

6.  Scores on general test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) which must be current within the past five years. Official scores are reported to the university through the standard GRE process. The applicant also enters GRE scores onto the program application form as indicated.

7. A $35.00 check or money order made payable to: University of Houston-Clear Lake.

ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE SENT IN A SINGLE ENVELOPE TO:

Professional Psychology Admissions

University of Houston-Clear Lake

2700 Bay Area Blvd., MC 83

Houston, Texas 77058-1098

B.            Application for admission to the University

Applicants are advised that they must complete a university Application for Admission and submit it and all required fees and documents to the university Admissions Office before beginning the program. There is an application fee for university admissions, which is in addition to the program application fee. Forms and instructions may be found on the university’s web site listed below following the Students tab and Future Students link, or they may be requested directly from the UHCL Admissions office. International students are advised to consult the relevant web pages and/or contact International Admissions in the Admissions Office as early as possible for information specific to international applicants.

For further information regarding university admission and to request the necessary forms contact:

Admissions Office

University of Houston-Clear Lake

Houston, Texas 77058-1098

(281) 283-2500

C.            Timeframe for Program Application and the Admissions Process.

Program applications are accepted once each academic year between December 10th and January 25th. Applications received before December 10^th or after January 25^th will not be accepted. It is the applicant's responsibility to insure that his/her application envelope containing all required documents is received within the dates above.

After initial review of the application materials, the three admissions committees invite applicants under active consideration to campus for an interview usually during the month of March.

The admissions committees notify applicants of admissions decisions usually no later than April 1st.

D.            Additional Information regarding Applications.

Any evidence of tampering with recommendations or transcripts could result in disqualifying the applicant from admission.

Applicants should note that admission to graduate status at the university is not equivalent to admission to one of the professional psychology programs. In some cases, applicants may be notified of university admissions by the Advising office, School of Human Sciences and Humanities; any such communication refers only to acceptance into graduate status at the university based on the application for university admission described above in section B. This should not be confused with acceptance into one of the professional psychology programs. Applicants are not admitted into a professional psychology program until they receive formal notice from the program director that they have been accepted into the program. Applicants should direct any questions regarding the status of their application to the Coordinator, Graduate Programs in Professional Psychology.

If a student is not accepted into a professional psychology program, he or she may apply for admission to another master’s program. Information regarding other programs is available in the Advising office, School of Human Sciences and Humanities. However, students pursuing other master’s degrees should be aware of the information in the "Restricted Courses" section below.

E.            Scholarships.

Limited scholarships for tuition and fees for professional psychology students are available on a competitive basis. Scholarships sometimes carry a waiver of out-of-state tuition for qualified recipients. For information on scholarships, applicants should contact the Advising Office, School of Human Sciences and Humanities, 281-283-3333, mailto:HSHAdvising@uhcl.edu.  

RESTRICTED COURSES

It is the policy of the professional psychology faculty that only students formally accepted into one of the professional psychology programs will be allowed to register for certain theory and practice courses in professional psychology which are required for mental health credentialing.  Applicants should note the following courses that are restricted to professional psychology students. Graduate students in other psychology degree programs or transitional students not yet admitted into a professional psychology program may not take restricted courses.

PSYC 5236 Family Assessment

PSYC 5239 Group Psychotherapy

PSYC 5734 Professional Practice, Law and Ethics

PSYC 5731 Basic Psychotherapy Skills

PSYC 5737 Family Therapy Professional Ethics

PSYC 5738 Family Therapy Practicum

PSYC 5832 Clinical Hypnosis

PSYC 6032 Intellectual Assessment

PSYC 6033 Personality Assessment

PSYC 6038 Clinical Practicum

PSYC 6039 School Psychology Practicum

PSYC 6121 Ethics and Law in School Psychology

PSYC 6132 Seminar in Professional School Psychology

PSYC 6133 Personality Assessment of the Child

PSYC 6136 Marital and Family Interaction

PSYC 6137 Family Research

PSYC 6139 Intervention I: Academic and Cognitive Skills

PSYC 6230 Intervention II: Social and Behavioral Skills

PSYC 6231 Intervention III: Affective and Adaptive Skills

PSYC 6233 Advanced Family Therapy

PSYC 6234 Systems and Symptoms

PSYC 6235 Behavioral/Cognitive Therapies

PSYC 6236 Child and Adolescent Family Therapy

PSYC 6332 Intervention IV: Program Design

PSYC 6534 Couple and Sex Therapy

PSYC 6611 Seminar in Family Therapy

PSYC 6636/6666 Clinical Internship

REVIEW OF PROGRESS

Students are evaluated annually for academic progress and appropriate professional behavior and development.  An unsatisfactory evaluation may lead to probation or, in extreme cases, termination from the program. The Policies and Procedures (or Handbook) for each program contain further information regarding these matters and may be obtained from the program director for each program.