Clinical Behavioral MS Program Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some frequently asked questions regarding the Clinical Behavioral Program:
What is the typical time to completion?
2 years (20 months) is the typical time to completion. However, if you choose to do a thesis, it may require extra time.
Is a thesis required?
No.
What is practicum?
Practicum takes place during the fall and winter semesters of the second year in the program. Students apply and are placed with an organization in the area, where they received supervised training in providing psychological services.
Is Curricular Practical Training ( CPT ) required for practicum for international students?
Yes. For further questions, please contact the Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS). How does program mentorship work? Do we have supervisors?
No, students are not assigned a specific supervisor. However, each student is assigned a faculty mentor who can help the student navigate the program and assist them with professional development. Students are free to approach any faculty member for guidance and mentorship. I am having trouble deciding on whether I should apply to the CB program or the GC program. What is the difference between the two?
Both programs are wonderful! If you are having trouble deciding between the two, check out our comparison of the programs in our Admissions FAQ section. What does lab involvement and lab research experience look like in the program?
Students have the freedom to join as many or as few research labs as they would like across the entire psychology department. It is typical for research interested students to join 1 or 2 labs and many labs have projects that involve collaborations with multiple faculty. The best way to get involved is to check lab web pages Not all labs maintain web pages or update their web pages regularly. Thus, it is recommended that you email faculty to learn about when their lab meetings occur. What types of funding are available for students admitted into the program?
Students often find funding through graduate assistantships , teaching assistantships , or other campus jobs. Campus jobs can be found via the following link: https://careers.emich.edu/jobs/search. Many students also work in the community in a variety of settings. Additionally, there are scholarships for which students can apply. What do students who graduate from the CB program do? Where are they now?
Students about one quarter of program graduates go on to obtain PhDs in psychology , 44% work in clinics or healthcare settings as Master's Limited Psychologists (MLP's), and one third complete BCBA certification and work as licensed behavior analysts. About 11% of graduates from the past 10 years hold both the MLP and BCBA credentials.
We also have graduates teach at the undergraduate level both full and part-time.
What is a BCBA?
Board Certified Behavioral Analysts ( BCBAs ) use behavioral interventions to treat a variety of behavioral disorders including, but not limited to, ASD , ADHD , ODD, and TBIs . The legal scope of practice for BCBAs varies by state. More information on this certification board can be found here. What is the difference between an MLP and BCBA ?
Licensed Master's Limited Psychologists in Michigan have a broader scope of practice. As a supervised practitioner (by a doctoral level licensed psychologist) MLPs can assess, diagnose, and treat the full range of mental and behavioral health presentations provided they have relevant training. At present, MLPs are required to have an ongoing relationship with a doctoral-level supervising licensed psychologist.
Note, the MLP credential holding practitioners used to be called limited license psychologists (LLP) and these two abbreviations refer to the same credential/license in the state of Michigan.
The regulatory framework for BCBAs varies by state. While the BCBA is a national level credential, it is common for states require practitioners to become licensed at the state level. Some states have limited BCBA practice to serving individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder or other developmental disabilities. Other states have a broader scope of practice that focuses on the use of functional assessment and function-based behavioral interventions independent from the clinical diagnosis the client may have. The Michigan regulations are relatively broad but exclude many forms of assessment, diagnosing clinical presentations, and treatments considered psychotherapy or counseling. Once you have a BCBA and become licensed, you are not required to obtain any additional supervision.
What jobs am I eligible for with an MLP?
Most program graduates work in mental health clinics or in integrated behavioral healthcare settings.