Doctor of Psychology
Dana Paliliunas, Program Director
Hill Hall, Room 318; Phone 417-836-6349
PaulDeal@MissouriState.edu
Program description
The Doctor of Psychology degree (PsyD) is designed to train and develop clinical psychologists
to meet the immense mental health challenges that our communities experience today
and will continue to face, in the future. The core coursework consists of 118 credit
hours that include coursework, practicums, professional seminars, and the completion
of a dissertation and internship. Coursework is completed in four years and the dissertation
and internship are completed in the final year. A unique feature of this program is
that in addition to the core 118 hours, students will also complete a 12-hour specialization
in one of three areas: Diversity and Activism, Integrated Health, or Behavior Analysis
(meeting the coursework requirements to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst).
Each of these specializations are designed to meet the needs of communities served
by clinical psychologists and represent the scope and depth needed to become a competent
and effective scientist practitioner.
Admission requirements
- A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university, including:
- A cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale in undergraduate and graduate work
- Major in psychology or submission of the GRE Psychology Advanced Subject Test scores
- Submission of GRE Scores including Quantitative, Verbal, and Critical Thinking and
Writing
- A personal statement outlining career goals and preparation for advanced doctoral
work in psychology.
- A diversity statement addressing the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion
in clinical psychology.
- At least 3 letters of recommendation, including at least 2 from college-level teachers
who are well acquainted with the student's academic achievements.
- A formal interview for selected applicants.
Degree requirements - 130 hours total
The Doctor of Psychology program includes a core curriculum of 118 credit hours with
an additional 12 credit hours in one of three specialization areas (total of 130 credit
hours). The program includes the required coursework, a comprehensive examination,
practicum and internship experiences, and a doctoral dissertation.
Core curriculum - 118 hours
CORE AREA: Theoretical and Scientific Foundations - 21 hours
Course Code |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
PSY 614 |
Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis |
3 hrs |
PSY 703 |
Human Growth and Development |
3 hrs |
PSY 780 |
Social Psychology |
3 hrs |
PSY 800 |
History & Systems: Orientation to Clinical Psychology |
3 hrs |
PSY 801 |
Philosophy and Contextual Behavioral Science |
3 hrs |
PSY 905 |
Biological Basis of Behavior |
3 hrs |
PSY 906 |
Advanced Cognitive and Affective Psychology |
3 hrs |
CORE AREA: Research Methods for the Scientist-Practitioner - 6 hours
Course Code |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
PSY 745 |
Statistics and Research Design |
3 hrs |
PSY 752 |
Research Methods |
3 hrs |
CORE AREA: Evaluation of Clinical Research and Practice - 6 hours
Course Code |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
PSY 747 |
Single Case Research Design in Applied Behavior Analysis |
3 hrs |
PSY 913 |
Program Evaluation and Qualitatiave Analysis |
3 hrs |
CORE AREA: Classification and Assessment - 18 hours
Course Code |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
PSY 720 |
Individual Intelligence Testing |
3 hrs |
PSY 740 |
Psychological Assessment |
3 hrs |
PSY 757 |
Observational Methods and Functional Assessment |
3 hrs |
PSY 766 |
Psychopathology |
3 hrs |
PSY 823 |
Psychopathology II |
3 hrs |
PSY 824 |
Psycholgocial Assessment II |
3 hrs |
CORE AREA: Individual and Cultural Diversity - 9 hours
Course Code |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
PSY 830 |
Diversity and Inclusion in Psychology |
3 hrs |
PSY 831 |
Identity Development |
3 hrs |
PSY 932 |
Culturally Competent Therapy |
3 hrs |
CORE AREA: Professional Values and Communication - 14 hours
Course Code |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
PSY 760 |
Clinical Communication Skills |
3 hrs |
PSY 761 |
Ethics and Professional Issues |
3 hrs |
PSY 941 |
Supervision,, Consultation, and Professional Practice |
3 hrs |
PSY 942 |
Professional Seminar in Clinical Psychology |
5 hrs |
CORE AREA: Effective Intervention - 12 hours
Course Code |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
PSY 850 |
Empirically Supported Treatments I |
3 hrs |
PSY 851 |
Empirically Supported Treatments II |
3 hrs |
PSY 952 |
Couples and Family Therapy |
3 hrs |
PSY 953 |
Advanced Clinical Case Conceptualization |
3 hrs |
CORE AREA: Clinical and Research Experience - 32 hours
Course Code |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
PSY 890 |
Practicum in Clinical Psychology |
14 hrs |
PSY 990 |
Internship in Clinical Psychology |
9 hrs |
PSY 999 |
Dissertation in Clinical Psychology |
9 hrs |
Specialization Area Electives - 12 hrs
SPECIALIZATION AREA: Behavior Analsysis - 12 hours
Course Code |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
PSY 767 |
Behavior Disorders of Childhood |
3 hrs |
PSY 770 |
Behavioral Systems Analysis |
3 hrs |
PSY 777 |
Conceptual Foundations in Behavioral Analysis |
3 hrs |
PSY 962 |
Behavioral Theories of Language and Congition |
3 hrs |
SPECIALIZATION AREA: Diveristy and Activism - 12 hours
Course Code |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
PSY 970 |
Healing Historical Oppression: Context, Identity and Intersectionality |
3 hrs |
PSY 971 |
Mental Health Disparities: Eliminating Barriers to Treatment |
3 hrs |
PSY 972 |
Governance, Law & Policy: Advocacy and Activism in Clinical Psychology |
3 hrs |
PSY 973 |
Multicultural Foundations in Practice: Assessment, Treatment and Consultation |
3 hrs |
SPECIALIZATION AREA: Integrated Healthcare - 12 hours
Course Code |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
PSY 971 |
Mental Health Disparities: Eliminating Barriers to Treatment |
3 hrs |
PSY 980 |
Clinical Health Psychology |
3 hrs |
PSY 981 |
Integrated Healthcare: Advanced Topics |
3 hrs |
PSY 983 |
Consultation and Collaboration in Healthcare |
3 hrs |
Transfer Credits: Students may receive transfer credit for graduate courses taken at a regionally
accredited institution; the Doctor of Psychology program will evaluate transfer graduate
credits on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the university Graduate Transfer Credit policy.