Academics
What is the size of the graduate program?
At any one time the program has about 30 active students. Incoming “classes”
typically have about five students.
How many classes do
students typically take?
Students typically take three (3-credit) classes each semester during their first year, in addition to working on their master's thesis. In subsequent years, students take one to three courses per semester, in addition to research and clinical practicum. Generally students are able to complete required coursework by the end of their third year, although many students choose to take additional courses during their fourth or fifth years.
In the first year of our program, students take a course in psychotherapy, statistics, psychometric theory and test construction, assessment, and behavior disorders.
The psychology department does not offer summer courses for graduate students. There are some relevant courses offered by other departments during the summer. Most students take thesis, dissertation, or practicum credits during the summer.
How long does the
graduate program take to complete?
The in-residence portion of the graduate program can be completed in four years;
however, most students complete it in five years, and a few students need six
years. An additional year is required for the off-site clinical internship.
Specific information about time to completion is found at
http://psychology.msu.edu/clinical/m-three/disclosure.html.
Students begin work on their master's degree in their first year. The proposal is written by the end of the first year, and the thesis is completed by the end of the second year. During the third year, students work on their comprehensive exams. When the student has passed the exam, work begins on the dissertation. After completion of a dissertation and the clinical internship, the student receives the Ph.D. degree.
Will I be assigned to work
with a particular professor, or will I get to choose whom to work with?
Our policy is that students are admitted into our graduate training program. We
only admit students who have research interests that are compatible with at
least one faculty person. Often, students will be interested in the research
of more than one faculty person. First year students are assigned a provisional
advisor based on their stated interests. However, once the student arrives on
campus, he/she meets the entire faculty and learns about each person's research
interests and current projects. Students are then able to make a more informed
choice about which faculty member's lab to join. Most students stay with
their provisional advisor, but some students begin working with another
advisor. It is important to make a decision about who your advisor will be
early in the first semester.
Will I receive a
teaching or research assistantship?
All students who are admitted to MSU's clinical program receive a teaching or
research assistantship or a university fellowship. During the last decade, we
have been able to provide funding for students through their fifth year in the
program, and sometimes beyond that. If you are admitted to our program, the
letter of admission will specify the number of years of funding you are
guaranteed.
The clinical program is a full-time program. Thus, it is not feasible for
students to complete the necessary graduate work and, at the same time, hold a
full- or part-time job. Therefore, MSU's clinical program only admits the number
of students that can be supported through departmental or university funding.
Are professors actively
involved in research? How involved are the students in research?
The faculty members in MSU’s clinical program are all actively involved in
research. All students are encouraged to work on research projects with the
faculty members. Usually the role the student plays in the research depends on
their interest and level of expertise.
Will I be required to do
an internship?
All students complete an APA-approved clinical internship. The program requires
that students consult with their doctoral guidance committee about what sites
are appropriate. Prior to application, students must have an approved
dissertation proposal and they must have passed their comprehensive exams.
Where are graduates
employed?
Graduates
of MSU’s clinical Ph.D. program are employed at universities, colleges,
hospitals, government agencies, consulting firms, industry, and private
practices.
Do students attend
or present research at professional conferences?
Many students elect to attend research conferences and present their research.
Students will often attend the American Psychological Association annual
convention or conferences specific to their area of interest (i.e., Academy for
Eating Disorders, Association of Women in Psychology, Society for Research in
Child Development, Society for Psychophysiological Research, International
Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Society for Research in Psychopathology,
Behavior Genetics Association Conference, International Society for Research in
Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, Eating Disorders Research Society,
American Psychological Society, and Society for Research on Alcoholism). The
graduate school and psychology department usually have funding available to
assist with the cost of traveling to conferences and presenting research.
Examples of recent student conference presentations can be found at
Recent Student Publications and Awards.
Do students publish
research in professional and scientific journals?
MSU students regularly publish research articles in top-tier scientific
journals. Many of these publications result from student involvement on faculty
research projects. Students also routinely author articles based on their
dissertation, thesis, or class research papers. Student publications can be
found in such journals as the International Journal of Eating Disorders, Infant
Mental Health Journal, Neuropsychology, Journal of Child Psychology and
Psychiatry, Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Psychology of Women Quarterly,
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, Development and
Psychopathology, Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, and Archives of Clinical
Neuropsychology. Examples of recent student publications can be found at
Recent Student Publications and Awards.
What
year does clinical work begin?
Students
begin seeing clients during their second year in the program, supervised by
licensed faculty or clinical psychologists from the community. In addition,
students complete four psychological assessments per year which include child
behavior/learning assessments, adult learning characteristics assessments, and
adult neuropsychological assessments. MSU clinical psychology students see
their clients at the MSU Psychological Clinic which is housed in the psychology
building. The Clinic serves mainly low-income clients from the greater Lansing
community.
Living
Do students live on or
off MSU’s campus? What is a typical monthly rent payment in the East Lansing area?
There is a graduate dormitory on campus (Owen Hall) and there are also
university apartments. However, almost all students choose to live off-campus.
There are plenty of reasonably priced apartments and townhouses in either
walking or short-driving distance from campus. One-bedroom apartments
(w/o utilities) cost $400-$500 (per month); two-bedroom apartments are $550-$650.
When do students make
living arrangements?
Students generally come to the East Lansing area to look for an apartment and
sign a lease during the early summer. However, some students start looking as
early as April, because some apartment complexes will put you on a waiting
list, and will contact you when a unit comes available within the time frame
that you would like to start your lease. Students can also search for
apartments through Rent.com
and Apartments.com. University
apartments are also available on campus.
Do I need to have a
car?
While you may decide you don't want to have a car if you live very close to
campus, most of the current students do have cars. There are bookstores,
restaurants, athletic facilities, and a few small stores near campus, but most
of the supermarkets and many other stores and restaurants are not a reasonable
walking distance. A bus line runs throughout the East Lansing area to outlying
shopping areas. A car is necessary to reach the Lansing City Airport. The
Detroit Airport can be reached by commuter bus or by car. Amtrak stops near the
MSU campus and has routes to Chicago and elsewhere.
Parking permits are available for purchase by students who have
assistantships and fellowships. These allow graduate students to park in
specific areas of campus. They cost about $40 per semester.
What is the weather like
in mid-Michigan?
Fall is lovely. The first snowfall is usually in early November, and winter
weather usually lasts until mid-March. Temperatures are coldest in January and
February, usually ranging from the mid-30s to the single digits. Snowfalls are
not particularly heavy. We have a number of students from southern states who
have successfully learned to drive in the snow! Spring can be cool and rainy,
with beautiful weather in May and June, and hotter (but still beautiful) weather
in July and August.
Will I need to take out
student loans, or can I afford to live off the assistantship?
The assistantship stipend is designed so that one student can afford to live
modestly. Whether you need a loan will depend on your lifestyle and if you have
mitigating factors, such as a spouse or dependent children, high moving
expenses, etc. Many current students do have loans; however, there are a few who
are managing the process loan-free.
Do I have to pay
tuition?
In fall and spring semesters, students with assistantships receive a tuition
waiver for nine credit hours; during summer session, four credit hours of
tuition are waived. Students who take more than nine (or four) credits are
required to pay for those additional credits.
Do I receive any health
care coverage?
All graduate students on an assistantship or fellowship receive student medical
insurance coverage free of charge. Benefits include major medical coverage and
sick/injury or annual medical exam visits to the campus health clinic. Many lab
tests are also covered. Prescriptions have a copay ($10 for generic; $20 for
brand-name). Dental and vision insurance is available for an additional premium.
What do students do for fun?
Students often take advantage of the many clubs, bars, and
restaurants on Grand River Avenue near campus and downtown. The campus and
community hold concerts, theatrical performances, and sporting events throughout
the year. The area is known for jazz and folk music. Students also enjoy
attending Lansing Lugnuts minor league baseball games during the summer. The
summer also brings numerous free outdoor concerts, folk festivals, plays, and
street fairs to East Lansing; these often feature nationally-known performers.
Detroit and Ann Arbor are nearby cities that offer seasonal events such as the
North American International Auto Show, Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, and Detroit
sports team games (Redwings, Lions, and Tigers). Detroit has one of the top 5
art museums in the country. In the summer, students often take advantage of the
beautiful Great Lakes surrounding the state of Michigan. The beaches of Lake
Michigan are gorgeous and the closest are about a two hour drive away..
The
Application and Selection Process
When should I apply to MSU’s graduate clinical psychology
program?
The application deadline is December 15. Be sure to take your General and
Psychology Subject GRE tests early enough that the scores will be released to
MSU by the deadline. Application materials and instructions can be found at
http://www.psychology.msu.edu/GraduateProgram/Apps.htm
How is my application evaluated?
The Admissions Committee reads all applicant folders. They take into consideration:
GRE scores (General & Subject)
GPA
Rigor of undergraduate program of study
Applicant's fit with faculty interests and mission of program
Relevant work experience related to mental health or helping people with
problems
Letters of recommendation
Independent projects (e.g., honors thesis)
Personal statement
Research experience
Strength in one area can help to balance a slight weakness in another area.
How many students apply to the graduate program? How
many are admitted?
Approximately
200 students apply each year to MSU's clinical program. We admit 4-5 students
each year.
Is the
GRE Psychology Subject Test Required?
Yes, we require that
students take both the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General Test and Psychology
Subject Test.
Whom can I
contact for more information?
Clinical Secretary
Jean Robinson
Department of Psychology
Michigan State University
107A Psychology Building
East Lansing, MI 48824-1116
Phone: (517) 355-9562
Fax: (517) 432-2476
jrobins@msu.edu
Graduate Secretary
Julie Detwiler
Department of Psychology
Michigan State University
202B Psychology Building
East Lansing, MI 48824-1116
Phone: (517) 353-5258
Fax: (517) 432-2476
psygrad@msu.edu
