The clinical psychology doctoral program blends the clinical-scientist model and the scientist-practitioner model. It integrates the full range of research, teaching and applied skills in training doctoral students.
We view research and applied skills as interwoven rather than as two discrete sets of skills. As a result, you will acquire the foundation for pursuing a(n):
- Clinical scientist career in an academic or research setting
- Scientist-practitioner career in a medical or other training institution
- Administrative role in a service delivery agency
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology Program Requirements
Steps to Fulfill a Doctoral Program
Research Focus
In this program, students are involved in faculty-led research teams beginning in their first year. This affords them the opportunity to collaborate with team members in:
- Developing research questions
- Designing empirical studies
- Collecting and analyzing data
- Writing manuscripts
- Presenting scientific papers at national and regional conferences
The clinical program emphasizes student involvement in collaborative research beyond their thesis research. This provides a broad foundation in research methodology prior to formulating their dissertation research. We expect our students to have several scholarly publications and presentations at scientific meetings prior to graduation.
To support their development as clinical scientists, students complete courses in:
- Research methodology
- Scientific domains of psychological inquiry
- Core clinical courses in psychopathology, assessment and psychosocial interventions
You'll also take a diversity-focused course.
Topics of multiculturalism and diversity, as well as other profession-wide competencies, are infused throughout the program from coursework to colloquia and research team experiences.
Clinical Experience
Students begin to acquire clinical skills in assessment and intervention in their second year. All students serve as therapists, serving children, adolescents, and adults from the community (as individuals, couples, or families) under close faculty supervision. Advanced students may:
- Specialize in certain types of cases (e.g., eating disorders, chronic pain, substance abuse, attention-deficit disorders, or relationship problems)
- Provide peer supervision
- Gain exposure to a range of therapeutic approaches (e.g., CBT, DBT, ACT, among others),
- Involve themselves in one of the ongoing specialty training/research programs at the clinic, gaining intensive experience with a particular problem while participating in the design, conduct, and evaluation of a research project
The final year of the program is a clinical internship in which students typically match to a program at a different institution or clinic. This program provides immersive clinical experience and the opportunity to learn new approaches to clinical work and research.