Our strong emphasis on diversity spans all programs and activities: from classroom teaching and mentoring to research and services.
The terminal master’s program is designed to prepare students for employment or to be a competitive applicant for doctoral programs.
Graduates typically move on to careers as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP), LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor), clinical/applied researcher, case worker, advocate, or similar positions.
The Pacific University Master’s in Applied Clinical Psychology program is nationally accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC).
Admissions Intellectual and critical-thinking abilities are essential for success. We look at your academic record, your GPA, applied and research experience, letters of recommendation and essay responses. In addition to having a strong sense of ethics, students in our program are self-starters and problem-solvers.
Interview Days Applicants may be invited for interviews during one of Pacific’s Interview Day events. Interview Days give us the opportunity to observe applicants’ personal and professional presentation. During this event, you can assess your fit with our programs by meeting with current students, connecting with faculty and learning more about the school.
“The MA curriculum is well-rounded as you gain the necessary skills to become a competent clinician. The program focuses on the basic skills that you can build upon throughout your career as a student and as a professional. The program also does a great job of discussing research and providing opportunities to partake in group projects that can provide insight into research and the process for what a potential thesis might look like. The first year of research methods is very comprehensive and provides a great foundation for future research work if you are interested!”
We look for candidates who view psychology as a health profession and who understand the role that psychology plays in health-related settings.
SGP students consulting about a clinical case.
Getting Ready - Our admission decisions consider many factors:
Strength and breadth of academic record.
A cumulative GPA of 3.0 is desired.
Applied and research experience.
Essay responses.
Strength of letters of evaluation.
Content of application forms and the care with which they have been prepared.
Please reach out to our MA admissions counselor at psych.masters@pacificu.edu or visit our website for additional admissions information.
Master’s in Applied Clinical Psychology Admission Requirements
Master’s degree students have academic aptitude and a desire to develop a strong theoretical foundation and the skills needed to apply their knowledge in a variety of settings. We require a bachelor’s degree and look for students with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. We do NOT require the GRE.
Prerequisite Coursework
A psychology major is not required. Prerequisite courses must be completed with a “C” or above before a student can matriculate into the program. These prerequisites do not need to be complete when application is submitted.
We require the following courses:
Introduction to Psychology
Statistics
How to Apply Go to our website for instructions and to fill out the online application for your program of choice.
If you have a question about certain courses or admissions information, please email Psych.Masters@pacificu.edu.
Masters Class Profile
120
Average APPLICATIONS RECEIVED
43
number of students
matriculating
3.3
AVERAGE GPA
25
AVERAGE AGE
60%
number of
out-of-states students
Whether you aspire to apply psychological science in your career, practice as a licensed professional or work in research, we look for students who have high personal standards and ethics.
Clinical Placement
Practicum training helps students integrate theoretical knowledge with clinical application. Our students gain supervised practice experience with a range of client populations, age groups and clinical problems.
The first year of the MA program consists of coursework only; whereas the second year consists of a small class load, a clinical practicum, and an applied research project.
Practicum
A minimum of 700 hour practicum in the second year is required. This practicum may be served in a variety of community settings, where students will ideally gain experience working with a wide range of client populations, mental health concerns, and intervention modalities. Students receive regular clinical supervision at their community placements and also attend clinical seminars weekly with an MA core faculty member.
Examples of Types of Practicum Sites (from most common to least common)
· Outpatient Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC)
· Child and Adolescent Day Treatment Programs (including school-based placement)
· Forensic Settings (Juvenile Justice, Sherriff’s Office, sites that specialize in treating individuals who have been convicted of Sex Offences)
· Outpatient CMHC specializing in Substance Use Disorders
· Community site serving survivors of Domestic Violence
· Behaviorally Integrated Medical Offices
· College Counseling Center
· Crisis Center
· Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
The Hillsboro Campus is a vibrant home for many of Pacific’s graduate and professional programs. Founded as the home of Pacific University's College of Health Professions, the campus also offers graduate programs in the College of Business.
Northwest Region