Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology
Master the Art of Assessment and Psychotherapy
The U.S. Bureau of Labor identifies the mental health care professions as one of the most in-demand occupations for the next decade. You can become a mental health care professional in the state of Texas with a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL).
Through rigorous coursework, you'll learn essential, evidence-based psychological assessment and psychotherapy skills that will allow you to meet the needs of a diverse range of clients. In addition, you can engage in innovative clinical research to better equip you for the mental health field. You can also pursue specialized study in behavioral medicine, anxiety disorders, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness and acceptance-based therapies, and behavioral parent training for childhood externalizing behaviors.
Develop Skills Through Applied Practice
With the convenience of an onsite psychology clinic, Psychological Services Clinic, you'll have easier access to training with clients before your internship. The M.A. program requires a two-semester internal practicum at the clinic before completing a 500-hour internship at one of 60+ quality sites in the Houston area. While some universities only provide a list of internship sites, UH-Clear Lake takes the extra step in helping you find and secure the one that best aligns with your career goals.
As part of this applied learning, you will work closely with skilled, licensed supervisors and receive significant formative feedback to refine your skills. With an emphasis on challenging coursework and practical skills, the Clinical Psychology M.A. prepares you to pursue professional practice in clinics, hospitals, research facilities or private practice.
Information for Current Students
Clinical Psychology Virtual Information Sessions
December 13, 2024 Info Session
2 p.m. via Zoom
Doctorate in Health Services Psychology
A doctorate in Health Services Psychology (combined Clinical and School Psychology) is also offered at University of Houston-Clear Lake. A separate admissions process is required for enrollment in this program. For information, please contact the Department Assistant III for the program, Shelly Matejka, 281-283-3491 or matejka@uhcl.edu.
For information on admission to the Clinical Psychology Program, please contact:
Dr. Sean Lauderdale
Clinical Psychology Program Director
lauderdale@uhcl.edu
Accreditations and Distinctions
The College of Human Sciences and Humanities holds a number of specialized accreditations, including accreditations and approval from the Commission of Accreditation for the Association for Behavior Analysis International and the National Association of School Psychologists. The Council on Social Work Education has also accredited our bachelor's degree in social work. Our Kinesiology curriculum has been recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association for preparing students to successfully enter into the career field. The Human Factors Certificate and Applied Cognitive Psychology Program are accredited by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.
Application Deadline: January 25
New students are accepted during the fall semester only.
For graduate student admissions information, please visit How to Apply as a Graduate Student.
Admissions Requirements
- Clinical Psychology M.A.
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Admission Deadline
- Fall Only
- Final Deadline: January 25
- Fall Only
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Application
- Apply online through the UHCL Graduate Application Portal for admission to the University of Houston-Clear Lake as a graduate student.
- Log In or first users create a new account
- Select Fall term and student type (Domestic or International)
- Select "College of Human Sciences and Humanities"
- Select "Clinical Psychology MA"
- Documents for admission are submitted after completion of the application. All required documents are due by the program application deadline.
- Apply online through the UHCL Graduate Application Portal for admission to the University of Houston-Clear Lake as a graduate student.
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Requirements
- GRE Scores Optional for 2025-2026 Term:
- If you would like to take the General GRE Exam, please visit their website www.gre.org.
- UHCL GRE Code: 6916 – UNIV HOUSTON CLEAR LAKE – Grad
- Transcripts: Students can submit unofficial transcripts using the UHCL Graduate Application Portal and may be used by graduate programs within each college to make admission decisions
depending on the intended class start date. Please be mindful that all unofficial
transcript(s) are required for admission review and must include the institution(s)
name(s). If admitted, official transcript(s) showing undergraduate degree conferral and official transcript(s) from each institution previously attended are required for class registration.
- Please review New Student Admissions in the Graduate Catalog under Transcripts and Records Information to learn how to submit an official college transcript to UHCL.
- Prerequisites: The program requires five prerequisite undergraduate psychology courses (15 hours): Introductory Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and three courses (9 additional hours) of upper-level psychology courses. Upper-level psychology courses that may provide good preparation for the program include, but are not limited to, Social Psychology, Theories of Personality, Human Growth and Development, and Research Methods and Statistics. Preference is given to applicants with all prerequisites completed.
- Required Additional Supporting Documents: The following documents should be uploaded through the UHCL Graduate Application
Portal.
- Curriculum Vitae: An expanded résumé describing previous education; all work experience; relevant course work and relevant volunteer activities; any honors, presentations, papers, avocations or other relevant life experiences.
- Statement of purpose and goals (not to exceed 1,000 words): describing your reasons for wanting this degree and how it fits into career goals.
- Three (3) letters of recommendation and ratings: Students identify recommenders through the UHCL Graduate Application Portal. Once recommenders and contact information is submitted, recommenders will receive an email to a link to submit the letter of recommendation and ratings. Letters of Recommendation and ratings from academic faculty and/or work supervisors who know the applicant well are preferred.
- Program Application Fee: In addition to the university application fee, there is an additional program application
fee of $35 for the Clinical Psychology M.A. program. The program application fee may
be paid by credit card online or by check payable to "University of Houston-Clear Lake" and sent to:
Clinical Psychology Program Applications
University of Houston-Clear Lake
2700 Bay Area Blvd., Box 73
Houston, TX 77058
- GRE Scores Optional for 2025-2026 Term:
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Admission Review Process
After initial review of the application materials (application, recommendations, and supplemental material) an admissions committee will invite selected applicants to campus for an interview. Interviews will typically be scheduled in March. Applicants will be notified of their program admission status by April 15.
Degree Requirements
Interested in discovering the classes you'll need to take to earn your degree from the College of Human Science and Humanities at University of Houston-Clear Lake? Find out now.
Clinical Psychology M.A.Cost Information
Examine how much it could cost to receive a degree from the College of Human Sciences and Humanities at UHCL.
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Location
Faculty
Sarah Griffin
Assistant Professor of Health Service Psychology & Clinical Psychology,
Human Sciences and Humanities
Contact number: 281-283-3355
Email: griffins@uhcl.edu
Office: B2617.08
Sean Lauderdale
Assistant Professor of Health Service Psychology & Clinical Psychology,
Human Sciences and Humanities
Contact number: 281-283-3305
Email: lauderdale@uhcl.edu
Office: HSB 1508.15
Ashley MacPherson
Assistant Professor of Health Service Psychology & Clinical Psychology,
Human Sciences and Humanities
Email: macpherson@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou 1508.03
Mary B. Short
Department Chair of Psychological and Behavioral Health Sciences and Professor of
Clinical Psychology,
Human Sciences and Humanities
Contact number: 281-283-3324
Email: ShortMB@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou 1508.26