While many people might think of New Orleans and Mardis Gras when they think of Louisiana, the state has far more to offer, including a robust higher education system. In fact, Louisiana is home to around 40 two-year and four-year colleges and universities. This includes the seven-campus Louisiana State University System, which is the largest higher education system in the state.
While many universities are in the New Orleans area, you can study in other parts of the state, too. Louisiana State University – the state’s largest – is in Baton Rouge. The state has public and private schools in other areas, including Monroe, Shreveport, and Lafayette.
Clinical Psychology Graduate Programs in Louisiana
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering clinical psychology graduate programs in Louisiana:
- Louisiana State University
- Grand Canyon University
- Northwestern State University of Louisiana
- Capella University
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette
- University of New Orleans
- The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge is the state’s premier public institution of higher learning. The school boasts more than 35,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees.
LSU offers programs in 18 colleges and schools, including programs in dentistry, medicine, law, business, and veterinary studies. LSU is one of only eight universities in the nation to offer all of these programs.
LSU was founded in 1860 as the Louisiana State Seminary of Learning & Military Academy. But as noted above, LSU has grown well beyond teaching seminary and military subjects.
The school is one of just two dozen schools that hold land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant status. The research opportunities in these areas are vast – LSU receives hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for research each year.
Clinical Psychology Graduate Program Information
The doctoral level ‘Clinical Psychology Training Program’ at LSU is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and has been since 1956. The program adheres to a health service psychology model, which focuses on preparing you to provide a broad range of services based on empirical evidence, rigorous preparatory activities, and a respect for diversity.
This five-to-seven-year program includes full-time studies in coursework like:
- Psychopathology
- Developmental Disorders and Psychopathology of Children
- Professional Considerations in Psychology
- Behavioral Therapy
- Psychological Assessments
These courses are supplemented with a variety of seminars, colloquia, and opportunities for research. This includes a required thesis that must be completed by the end of the second year of the program. A doctoral dissertation is also required and must be completed and defended before the Ph.D. is conferred.
To apply, you must have an undergraduate degree and complete several specific psychology courses, including General Statistics, Research Methods in Psychology, and Introduction to Psychology. Furthermore, you must have a 3.0 GPA or higher for your undergraduate studies.
When you apply, you must submit the following:
- A curriculum vitae
- GRE scores
- A statement of purpose
- A writing sample
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSU) began as a teacher’s college in 1884. It was founded in Natchitoches in the northwestern part of the state, and the school’s campus is the longest continually-occupied site of higher learning in Louisiana. It was the first school in the state to offer degrees in business education and nursing, though today, NSU offers far more programs.
In fact, NSU now offers more than 50 degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. These programs include everything from allied health to engineering to psychology. Northwestern State also has many online programs, including bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, specialist degrees, and doctoral degrees.
Clinical Psychology Graduate Program Information
The Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from NSU is a 42-credit program that requires about two years of full-time study to complete. The program is rigorous and broad-based, with learning activities that include coursework, research, and clinical applications.
The curriculum includes courses in various aspects of psychology, including:
- Psychological Intervention and Therapy
- Intellectual Assessment
- Personality Assessment
- Family and Group Therapy
- Ethics & Professional Conduct
You must also participate in a 300-hour practicum and take a therapy-specific course with its own practicum experience. Moreover, you have the choice between completing a master’s thesis or a paper-in-lieu. Comprehensive examinations are also a core component of this program.
The Department of Psychology has a limited number of graduate assistantships that offset the cost of your education. These assistantships are specifically for full-time, regular students and might include work outside the Department of Psychology.
To apply, fill out an online application. You must have a bachelor’s degree, a 3.0 GPA or higher for your undergraduate studies, and a GRE combined score of 290 or above. Additionally, you must submit the following:
- A $25 application fee
- A 500-word self-statement
- Three letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts from each college or university attended
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL) was founded in 1898 as an industrial school. However, the school grew rapidly throughout the twentieth century, and today is a large public research institution with nearly 17,000 students. ULL is actually the second-largest college in Louisiana, behind only LSU.
ULL is classified as an R1 doctoral research institution. As such, the school has extensive research facilities for many different undergraduate and graduate programs. This includes facilities such as the Estuarine Habitats and Coastal Fisheries Center, the Lafayette Primary Care Center, and the National Wetlands Research Center.
Clinical Psychology Graduate Program Information
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Master of Science in Psychology is a preparatory program for continuing your psychology studies at the doctoral level. The education and training you get in this program are wide in scope and follow a general psychology format. This format is ideal for applying to applied doctoral programs in clinical psychology.
However, this program is not a licensure track – upon graduation, you will not be eligible to work as a clinical psychologist. You can use your training to work in related psychology niches, such as academics or research.
While you’re in this program, you will participate in traditional coursework on topics like psychopathology, research methods, and statistics. But you will also have the chance to complete a master’s thesis, which requires extensive research in an area of your choosing.
As an aspiring clinical psychologist, the thesis is a vessel for exploring clinical techniques and tools in much greater detail. You’ll have a faculty mentor to help you in your research and guide its development.
To apply. you must submit three letters of recommendation, official transcripts from all colleges or universities you have attended, a curriculum vitae, and a personal statement. GRE scores are not required to apply to this program.
University of New Orleans
The University of New Orleans (UNO) was founded in 1958, making it the youngest of the schools in this guide. However, despite being a much newer university, UNO has proven itself as one of the best schools in the state with rigorous academic programs for undergraduate and graduate students alike.
UNO is also a pioneer in diversity, having been the first fully-integrated public university in the South.
In addition to excellent academic programs, UNO offers an unparalleled campus experience. The school is just minutes from New Orleans’ French Quarter. You can easily visit Lake Pontchartrain, hit the beach, or head to a professional sporting event downtown as well.
What’s more, your education at UNO won’t break the bank – the school consistently ranks in the top 20 in the nation for the lowest debt load for its graduates.
Clinical Psychology Graduate Program Information
The Master of Science in Applied Psychology from UNO is a 30-credit program that can be completed in as little as five semesters. This is a non-licensure track, so doctoral studies in clinical psychology are necessary if your goal is to practice as a clinical psychologist.
The applied science model prepares you for further academic study by exploring topics like:
- Developmental Psychology
- Psychopathology
- Advanced Statistics
- Measurement of Intelligence
- Applied Biopsychology
You can further tailor your degree by selecting Ph.D. preparatory routes in Applied Developmental Psychology or Biopsychology. Likewise, there is a non-thesis applied Master of Science option.
As a result of these studies, you will develop advanced knowledge and understanding of psychological assessment, statistical analyses, and key clinical psychology and research skills, to name a few.
You can apply to UNO’s master’s program online. To do so, you must have at least 18 credits of undergraduate psychology credits as part of your bachelor’s degree. These credits must include studies in Introductory Psychology, Experimental Design and Methods, and Statistics.
Furthermore, you must submit GRE test scores and official transcripts from each college or university you’ve attended. There is currently no application fee for domestic students.
Clinical Psychology Work Opportunities in Louisiana
Many people who graduate with a degree in clinical psychology work in mental health facilities like inpatient or outpatient treatment centers, community mental health clinics, and healthcare facilities like hospitals. In Louisiana, you can pursue employment in any of these areas and find opportunities to have very fulfilling work.
After becoming a clinical psychologist, you have unique opportunities to address mental health concerns that are specific to this area. For example, trauma therapy is an excellent specialization to have, given Louisiana’s frequency of natural disasters like hurricanes. In the aftermath of such damaging events, Louisiana residents can experience extreme grief, anxiety, and depression, all of which are highly treatable in a clinical setting.
Of course, general applications of clinical psychology are also relevant in Louisiana. You might open a private practice and work with diverse clients who have varying mental health needs. Or, you might choose to work for a state agency to provide clinical psychology services to specific populations or communities.
There are also opportunities to work in urban and rural areas, both of which might have vastly different demands for services. However, with the proper clinical psychology training from a Louisiana-based program, you will have the knowledge and skills necessary to assist your clients in building a better future for themselves.
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