THE MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY AT For Admission Fall 2010 We Learn For Life
Introduction The Department of Psychology is one of the largest departments on the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) campus. Offering a B.A., B.S., M.S. and joint UAF/UAA PhD degree, the department has over 600 undergraduate majors, nearly 40 current graduate students, 20 full-time faculty, several term and adjunct faculty, and 2 administrative assistants. In the fall of 2006, with its first cohort of 16 students across UAA and UAF campuses, the Department of Psychology began a joint doctoral program in Clinical-Community Psychology. The M.S. Clinical Psychology graduate program at UAA is a separate terminal degree program from the PhD program. A student may make application to both programs simultaneously, if interested. The Psychology department is centrally located on campus in a building that also houses the Consortium Library. The department runs its own psychology laboratory and maintains an in-house mental health clinic -- the Psychological Services Center -- where graduate students gain initial hands-on psychotherapy experience. This newly renovated clinic utilizes state-of-the-art video and audio equipment, modern individual, child, family and group therapy rooms, and a comfortable, computer-equipped staff room. The Psychology department is housed in the Social Sciences Building with the departmental office in room 214. General Information About Alaska, Anchorage, and UAA Alaska is the largest and least populated state in the U.S. It contains vast areas of wilderness and many different climates. UAA is located in Anchorage, Alaska's largest city. Anchorage, an international air crossroads and the business center of the state, is metropolitan and culturally diverse. It is home to approximately 300,000 people, which is about half the population of Alaska. Special events include the Anchorage Fur Rendezvous, one of the ten largest festivals in the nation, the Iditarod Dog Sled Race, and the Alaska Shootout Basketball Tournament. Anchorage is surrounded by hundreds of thousands of acres of parkland and provides easy access to a wide range of outdoor activities, including bicycling, hiking, backpacking, boating, fishing, skiing, wildlife viewing, and many other adventures. Because Anchorage is located on an inlet of the Pacific Ocean, the climate is relatively mild, with average winter temperatures in the 20's (-5 o C) and average summer temperatures in the 60's (about 15-20 o C). UAA is situated on an attractive wooded campus that serves as a cultural hub for the city, providing theater, music, arts, and sports events. The campus features modern facilities and serves 15,000 students. Careful development has left the campus an urban oasis with resident wildlife populations that include moose, waterfowl, birds, and an occassional bear. You can see pictures and general information at www.uaa.alaska.edu The M.S. Degree Program In existence since 1967, the M.S. program in Clinical Psychology maintains an excellent student professor ratio and has high admissions standards. The curriculum follows a practitioner-scientist model, with training that emphasizes both research and clinical skills. More specifically, our program is a terminal degree program which prepares graduates for professional practice in clinical psychology through skill development in psychotherapy, assessment, and research. Faculty members are actively involved with students to support and monitor their progress through course work, handson practica, and collaborative research. Students gain applied therapy and assessment experience under the supervision of faculty members and licensed professionals at university-based and community-based training clinics.
Mission Statement The mission of the Master of Science Program is to provide quality training to graduate students interested in mental health careers in diverse communities. The training seeks to produce graduates who are practitioner-scientists prepared to address the local behavioral health needs in a context that is culturally sensitive and community focused. Clinical Skills Our program is designed to meet the needs of Alaska's diverse mental health settings. We provide a wide range of treatment-related classroom instruction that is complemented by three semesters of supervised clinical experience, beginning in our own clinic. Our classes are small so we can provide individualized and systematically organized training across the spectrum of skills needed for applied practice. With proper planning, graduates meet all of the state course work requirements in order to sit for licensure as either a Psychological Associate (LPA) or (with 12 additional post-graduate credits) a Professional Counselor (LPC). These licenses allow clinicians with an M.S. degree in Clinical Psychology to practice on a par with other master's level licenses (i.e., LCSW, LMFT). Many states have or are developing licensure laws that are similar to those in Alaska so graduates from our program may be eligible for master's level licensure in other states as well. Research Skills Our program provides all students with an understanding of research methodology. This training allows students to be knowledgeable and critical consumers of the empirical literature in psychology. Students wishing to receive more specialized skills may work with faculty on independent research projects and/or may elect to produce an empirical thesis. Career Preparation We prepare graduates for several different career options. The program requires at least two-years of study (48-credit hours) and is designed to provide the successful student with: skills in diagnosis, treatment planning, psychotherapy, and assessment supervised clinical experience in a variety of settings course work addressing licensing requirements for the LPA & LPC credentials the ability to critically evaluate research foundation skills for pursuing a doctoral degree in psychology Program Structure Our curriculum was developed with the practitioner-scientist in mind and has taken into account academic standards, the needs of Alaskans, licensing requirements, and the input of students over the years. The goal of the program is to provide students with a well-rounded education that includes an evidence-based background in the best practices applicable to community mental health settings. The curriculum addresses local behavioral health needs in a context that is culturally sensitive and community focused. The program is based on a sequence of core classes that provide competencies essential to a mental health service provider and practitioner-scientist. Classes emphasize supervised, hands on practice.
Coursework The number of credits required for the M.S. degree is 48 (45 required credits and 3 elective credits). A thesis is not required but is encouraged and supported by faculty. The following classes, required of all students, represent the basic skills we believe are necessary for practicing psychotherapists and developing scientists. PSY 604 Biological & Pharmacological Bases of Behavior PSY 609 Applied Research Methods PSY 611 Ethics and Professional Practice PSY 612 Advanced Human Development PSY 622 Multicultural Psychopathology PSY 623 Intervention I PSY 624 Group Therapy PSY 626 Family Therapy PSY 627 Community Based Intervention Skills PSY 633 Tests and Measurement in a Multicultural Context PSY 654 Cultural Issues in Psychotherapy PSY 665 Psychotherapy Practicum PSY 670 Psychotherapy Internship (2 semesters) PSY 681 Substances of Abuse in Alaska (1credit) PSY 682 Clinical Interventions for Substance Abuse (1 credit) PSY 683 Substance Abuse Assessment and Treatment Planning (1 credit) Elective Courses At least 3 credits of elective courses are required. Elective courses are offered on a regular basis on a variety of subjects. PSY A699-Thesis or 689 Individual Research (with a faculty member) may be counted as an elective. (Please note that a Thesis involves 6 credit hours). In addition, guest lecturers and specialists regularly offer courses on a variety of special topics throughout the year. Graduate Project During the two semesters of Internship and before graduation, each student will complete a Clinical Portfolio. This comprehensive project represents a cumulative record of skills development and professional competencies. Disclosure Form Please note that state licensing regulations and employment regulations of major agencies prohibit licensing and/or employment of people who have particular kinds of criminal records in their background. In addition, most Internship opportunities available to our students require a criminal background check. Included in this application packet is a disclosure form that must accompany the student s application to the program. Disclosure of this information does not automatically preclude admission. However, students having a history of major legal involvements (Barrier Crimes) may be prohibited from working in the field. After Graduation
After completing the M.S. program, students typically pursue one of two options; applied work in the clinical field or doctoral studies for a PhD or PsyD degree. Clinical Service as a Master s-level Practitioner Common settings for employment at the master's level include community mental health centers; outpatient clinics; psychiatric or general hospitals; rehabilitation centers; private or group practices; Veterans Administration centers; and residential centers that treat various populations, including emotionally disturbed children, severely mentally ill persons, developmentally disabled individuals, substance abusing persons, juvenile offenders, and victims of abuse. Graduates from our program have found employment in these diverse settings, both in Alaska and elsewhere. With proper course planning, students graduating from our program will meet the course requirements to pursue a State of Alaska license as a Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA) or as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Please note that LPC licensure requires applicants to take 12 additional credits beyond a Master s Degree for a total of 60 graduate credits. With proper planning and supervision, students also may be eligible for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist and/or for state certification as a Substance Abuse Counselor. Most states provide master's level licenses in psychology or counseling. These licenses bring with them specific rights, which vary from state to state. Generally, they allow one to practice independently and, in many states, to collect third party payments. Although it varies, most states require a master's degree, two to three years of post-master's supervised experience, and successful completion of a state and a national exam. To provide an index of the Alaskan job market, in 2002 Psychology faculty members Bob Madigan and Karen Ward (and others) conducted a salary survey of 71 human service agencies in Alaska. They identified almost 1,800 jobs. The table below lists average salaries for these jobs according to entry-level educational requirements. 2002 Survey of Human Service Agency Jobs in Alaska Educational Level # of Jobs Average Salary Doctorate 9 $100,298 Master 208 $42,519 Bachelor 459 $31,616 Associate 557 $25,862 No Degree 238 $22,149 Doctoral Programs For students interested in pursuing a doctoral degree, our program provides an excellent foundation in clinical and research skills. Over the years, many of our students have been admitted into highly competitive programs and have received their doctorates. Thus, our program has an excellent track record for initiating this career path for appropriately motivated and interested students. Although the joint UAA-UAF Ph.D. program in Clinical-Community Psychology is a separate program from the M.S. Clinical Psychology program, a number of students have applied and been accepted for admission from the MS program. For more information or questions see www.psyphd.alaska.edu or e-mail psychphd@uaa.alaska.edu. You may apply for both programs at the same time without repercussions. Prerequisites and Financial Information
Departmental Prerequisites for the M.S. Program To ensure sufficient prior knowledge, students must have had undergraduate training in general psychology, statistics, research design, learning and cognition, clinical psychology and testing and measurements. Examples of UAA courses that meet these requirements are PSY A111; PSY A260, PSY A355 or PSY A445, PSY A425, and PSY A473; alternative courses and/or experiences will also be considered. Students who have a degree in psychology and have not completed these prerequisites can still be conditionally admitted into the program. Conditionally admitted students may also be required to complete other coursework based on transcripts, their writing sample or GPA to ensure the student s success in the program. Please note that completing prerequisites and/or other requirements after entering the program may extend the time it takes to complete the program. Students who do not have an undergraduate degree in Psychology must have completed all prerequisites to be considered. Graduate Transfer Credit Credit hours from previous graduate training may be transferred into the program. Transfer of credits is not automatic, but accepted students may petition the M.S. Clinical Training Committee (CTC) to have up to 9 prior credits considered. Financial Aid The UAA Financial Aid Office (907-786-1586; www.uaa.alaska.edu/finaid) can provide information and application forms for various grant and loan programs, scholarships, and employment opportunities. Although the Alaska Student Loan Program has a 1-year residency requirement, it has excellent terms and provides generous loans. For more information, contact their Anchorage office at 907-561-4207 or talk to the UAA Financial Aid Office about options. Tuition Waivers & Assistantships A number of research and teaching assistantships are available in which full time students work with a faculty member approximately 13 hours per week and receive a 9-credit hour tuition waiver and a stipend. These positions are distributed through the Clinical Training Coordinator. Other paid positions also are available through faculty grants and research programs. FAQs Are you accredited? Many potential applicants ask about APA (American Psychological Association) accreditation. APA does not accredit Master s programs in Psychology and there are no issues around accreditation for Masters level licensure. We are, however, taking steps to become accredited by the Northamerican Association of Masters in Psychology. What is the ratio of applicants accepted to the program? We average about a 5:1 ratio of applicants to accepted students. What if I have an undergraduate degree in another field? Students wishing to apply for the UAA MS Clinical Psychology graduate program who have an undergraduate degree in another field will be required to have taken the prerequisite subjects or courses listed above. Please note that some of these prerequisite subjects typically have prerequisites that must be taken first. If you have further questions after reading this material, please contact Dr. Patricia Sandberg at 907-786-1636.
APPLYING TO THE M.S. CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAM The Clinical Psychology graduate program accepts students for fall admission only. To be considered, you must submit a complete application with a non-refundable $60 application fee paid to UAA Enrollment Services before Thursday, April 1, 2010. We notify successful applicants by April 30. See also www.uaa.alaska.edu/psych A complete file contains all of the following items:(*some of these are submitted to the department directly) 1. An official transcript of all undergraduate/graduate studies documenting B.S.; B.A; or graduate degrees. Transcripts must be sent to UAA enrollment services directly. UAA transcripts will automatically be pulled for your application. Preference is given to students with training in psychology (or a closely related field), though students with other educational backgrounds who wish to make a career change are also encouraged to apply. 2. UAA Graduate Application Form. Although paper applications are still available through Enrollment Services, we strongly advise applicant to use the online system. To apply via the Internet: a) go to www.uaa.alaska.edu, b)click on Admissions & Registrations, c) follow instructions. If you have further questions about how to choose a major or how to apply, please contact Enrollment Services at (907)786-1480. Final acceptance is determined by the program itself. 3. $60.00 application processing fee. This may be done online when you are applying. 4. Letter of Intent and questions Using the directions on the next page write about your background and reasons for wanting to study clinical psychology. This is the review committee s only experience of you as an individual and should be completed with thoughtfulness and with all your writing and communication skills. 5. Professional references Request signed LETTERS of recommendation (mailed or faxed to the psychology department) from at least three (3) professionals who know you well. Strongest references are from academic professors who can attest to your critical thinking and academic abilities and from supervisors in work or research experiences who can speak for your interest in behavioral health. 6. Notorized Disclosure Form which accompanies this application packet. 7. Comprehensive Resume or Vita (outlining experiences, honors, research activity, etc.). *SUBMIT 1, 2 and 3 DIRECTLY TO: University of Alaska Anchorage OR University of Alaska Anchorage Enrollment Services Enrollment Services PO Box 141629 3211 Providence Drive Anchorage, Alaska 99514 Anchorage, Alaska 99508 (Do not submit 4, 5, 6, & 7 to enrollment services) *SUBMIT ALL MATERIALS (OR COPIES) TO THE PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT AT SSB 264 OR SSB 214 Letters of recommendation should be mailed to: MS Clinical Psychology Graduate Program University of Alaska Anchorage 3211 Providence Drive Anchorage, Alaska 99508
NOTIFY THE PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT THAT YOU ARE SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION. This will alert us to look for your material. If you have any questions about submitting your application material please call Katie Brandenburg at 786-4717.
Guidelines for the Letter of Intent and Questions The application must include a detailed letter of intent describing the applicant s interest and purpose in studying clinical psychology, including the reasons why an M.S. in clinical psychology at UAA is sought at this point in the applicant s professional development. As a second part of the Letter of Intent, please answer the following questions on a separate paper. Be sure to put your name on all pages. Number your responses to correspond with the questions and please type your responses single-spaced. Limit your responses for each question to the number of pages indicated below. NOTE: Submit your Letter of Intent, including the answers to the questions, to the psychology department directly. 1. Clinical psychology experience (maximum of one page.) Please describe your professional and paraprofessional clinical psychology experiences. For clinical experience, for example, describe time spent providing individual or group psychotherapy, volunteer or practicum experience in a mental health setting, or prior training experience. For each experience, indicate how much time was involved and whether it was paid or volunteer. Describe the nature and frequency of the supervision you received. If you have no experience, please explain your interest(s). 2. Research experience (maximum of one page) Please describe any research experience you have had (including undergraduate academic experiences), indicating the following: 1) settings in which it occurred; 2) primary populations studied; 3) your responsibilities (e.g., data collection, observation, coding, design and planning, instrument development, data analysis, report preparation); 4) length of time involved in each research project; 5) nature and frequency of supervision; and 6) description of presentations or publications that may have resulted from the research. If you have no research experience, please explain your interest(s). 3. Personal Statement (maximum of two pages) Please write a personal statement in which you tell us the significant life experiences and people that have shaped your career choice, the impact of your clinical and community experiences thus far, your special interests, and your personal goals as a psychotherapist (as both practitioner and scholar), including your desired location of practice. In addition, feel free to tell us anything that you would want us to know about you that may assist us in making admission decisions.
Psychology Faculty Members Our faculty members are a dynamic group of individuals. Together they bring decades of clinical and research experience to the M.S. program. Many faculty members work on cutting edge research that attracts national and international recognition. Students have the opportunity to work closely with faculty on many clinical and research endeavors. Following is a list of our full-time faculty members (we also will have new faculty in 2010 not included here). (* = faculty with a primary affiliation to the psychology graduate programs) Christiane Brems* Dr. Brems is a licensed clinical psychologist with extensive experience in therapy and assessment. She is one of three Alaskans psychologists to be Board Certified by the UAA s PhD Director of American Board of Professional Psychology. Dr. Brems' research focuses on mental Clinical Training health and substance abuse, treatment-related issues and policy development, and psychological assessment. She has published extensively in various professional journals and has written several books, including the best-selling Comprehensive Guide to Child Psychotherapy (now in its 2 nd edition), Psychotherapy: Processes and Techniques, Dealing with Challenges in Psychotherapy and Counseling, Basic Skills in Counseling and Psychotherapy, and others. She is the co-principal investigator for several grants and contracts and co-directs the Behavioral Health Research and Services program (BHRS; http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/bhrs/), a research workgroup committed to applied, community-based research in the areas of mental health and substance abuse. Dr. Brems has received many honors and awards, including the Chancellor's Outstanding Service Award for Research and awards from the Alaska Psychological Association and the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Robert Boeckmann Associate Patrick Dulin Assistant Gloria Eldridge* Associate Dr. Boeckmann's research interests are focused on understanding the social psychology of justice concerns. His primary area of investigation is focused on factors that contribute to judgments people make about how to respond when wrongdoing occurs - the psychology of Retributive Justice. In particular, using experimental and survey approaches he explores the relationship between social factors (i.e. social identification and the social implications of offenses) and the nature and severity of responses to wrongdoing. He also examines determinants of people's attitudes toward the legal system. Other projects include examining the role of fairness and social identification in: participating in collective endeavors, the role of fairness in relationship satisfaction, intrinsic motivation in education, and responding to racist speech. This professor s information will be posted soon. Dr. Eldridge is a clinical psychologist and Associate Research with Behavioral Health Research and Services at UAA. She has 15 years of experience developing and evaluating prevention, counseling, and staff training programs for HIV/AIDS. She has worked with community-based organizations and universities in Kenya, Mississippi, and Alaska; substance abuse treatment programs; and correctional facilities. She has received research funding from NIDA and CDC. She is a Certified HIV/AIDS Regional Trainer for the American Psychological Association's Project HOPE (HIV Office for Psychology Education) and developed training materials for "HIV, mental health, and corrections" for APA. She is also certified by the University of Mississippi as a tobacco treatment specialist and has a particular interest in integrating nicotine cessation into substance abuse treatment.
Vivian Gonzalez Assistant Mari Ippolito Associate Mark E. Johnson* Bruno Kappes Claudia Lampman Gwen Lupfer-Johnson Assistant This professor s information will be posted soon. Dr. Ippolito's research foci are writing problem-solving (creativity), factors related to psychological resilience in children and adolescents, the evolution of psychological research methods, and the history of psychology. She has extensive teaching experience in developmental psychology, statistics, research methods, and abnormal psychology.. Dr. Johnson received his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1985. He is a in the Department of Psychology and is the Co-Director of Behavioral Health Research and Services (BHRS) at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Complementing his far-reaching research and evaluation experience, Dr. Johnson is a licensed psychologist with extensive clinical experience with couples, adults, and supervision. He has published widely in professional journals and has presented at many national and international conferences. In recognition of his research activities, Dr. Johnson was awarded the Chancellor's Outstanding Service Award for Research and is a past recipient of the APA/PSI Chi Award for Excellence in Research. For more details, visit the BHRS website at http://bhrs.uaa.alaska.edu. Bruno Kappes, Ph.D. is professor of psychology and health science at the University of Alaska Anchorage. He is a licensed psychologist, certified biofeedback therapist, and certified medical psychotherapist. Teaching and research interests reflect extensive clinical and forensic experience with traumatic stress, chronic pain, insomnia, personal injury, custody, and criminal assessments. Dr. Kappes teaches for three UAA departments; College of Arts and Science, Department of Psychology; Biomedical Department; and Department of Distance Learning. He is also a 15-year member of the clinical faculty at University of Washington, School of Medicine in the WWAMI Program, which extends medical training to students in Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho. Dr. Kappes is Director of the Anchorage Biofeedback Clinic and serves as a consultant to the Thermal Unit and Sleep Lab Team at Providence Hospital. He has presented his research and clinical work locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally including France, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Russia, and Japan. Dr. Lampman's specialty is in social psychology. She is the Chair of UAA's Institutional Review Board and is actively involved in the Kids Count Alaska Project. Her current research interests involve the way images of male and female sexuality are portrayed in the media. She recently concluded a content analysis of sexuality in magazine advertisements and is currently working on a content analysis of sexual behavior and verbal sexual reference in the workplace as portrayed on television. Dr. Lupfer-Johnson received her Ph.D. in 2004 from Kansas State University. Her primary research area is investigating the social transmission of food preferences in rats, hamsters, and other species. She is also interested in feeding behavior systems and in environmental enrichment for captive animals. She is currently working with Ahpun, the Alaska Zoo's polar bear, documenting responses directed toward artificial prey items. This provides enrichment in the form of exercise and exposure to novel objects for Ahpun, and also affords an opportunity to describe the organization of innate predatory behaviors in polar bears.
Eric Murphy Assistant Dr. Murphy is an experimental psychologist with research interests in three related areas: a) basic behavioral processes, including classical and operant conditioning, b) the behavioral pharmacology of drug abuse, and c) the physiological psychology of animal learning and behavior. He and his students are currently studying the variables that regulate alcohol consumption in laboratory rats. John Petraitis Department Chair Rosellen Rosich Suzanne Womack Strisik* Associate, Director, Psychological Services Center Patricia Sandberg* Associate, Clinical Training Coordinator Karen Ward Dr. Petraitis' research focuses on substance use. He was a Principle Investigator on grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Addiction to reanalyze data from longitudinal studies of adolescent substance use. Recently, he worked on a project to study the unusually high rates of smokeless tobacco use among rural Alaska Natives. Dr. Rosich is Statewide Director of the Alaska Geriatric Education Center (AKGEC); a center funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Human Services, Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA). The mission of the center is to advance access to quality health care for older Alaskans through training and education of health professions faculty, health care providers, and current and aspiring health care professionals. Dr. Rosich is an Associate and is a life-span developmental psychologist. Her major research endeavors focus on gerontology, cognition and memory, personality, and ethnogeriatrics. She received her Ph.D. in Developmental (Life-Span) Psychology from West Virginia University, her MA in Developmental Psychology and a Certificate in Gerontology from the University of Nebraska Omaha, and her BA from Ohio State University. Dr. Strisik is a licensed psychologist and the director of the Psychological Services Center. She acts as faculty advisor for the ANPsych program (Alaska Natives into Psychology) and works on a suicide prevention project at UAA's Behavioral Health Research and Services (BHRS). Dr. Strisik has an undergraduate degree from University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) in Applied Linguistics, Alaska Native Languages and incorporates Alaska Native psychosocial issues and culturally relevant family therapies into her graduate clinical courses. She has published and presented in the areas of creativity, consciousness, emotion, Alaska Native Psychology, and the development of the therapist. Dr. Sandberg is a clinical psychologist with extensive experience providing treatment to individuals, families, couples, groups, and children. She is the Coordinator of Internship training in the M.S. Clinical Psychology program. Her primary interests are family therapy and Play Therapy for children with developmental and behavioral problems. Dr. Ward is the Director of the Center for Human Development: University Affiliated Program. The Center employs many UAA students and conducts a variety of training activities, demonstration projects, and applied research investigations in the area of disabilities. Most recently, Dr. Ward has been developing a communitybased model to treat individuals with cognitive disabilities who engage in deviant sexual behavior. Other research activities include outcome evaluation of interventions, risk assessment, and a national survey of service delivery options for this high-risk population.