Psychology
Department of Psychology
At Abilene Christian University, we understand an education in psychology, shared from a Christian worldview, can make all the difference. We offer four degree programs to prepare you for licensure as a professional counselor or psychological associate or to continue with doctoral study. We do not require a GRE for admission to graduate school in the Department of Psychology.
Our faculty views psychology as a scientific and applied profession through which we train you to provide service to others. We view the nature and needs of humankind from a biblical perspective. Excellence in research and counseling practice are a part of the Christian commitment that we challenge you to share.
For those pursuing degrees in clinical, counseling or school psychology, you’ll be trained for individual and group counseling, interviewing, crisis intervention, psychological testing and professional issues and ethics, carefully supervised as you see clients in our ACU Psychological Clinic, an on-campus community clinic.
Discover Psychology Graduate Programs at Abilene Christian University:
Master of Science in Psychology
ACU’s Master of Science in psychology degree provides a general knowledge of psychology rather than an emphasis on clinical, counseling or school psychology. This program combines scientific scholarship, relevant clinical training and a Christian worldview to prepare you for professional work in education, nonprofit management, research, ministry or further study in a Ph.D. program.
This 36-credit hour resident graduate program in psychology offers an intentional professor/student ratio. It’s designed to be completed in 3 semesters but can be taken part-time. It offers an optional thesis, courses in clinical research methods, multivariate statistics and plenty of electives so that it can be combined with other graduate programs outside of the department.
Master of Science in Clinical Psychology
If you’re looking for a career as a Licensed Professional Counselor, ACU’s Master of Science in counseling psychology offers all of the courses required for licensure in Texas. It is important to be familiar with the licensing laws and rules in the state you plan to pursue licensure as requirements can vary widely.
This 60-credit hour (two year) residential graduate program in counseling psychology offers practicum opportunities in our on-site training clinic as well as the ability to specialize your experience in outside practica with children and adolescents, in-patient hospitals, integrated healthcare settings, eating disorders, addiction, domestic violence shelters and more.
Competitive graduate assistantships and scholarships are available.
Master of Science in Counseling Psychology
ACU’s Master of Science in clinical psychology prepares you to begin a professional career in counseling or to continue toward doctoral studies.
While earning your M.A. in clinical psychology, you receive classroom and practicum training in individual and group counseling, clinical interviewing, psychological testing, professional issues and ethics, and research design and analysis.
This 60-credit hour (two year) residential graduate program in counseling psychology offers courses in psychotherapy, clinical assessment, psychopathology and more to provide co-curricular opportunities for engagement and learning. Practicum opportunities allow you to specialize your experience in different settings.
Competitive graduate assistantships and scholarships are available.
Specialist in School Psychology
The Specialist in School Psychology program at ACU offers classroom and hands-on training, so that you learn to collaborate with educators, parents and other professionals, creating safe, healthy and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school and the community for all students.
We provide you with the educational basis and fundamental training while addressing faith integration and service as a practitioner. In our program, you will be immersed in the field through 600 hours of practicum and 1,200 hours of internship. The third year is an internship typically paid by the school district. Over the last ten years, our students have enjoyed a 100% placement rate and have been competitive at internships across the United States.
Students experience hands-on training in local schools through pre-practicum and practicum requirements. Additional training in our on-campus clinic gives opportunity to expand your experience working with parents, families and children/adolescents in a community setting. By graduation, you will be eligible to apply to the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (TSBEP) for licensure as a Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP) and the National School Psychology Certification Board for national certification.
Accreditation
ACU’s Specialist in School Psychology program is accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).