Admissions - Psychology Graduate Program

Special Admission Criteria

In addition to the general admission requirements for all graduate programs, you are required to meet the following criteria:

  1. You must have completed the baccalaureate degree at a regionally accredited institution of higher education (verified by an official transcript) with an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. If you have NOT earned at least a 3.0 GPA, you must submit a minimum score of 410 on the MAT or a minimum score of 1,000 (V+Q) (for tests taken prior to August 1, 2011) or 300 (V+Q) (for tests taken on or after August 1, 2011) on the General Test of the GRE. Scores below the above criteria will be considered individually.

  2. You must ask three professionals to complete reference forms concerning your suitability for graduate study in Counseling Psychology. At least two of these references must be from professors who have taught or supervised you.
  3. You are to provide a resumè with your application for admission.

  4. You are to provide a typewritten statement that will answer questions about yourself. These questions will be supplied by the Office of Graduate Services as part of your application for graduate study.

  5. You must interview with the graduate program coordinator. If additional interviews are required, then the coordinator will arrange them. If you cannot arrange to come to the campus for an interview, the coordinator will arrange for a telephone interview. The purpose of the interview is to provide another source of information regarding the applicant’s appropriateness for training as a counselor.

  6. Undergraduate preparation must include the following courses for a total of 15 credit hours (or their equivalent as determined by the Psychology Admissions Committee):
  • Introduction/General Psychology
  • Psychological Statistics or Research Methods
  • Developmental Psychology (Child, Adolescent or Adult)
  • Abnormal Psychology (Adult or Child)
  • Elective in Psychology
  1. Application Deadline: February 15th for the Fall semester. Degree program admissions are made only for the fall semester.

  2. Note: Some internship sites may require a criminal background check prior to approving students for the internship placement.

Course Requirements

Course Requirements are listed in the Graduate Catalog.

Internship

An important aspect of the program, not often found in master’s level studies, is the two-semester internship. The opportunity to intern at one of a variety of sites, for up to 36 hours per week during a 9-month period, provides the student with unusually thorough preparation for eventual employment.

Areas for internship are generally restricted to the Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia region, within commuting distance of Frostburg. Ongoing supervision is provided by an on-site supervisor. Some internship sites may require a criminal background check prior to approving students for the internship placement.

Personal Growth Experience

All students are required to participate in a counseling experience designed to enhance their self-growth and self-awareness. This is completed through a minimum of 6 hours of individual counseling.

Degree Candidacy

The purpose of the candidacy evaluation is to judge whether or not the student has, or will be able to, meet the criteria for completing the Program and develop the necessary skills and characteristics to establish adequate counseling relationships within the time limits established by the graduate program.

Conditions of Degree Candidacy and Internship

It is your responsibility to apply for degree candidacy. Application for degree candidacy must occur during the semester in which you will complete 12 or more credit hours of 600-level program requirements, including PSYC 640. To apply for degree candidacy you must:

  1. Have completed all graduate credit taken as approved from Frostburg State University with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better
  2. Have completed all undergraduate preparation courses and any other course deficiencies as they are listed on your study plan
  3. Have completed all required basic preparation courses

Acceptance to degree candidacy must be approved before you apply for the internship. All course work except for electives must be completed prior to interning, and you must have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or better to intern.

Internship is normally graded on a PASS/NON-PASS basis. To continue in the program and register for Advanced Internship (696), you must receive a PASS in Internship (695). Should you be unable to complete either PSYC 695 or 696 during the semester you initially enrolled, an incomplete (I) may be assigned.

Graduation

In addition to satisfactorily completing the basic master’s degree requirements described in this catalog, an exit interview and recommendation for graduation from your Master’s Committee (your advisor and one other faculty member) are required. You must apply for graduation according to the schedule listed in the academic regulations section of this catalog.

Transfer/Proficiency Credit

Up to 9 graduate credits may be transferred into this program, based on the requirements set forth in the graduate catalog. Note that credit by examination is not offered as a part of this program.

Psi Chi

Psi Chi is the national honor society in psychology. The major goals of Psi Chi are to honor outstanding psychology students by membership in this society and to foster a climate conducive to the creative development of the society. For complete information, contact the chair of the Department of Psychology.

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