M. S Program Objectives
Master of Science Degree Clinical Rehabilitation Psychology
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Our program offers students a flexible plan of study leading to a Master of Science degree in psychology with an emphasis in clinical rehabilitation psychology. This program builds upon a foundation of basic courses in behavioral science and clinical psychology coupled with electives that address various aspects of health psychology and the psychological and social consequences of physical and mental disabilities and chronic illness. Research methodology is a program strength. As researchers, we study behaviors, experiences, and attitudes of persons with disabilities and illness, develop and assess theoretical models that attempt to understand how behavior, health, and illness interact, and develop and evaluate treatment approaches and their effectiveness. As practitioners, we assess individuals and their environments, plan and implement rehabilitation interventions, and monitor the success of their work. Rehabilitation focuses on practical problems in everyday living, such as employment and independent living, and personal issues, such as family and social functioning and emotional well-being. The program provides an unusually varied mix of practicum experiences in health care settings.
The program is intended for individuals who plan to enter or continue careers or education in the behavioral sciences, health, or rehabilitation fields upon completion of the M.S. degree. The program’s focus upon core skills and methods would be particularly suitable for those students who plan to pursue the Ph.D. degree following completion of the M.S., or for those students who have an interest in jobs in health care settings that involve research design, and data collection and analysis. The curriculum is flexible and designed to be individually tailored by selection of elective courses and practicum experiences. A core set of courses introduces the methods and basic skills of clinical rehabilitation psychology. This core is supplemented by electives that are selected by the student to match interests and career goals. Not all electives are offered every year, and an individualized plan of study is developed for each student. Graduation requires the completion of a minimum of 36 hours of graduate course work including the required core, electives, and at least two practicum placements. The program does not require a thesis although students who have research interests are encouraged to pursue a faculty mentor relationship and a thesis option. Students who take the thesis option may take one less practicum course.
Financial support is not routinely available for master’s students. However, when possible, master’s students will be considered for support through the Department of Psychology, faculty grants, and other external sources.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
All applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, provide three letters of recommendation, and take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The GRE psychology subtest is not required, but recommended. Admission to the program is competitive. Applicants should have GRE scores of at least 550 on both the verbal and quantitative portions of the exam, an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale, or provide other evidence that they can successfully complete this demanding academic program. Admission is in the Fall and all application materials must be received by March 15th.
Undergraduate coursework should include psychology courses in tests and measurement, abnormal psychology, statistics, and physiology or physiological psychology. If an individual is accepted into the master’s program but has not successfully completed such courses, any prerequisite undergraduate coursework must be completed before the M.S. degree can be awarded.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
For persons with M.S. degrees in psychology, the employment outlook is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2008 (U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2000-2001). Typical employment opportunities include rehabilitation centers, mental health and mental retardation agencies, and state government. This program does not provide the necessary educational background to be a professional psychologist, but graduates may be employed as counselors or case managers in health and mental health settings described above, and graduates may pursue more advanced education in counseling, clinical, health, or rehabilitation psychology. Students who complete a 48-credit hour M.S. program may be MHC-eligible in Indiana.
REHABILITATION PSYCHOLOGY FACULTY
Silvia Bigatti, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., 2000, San Diego State/Univ. of CA at San Diego. Interest: Coping with chronic illness.
Gary R. Bond, Chancellor’s Professor, Ph.D., 1975, University of Chicago. Interests: psychiatric rehabilitation, case management, supported employment.
Philip S. Fastenau, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., 1994, Michigan State University. Interests: neuropsychology assessment, memory, aging and cognition, pediatric neuropsychology, epilepsy.
John C. Guare, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., 1991, University of Pittsburgh. Interests: health psychology, diabetes, obesity.
Kathy E. Johnson, Associate Professor, Ph.D., 1992, Emory University. Interests: cognitive development, cognitive training and everyday functioning in older adults, language, expertise acquisition, categorization.
John H. McGrew, Associate Professor, Ph.D., 1991, Indiana University. Interests: health psychology, psychiatric rehabilitation.
Kevin L. Rand, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., 2005, University of Kansas Interests: clinical psychology and social psychology.
Jesse C. Stewart, Assistant Professor, PhD., 2003, Ohio University, Interests: health psychology and behavioral medicine.
Soren Svanum, Associate Professor, and Director, Clinical Rehabilitation Psychology. Ph.D., 1976, University of Montana. Interests: assessment, alcoholism, clinical psychology, Internet applications to teaching and research.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Kristi Combs Voice: (317) 274-6945
Graduate Program Coordinator FAX: (317) 274-6756
IUPUI Department of Psychology E-mail: gradpsy@iupui.edu
402 North Blackford Street Web page: www.psynt.iupui.edu/
Indianapolis, IN 46202-3275
Online Application
Applications are completed online. Application deadline is January 1st. For more information about the program, please contact our department offices at (317) 274-6945, or e-mail gradpsy@iupui.edu