Psychology, MA

Clinical Psychology Specialization

Introduction

The Clinical specialization at Cleveland State is a terminal master’s degree program because the department does not currently offer a doctoral degree program in Clinical Psychology. Upon receipt of the Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, graduates often apply to doctoral programs at other institutions. Graduates may also elect to work as a psychology assistant under the supervision of a doctoral-level, licensed psychologist. Psychology assistants work in hospital, forensic, or clinical settings and engage in assessment, treatment and research activities.

The Clinical specialization offers two tracks of study to accommodate the interests of students:

1. Doctoral preparation track, which requires the completion of a research (typically, data based) thesis; and
2. Practitioner track, which allows students more flexibility in elective coursework.

Each track requires the student to complete a 50 credit hour program of coursework and clinical field experiences. The program requires full-time study for two academic years. No courses are offered during the summer, though students in the doctoral preparation track frequently work on their theses during the summer between the first and second years of the program.

Both tracks emphasize core content and basic skills in the first year, and practical experience and professional skills in the second year. The curriculum emphasizes human development and its deviations, as well as the methods and techniques of assessing and influencing this development in clinical contexts.

Faculty Research and Publications

The faculty members of the Clinical Psychology specialization have diverse interests, which are reflected in the course content of the classes they teach and in articles written for national and international publications. These interests include child, adolescent and adult psychopathology; legal and ethical issues in psychology; multicultural issues; cognitive behavior therapy; abnormal psychology; gerontology (normal and pathological aging, health psychology); personality tests and assessment; and neuropsychological assessment.

Current faculty information can be located on the Cleveland State University Faculty Profile page.

Career Information

Graduates of the Clinical Psychology specialization typically are employed as psychology assistants in such work settings as hospitals, mental health centers or clinics, private practice, human service agencies, industrial settings, and geriatric facilities. Primary functions include assessment, consultation, and administration. Approximately half of the graduates of this specialization continue on to pursue doctoral degrees in clinical psychology (Ph.D. or Psy.D.), counseling psychology, or related fields.

Admission Information

The Clinical specialization requires of all applicants:

1. Satisfactory Verbal and Quantitative scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General Test (preference given to scores at the 50th percentile or better);
2. A strong undergraduate record (minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA) with a firm foundation in the basic principles of psychology (those without a major in psychology must provide evidence of successful completion of the following coursework: Introductory Psychology, Personality or Theories of Personality, Abnormal Psychology, Memory and Cognition, Basic Statistics, and Psychology Laboratory and/or Research Design);
3. A personal statement that describes the applicant’s reasons for pursuing a graduate degree in clinical psychology and this program in particular;
4. Official transcripts for all colleges and universities attended;
5. Two letters of recommendation;
6. A curiculum vitae (CV) and;
7. An interview, by invitation, with faculty members of the Clinical Psychology specialization committee.

Preparation beyond the minimum suggested above (including research and clinically-relevant experience) will likely strengthen applications.  The application deadline is February 1st of each year.

Apply Now: http://www.csuohio.edu/gradcollege/admissions/apply.html

The Consumer-Industrial Research Program

Introduction

The Consumer-Industrial Research specialization prepares students to conduct applied research in business and organizational settings. Students acquire conceptual tools, knowledge of research methods, and skill in data analysis to understand recruiting, person-job fit, employee selection, job analysis, performance management and related processes.

A second emphasis of the Consumer-Industrial Research specialization is the application of research methods and data analysis skills within an organization. Students are trained to design, administer, and interpret job satisfaction surveys, organizational climate surveys, and other important measures. Students are also taught how to conduct program evaluations and complete job analysis projects.

Competence in applied research is based on the ability to design applied research, gather and analyze data, and determine the meaning and significance of results.  Therefore,coursework emphasizes statistical analysis techniques and research methods.  Content courses in consumer and industrial-organizational psychology build on these courses in terms of specific applications of research methods and statistical analysis.  Electives may be used to augment both research skills and content areas.

This specialization is designed to be completed in one and one-half to two yeas and culminates with a thesis or research project.  While it is expected that all students will have the opportunity to participate in the solution of actual problems under the guidance of faculty, selected students also have the opportunity for field placements in business settings.

The first year of the Consumer-Industrial Research specialization typically consists of the program core, quantitative methods, research design, field research methods, and substantive courses in industrial-organizational psychology and consumer behavior. During the second year, the student typically enrolls in elective courses while working on the thesis or research project.

Faculty Research and Publications

Faculty members have published books, book chapters, journal articles, technical reports, and convention papers.  Faculty also serve as reviewers for over a dozen professional journals. Illustrative studies focus on occupational stress, personality aspects of occupational choices, development of performance appraisal systems, job applicant attitudes and behavior, team training, team coordination, work motivation, workforce diversity and cross-cultural issues in the workplace.

Current faculty information can be located on the Cleveland State University Faculty Profile page.

Career Information

The program prepares students to work in organizations that need “people” information, whether it concerns consumers or organizational members. Students completing this program are capable of designing and executing research to answer questions in a manner that will contribute to the functioning of the organization. They are prepared for employee surveys, training-effectiveness evaluation, job analysis, developing selection systems, and related research.

Admission Information

Applicants for admission to the Consumer/Industrial Research specialization must submit the following by February 15th of each year:

1. An application for graduate admission;
2. Scores on the General Aptitude test of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE);
3. A personal statement;
4. Official transcripts for all colleges and universities attended; and
5. Two letters of recommendation.

Applications are reviewed as they are submitted, until the cohort is filled. Among the criteria used by the committee for selection are the standard indicators of academic promise–prior grades, test scores, and letters of recommendation– plus indications of particular promise based on skills, personal characteristics, and experiences relevant to work in the Consumer/Industrial Research specialization. Additionally, the committee expects candidates to have completed at least six credit hours of coursework in psychology and to have a command of basic statistical analysis. Preferred candidates will have a strong statistical background, prior experience, and a record of high achievement.

Apply Now: http://www.csuohio.edu/gradcollege/admissions/apply.html

Diversity Management Specialization

The Diversity Management specialization provides mid-career adults the opportunity to develop the change leadership skills and cultural competence necessary to work effectively in today’s organizations. Graduates of this distinctive Master’s in Psychology increase their ability to foster organizational excellence by learning how to lead diverse people in a complex global environment.

Program Description:

The Diversity Management specialization is a uniquely designed executive MBA-style format. Classes meet for three intensive days a month for 21 months, allowing for the more effective accommodation of work schedules. Program fee includes books, materials and meals while on-site. Class cohorts begin their studies annually in August.

Especially geared to the needs of mid-career adult learners, this program includes both classroom instruction and practical application. Using a systems approach, participants will:

• learn how organizations function,
• learn how to accomplish planned change,
• develop critical cultural competence skills,
• learn how to be effective leaders of organizational change,
• learn how to manage a diverse workforce.

Graduates will be able to leverage their skills to influence people and achieve organizational goals. Both line managers and people in staff functions as diverse as purchasing and human resources will benefit from the skills they develop in this program.

Admission Information

This program is geared to mid-career adults interested in enhancing their leadership skills. In addition to all materials required for an application to the College of Graduate Studies (i.e., application form, transcripts from all institutions attended), an application to the Diversity Management Program in Psychology must include:

1. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for the General Aptitude Test
2. A personal statement (see department/specialization website for full instructions);
3. Two letters of recommendation, preferably from individuals familiar with the applicant’s professional abilities
4. A professional resume
5. A one-page professional biography which includes the applicant’s goals for the program.

See the website below for complete instructions, program schedule and a link to the Admissions Office. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis for admission into each August (Fall) cohort.

Apply Now: http://www.csuohio.edu/sciences/dept/psychology/graduate/diversity/introduction.html

Experimental Research Program

Introduction

The goal of the Experimental Research specialization in Psychology is for students to develop skills in research design and analysis, broad knowledge of substantive areas of psychological research, and expertise in one research area. The program consists of both required and elective courses and an individual research experience that culminates in completing a master’s thesis.

Every student is expected to become involved in research when he or she begins the program and to continue this involvement during his or her course of study. Ideally, each student participates in a faculty member’s research program; after developing appropriate knowledge and skills about this domain, the student demonstrates expertise by completing a thesis (with the advice and supervision of that faculty member).

Faculty Research and Publications

Areas of faculty expertise include memory processes, decision-making, perception (including speech, vision, and haptic perception),language processes, human performances, motor control, and research methodology. 

Current faculty information can be located on the Cleveland State University Faculty Profile page.

Research Facilities

Research facilities include testing rooms equipped with microcomputers and software for experimental data collection. The University holds licenses for major statistical software packages; these are available in University computer laboratories, as well as in the Psychology Department’s computer laboratory. Most scholarly materials, if not available in the University Library, are readily accessible through Ohio Link, a statewide consortium of libraries that subscribes electronically to many journals, or through inter-library loan.

Career Information

Graduates of the Experimental Research program often pursue further graduate work in psychology or seek employment in research-related occupations. The skills and knowledge acquired in the Experimental Research specialization may provide a beneficial foundation for further graduate study in other professional fields (e.g., clinical psychology, law, business).

Admission Information

In addition to all materials required for an application to the Graduate College (i.e., application form, transcripts), an application to the Experimental Research specialization in Psychology must include:

1. Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for the General Aptitude Test.
2. A personal statement; and
3. Two letters of recommendation, preferably from individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic abilities.

An applicant should have some academic preparation in psychology. A prospective applicant without such preparation is encouraged to consult with the program director about his or her preparation for the program.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, but the deadline for consideration of admission for the Fall semester is February 15.

Apply Now: http://www.csuohio.edu/gradcollege/admissions/apply.html

School Psychology Program

The School Psychology Program consists of two degree phases: the Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology (School Psychology specialization), followed by the Psychology Specialist (PsyS). Program features and admission requirements for both phases are described in this catalog under the heading, Psychology Specialist  , School Psychology Program