Master of Arts in Psychology Degree Programs

Master of Arts:  Forensic Science Concentration (formerly the MA in Interdisciplinary Behavioral Science or MIBS) & Master of Arts:  Forensic Counseling Concentration (Licensure Option)

The mission of the Master of Arts:  Forensic Science Concentration and Master of Arts:  Forensic Counseling degree programs is to support Kentucky State University’s mission by preparing its diverse student population of traditional and non-traditional students to meet society’s growing need for psychological services in a variety of settings. Students in these programs will engage in a program of study based on rigorous coursework, research, and service activities founded on the scientist-practitioner model of education. This program will prepare students to go on to doctoral study in psychology, or to work in industry, government, mental health care, or private practice, consistent with the Kentucky State University motto: Come In to Learn—Go Out to Serve.

The programs take a multidisciplinary approach to the area of psychology and law by providing students with background in theoretical perspectives from psychology, sociology, and criminology, basic and applied research methods, statistical techniques, and counseling technigues. Students will develop competencies relevant to the science and practice of psychology, and to the study of the intersection of behavioral and social science and law.

Students enrolled in the MA in Psychology:  Forensic Counseling Concentration will develop competencies relevant to the science and practice of mental health counseling, study of the intersection of behavioral and social science and law via joint course offerings that are currently offered through the M.A. in Psychology: Forensic Science Concentration. This program will prepare graduates for employment in individual and family services, residential and outpatient mental health and substance abuse facilities, state, local, and private hospitals, government agencies, and will also prepare graduates to provide forensic psychological services if desired.  The program is aligned with the Standards of Accreditation for Health Service Psychology:  Master’s Program of the American Psychological Association (APA)

Program Specifics:

• 60 credit hour program
• Includes 600 Practicum experience in counseling and assessment
• Graduates are eligible for Licensed Psychological Associate (LPCA) status in the state of Kentucky after 45-credit hours per the Kentucky Board of Examiners of Psychology (KBEP)
• Graduates will be eligible for Licensed Psychological Practitioner (LPCP) per the Kentucky Board of Examiners of Psychology (KBEP) after 2 years of supervision

**Students interested in practicing outside of Kentucky are recommended to check into each state’s licensure board requirements early and often during the program.

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Students enrolled in the Master of Arts:  Forensic Science Concentration will engage in a program of study based on rigorous coursework, research, and service activities founded on the scientist-practitioner model of education. This program will prepare students to go on to doctoral study in psychology, or to work in industry, government, mental health care, or private practice, consistent with the Kentucky State University motto: Come In to Learn—Go Out to Serve.  The program takes a multidisciplinary approach to the area of psychology and law by providing students with background in theoretical perspectives from psychology, sociology, and criminology, basic and applied research methods, and statistical techniques. Students will develop competencies relevant to the science and practice of psychology, and to the study of the intersection of behavioral and social science and law.

• The 45 credit-hour program
• Psychology and Law Concentration Curriculum
• Thesis Option:  Students may opt to complete either a thesis or a professional paper option
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The 12-hour Graduate Certificate in Interdisciplinary Intelligence Studies.  This certificate is offered in conjunction with our Kentucky State University membership in the Bluegrass State Intelligence Community Center for Academic Excellence (BGS-IC-CAE).  The Consortium member institutions are Eastern Kentucky University, our lead institution, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, the UK Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce, and Marshall University.  Students who elect to earn this graduate certificate will enroll in courses such as Behavioral Profiling, Persuasion and Radicalization, Terrorism and Insurgency, Political Psychology, and other courses taught by faculty from Psychology, Sociology, and Political Science.  Students who participate in this program are eligible for scholarship money, travel awards, and other benefits such as opportunities to present at conferences, and access to hiring managers from local, state, and national intelligence and security organizations.

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Admission

For information about admission requirements and to apply online for admission to the Kentucky State University M.A. Program in Interdisciplinary Behavioral Science, please visit the graduate studies web site at:  https://www.kysu.edu/academics/grad-studies/index.php

For information about tuition, fees please visit the finance and administration page at https://www.kysu.edu/finance-and-administration/bursar/tuition-and-fees.php 

For additional questions about graduate studies at KSU FAQ page at https://www.kysu.edu/academics/grad-studies/faqs.php

To apply for admission to the graduate programs, please submit a properly completed application via the Grad Admissions system:  https://www.kysu.edu/student-success-and-retention/admissions/apply-to-ksu.php 

Your completed application must include:

• A letter of application with a statement of educational goals and career objectives in the form of a thoughtful, well-written essay of approximately 1,500 words. Your essay should describe your motivation for earning a degree from our program and discuss relevant experiences that have contributed to this goal.  The essay will be evaluated for content, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and clarity of the writing rated as satisfactory or unsatisfactory by the program faculty.
  
  
• A curriculum vitae or resume of qualifications.
  
  
• Three letters of reference from professors or employers submitted directly to Grad Admission system.
  
  

Specific Academic Requirements for Admission to the MA Program in Interdisciplinary Behavioral Science:

• An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above.
  
  
• Grades of B or higher in undergraduate statistics and research methods. Students who do not meet these requirements should expect to enroll in undergraduate research methods or statistics courses to ensure that they have the proper background knowledge to succeed in research methods and statistics at the graduate level.

Exceptions to these requirements may be made on a case-by-case basis.

After review of the completed application, applicants who meet the entry requirements may be granted regular admission status by the program admission committee, which will consist of the program coordinator and two qualified faculty. 

Probationary admission status may be granted if students do not meet all the requirements stated above. Probationary students are subject to initial performance requirements more stringent than those imposed upon others. All unsatisfactory requirements must be met before students are granted regular admission to the program.

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PROGRAM COURSE LOAD

Full-time students carry a normal load of 9-15 semester credit hours of graduate-level coursework per semester.  

 

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PROBATION AND DISMISSAL

 Academic Probation.   A student whose graduate GPA falls below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation.  Students on probation may subsequently enroll in up to 9 semester credit hours of graduate-level coursework, during which the student must bring his/her overall GPA up to at least 3.0.  Those who reach the 3.0 level will be allowed to continue in the M.A. program and to remain in good academic standing.  Students who fail to reach a GPA of 3.0 will be placed on academic suspension for 12 months.  After 12 months the student may then appeal in writing for readmission to the M.A. program.  If readmission is granted, the student will be placed on up to 9 credit hours of probation.  If the student does not reach an overall GPA of 3.0 during the subsequent 9 credit hours, then the student will be permanently dismissed from the program without appeal.

Dismissal for Cause.  Students may be dismissed from the M.A. program at any time for cause.  Causes for dismissal include, but are not limited to:

(1) Any form of academic dishonesty (e.g., plagiarism, cheating on exams, submitting pre-written papers authored by somebody other than the student, or any other form of misrepresenting the authorship of work submitted in fulfillment of program requirements).

(2) Any form of harassment, bullying, threatening, physical aggression, or other forms of abusive behavior against fellow students, staff, or faculty (e.g., use of inappropriate language, either verbally or via electronic communications, unsubstantiated accusations of inappropriate conduct).

(3) Any form of criminal activity or behavior prohibited by Kentucky statute or Kentucky State University policy.

(4) Violations of policy involving providing false information, forgery, alteration, or misuse of Kentucky State University documents, records, or identification instruments.

(5) Violations of any other policy stated in the Kentucky State University Student Handbook 

GRADUATE STUDENT ASSISTANTSHIPS

A limited number of graduate assistantships may be available for full-time students pursuing a degree or certificate from the M.A. Program in Interdisciplinary Behavioral Science.  Depending upon the availability of funds, students holding these positions work 10-20 hours per week.  Graduate assistants work with program faculty in their instructional and research activities.  Students interested in such positions may inquire directly with program faculty.  Assistantships are awarded according to availability, academic achievement, and need.

For additional information about the M.A. in Psychology Programs, contact the Chair.

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Shambra Mulder, PhD

Chair/Associate Professor of Psychology
School of Psychology

College of Arts & Sciences

J.S. Hathaway Hall
Suite 231A
400 East Main St.
Frankfort, KY 40601

Contact:

Phone: (502) 597-5574
Email: Shambra.Mulder@kysu.edu