Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology
About
Graduates from the Master of Arts in Psychology program will be trained to be competent, effective scholar-practitioners, able to understand and apply the best available clinical evidence to effect growth and healing in individuals, couples, families, and communities. With our success training doctoral students for over four decades, you can trust you will get the education you need either to launch your career or go on to get your doctorate. Plus, with our student-centered, collaborative learning approach and small class sizes, you will be individually known and mentored every step of the way.
Focused Electives
Housed within the same School as our nationally known PsyD program, master’s level students can take elective courses:
- Forensics
- Neuropsychology
- Geropsychology
- Clinical health psychology
- Deep dives into specific types of therapy and treatment:
- Trauma therapy
- Addictions treatment
- Couples therapy
- Family therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
Pathway to Our Renowned PsyD Program
Since the first two years of our accredited doctoral program encompasses the curriculum of our master’s program, students admitted to the PsyD program will immediately begin after completing their MA degree at Spalding University. As long as grades are a B or higher, all 60 credits will be accepted toward the PsyD degree. A minimum of a 3.5 GPA in the MA program is required for consideration to the PsyD program. No credits from another master’s degree program will be accepted for transfer into the MA program.
Begin Practicing With a Master’s Degree
Graduates will be eligible to practice independently in Kentucky as Licensed Psychological Practitioners after two years of post-master’s supervision. Currently only 20 states allow practice at the master’s level, with only a few allowing independent practice, making this a very unique opportunity.
Career Options
Aside from becoming a Licensed Psychological Practitioner, our students are well suited for a variety of direct service career paths conducting assessment, therapy, or both. Graduates could find themselves working in:
- Private practice
- College counseling centers
- VA and medical hospitals
- Psychiatric hospitals
- Correctional facilities
- Residential facilities
Features
- With our unique master’s program, students choose a general psychology track or explore electives that focus on specialty areas or specific therapies and treatments
- Gain real-world experience during the second year when you complete a full year of practicum (600 hours minimum), either at a site in the Louisville community or in our in-house community mental health center, the Center for Behavioral Health
- Individualized attention from faculty who have years of experience working in the field
- If accepted, students will seamlessly transition into our PsyD program after completing your Master’s in Clinical Psychology at Spalding
Tuition & Fees
Since the curriculum of the MA program is the exact same as the first two years of the PsyD program, tuition and fees are the same as the PsyD program. For the 25-26 year, $1065 per credit hour with an additional $5 technology fee per credit hour.
Admission Requirements
Applications will open mid-August 2025. The application deadline is February 1, 2026 for the Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology program. Note: to be considered for both the master’s program and Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology, the application deadline is December 8, 2025.
In addition to the general University requirements, you must submit:
- A completed application form
- A copy your undergraduate transcript
- A copy of your CV
- Three letters of reference from people who have known you in an academic or professional setting
- Three-page, double-spaced, typed autobiographical statement with relevant personal and professional experience and aspirations
The GRE is not required for application to admission. Applicants will also be evaluated on the basis of personal attributes; therefore, virtual interviews are required. Those selected for interviews are notified regarding specific dates and times. Students offered admission to join the Fall 2026 cohort will have the option of attending an admitted student open house in the spring since interviews are virtual. Students are admitted to the program only for the Fall semester. It is expected that applicants will have a background in psychology at the undergraduate level with at least a minimum of 18 credit hours in psychology.
