The Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology is a research-based degree with practical applications—and employment flexibility. A Penn State graduate degree in clinical psychology is attractive to employers and doctoral programs alike, and offers you more opportunity than a degree solely focused on counseling. Preparation for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) designation is an option for our M.A. graduates, as are doctoral study, teaching, research, and mental-health administration.
An M.A. in Clinical Psychology makes it possible for you to work in outpatient settings, inpatient settings, partial hospitalization programs, clinics, mental health agencies, human service agencies, community service agencies, colleges and universities, schools, prisons, consultancies, drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs, and research laboratories.
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Why Penn State Behrend?
Academic Rigor
Our program requires the completion of a Master’s Paper (akin to a thesis), allowing students to deepen their knowledge and skill in a specific topic area.
Flexibility
While many of our students do attend the program full-time, we also admit part-time students. We recognize that students are also family members and friends (and some are parents) and may work full or part-time.
Our sister program at Penn State Harrisburg occasionally offers online coursework, which our students may take for elective credit. Our students also have access to a diverse range of psychology courses through World Campus, which can be used to meet state-specific licensing requirements with approval from the Program Coordinator.
Research Opportunities
A strength of our program is our research-active faculty. Because we offer a terminal master’s degree (no doctorate offered), our master's students have a unique opportunity to participate in faculty research labs and agendas—opportunities that traditionally go to doctoral students first.
For example: A group of Behrend students regularly present research at the Northwest Pennsylvania Psychological Association each year, and some present work at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. And thanks to the Student Activities Fund, in partnership with the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, student travel to conferences is typically partially or fully funded.
Career Opportunities
Our alumni have secured work in a variety of clinical settings, including outpatient clinics, private practice, hospitals, and school systems. Some of our alumni who remained local now serve as instructors and clinical practicum/internship supervisors to our current students. Other students have found employment in research labs across the country, and some students go on to doctoral study.
Professional Licensure/Certification
Many US states and territories require professional licensure/certification to be employed. If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing this program, please visit the Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map.
Please note: Due to the changing landscape of licensure, the map is only updated to reflect whether our program licenses graduates in Pennsylvania. However, our students routinely obtain licensure in other states, and we work with students to course plan for their desired states appropriately.
Financial Assistance
Affording graduate education can be a challenge for many students. At Penn State Behrend, multiple graduate wage assistant positions are typically available for incoming students. In addition, our faculty are occasionally able to fund a student to some degree through grant-funded research. If you wish to be considered for such opportunities, we strongly encourage you to apply by February 20, as nominations for funded spots must be made early. Many of our students work part-time, and some on campus, during their time in the program to offset costs.
A Valuable Degree
Your master's degree from Penn State Behrend can pay off: O*NET has designated mental health counselor careers as having a bright outlook, with many job openings and opportunities. The site can also offer insight into how much licensed professional counselors can earn in various states and counties.
