Psychology
Program Description
The study of psychology at The University of Montana dates back to 1905 when the first psychology laboratory was established. Graduate programs in psychology were established in 1930. In 1950, the Department of Psychology was charged the sole responsibility for Ph.D. level training in psychology in the state of Montana. Current enrollment includes approximately 600 undergraduate majors and 70 graduate majors.
Although the early days of the department saw a heavy emphasis on the study of "learning" our graduate programs have evolved into a healthy mixture of specializations. Our Ph.D. level clinical psychology program has been continuously accredited by the APA since 1965 and follows the scientist-practitioner model. The M.A./Ed.S.program in school psychology is a joint program with the School of Education and includes training in counseling. It is accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists and by NCATE. Additionally, the department offers Ph.D. level training in animal behavior, in adult and child developmental psychology, and beginning Fall 2006, in school psychology.
Complementing these programs are minor areas of emphasis in neuropsychology, child/family therapy, quantitative psychology and rural/Native American psychology. While each program includes required and elective courses as well as research and applied opportunities, the general model is a mentoring one in which graduate students work closely with one or more faculty advisors with whom they develop close working relationships. The faculty in this department is quite active and collegial. The atmosphere is conducive to research and teaching collaborations among students and faculty.
| Program |
Degree Offered |
| Psychology (Clinical Option) |
M.A.,Ph.D. |
| Psychology (School Psychology Option) |
M.A.,Ph.D. |
| School Psychology |
M.A.,Ed.S. |
| Experimental Psychology (Animal Behavior Option) |
M.A., Ph.D. |
| Experimental Psychology (Developmental Option) |
M.A.,Ph.D. |
|
Experimental Psychology (General Option;
for Social Psychology and Quantitative Psychology)
|
M.A.,Ph.D. |
Degrees Offered
M.A., Ph.D. Psychology
Options: Animal Behavior
Clinical
Developmental
General
School Psychology
Requirements for Animal Behavior Program option
Core courses in experimental psychology, specialty courses and seminars, laboratory research, completion of M.A. requirements (including MA research project) and dissertation (both empirical research), approximately 72 total credits and comprehensive examination.
Requirements for Clinical Program option
Core courses in psychology, psychological evaluation courses, clinical interventions, clinical topics seminars, applied clinical methods, completion of M.A. requirements (including MA research project) and dissertation (both empirical research), approximately 90 total credits, comprehensive examination and one-year APA-approved clinical internship.
Requirements for Developmental Program option
Core courses in experimental psychology, specialty courses and seminars, field placements, completion of M.A. requirements (including MA research project) and dissertation (both empirical research), approximately 72 total credits and comprehensive examination.
Requirements for General Program option
Core courses in experimental psychology, specialty courses and seminars, laboratory research, completion of M.A. requirements (including MA research project) and dissertation (both empirical research), approximately 72 total credits and comprehensive examination.
Requirements for School Psychology option
Core courses in school psychology, advanced psychology, school and clinical interventions, specialty topics seminars, research, applied school and clinical methods.
The Ph.D. degree in Psychology, School Psychology option is attained as follows:
1.) Master's (M.A.) degree in School Psychology by completing 36 credits of course work and a Master's research project, completed at the end of two years of full-time study.
2.) Doctoral Ph.D. degree by completing additional credits of course work during the first four years of full-time study, successful completion of a comprehensive examination taken at the end of the 3rd year, successful completion of a dissertation research project at the end of the 4th year, and 12 credits of internship during the 5th year of training.
Please see our web site for listing of the required coursework and matriculation through the specialist level program.
With all the above options, students receive an M.A. degree after 30 to 36 semester credits and completion of an MA research project.
The M.A. in psychology is not a terminal degree in these programs. Students who enter with an M.A. degree may be able to waive some program requirements.
In addition to these "major" areas of specialization, graduate students may obtain a minor in neuropsychology or in quantitative psychology.
M.A., Ed.S. School Psychology
Requirements
Training at the specialist level in School Psychology at The University of Montana includes a 74-semester hour course of study leading to an Ed.S. degree, attained as follows:
1.) Master's (M.A.) degree in School Psychology by completing 36 credits of course work and the successful completion of a comprehensive examination at the end of two years of full-time study.
2.) Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree by completing 26 additional credits of course work during the first two years of full-time study and 12 credits of internship during the third year of training.
Please see our web site for listing of the required coursework and matriculation through the specialist level program.
Admissions
1. Application Materials and Deadline
Clinical program option:
- Fall - Complete application packet should be postmarked by December 1. (Applications postmarked by January 1 will be considered for 2013-14 only.)
Animal Behavior, Developmental and General program options:
- Fall - Priority will be given to complete application packets postmarked by January 1. Complete application packets received after this date will be considered on a space available basis.
- Spring - Priority will be given to complete application packets postmarked by October 1. Complete application packets received after this date will be considered on a space available basis.
School Psychology program option:
- Fall admission only- Priority will be given to complete application packets postmarked by January 1. Complete application packets received after this date will be considered on a space available basis.
MA, EdS in School Psychology program:
- Fall admission only - Priority will be given to complete application packets postmarked by January 1. Complete application packets received after this date will be considered on a space available basis.
Instructions for applying to the Graduate School are in the Applying for Admission section on this web site.
In addition to the application materials required by the Graduate School, the Department of Psychology also requires:
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
- Three (3) letters of recommendation.
- A personal statement describing your goals and interests.
2. Program Requirements for Admission
- The Psychology Department accepts GRE scores with a test date that is within the past five years OR verifiable GRE scores if the test date is over five years old, and for school psychology applicants, at the discretion of the program director.
Following is additional information on admissions:
- average GPA for incoming students is 3.50 and 3.7 for EdS applicants.
- average GRE combined (V+Q) score for incoming clinical students = 1250
- average GRE combined (V+Q) score for incoming experimental students = 1210
- 6-12 students are admitted each year.
- offers are made on the basis of academic and professional promise and experience, as well as overall fit with the program. Telephone and personal interviews may be conducted with highly ranked candidates.
3. Assistantship Application and Deadline
There is no specific application form or deadline for assistantships. All applicants are automatically considered for assistantship positions unless they prefer not to be.
Inquiries about assistantships and scholarships should be directed to Dr. Allen Szalda-Petree, department chair.
4. International Students
Financial Assistance
For additional information about financial assistance, see the Financial Information section on this web site.
Assistantships are available to the majority of students but are not guaranteed. Advanced students can apply for scholarships. Inquiries about assistantships and scholarships should be directed to the department chair.
Teaching Assistantships
Following instruction in the teaching of psychology, graduate students assist faculty in teaching a variety of courses; experienced students may teach courses themselves under supervision. Full-time teaching assistants work approximately 15 hours per week for 16 weeks each semester of the academic year. In addition to their salaries, teaching assistants receive a tuition fee waiver (in-state or out-of-state) and a waiver of the registration fee. Other fees charged by the University are not included in the TA fee waiver package. Students are selected for teaching assistantships based on their interest, knowledge, skills and academic needs. Teaching assistants are required to register for 9 credits.
Research Assistantships
These assistantships vary from year to year and are supported by individual faculty members who have grants and by agencies such as the UM Rural Institute for Disabilities. RA positions may, but do not always, include tuition fee waivers. Research assistants are required to register for 9 credits.
Applied Assistantships
These include clinical assistantships and are available throughout the region in collaboration with a variety of agencies including:
Scholarships and Fellowships
Advanced students who have demonstrated excellence in research and creative activity have been successful in obtaining the Bertha Morton Scholarship from the Graduate School. Psychology graduate students have historically received more of these scholarships than those of any other program at UM. Historically, our students have been successful in obtaining a variety of scholarships and fellowships from outside sources including: IHS scholarships, Ford Foundation Fellowships, APA fellowships for minority students and APA dissertation fellowships.
Department website
Campus Location
Skaggs Building, Room 143
Federal Express Delivery - Street Address
32 Campus Drive #1584
Missoula, MT 59812-1584
(406) 243-4521
Fax: (406) 243-6366
psycgrad@umontana.edu
Chair
Chair Nabil Haddad, Ph.D.
