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Frequently
Asked
Questions
about the M.A. in Clinical
Psychology at Washburn
Admissions
- When
is your application deadline?
- I
graduate in December. Can I start the program in January?
- Do
I need the GRE? How do I get signed up to take it?
- Do
you have an application fee?
- I
didn't do very well on the GRE. Does your program have cut-offs?
- What
do you require for the application?
- How
do I get an application form?
- I
wasn't a psych major in college; can I still be considered for the program?
- I
haven't had one of the psychology courses you require. Can I still be
admitted?
- Do
you require a campus interview?
Financial
Aid
- What
kind of financial support does your program offer?
Training
- Is
your program accredited by the American Psychological Association?
- Does
your program meet state licensing requirements?
- What
about licensing requirements in other states?
- What's
the theoretical orientation of your faculty?
Masters
Level Psychologists
- I've
heard that you can't do psychotherapy unless you have a Ph.D.
- Can
I do private practice with just a masters degree?
- I
still really want to get my Ph.D. Will it hurt my chances of getting
into a Ph.D. program if I do a masters program first?
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Answers:
Admissions
Q
1.
When is your application deadline?
A
1. March 15 for the fall semester; December 1 for the spring
semester.
Q
2.
I graduate in December. Can I start the program in January?
A
2.
Yes. Although you won't be able to complete the program in two years (it
would be a minimum of 2 ½ years), there are several courses that
you could take that would get you well on your way towards your M.A.
Q
3.
Do I need the GRE? How do I get signed up to take it?
A
3. We
require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test (Verbal, Quantitative,
and Analytical scores). We do not require the Subject test in Psychology
but if you take it, you are welcome to submit your scores. The GRE General
Exam is administered by computer and is scheduled individually. Information
about the test and how to register is available at http://www.GRE.org.
You should have your scores sent directly from the Educational Testing
Service to us.
Q
4.
Do you have an application fee?
A
4.
No.
Q
5.
I didn't do very well on the GRE. Does your program have cut-offs?
A
5.
No. We consider all aspects of the application in making our admissions
decisions. Undergraduate grades, letters of recommendation from faculty,
research and volunteer/work experience as well as GRE scores all enter
into our decision.
Q
6.
What do you require for the application?
A
6.
We require:
Q
7.
How do I get an application form?
A
7.
The application forms and recommendation forms are available on-line or
upon request from the Department of Psychology, Washburn University, Topeka,
Kansas, 66621; (785)231-1010 x1564; psychology@washburn.edu
Q
8.
I wasn't a psych major in college; can I still be considered for the
program?
A
8.
Yes.
You must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university,
and a minimum of 15 hours of undergraduate psychology including a statistics
course, an experimental laboratory course, and a course in abnormal psychology,
each with a minimum grade of "C".
Q
9.
I haven't had one of the psychology courses you require. Can I still
be admitted?
A
9.
Outstanding candidates who are missing a requirement are sometimes granted
provisional admission to the program. Full admission is then contingent
upon fulfilling remaining requirements during the first semester of study
at Washburn.
Q
10.
Do you require a campus interview?
A
10.
Although we are delighted to meet with you should you want to visit our
campus and meet with faculty members or students, a campus interview is
not required. Please feel free to contact us if you would like to arrange
a campus visit.
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Financial
Aid
Q
1.
What kind of financial support does your program offer?
A
1.
The Psychology Department is able to provide financial support for some
students. Teaching assistantshps with associated annual stipends of $4000
are awarded to five outstanding incoming students. The teaching assignment
involves approximately 10 hours per week assisting in a testing center
for introductory psychology students. Outstanding returning students are
eligible for similar stipends. Students may also apply for Federal financial
aid in the form of Federal work-study or Federal Stafford student loans.
To apply you need to fill out and submit the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (FAFSA) before the March 1 priority deadline since Federal
work-study funds are limited. However, since Federal Stafford loans are
entitlements, a student may apply as late as 2-3 weeks before classes
start. The easiest way to apply for federal Financial aid is through the
internet at www.fafsa.ed.gov. For
additional information, please check the Washburn Financial Aid web page
at www.washburn.edu/financial-aid.
If you have further questions, you may call (800) 524-8447 or contact
the Washburn Financial Aid office on their web page. Current tuition rates
(for 2002-2003) are $164 per credit hour for Kansas residents and $335
per credit hour for out-of state students.
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Training
Q
1.
Is your program accredited by the American Psychological Association?
A
1.
The American Psychological Association does not accredit masters level
programs, only Ph.D. programs.
Q
2.
Does your program meet state licensing requirements?
A
2.
Graduates of our masters program are eligible for licensure in the state
of Kansas as Licensed Masters Level Psychologists. More detailed information
is available at the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board web site, www.ksbsrb.org.
Q
3.
What about licensing requirements in other states?
A
3. States
vary in the requirements for licensure, particularly at the masters level.
One starting place for finding out the requirements of a particular state
is www.uky.edu/Education/EDP/psyinfo2.html.
Graduates of our masters program have gone on to practice in states all
over the country.
Q
4.
What's the theoretical orientation of your faculty?
A
4.
We
feel that students benefit from being exposed to a variety of approaches
to maximize their effectiveness with different client populations. Our
psychotherapy techniques courses focus on the development of cognitive-behavioral,
interpersonal, brief, and client-centered psychotherapy skills. Students
are exposed to a variety of other approaches (e.g., family systems, group)
through other coursework and internship.
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Masters
Level Psychologists
Q
1.
I've heard that you can't do psychotherapy unless you have a Ph.D.
A
1.
Not true. Masters Level Psychologists provide much of the psychological
services in the United States. Although regulations may vary from state
to state, most states recognize the professional contributions of masters
level psychologists.
Q
2.
Can I do private practice with just a masters degree?
A
2.
Again the regulations for licensure vary from state to state. In Kansas,
individuals with a masters degree in psychology, like the one offered
by Washburn, after passing an exam and obtaining additional supervised
experience, are eligible to become Licensed Clinical Psychotherapists
(LCP's). LCP's in Kansas can do private practice. For more detailed information,
see the web site of the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board, the state
agency that licenses psychologists at www.ksbsrb.org.
Q
3.
I still really want to get my Ph.D. Will it hurt my chances of getting
into a Ph.D. program if I do a masters program first?
A
3.
Although this varies from Ph.D program to Ph.D. program, our experience
has been that students who complete our program are better prepared and
more competitive for Ph.D. programs after completing our program. Students
develop not only solid clinical skills but also the research skills that
are necessary for completion of a Ph.D. degree.
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