Clinical Psychology (MA) at University of Central Florida

University of Central Florida

United States of America, Orlando

University Rank:#701

The Clinical Psychology (MA) is a Master degree offered by University of Central Florida at its main campus in Orlando, United States of America. The program is delivered on campus as a Full Time course in English and requires approximately 2 years to complete. Students study at the university's main campus while gaining the knowledge and practical experience expected for this area of study. The next intake is available from May 16, 2027.

About Clinical Psychology (MA)

The Master of Arts Clinical Psychology Program is a terminal master's program offered at the UCF Sanford/Lake Mary Campus. The program consists of two tracks:

Applied Pre-Licensure/Non-Thesis Track: The Master of Arts Clinical Psychology Program is a terminal master's program offered at the UCF Sanford/Lake Mary Campus. The Applied Pre-Licensure/Non-Thesis Track is designed for students interested in delivering clinical services in a variety of settings including community agencies and private practice. After completing the program and after two years of postgraduate supervised clinical experience, graduates are eligible to become Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs) in the state of Florida.

Can you provide an overview of the Pre-licensure Track?

This track has been offered for decades. As mentioned in our catalogue description, the primary goal of this track is to train students to become licensed, master™s-level clinicians. More specifically, graduates of this track are eligible to become Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs) in the State of Florida, and they will likely be eligible for master™s level licensure in most other states. This track includes a full course load (9-12 credits/per semester) for two years. Students in this track complete a practicum (10 hours/week in the first spring in the program) and internship (20 hours/week in the fall, spring, and summer semesters in the second year in the program). A majority of the graduates of this program enter clinical practice and obtain licensure at the master™s level. We usually admit 15 to 16 students into this track each fall term.

How do I get licensed?

Students in the applied/prelicensure track meet the eligibility criteria for licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the State of Florida. Please note that more details about eligibility criteria can be found on the Florida Department of Health website. In addition, our students are also eligible for similar licensure in most other states; however, we are unable to confirm the licensure and certification requirements of other states. Consequently, if you intend to pursue such credentialing outside of Florida, we advise you to contact the applicable state credentialing authority to familiarize yourself with its specific requirements and determine if our program meets its eligibility criteria.

Can I get into a doctoral program if I complete the pre-licensure track?

Yes! As mentioned above, most students in the pre-licensure track practice at the master™s level upon graduation. Having said that, each year we have a number of graduating students who apply to and get into Ph.D. or Psy.D. programs (usually around 2-4 students out a cohort of 15-16 students). Engagement in research may increase students™ competitiveness when applying to doctoral programs.
Can I do research if I am in the pre-licensure track?

Yes. Research is not required as part of this track; however, students in the pre-licensure track are often engaged in collaborative research with faculty. It is common for students in this track to present research at scientific conferences, and some of these students become coauthors of peer-reviewed publications in scientific journals.

Research/Thesis Track: The Master of Arts Clinical Psychology Program is a terminal master's program offered at the UCF Sanford/Lake Mary Campus. The Research/Thesis Track is designed for students who wish to focus on clinical research and/or are interested in pursuing entry into a doctoral program following the completion of their Master's degree. Students who complete this option are not eligible to become Licensed Mental Health Counselors upon graduation.

Can you provide an overview of the research/thesis Track?

The faculty developed this track for students who are interested in focusing on research and/or are interested in gaining entry into a research-focused doctoral program. This track is a great fit for students who are not particularly interested in clinical practice at the master™s level upon graduation. In addition to an empirical thesis, we encourage students in this track to engage in other research projects. Students in the thesis track have a reduced course load relative to the prelicensure track, which allows more time for engagement in research. The tradeoff is that students in this track will not be eligible for licensure at the mater™s level when they graduate. We anticipate admitting no more than 5 to 6 students into the thesis track this year.

Is it possible to get clinical experience in the research/thesis track?

Yes. It is possible for students in the research/thesis track to chose to do a practicum. This experience would be approximately 10 hours/week during one spring semester.

Am I guaranteed admission into a Ph.D. program if I am in the research/thesis track?

No. The program has the potential to increase a student™s competitiveness when applying to research-focused doctoral programs; however, we cannot guarantee admission into a doctoral program.

Please visit the program's website for more information, including a list of program faculty members, and frequently asked questions (FAQs), including additional information about each track: https://sciences.ucf.edu/psychology/graduate/ma-clinical/.

Please see the specific admission, application requirement, financial and contact information for the track in which you are interested.

This program has potential ties to professional licensure or certification in the field. For more information on how this program may prepare you in that regard, please visit https://apq.ucf.edu/files/Licensure-Disclosure-COS-Clinical-Psychology-MA.pdf.

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Clinical Psychology (MA) at University of Central Florida

Entry Requirements

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution recognized by UCF or its equivalent from a foreign institution AND a GPA of 3.0 or more (on a 4.0 maximum) in all work attempted while registered as an undergraduate student OR while registered as an upper-division undergraduate student (normally based on the last sixty attempted semester hours); OR, a graduate degree or professional degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or its equivalent from a foreign institution in a field related to the discipline of the program to which the student is applying.
Students applying to doctoral programs should refer to the graduate catalog requirements for their program.
Students applying to doctoral programs must also submit three letters of recommendation, a resume or curriculum vitae, and a written essay.
International students must demonstrate their proficiency in the English language. International students, except those who are from countries where English is the only official language, those who have earned a degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, or those who have earned a degree from a country where English is the only official language or from a university at which English is the only official language of instruction, are required to submit a score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS before they can be admitted to the university. A computer-based TOEFL score of 220 or 80 on the internet-based TOEFL (or equivalent score on the paper-based test) or 6.5 on the IELTS is required unless otherwise specified by the program.
International students applying to master’s or doctoral programs that do not require a GRE (or GMAT), except those that have earned or will earn a Masters or Doctoral degree from an accredited U.S. institution recognized by UCF, must submit a course-by-course evaluation of their official transcripts from a credential evaluation service recommended by UCF. This course-by-course evaluation must show a GPA that is equivalent to a 3.0 from an earned degree that is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree.
UCF now accepts scanned copies of official transcripts as part of your application materials. You will have the ability to upload these materials during the application process. After you have been offered admission to a graduate program and prior to the beginning of the semester term, you will be required to submit your official transcripts. When obtaining official transcripts, be sure to request that the transcripts show the degrees you have earned.

English Requirements

IELTSMin 6.5
TOEFLMin 80

English Program Requirements

those who are from countries where English is the only official language;
those who have earned a degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university;
those who have earned a degree from a country where English is the only official language;
those who have earned a degree from a university at which English is the only official language of instruction; or
those who have successfully completed UCF English Language Institute Level 8 or higher with a grade of “B” or better at UCF Global.

Career Opportunities after Completing Clinical Psychology (MA)

Applied Psychology Professor Child Development Professor Clinical Psychology Professor Educational Psychology Professor Human Relations Professor Industrial Psychology Professor Industrial/Organizational Psychology Professor Psychology Professor

Tuition and Fee Information for Clinical Psychology (MA) at University of Central Florida

Application Fee 31

Clinical Psychology (MA) at University of Central Florida

University of Central Florida

United States of America, Orlando