Philosophy

The M.A. Program in Clinical Psychology is a 60-credit degree program focused on the preparation of students for entry level professional positions in the mental health services of hospitals, clinics, colleges, schools, and human service agencies. The program’s goal is to promote the integration of theory, research and practice in the field of clinical psychology. This means providing the student with the opportunity for the in-depth study and analysis of both the research tradition of academic psychology, and the theoretical and case study tradition of professional psychology. The program is eclectic in orientation and might be described as offering a broad psycho-social perspective in which the faculty offer a diversity of interest and views within the framework of the curriculum. Most heavily emphasized are the psychodynamic, humanistic, and socio-cultural perspectives. Consistent with these goals, the program has created the Sam Dietzel Award.

Equal in importance to the content of the curriculum is the educational atmosphere of the program. The program strives to provide a milieu that respects the individual educational goals of the graduate student, and fosters intellectual, personal and professional growth. The faculty are committed to this goal and to providing graduate education and training in a personal and non-bureaucratic learning environment. All clinical courses are taught by highly experienced clinical practitioners, while the full-time college faculty teach the core courses in experimental psychology, social psychology and research.

OBJECTIVES

  • To provide students with a solid theoretical and empirical foundation in experimental psychology.
  • To provide students with a theoretical, empirical and practical foundation in clinical assessment and intervention.
  • To provide students with an understanding of the social, ethical and professional context of clinical psychology.
  • To prepare students for entry level positions in the mental health systems as professional psychologists.
  • To provide students with a firm foundation for doctoral level study

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For further information on the Clinical Psychology Program contact:

Tara Arcury
Program Assistant 
Founders Hall 105
Phone: 802.654.2206
Box 105
E-mail: tarcury@smcvt.edu

or 

Ronald Miller
Director
Saint Edmund's Hall 202A
Phone: 802.654.2288
Box 288
E-mail: rmiller@smcvt.edu