Final Projects
Department of Psychology

The last requirement for graduation in both clinical M.A. programs is the completion of a final project.  Students in the Clinical Psychology M.A. program must choose either a thesis or practicum as the final project.  In Spring 2008, a two course concentration sequence becomes a third option.  This choice should be informed by the student’s plans for their professional future.  Students in the Clinical Professional Psychology M.A. program must complete a practicum as the final project.

Thesis

The research thesis involves the design, execution, and analysis of an empirical study. A student may begin formal thesis work after meeting the competency requirement and successfully completing PSYC 407 (Intermediate Statistics), PSYC 501 (Professional Writing for Psychologists), and PSYC 530 (Advanced Research Methods). Initially, a student develops a written research proposal in consultation with his/her committee. When completed, the proposal is defended orally before the thesis committee. If the proposal is approved, the thesis research may begin. When the study is completed, the thesis is defended at a final oral examination before the entire committee. For more specific information, students should obtain the booklet describing thesis requirements. This booklet is located outside of the Administrative Office of the Department of Psychology, room l856-Tower, at the Chicago campus and at the office of the College of Arts and Sciences, room 600, at the Schaumburg campus. This booklet is also available online under Documents, Manuals, and Forms in the Clinical MA Programs webpages.

Practicum

The practicum consists of not less than 750 hours of professionally supervised training and service in clinical or counseling psychology in an approved agency or institution over a period of not less than 36 weeks.  In the Clinical Psychology M.A. program, students may begin a practicum after they have completed all required courses.  Students in the Clinical Professional Psychology program must have completed at least 13 of their required courses.  These 13 courses must include all those that are relevant to the type of practicum the student plans to do.  For example, a student who intends to do a practicum in the field of substance abuse must have completed PSYC 515 (Chemical Dependence), first.

Students planning to complete a practicum should consult the booklet “The M.A. Practicum in Clinical Psychology and Clinical Professional Psychology” for more specific information.  This booklet is available outside the Department’s Administrative Office in Room 1856 in the tower of the Auditorium Building, at the office of the College of Arts and Sciences, Room 600 at the Robin Campus, or under Documents and Forms in the Clinical MA Programs webpages.

Students will work with the Department’s Director of Training to identify appropriate practicum sites, plan applications, and arrange for participation in required supervisory seminars.  Absolutely no practicum credit will be given for clinical work completed outside the Department’s structure for practicum training.

 

Concentration Sequence

Students who choose this option will be required to choose a concentration theme and complete two courses from that concentration's list.  A course already completed as a therapy choice or as elective credit will not count both as a therapy/elective choice and a concentration sequence choice.

Child Clinical Psychology

              Psyc 488 Child Social Skills Training

              Psyc 636 Human Development

              Psyc 654 Child and Adolescent Therapy

              Psyc 655 Couples and Family Therapy

             

Adult Clinical Psychology

              Psyc 439 Adult Development

              Psyc 441 Psychology of Aging

              Psyc 445 Psychology of Women

              Psyc 652 Psychotherapy of Women

Group-Based Clinical Psychology

              Psyc 633 Advanced Topics in Social Psychology

              Psyc 634 Community Psychology

              Psyc 650 Group Psychotherapy

              Psyc 651 Experiential Cognitive Group Therapy

Biological Psychology

              Psyc 410 Biological Psychology I

              Psyc 436 Biological Psychology II

              Psyc 447 Health Psychology

              Psyc 514 Clinical Health Psychology

 Stress Management

            Psyc 473  ABC Relaxation Training

            Psyc 447  Health Psychology             

            Psyc 511  Basic Relaxation Skills

College of Arts and Sciences