Program Requirements and Curriculum

The following serves as a guide for students to complete the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program successfully.

Requirements for Degree Completion

  • A minimum of 72 credit hours, including core cognitive coursework, electives and departmental breadth requirements.
    • Psy 604 Research Methods in Clinical Psychology 
    • Psy 607 Advanced Statistical Methods I 
    • Psy 608 or 613 Advanced Statistical Methods II 
    • Psy 609 Multivariate Statistics 
    • Psy 617 Advanced Developmental Psychology 
    • Psy 624 Clinical I: Psychopathology 
    • Psy 654 Clinical II: Psychological Assessment 
    • Psy 751 Clinical III: Clinical Treatments: Adult 
    • Psy 778 Clinical IV: Clinical Treatments: Child & Family 
    • Psy 611 History & Systems 
    • Psy 671 Intervention I
    • Psy 672 Intervention II
    • Psy 763 Intervention III 
    • Psy 764 Intervention IV
    • One Clinical Elective (The following electives have been taught over the past 5 years: Psy 614 Structural Equation Modeling; Psy 618 Developmental Psychopathology; Psy 868 Teaching Psychology; Psy 868 Social Withdrawal, Shyness, and Social Anxiety; Psy 868 Clinical Psychophysiology)
    • Distribution in Biological Bases of Behavior (PSY 513 Biological Bases of Behavior)
    • Distribution in Cognitive Bases of Behavior (PSY 639 Cognitive Processes)
    • Distribution in Social-Affective Bases of Behavior (PSY 680 Advanced Social Psychology)
  • A preliminary requirement consisting of three components: a second-year research project, a third-year research project, and a clinical competency requirement.
  • A doctoral dissertation and oral defense of the dissertation.
  • A one-year, APA-approved, clinical internship.

Completion Timeline

The curriculum is sequential and designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the science and practice of clinical psychology.

  • In the first year, core coursework focuses on the introduction to psychopathology, assessment, and intervention, as well as statistics and research methods in clinical psychology.  
  • During the second year, core coursework focuses on advanced statistics, psychological interventions with adults and children, and a full year of practicum training in assessment and intervention.  
  • In the third year, students continue clinical practica and complete all remaining coursework. 
  • Clinical electives also are offered on a variety of topics, and the curriculum includes breadth courses in the history of clinical psychology as well as the biological, cognitive-affective, and social bases of behavior.  
  • Ethics and diversity are infused throughout the core curriculum. Our program recognizes cross-cultural issues in clinical research and practice and in our curriculum, and welcomes cultural diversity among our students and the clinical populations we serve.
  • Clinical training places a heavy emphasis on the scientific foundations of clinical psychology; students are trained to use empirically supported assessment and treatment practices. Clinical training occurs in the in-house  Psychological Services Center, a wide range of advanced external practica, and optional lab-based clinical experiences.

For detailed information about specific courses, requirements, and sequence of training experiences, please refer to the Clinical Psychology Student Handbook. 

Clinical Psychology Student Handbook