Master of ScienceClinical Psychology

Pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
White coat ceremony

Earn your master's in two years and begin practicing.

Master's in Clinical Psychology Program Overview

Bellarmine's Master of Science in Clinical Psychology provides training that prepares students to work in areas seeing substantial growth within the profession of psychology, including integrative health care and sport and performance psychology. Upon completion, students will be well-prepared to begin practicing or continue their training in a doctoral psychology program.

  • Mental health providers are in high demand in Kentucky and nationwide; this program will prepare students for licensure to practice as a clinician 
  • Program size allows for personalized mentorship with faculty and a sense of community within your cohort   
  • Students will gain hands-on clinical experience in diverse settings and will be prepared to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds
  • The program incorporates opportunities to engage in research projects alongside Bellarmine faculty
Bellarmine is committed to delivering a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum that equips students with the latest evidence-based practices in clinical psychology. The program emphasizes cultural responsiveness, awareness and humility to ensure that graduates can provide care that respects and values the diverse backgrounds, identities and experiences of their clients. Additionally, we are dedicated to promoting social justice and equity in mental health care so that our graduates are prepared to be advocates for change.
DPT student Braden poses outdoors

Having so many good examples in front of me at Bellarmine was something that I think helped me learn more and more each day or take little pieces away from the way people lead in the university and in the physical therapy program.

Braden Hurst, Clinic Director and Physical Therapist (KORT Physical Therapy)

 

Career Opportunities

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, mental health service providers are among the top 20 occupations projected to experience the fastest growth between 2023-2033. Bellarmine’s MCSP degree meets the curriculum requirements for certification as a Licensed Psychological Practitioner in the state of Kentucky and prepares graduates to meet a significant public health need by providing effective and high-quality service across clinical and community settings. 

This Master of Science in Clinical Psychology program opens doors to various career paths in clinical practice. Graduates are equipped to provide assessment, diagnostic, and therapy services in diverse settings, including community mental health centers, hospitals, schools, and private practices.

 

Program Objectives

 

Students graduating from the program will be able to: 

  1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of psychological theories and the ability to develop treatment plans grounded in a theoretical framework
  2. Engage in scientific research that integrates psychological science and practice 
  3. Conduct psychological assessments, formulate accurate diagnoses and develop appropriate treatment plans based on assessment findings
  4. Utilize systems thinking to effectively address mental health issues within diverse populations and broader health care frameworks 
  5. Engage in ethical decision-making and exhibit professional competence in working with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds

Students will complete a capstone project that mirrors the state licensure oral examination and will require students to apply ethical principles and culturally responsive clinical skills to a case vignette. This culminating experience serves as a comprehensive demonstration of students’ knowledge, skills and abilities in the professional practice of psychology. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the application deadline?
A. The final application deadline is November 1. All applications are reviewed as they are received, so it is in your best interest as an applicant to apply as early as possible. Visit www.ptcas.org to apply. PTCAS takes 4-6 weeks to verify an application once submitted.

Q. Is the GRE required?
A. Yes. Applicants to the physical therapy program must provide GRE scores from the last 5 years to PTCAS. The GRE code for Bellarmine is 1056 or the program code in PTCAS is 7674. Either code can be used to send your score report.

Q. Is it part time or full time?
A. This is a full time day program.

For answers to more questions, please visit our FAQ page.

Faculty

Pamela Cartor, Ph.D. (website) (email)
Joy Jacobs-Lawson, Ph.D., Chair (website) ( email)
Stella Kanchewa, Ph.D. (website) ( email)
Courtney Keim, Ph.D. (website) ( email)
Jean Lamont, Ph.D. (website) ( email)
Hank Rothgerber, Ph.D. (website) ( email)
Felicia Smith, Ph.D., Program Director (website) (email)
Christy Wolfe, Ph.D. (website) ( email)

Emeritus Faculty: Ann Jirkovsky, Ph.D. (website) ( email)

Accreditation

The Master of Science in Clinical Psychology (MSCP) degree is comprised of a 60-hour, two-year program that meets the curriculum requirements for certification as a Licensed Psychological Practitioner in the state of Kentucky and corresponds to the American Psychological Association (APA) Standards of Accreditation for Health Service Psychology Master’s programs.

Contact

For more information, call 502.272.7100 or email your questions to admissions@bellarmine.edu.

 

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