This program is designed to lay the groundwork for a career as a clinical psychologist capable of working in both academic and applied settings. The program emphasizes the theoretical foundations of psychology, as well as supervised experience oriented toward the development of practical skills. The program embodies a model of clinical psychology in which practice and research are integrated.
Clinical Program students should complete a thesis or pre-dissertation research project by the end of the second year. After forming the doctoral committee, each student must pass a comprehensive examination administered and evaluated by the committee. The comprehensive examination is organized around a research case study of one client who has been assessed and/or treated by the student in the Departmental Psychological Clinic. In addition to the case presentation, the paper presents the student's comprehensive review of relevant research and theory as a context for procedure, results, and discussion of the case. All doctoral students must complete a minimum of 48 credit hours of graduate-level courses (24 if entering with a Master's Degree), including all courses required by the Clinical Program, and at least 24 credit hours of?PSYC?600?-?Doctoral Research and Dissertation?. Finally, students must complete an acceptable doctoral dissertation and conduct a satisfactory oral defense of the dissertation.