2020-2021 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Department of Clinical, Health, and Applied Sciences
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The Department of Clinical, Health, and Applied Sciences (CHAS) is committed to educating and preparing undergraduate and graduate students for careers that promote the mental, physical, and psychosocial health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Because of changing lifestyle and environmental factors that result in an increased prevalence of disease and disability, there is a growing need to discover, develop, and disseminate evidence-based prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation programs for physical and mental impairments. Through research, teaching, and service, the faculty of CHAS programs are dedicated to meeting this growing societal need. Moreover, CHAS faculty members are committed to the academic preparation and professional mentorship of students who will become the community and family health leaders of future generations.
CHAS offers undergraduate degrees in various areas of clinical and applied health sciences. At the graduate level, CHAS offers the Psy.D. in Health Service Psychology (Clinical Psychology/School Psychology), Masters of Sciences, Masters of Arts, and specialty degrees.
Graduate Degrees
- Behavior Analysis, M.A.
- Exercise and Health Sciences, M.S.
- Professional Psychology Plans
- As noted in the “Accreditations” section above, many of these programs are accredited by their various national councils. Students graduating from these programs may sit for their appropriate licensing exams
Professional Psychology Plans
The graduate programs in Professional Psychology provide a breadth of background in academic theory along with specific course work and specialized training in one of four areas: (1) Clinical Psychology, (2) Family Therapy, (3) School Psychology, and (4) Health Service Psychology. The specifics of each program are described in detail in the pages that follow. Clinical Psychology and Family Therapy lead to the Master of Arts degree in the respective discipline and School Psychology leads to the Specialist in School Psychology degree (SSP). Health Service Psychology culminates in a Doctor of Psychology degree (Psy.D.). While completing a Professional Psychology program does not automatically qualify graduates for any specific license or clinical credential, many of our graduates meet the academic requirements for licensure in Texas as Licensed Psychological Associates (LPA), Licensed Specialists in School Psychology (LSSP), Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT), and a number of other professional credentials. Many graduates of the Health Service Psychology program will become Licensed Psychologists. For further information about certification and licensure, contact the director for the respective program.
Applying for Admission to Professional Psychology Programs
Applicants may apply to only one professional psychology program during any admissions period. Application fees for each program are described below. The program application fee is in addition to the fee for university admission.
Admission into a Professional Psychology program will be offered only to the most qualified applicants. The typical minimum standard for admission to the Master’s Programs in Professional Psychology is an overall 3.25 grade point average, prerequisite psychology preparation, and evidence of clinical aptitude. The percentage of applicants accepted into the professional programs of study generally ranges between 25% and 75% depending on the program. The typical minimum standard for admission to Health Service Psychology is a Master’s or Specialist degree in relevant discipline, a GPA of 3.4 or higher, a score of 300 or higher on the GRE, with at least a 3.5 in Analytical Writing, and evidence of research potential (publication, thesis, formal research project, participation in research). Students holding bachelor’s degrees may also apply to the Health Service Psychology program and will, upon admission, complete additional program requirements as described in the program section below.
The application process is restricted to one program only. There is an application fee for the program payable to the University of Houston-Clear Lake as described below, a cost in addition to the application fee for university admission. Applications to the program must be submitted online through www.ApplyTexas.org. All applications materials must be submitted online, including transcripts and GRE scores. Note that all programs require that letters of recommendation and recommendation forms be submitted by writers directly to a specific email address (see specific instructions for each program). Incomplete applications may not be reviewed. In addition to completing the program application described here, applicants are advised that they must complete a university Application for Admission and submit it and all required fees and documents to the university Admissions Office before beginning the program.
Application deadlines for the master’s and specialist programs is Jan. 25. The application deadline for the Psy.D. program is Dec. 15. Applicants must ensure that their applications for UHCL admission, GRE scores, and supporting transcripts are all received by the university Office of Admissions and the Professional Psychology program of choice.
Applicants should note that admission to graduate status at the university is not equivalent to admission to one of the Professional Psychology programs. In some cases, applicants maybe contacted by the advising office; any such communication refers only to acceptance into graduate status at the university based on the application for university admission described above. This should not be confused with acceptance into one of the Professional Psychology programs. Applicants are not admitted into a Professional Psychology program until they receive formal notice from the Professional Psychology program director that they have been accepted. Applicants should direct any questions regarding the status of their applications to the program director of the respective program. Each program’s admissions committee will notify applicants of admission decisions by late spring. If students are not accepted into a Professional Psychology program, they may apply for admission to a non-clinical master’s program. Information regarding these programs is available through the HSH Office of Academic Advising. Applicants to a non-clinical master’s program should be aware of the information in the section entitled “Restricted Courses.”
Applying to Master’s/Specialist’s Programs in Professional Psychology:
- All application materials must be submitted online through www.ApplyTexas.org. All recommendation forms and letters need to be submitted by each writer to the email address for the program
- Professional Psychology application components:
- A brief curriculum vitae (a resume including relevant coursework paid or volunteer work experiences, any honors, presentations, papers, and other life experiences that should be considered).
- A brief (up to 1000-word) essay stating reasons for desiring this training and how it fits into career goals.
- Three Recommendations for Applicant Admission (form may be found in the program brochure or on the university’s web site).
- Transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended (these are in addition to the transcripts sent directly to the UHCL Office of Admissions) collected by the applicant and included in the application envelope.
- Scores on the Graduate Record Examination General Test.
- A $35 check or money order made payable to: UHCL Professional Psychology Programs, including the name of the programs (Clinical Psychology, Family Therapy, or School Psychology.)
ALL LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION FOR CLINICAL AND SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY MUST BE EMAILED DIRECTLY FROM THE LETTER WRITER TO:
clinicalschool@uhcl.edu
For Clinical Psychology program application send $35 check payable to University of Houston-Clearlake via:
Clinical Psychology Admissions Committee
University of Houston-Clear Lake
College of Human Sciences and Humanities
2700 Bay Area Blvd, Box 73
Houston, Texas 77058-1098
ALL LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION FOR FAMILY THERAPY MUST BE SENT TO:
familytherapy@uhcl.edu
For Family Therapy program application send $35 check payable to University of Houston-Clear Lake via:
Family Therapy Admissions Committee
College of Human Sciences and Humanities
University of Houston-Clear Lake
2700 Bay Area Blvd, Box 21
Houston, Texas 77058-1098
Applying for to Doctoral Program in Health Service Psychology:
There are seven components to the PsyD application:
- The online application form.
- A curriculum vitae
- A brief Statement of Purpose stating reasons for wanting this training and how it fits into the applicant’s career goals. The Statement of Purpose (not to exceed 2 pages, single spaced) includes the following:
- Research and clinical/school psychology experience and interests
- Practicum experience
- Other relevant experiences (e.g., volunteerism)
- Post-graduation professional goals
- List of faculty within the PsyD program with whom the applicant would like to work and why
- Three recommendations for applicant admission. Each writer needs to fill outa recommendation form (see web site) and submit a separate letter via email to psyd@uhcl.edu.
- Transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended (except University of Houston-Clear Lake transcripts which will be generated internally).
- Scores on general test of the Graduate Record Examination. Official scores are reported to the university through the standard GRE process. The applicant also enters GRE scores onto the program application form as indicated.
- A $50 check or money order made payable to: UHCL Professional Psychology Programs: Health Service Psychology.
ALL LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION FOR HEALTH SERVICE PSYCHOLOGY MUST BE EMAILED DIRECTLY FROM THE LETTER WRITER TO: psyd@uhcl.edu
Review of Program
Continuation in a Professional Psychology program requires satisfactory academic performance and the acquisition of appropriate clinical and professional skills and personal attributes. Students admitted to these programs will be evaluated annually for academic progress and appropriate professional behavior and development. An unsatisfactory evaluation may lead to probation or, in extreme cases, termination from the program. The policies and procedures for each program provide further information regarding these matters and may be obtained from the director of each program.
Grade Requirements
Only courses in which a grade of B- or better is earned may be applied toward any Professional Psychology program requirement. Grades of C+ or below are not acceptable.
Restricted Courses
Applicants should note that the following courses are restricted to students formally admitted to one of the Professional Psychology programs. Restricted courses may not be taken by graduate students in the General Psychology program or transitional students who have not yet been admitted into a Professional Psychology program. In addition to the courses below, all 7000 and 8000-level PSYC courses are restricted to students in the Psy.D. program.
ProgramsDoctor of PsychologyMaster of ArtsMaster of Science
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