Description
The Department of Psychology at the University of Central Florida offers master’s degrees in Clinical Psychology and Industrial and Organizational Psychology, as well as a doctoral degree in Psychology with tracks in Applied Experimental and Human Factors Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Industrial and Organizational Psychology.
Degrees OfferedMaster of Arts in Clinical Psychology Master of Science in Clinical Psychology Master of Science in Clinical Psychology Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology- Applied Experimental and Human Factors Psychology Track
- Clinical Psychology Track
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology Track
Admission
For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions and Registration section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. Please be sure to submit all requested material by the established deadline(s).
Admission Requirements for Applied Experimental and Human Factors Psychology
In addition to the general admission requirements, applicants to this program must provide:
- Resume and written statement outlining the student’s academic and professional goals
- Three letters of reference, with at least two furnished by college or university professors who are acquainted with the applicant
- Completed transcripts showing a baccalaureate degree (and master’s degree, if conferred) and grades for all undergraduate and graduate work. Degree(s) should be in psychology or an allied area, and applicant must show evidence of successful completion of undergraduate courses in statistics and in the general area of experimental psychology.
- Official scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), which must have been taken within the last five years
- For applicants from countries where English is not the official language, or for an applicant whose bachelor’s degree is not from an accredited U.S. institution, an official score of at least 220 (computer-based test; or equivalent score on the paper-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required.
Applicants are expected to have a minimum cumulative GRE score of about 1100 on the combined verbal-quantitative sections and an undergraduate GPA of about 3.20 in the last two years of study. However, the final admission criteria will normally be more stringent because of the competitiveness of the application process.
In addition, students will not normally be admitted to the program without having completed a minimum amount of basic preparation in content related to experimental psychology. This preparation will be judged on an individual basis but would typically consist of at least 18 semester hours including the following:
- Courses in research methods, computer applications, and statistical methods.
- General experimental psychology courses, e.g., learning, physiological, perception, human learning, cognition, motivation, and measurement.
Applicants will be evaluated for program prerequisites and advised of any need for additional preparation. Previous graduate work will be evaluated for credit on a case-by-case basis.
Admission Requirements for Clinical Psychology
In addition to the general admission requirements, applicants must provide:
- Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores from test taken within the last five years; competitive applicants will score a minimum of 500 on the verbal and 500 on the quantitative sections of the GRE
- GPA of 3.0 or higher in last 60 semester hours of undergraduate study
- Completed transcripts showing a bachelor’s degree (and master’s degree, if conferred) and grades for all undergraduate and graduate work
- Evidence of successful completion of undergraduate course work in statistics and general areas of psychology noted below
- Resume
- Written statement outlining the student’s academic and professional background and goals
- Three letters of reference, with at least two furnished by college or university professors who are acquainted with the applicant.
- Ph.D. program only: Clear statement concerning the type of research you wish to pursue as a graduate student and the clinical faculty member you believe would be best suited to serve as your major professor and mentor.
- For applicants from countries where English is not the official language, or for an applicant whose bachelor’s degree is not from an accredited U.S. institution, an official score of at least 220 (computer-based test; or equivalent score on the paper-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required.
M.A. Program Additional Notes on Admissions
Admission into the clinical master’s program is competitive, with all information that might be available to the committee (e.g., GRE scores, GPA, letters of reference, personal statement, clinical experience, research experience, interview performance [if held]) considered in admissions decisions. Many applicants who meet minimum university requirements may not be admitted to the program. A department admissions committee reviews each student’s credentials and may invite candidates for an interview. Final selection is based on both submitted credentials and the interview, if held.
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with either a major in psychology or in another content area and completion of a minimum 15 semester hours of undergraduate psychology courses prior to matriculation. Competitive students will have completed courses in the following areas: abnormal psychology, developmental (lifespan preferred) or child psychology, personality theories, learning, physiological psychology, and courses in research methods and statistics.
A clinical psychology doctoral track is offered to those with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in psychology or an allied area. Admission to the Ph.D. program is based on an overall assessment of an applicant’s potential for successfully completing the program and making a contribution to the discipline of clinical psychology.
Ph.D. Program Additional Notes on Admissions
Due to the competitive nature of the application process (we receive many applications but can only accept a small number of students each year), strong candidates are likely to meet criteria that are more stringent than those listed here. Strong candidates are also likely to have both research and fieldwork experience. A department admissions committee reviews the applicants’ credentials and may invite a group of candidates for an interview. Final selection is based on both submitted credentials and the interview, if held.
During the past two years (2002, 2003), for example, the Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology received 82 and 66 applications for admission, and a total of 5 (2002) and 5 (2003) students entered the Ph.D. program. The mean GRE verbal (600, 590) and quantitative (678, 630) scores for students accepted for graduate study in 2002 and 2003 respectively, were complemented by a cumulative grade point average of 3.6 and 3.7. Accepted students had, on average, between 1.5 and 2 years prior research experience, and were well matched with the faculty's research and training interests.
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with either a major in psychology or in another content area and completion of a minimum 15 semester hours of undergraduate psychology courses prior to matriculation. Competitive students will have completed courses in the following areas: abnormal psychology, developmental (lifespan preferred) or child psychology, personality theories, learning, physiological psychology, and courses in research methods and statistics.
Previous graduate work will be considered on a case-by-case basis (including acceptance of a previously completed master’s thesis). Up to 30 semester hours may be transferred for credit from a master's degree. Applicants must have at least a bachelor’s degree with a major in psychology or a bachelor’s degree and completion of undergraduate or graduate courses in statistics/research methods, and six additional upper division courses in core content areas of psychology (i.e., personality theories, abnormal psychology, learning, physiological psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology).
Admission Requirements for Industrial and Organizational Psychology
In addition to the general graduate admission requirements, applicants must provide:
- Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score report (required of all applicants), taken within the last five years, showing a minimum quantitative-verbal score of 1000 or
- GPA of 3.0 for the last 60 semester hours of attempted work for the bachelor’s degree
- Evidence of successful completion of undergraduate courses in statistics and in the general area of experimental psychology
- Completed transcripts showing a bachelor’s degree (and master’s degree, if conferred) and grades for all undergraduate and graduate work
- Resume
- Written statement outlining the student’s academic and professional goals
- Three letters of reference, with at least two furnished by college or university professors who are acquainted with the applicant.
- For applicants from countries where English is not the official language, or for an applicant whose bachelor’s degree is not from an accredited U.S. institution, an official score of at least 220 (computer-based test; or equivalent score on the paper-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required.
Acceptance decisions are made only in the spring semester for admission in the fall of each year.
Applicants must have either a bachelor’s degree with a major in psychology or a baccalaureate degree and completion of undergraduate psychology courses in statistics and research methods, and four additional upper division courses (12 credit hours) in the core content areas of psychology, for a minimum of 18 upper division hours in psychology.
Notes for Applicants to the Doctoral Program
The industrial and organizational (I&O) doctoral program is restricted to individuals who have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in psychology or in a closely related field. Applicants must have taken a set of undergraduate or graduate-level courses in psychology that are sufficiently broad to prepare them for doctoral-level study in I&O psychology. The set must include courses in research methods and statistics.
In the written statement, Ph.D. program applicants should describe their reasons for pursuing a Ph.D. degree in I&O psychology, their career aspirations and how doctoral training will contribute to their career-related goals and aspirations, and their reasons for wanting to pursue doctoral studies at the University of Central Florida.
Applicants should note that admission to the Ph.D. program is competitive, and successful applicants are expected to have an outstanding academic record. Admission to the program is based upon an overall assessment of the applicant’s potential for completing it and for making significant contributions to the science and/or practice of I&O psychology. Admissions decisions are generally made by the second week in March and applicants are notified of their status shortly thereafter. Note that admission to the program is restricted to the fall semester of each academic year.
Application Due Dates
All students applying for fellowships or assistantships must apply by the Fall Priority deadline date.
U.S. Applicants
| Program(s) |
Fall Priority |
Fall |
Spring |
Summer |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology |
|
|
|
|
| |
Applied Experimental and Human Factors Psychology Track |
Feb 1 |
Feb 1 |
|
|
| |
Clinical Psychology Track |
Jan 1 |
Jan 1 |
|
|
| |
Industrial and Organizational Psychology Track |
Dec 15 |
Dec 15 |
|
|
| Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology |
Feb 1 |
Feb 1 |
|
|
| Master of Science in Clinical Psychology |
|
|
|
|
| Master of Science in Clinical Psychology |
|
|
|
|
| Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology |
Feb 1 |
Feb 1 |
|
|
International Applicants
| Program(s) |
Fall Priority |
Fall |
Spring |
Summer |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology |
|
|
|
|
| |
Applied Experimental and Human Factors Psychology Track |
Jan 15 |
Jan 15 |
|
|
| |
Clinical Psychology Track |
Jan 1 |
Jan 1 |
|
|
| |
Industrial and Organizational Psychology Track |
Dec 15 |
Dec 15 |
|
|
| Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology |
Jan 15 |
Jan 15 |
|
|
| Master of Science in Clinical Psychology |
|
|
|
|
| Master of Science in Clinical Psychology |
|
|
|
|
| Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology |
Jan 15 |
Jan 15 |
|
|
International Transfer Applicants
| Program(s) |
Fall Priority |
Fall |
Spring |
Summer |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology |
|
|
|
|
| |
Applied Experimental and Human Factors Psychology Track |
Feb 1 |
Feb 1 |
|
|
| |
Clinical Psychology Track |
Jan 1 |
Jan 1 |
|
|
| |
Industrial and Organizational Psychology Track |
Dec 15 |
Dec 15 |
|
|
| Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology |
Feb 1 |
Feb 1 |
|
|
| Master of Science in Clinical Psychology |
|
|
|
|
| Master of Science in Clinical Psychology |
|
|
|
|
| Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology |
Feb 1 |
Feb 1 |
|
|
Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology
The M.A. program was initiated for the purpose of providing training and preparation at the master’s level for students desiring to deliver clinical services through community agencies. After completing the program and a two-year postgraduate internship, graduates are eligible to become Licensed Mental Health Counselors and practice independently.
The M.A. degree program is offered at the Daytona Beach area campus and is concerned with the application of psychological principles to individuals. The two primary areas of emphasis include assessment or evaluation skills and intervention or psychotherapy skills. Master’s program graduates have been involved in mental health service delivery through individual, marital, family, and group psychotherapy, as well as crisis intervention and other specialized therapeutic procedures. The program curriculum is consistent with the educational criteria for licensure as a mental health counselor in the state of Florida.
Students are admitted to one of two programs of study:
Full-time students complete the MA program in two calendar years (including summers).
Half-time students will follow a prescribed program of study that ensures foundation courses are completed before attempting more advanced work. Half-time students will complete this program in four years.
Students who do not maintain satisfactory progress towards degree completion will revert to non-degree seeking status.
Community professionals may be admitted to non-degree seeking status in order to meet job or licensing requirements after consultation with the program coordinator.
The program consists of a minimum of 61 semester hours of work as follows.
Requirements for M.A.—61 Credit Hours Minimum
Academic Course Work—49 Credit Hours
- CLP 6181 Psychological Theories of Substance Abuse Treatment (3 credit hours)
- CLP 6191 Cross-Cultural Psychotherapy (3 credit hours)
- CLP 6192L Group Psychology Experiential Lab (1 credit hour)
- CLP 6321 Psychotherapy in Community Settings (3 credit hours)
- CLP 6441C Individual Psychological Assessment I (3 credit hours)
- CLP 6195C Introduction to Psychotherapy (3 credit hours)
- CLP 6457 Group Psychotherapy (3 credit hours)
- CLP 6458C Behavior Therapy (3 credit hours)
- CLP 6459C Human Sexuality, Marriage, and Sex Therapies (3 credit hours)
- CLP 6460C Introduction to Child, Adolescent, and Family Therapies (3 credit hours)
- CLP 6932 Ethical and Professional Issues in Mental Health Practices (3 credit hours)
- CLP 6943C Clinical Practicum (2 hours)
- DEP 5057 Developmental Psychology (3 credit hours)
- PSB 6446 Advanced Abnormal and Clinical Psychopharmacology (3 credit hours)
- PSY 6216 Advanced Research Methodology I (4 credit hours)
- MHS 6430 Family Counseling I (3 credit hours)*
- SDS 6347 Career Development (3 credit hours)*
*These courses are offered in the Mental Health Counseling Track in the Counselor Education Program of the College of Education
Internship—12 Credit Hours
(See description below.)
- CYP 6948C Psychology Internship (12 credit hours)
Clinical Internship Requirement
The purpose of the internship requirement is to provide the M.A. candidate in Clinical Psychology with a comprehensive, practical-based experience under direct supervision. A public agency or nonprofit institution with nondiscriminatory practices is the prototype. The intern is assigned to an acceptable agency for a total of 1000 hours during three consecutive academic semesters (20 hours per week for 16 weeks during Fall and Spring Terms, and 30 hours per week for 12 weeks during the Summer Term). An additional commitment of two hours per week is required for the interns to meet as a group with a departmental faculty member for review, feedback, and discussions. A major portion of intern training is in the area of psychotherapy/ counseling. The intern also engages in differential diagnosis and participates in a wide variety of psychological assessment procedures.
It is believed that supervision by qualified and experienced personnel is the primary learning mode by which the intern develops professional expertise and augments the classroom material previously acquired. Satisfactory completion of the following courses is generally required prior to internship: CLP 5166, CLP 6191, CLP 6195, CLP 6321, CLP 6441, CLP 6457, CLP 6XXXL CLP 6458, CLP 6943, and MHS 6030. The program coordinator assigns internship placements.
Interns are provided with a system for maintaining accurate accounts of their activity during the week. In addition, both the intern and supervisor(s) complete an Internship Evaluation form each semester.
Examination
The culminating academic experience in this non-thesis program is completed through a case presentation. During their final semester of internship training, students must present a case that incorporates an integration of assessment data and its interpretation, theoretical conceptualization, treatment planning, course of therapy, and available outcome data. Students are to write a paper on the case (ensuring ethical consideration of confidentiality issues) and present it to their faculty internship supervisor for final approval.
Master of Science in Clinical Psychology
Students enrolled in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. track may elect to earn a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology in route to their doctorate. This is a non-terminal masters degree available only to students in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. track. For more information, see the requirements for the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. track on this page.
Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
The Master of Science degree program in Industrial/Organizational Psychology is concerned with the application of psychological principles to organizations. Major areas of emphasis include selection and training of employees, applied theories of organizational behavior including models of motivation, job satisfaction, and productivity; test theory and construction; assessment center technology; statistics and experimental design and a variety of current topics. Industrial/Organizational graduates are involved in many issues of critical importance to society including fairness in the selection and treatment of employees, the creation of work environments that maximize the satisfaction and productivity of employees, and the study of technological influences on human performance.
The M.S. degree program in Industrial and Organizational Psychology is a four-semester program for full-time students. Both thesis and non-thesis options are offered. Both options consist of a minimum of 40 semester hours of work. The required courses, which are scheduled primarily in the evenings to accommodate working students, are as follows.
Requirements for M.S. in Industrial Organizational Psychology—40 Credit Hours Minimum
Academic Course Work-29 Credit Hours
- INP 6058 Job and Task Analysis (3 credit hours)
- INP 6215 Assessment Centers and Leadership (3 credit hours)
- INP 6317 Organizational Psychology and Motivation (3 credit hours)
- INP 6605 Training and Performance Appraisal (3 credit hours)
- INP 6094 Current Topics in Industrial/Organizational Psychology (3 credit hours)
- INP 6088 Applied Problems in Industrial/Organizational Psychology (3 credit hours)
- PSY 6216 Advanced Research Methodology I (4 credit hours)
- PSY 6308 Psychological Testing I (4 credit hours)
- PSY 6318 Applied Testing and Selection (3 credit hours)
Practicum—3 Credit Hours
- INP 6946 Industrial Psychology Practicum I (3 credit hours)
Thesis Option
- PSY 6971 Thesis (8 credit hours)
Non-Thesis Option
6 hours of electives from approved list or other approved courses (see below)
Approved Electives:
- EXP 5256 Human Factors I (3 credit hours)
- EXP 6255 Human Performance (3 credit hours)
- EXP 6506 Human Cognition and Learning (3 credit hours)
- MAN 6116 Managing a Diverse Workforce (3 credit hours)
- MAN 6245 Organizational Behavior and Development (3 credit hours)
- MAN 6285 Change Management (3 credit hours)
- MAN 6305 Human Resources Management (3 credit hours)
- MAN 6395 Leadership Development and Coaching (3 credit hours)
- SOP 5059 Advanced Social Psychology (3 credit hours)
Research
- PSY 6908 Directed Independent Studies (2 credit hours)
Students are expected to materially participate in the conduct or research under the supervision of a faculty adviser and the preparation of a research report of sufficient quality to allow submission for publication or presentation at a national professional association conference. The research report will be evaluated jointly by the faculty adviser and the program director.
Practicum
Practicum assignments serve to provide the student with experience in an applied setting while also aiding the organization in which the practicum occurs to meet some specific project need. Practicum possibilities generated by the I/O faculty and students may involve settings in private industry, federal, state, or local government, educational institutions, or consulting firms.
Practicum assignments involve one-semester commitments ranging from 12 to 15 hours per week on the part of the student. Depending on the nature of the assignment, this time may be distributed in a variety of ways among the organization, library, field work, etc.
Practicum placements are initiated with a behavioral agreement between the graduate student and the organization. Behavioral agreements and performance objectives are jointly decided by the supervising faculty member, the organization representative, and the student. Full-time students are typically assigned practicum projects for the fall or spring terms of their second year.
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
The Psychology Department offers a Ph.D. in Psychology with three tracks. One track, Applied Experimental and Human Factors Psychology, seeks to develop the capacity to design, conduct, and apply human factors research in a variety of professional settings. The second track, Clinical Psychology, emphasizes the ability of psychologists to design, conduct, and apply clinical research in administration, treatment, teaching, and supervision. The third track, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, develops competency through research and training for the application of psychological principles to organizations. Each of these tracks is patterned on the scientist-practitioner model of the American Psychological Association (APA).
Applied Experimental and Human Factors Psychology Track
UCF is proud to offer a unique Ph.D. program in Applied Experimental and Human Factors Psychology that includes classroom studies and a variety of research, consulting, and internship opportunities. The program has been accredited by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, and is patterned on the scientist-practitioner model of the American Psychological Association (APA). It adheres to guidelines established by the committee for Education and Training of APAs Division 21 (Applied Experimental and Engineering Psychology).
"Human Factors" is an integrative approach that focuses on the interaction between humans and the environment. It utilizes research, theory, and knowledge of human behavior, capabilities, and limitations to add the "human" into the scientific equation and make life easier, safer, and more enjoyable. The program’s mission is to develop the capacity to design, conduct, and apply human factors research in a variety of professional settings.
Students learn about the content and techniques of human factors psychology—including statistical and quantitative procedures, experimental design, survey methods, computer techniques, and other research methodologies. Students select a concentration area within the Applied Experimental and Human Factors Psychology program, which may be in human-computer interaction, human-machine-environment interface, human performance, human factors in simulation and training, or other areas of interest with the adviser’s authorization. Once all course requirements have been fulfilled, students demonstrate their critical thinking skills by undergoing candidacy examinations and completing a dissertation representing a significant research contribution to the field.
The Ph.D. is designed to be obtained in 3-4 years of full-time study from the baccalaureate level and in 2-3 years from the master’s level. (A minimum of one year full-time student status is required.) For students who enter with a baccalaureate degree, the program requires 91 semester hours minimum. Students who enter with a master’s degree will be granted up to 30 hours of transfer credit with approval of the program faculty, and will also be required to complete a minimum of 60 semester hours at UCF.
Required Courses—67 Credit Hours
- EIN 5248C Ergonomics (3 credit hours)
- EIN 6258 Human Computer Interaction (3 credit hours)
- EXP 5256 Human Factors I (3 credit hours)
- EXP 6257 Human Factors II (3 credit hours)
- EXP 6258 Human Factors III (3 credit hours)
- EXP 5208 Sensation and Perception (3 credit hours)
- EXP 6116 Visual Performance (3 credit hours)
- EXP 6255 Human Performance (3 credit hours)
- EXP 6506 Human Cognition and Learning (3 credit hours)
- EXP 6938 Teaching Seminar (3 credit hours)
- INP 7089 Human Factors Professional Issues (1 credit hour)
- INP 6317 Organizational Psychology and Motivation (3 credit hours)
- PSB 5005 Physiological Psychology (3 credit hours)
- PSY 6216 Advanced Research Methodology I (4 credit hours)
- PSY 6217 Advanced Research Methodology II (4 credit hours)
- PSY 6219C Advanced Research Methods III (4 credit hours)
- PSY 7980 Doctoral Dissertation (15 credit hours)
- SOP 5059 Advanced Social Psychology (3 credit hours)
Internship—6 Credit Hours
- EXP 6946 Human Factors Internship (6 credit hours; to be completed sometime during the last two years of program)
Electives—18 Credit Hours
Students should choose electives in concentrated course groupings: for example, human-machine systems, performance measurement and evaluation, or simulation and training. Other elective course groupings may be developed for the student’s specific interests.
- DEP 5057 Developmental Psychology (3 credit hours)
- EIN 5251 Human-Computer Interaction: Usability Evaluation (3 credit hours)
- EXP 5067 Human Factors and Aging (3 credit hours)
- EXP 6541 Advanced Human-Computer Interaction (3 credit hours)
- PPE 5055 Personality Theories (3 credit hours)
- INP 5825 Human-Computer Interface (HCI) Design: A Team Approach (3 credit hours)
Mathematics and Computer Skills
Students must demonstrate graduation proficiency in both mathematics (equivalent to first-level calculus) and computer skills (equivalent to a programming language beyond BASIC).
Candidacy Exam
The goal of this exam is to ensure that the student possesses the appropriate critical thinking to perform applied experimental and human factors psychology work. Details provided by a written description in our handbook.
Additional Program Requirements
Other program requirements, including research productivity, are detailed in the Applied Experimental and Human Factors Psychology Graduate Student Handbook (provided to each student at orientation).
Clinical Psychology Track
A Clinical Psychology doctoral track is offered to those with a baccalaureate or master’s degree in psychology or an allied area. Admission to the Ph.D. program is based on an overall assessment of an applicant’s potential for successfully completing the program and making a contribution to the discipline of Clinical Psychology.
The advent of managed care has resulted in significant changes in the mental health care delivery system and the role of clinical psychologists in that system. It is believed that Ph.D. psychologists will be utilized less for the delivery of psychotherapy and more for performing professional duties such as administration, development of programmatic treatments, program evaluation, supervision, and research. Thus, there is a need to change the training for the professional roles of the clinical psychologist of the twenty-first century. The Ph.D. track in Clinical Psychology is designed to respond to these changing roles by inclusion of unique, niche course work and practica in the areas of administration, supervision, treatment development, and teaching. In combination with these unique emphases, traditional training in research methods, experimental psychology, psychotherapy and psychological assessment prepares students for their careers in the changing mental health care field.
Consistent with the mission of a major metropolitan university, the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. track at UCF takes advantage of, and builds upon, a multitude of community partnerships. One specific example of programmatic efforts to develop partnerships with community agencies is our “clinic without walls.” This concept utilizes existing public and private health service delivery resources in the Central Florida area as training sites.
The Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association.
The Clinical Ph.D. track is designed to be completed in five years of full-time study beyond the baccalaureate or 3-4 years beyond the master’s. The program includes a one-year predoctoral internship to be completed off-campus. It is designed to be a full-time program, with some summer enrollment expected. There are a total of 107 semester hours of courses, practica, and research requirements in the track as detailed below. Courses are presented in sequential fashion and students entering with a baccalaureate degree may earn the M.S. degree in route to the Ph.D. Students who enter with a master’s degree must complete at least 77 semester hours at UCF. (Note: courses listed under the Ph.D. program that are required for the M.S. degree are listed separately after the Ph.D. courses.) A master’s thesis and a dissertation, which represents a significant contribution to the discipline, are both required. Successful completion of the Qualifying and Comprehensive Examination is required prior to initiation of dissertation research.
Requirements for Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
107 Credit Hours Minimum
Psychology Foundation Courses—15 Credit Hours
- DEP 5057 Developmental Psychology (3 credit hours)
- SOP 5059 Advanced Social Psychology (3 credit hours)
- PSY 5605 History and Systems of Psychology (3 credit hours)
- PSB 5005 Physiological Psychology (3 credit hours)
- EXP 6506 Human Cognition and Learning (3 credit hours)
Research Courses—34 Credit Hours
- PSY 6216 Advanced Research Methodology I (4 credit hours)
- PSY 6217 Advanced Research Methodology II (4 credit hours)
- PSY 6219C Advanced Research Methodology III (4 credit hours)
- PSY 6940C Research Practicum (1 credit hour)
- PSY 6971 Thesis (6 credit hours)
- PSY 7980 Doctoral Dissertation (15 credit hours)
Clinical Courses—37 Credit Hours
- CLP 6191 Cross-Cultural Psychotherapy (3 credit hours)
- CLP 6460C Introduction to Child, Adolescent, Family Therapies (3 credit hours)
- CLP 6441C Individual Psychological Assessment I (3 credit hours)
- CLP 6445C Individual Psychological Assessment II (3 credit hours)
- CLP 6195C Introduction to Psychotherapy (3 credit hours)
- PSB 6446 Advanced Abnormal and Clinical Psychopharmacology (3 credit hours)
- CLP 6932 Ethical and Professional Issues in Mental Health Practices (2 credit hours)
- CLP 6943C Clinical Practicum (taken 4 times @ 2 hours; 8 hours)
- CLP 6949 Predoctoral Internship (6 credit hours)
- Clinical Treatment Elective (3 credit hours)
Unique/Niche Courses—12 Credit Hours
- EXP 6938 Teaching Seminar (3 credit hours)
- CLP 6491C Treatment Development (3 credit hours)
- CLP 6944 Clinical Supervision Seminar/Practicum (3 credit hours)
- PSY 6933 Administration Seminar/Practicum (3 credit hours)
Electives—9 Credit Hours
- Non-Psychology Electives (2 @ 3 credit hours; 6 hours)
- Other Elective—Psychology or Non-Psychology (3 credit hours)
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
M.S. Requirements
For students who wish to complete the master’s degree in route to the Ph.D., the M.S. degree is granted after successful completion of the course work listed immediately below and after the student has successfully defended their thesis.
50 Credit Hours Minimum
Psychology Foundation Courses—6 Credit Hours
Any two of the following 3 courses:
- DEP 5057 Developmental Psychology (3 credit hours)
- PSY 5605 History and Systems of Psychology (3 credit hours)
- PSB 5005 Physiological Psychology (3 credit hours)
Research Courses—19 Credit Hours
- PSY 6216 Advanced Research Methodology I (4 credit hours)
- PSY 6217 Advanced Research Methodology II (4 credit hours)
- PSY 6219C Advanced Research Methodology III (4 credit hours)
- PSY 6940C Research Practicum (1 credit hour)
- PSY 6971 Thesis (6 credit hours)
Clinical Courses—25 Credit Hours
- CLP 6191 Cross-Cultural Psychotherapy (3 credit hours)
- CLP 6441C Individual Psychological Assessment I (3 credit hours)
- CLP 6445C Individual Psychological Assessment II (3 credit hours)
- CLP 6195C Introduction to Psychotherapy (3 credit hours)
- PSB 6446 Advanced Abnormal and Clinical Psychopharmacology (3 credit hours)
- CLP 6932 Ethical and Professional Issues in Mental Health Practices (3 credit hours)
- CLP 6943C Clinical Practicum (taken 2 times @ 2 hours; 4 credit hours)
- Clinical Treatment Elective (3 credit hours)
Doctoral Examinations
Domain A: Research (required)
- Theoretical or Review Article, or
- Empirical Article
Domain B: Government Proposals/Policy
- Grant Proposal, or
- Mental Health Policy/Administration
Domain C: Teaching
- Undergraduate Instructor Experience, or
- Professional Presentation Experience
Domain D: Clinical Practice/Consultation
- Comprehensive Case Presentation, or
- Program Development (Rx/Prevention)
Purpose—The purpose of the qualifying and comprehensive examination is to develop and assess competency of professional behaviors in doctoral-level graduate students in the Clinical Psychology Program that are consistent with the program’s professional training goals. These goals include but are not limited to the development and demonstration of skills and abilities that enable graduating students to (a) conduct and publish independent empirical research; (b) competently serve as innovative teachers/instructors in colleges, universities, and medical schools, and as presenters at local, regional, national, and international professional conferences; (c) prepare/review grants and develop knowledge and expertise in the area of administration and policies/legislation relevant to mental health issues; and (d) be expertly trained, empirically oriented clinicians capable of designing, implementing, and assessing programs concerned with mental health and mental health delivery broadly defined.
Requirements, Rationale, and Objectives—Successful completion of qualifying and comprehensive examination requirements reflect the program’s desire to ensure overall breadth of training in the field of clinical psychology that are complemented by individually tailored professional training experiences and competencies consistent with a student’s professional career goals. The four professional domains outlined above are consistent with this intent. All students are required to complete the Research domain owing to the importance and centrality of research competency to the Ph.D. degree in Clinical Psychology. Two of the other three professional competency domains must be fulfilled to complete qualifying/comprehensive examination requirements. Students are free to select any two of the three domains (Teaching, Government Proposals/Policy, Clinical Practice/Consultation) and are expected to discuss possible selections with their major professor/faculty adviser prior to formalizing their choices. Choice of domain is expected to reflect individual professional training goals and the desire for additional knowledge and expertise in a selected area. All competency domains contain two options, and students are free to select either option (see options “a” and “b” under each domain in above matrix) in consultation with their faculty adviser.
The American Psychological Association requires that graduate training tracks undertake student evaluation procedures at least annually, and provide written feedback to students. Because clinical psychology involves the provision of mental health services to the public, special care must be taken to ensure that students possess the requisite interpersonal sensitivity and skill. As a result, evaluation procedures within this track will focus not only on academic performance but also on: clinical proficiency; ethical and professional conduct; response to supervision; interpersonal behavior; and intrapersonal functioning. The Clinical Psychology Committee reserves the right to drop from the track students who continue to exhibit serious difficulties in these behavioral domains and do not respond to feedback and efforts at remediation.
Industrial and Organizational Psychology Track
The Department of Psychology offers master’s and doctoral degrees in industrial and organizational psychology. Graduates are involved in many issues of critical importance to society, including fairness in the selection and treatment of employees, the creation of work environments that maximize the satisfaction and productivity of employees, and the study of technological influences on human performance.
The master’s program is concerned with the application of psychological principles to organizations. Major areas of emphasis include selection and training of employees; applied theories of organizational behavior including models of motivation, job satisfaction, and productivity; test theory and construction; assessment center technology; statistics and experimental design; and a variety of current topics.
The doctoral program provides students with training that is consistent with the scientist-practitioner model. A key assumption of the program is that every graduate must be a highly competent scientist who can contribute to both the science and practice of the discipline.
The doctoral program in Industrial and Organizational Psychology requires approximately four years of full-time study beyond the baccalaureate and 2-3 years beyond the master’s. The first few years are devoted to course work and the final year to the doctoral dissertation.
After completing all required course work students are required to pass a Candidacy Examination. This examination may be taken a maximum of two times. Failure to pass the examination on both occasions will result in the student being dropped from the program.
Having passed the Candidacy Examination, the student may begin dissertation-related research. After the completion of this research the student must then pass an oral examination, i.e., a dissertation defense.
Program-related Courses
The I&O Program requires a minimum of 72 credit hours of graduate study for students who enter the program with a baccalaureate degree. The nature of this study is determined by the I&O Area Program Committee. For the typical student, the 72 hours of study will be distributed as follows.
Required I&O Area Courses—42 Credit Hours
- INP 7075 Current Theory and Research in Industrial and Organizational Psychology (2 hours per semester for a total of 12 credit hours)
- INP 7071 Research Methods in Industrial and Organizational Psychology (3 credit hours)
- INP 7214 Industrial Psychology I (3 credit hours)
- INP 7251 Industrial Psychology II (3 credit hours)
- INP 7310 Organizational Psychology I (3 credit hours)
- INP 7311 Organizational Psychology II (3 credit hours)
- INP 7315 Psychometric Theory and Practice (3 credit hours)
- PSY 6216 Advanced Research Methodology I (4 credit hours)
- PSY 6217 Advanced Research Methodology II (4 credit hours)
- PSY 6219C Advanced Research Methods III (4 credit hours)
Required Psychology Field Courses—3 Credit Hours
- SOP 5059 Advanced Social Psychology (3 credit hours)
Elective Psychology Field Courses—6 Credit Hours
Two courses from the following set. The courses in this set are selected by the student in conjunction with his or her advisor. Note, however, that all courses in the set must be approved by the I&O Program Committee. The courses may include:
- EXP 5208 Sensation and Perception (3 credit hours)
- EXP 5445 Psychology of Learning and Motivation (3 credit hours)
- EXP 6255 Human Performance (3 credit hours)
- EXP 6506 Human Cognition and Learning (3 credit hours)
- PPE 5055 Personality Theories (3 credit hours)
- PSB 5005 Physiological Psychology (3 credit hours)
- PSY 5605 History and Systems of Psychology (3 credit hours)
Other Elective Courses—6 Credit Hours
Two courses from the following set. The courses in this set are selected by the student in conjunction with his or her adviser. Note, however, that all courses in the set must be approved by the I&O Program Committee. The courses may include:
- EXP 5256 Human Factors I (3 credit hours)
- EXP 6257 Human Factors II (3 credit hours)
- INP 6058 Job and Task Analysis (3 credit hours)
- INP 6215 Assessment Centers and Leadership (3 credit hours)
- INP 6605 Training and Performance Appraisal (3 credit hours)
- MAN 6285 Change Management (3 credit hours)
- MAN 6305 Human Resources Management (3 credit hours)
- MAN 6311 Advanced Topics in Human Resources Management (3 credit hours)
- MAN 6395 Leadership Development and Coaching (3 credit hours)
- PSY 6318 Applied Testing and Selection (3 credit hours)
- PSY 6908 Directed Independent Studies (3-6 credit hours)
Dissertation—15 Credit Hours
- PSY 7980 Doctoral Dissertation (15 credit hours)
Financial Support
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see Financing Grad School, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Key points about financial support:
- If you're interested in financial assistance, you're strongly encouraged to apply for admission early. A complete application for admission, including all supporting documents, must be received by the priority date listed for your program under "Admissions."
- You must be admitted to a graduate program before the university can consider awarding financial assistance to you.
- If you want to be considered for loans and other need-based financial assistance, review the UCF Student Financial Assistance website at http://finaid.ucf.edu and complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form, which is available online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Apply early and allow up to six weeks for the FAFSA form to be processed.
- UCF Graduate Studies awards university graduate fellowships, with most decisions based on nominations from the colleges and programs. All admitted graduate students are automatically considered in this nomination process. To be eligible for a fellowship, students must be accepted as a graduate student in a degree program and be enrolled full-time. University graduate fellowships are not affected by FAFSA determination of need.
- Please note that select fellowships do require students to fill out a fellowship application (either a university fellowship application, an external fellowship application, or a college or school fellowship application). For university fellowship applications, see Financing Grad School.
- For information on assistantships (including teaching, research, and general graduate assistantships) or tuition support, contact the graduate program director of your major.
Contact Info
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
Sharon Ballard
Phone Number: 407-823-1011 Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology
Robert Kennerley
Phone Number: 386-254-4412 ext 4009
rkennerl@mail.ucf.edu Master of Science in Clinical Psychology
Mark Rapport, Ph.D. , Professor
Phone Number: 407-823-2974
clinphd@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu Master of Science in Clinical Psychology
Mark Rapport, Ph.D. , Professor
Phone Number: 407-823-2974
clinphd@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
William Wooten, Ph.D. , Associate Professor
Phone Number: 407-823-1011
iograd@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu Applied Experimental and Human Factors Psychology Track
Eduardo Salas, Ph.D. , Professor
Phone Number: 407-823-4399
hfgrad@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu Clinical Psychology Track
Mark Rapport, Ph.D. , Professor
Phone Number: 407-823-2974
clinphd@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu Industrial and Organizational Psychology Track
Barbara Fritzsche Clay, Ph.D. , Associate Professor
Phone Number: 407-823-1011
iophd@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu
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