Master's in Psychology - Clinical Behavioral
Changing Lives with Behavioral Science
The Clinical Behavioral MS program prepares students for the professional practice of psychology in diverse areas of practice. The curriculum is person-centered, evidence-based and designed to support a broad scope of practice. The program uses behavioral science as its foundation for instruction in assessment, clinical case formulation, and treatment. The program values viewing the struggles individuals face in context. As such, the curriculum challenges students to understand clinical presentations in terms of how an individual's history and current life circumstances influence present functioning. This contextual understanding of the person is used to inform the selection and tailored application of evidence-based behavioral therapies to help clients achieve their goals.
The program prepares students for licensure and clinical practice at the master's level as a Master's Limited Psychologist (MLP) in the state of Michigan (previously referred to as the Limited License in Psychology, LLP) and certification in behavior analysis (BCBA). Many program graduates have also furthered their education in doctoral programs around the world. It is one of the only programs in the United States with required coursework leading to eligibility for both the MLP and BCBA credentials.
See our Program Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data [PDF].
Program Information
Program Changes for Fall 2025
The CB Program is participating in the American Psychological Association Committee on Accreditation (APA-CoA) pilot program for accrediting master’s programs in health services (clinical) psychology. This is the first time this accreditation has been available to master’s programs. Program changes are being implemented to bring the program in line with accreditation expectations. Accreditation is the first step in a broader effort for APA supporting independent licensure of clinical psychology across the United States.
The first cohort to be admitted under this updated program will start in Fall of 2025. The program's application for accreditation will be under review in 2025.
Key changes starting Fall of 2025
- The program changes from 41 to 60 credit hours.
- The program completion time for full-time enrollment changes from 1 year 8 months to 2 years 8 months.
Detailed description of the program requirements starting Fall 2025.
Click here to learn more about why the program is seeking accreditation from both APA-CoA and the Association for Behavior Analysis International Accreditation Board.
Affiliated Faculty
The Clinical Behavioral faculty consists of:
Admission Information
Please use information listed on our Psychology Graduate Admission Information Page for instructions on how to apply. Please do not send anything to Eastern Michigan University. Everything should be submitted through PSYCAS.
- Apply to the CB Program - PSYCAS
- EMU Graduate Catalog Admission Information
- GRE - GRE scores are not a required part of the program application and the majority of applicants do not submit scores. However, if you have taken the GRE and would like your scores to be considered as part of you application, you may submit official GRE scores. Follow the instructions in PSYCAS for submitting them correctly. See the Admissions FAQs below to read about how GRE scores are used in the admissions process.
- Admissions FAQs
Contact [email protected] if you have any questions.
International Applicants
All international transcripts must be evaluated by Educational Perspectives (EP), including all Canadian transcripts.
All applicants to the Graduate School with non-U.S. post secondary credentials must submit an evaluation of their credentials to EMU. Educational Perspectives (EP) is the credential evaluation service that provides evaluations of international educational credentials for applicants to EMU.
- Order the "COURSE-BY-COURSE REPORT FOR EMU STUDENTS."
- The evaluation takes five business days from when the EP application, payment and all of the documents needed for an evaluation, are received at EP. EP will then send the evaluation to you and EMU upon completion.
- >Visit EMU's EP site for details on how to submit the evaluation request and obtain an EP application form. This evaluation will be used to determine if you are eligible for admission to EMU, if your non-U.S. institution is recognized, and your U.S.-equivalent Grade Point Average (GPA).
Please see Program FAQs and Admissions FAQs for answers to your questions. If you have any further questions, please contact the Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) or International Admissions.
Deadline
The deadline for applications is February 1.
If the 1st falls on a weekend, applications will be accepted through the following business day.
This program uses a cohort model where applications are reviewed in February and successful applicants start the program in the fall semester.