Doctorate (PhD) in Clinical Psychology

Program Overview

This APA-accredited Clinical Psychology doctoral program offers a biopsychosocial perspective, emphasizing evidence-based assessment and intervention, advanced research skills, and professional identity development. It features a scientist-practitioner model, faculty research teams, and a master's degree en route to the doctorate. Graduates are prepared for careers in various settings, including private practice, hospitals, and research institutions.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This Clinical Psychology degree program allows you to benefit from an APA accredited doctoral program. The PhD curriculum will examine the interplay among biological, psychological, and social factors related to human adjustment. This biopsychosocial perspective infuses all aspects of the curriculum and training experiences in the context of a Christian university.

Objectives:

• Develop advanced clinical skills for evidence-based assessment and intervention in psychological practice.
• Develop advanced research skills for conducting and disseminating psychological research.
• Develop advanced theoretical knowledge in clinical psychology.
• Develop professional identity and ethical decision-making skills in clinical psychology.

Distinctives:

• Fully accredited by the American Psychological Association.
• A full-time, five- to six-year integrated and organized sequence of studies and practice experiences.
• Scientist-practitioner and local clinical-scientist training models featured.
• Providing a biopsychosocial perspective grounded in empirical literature that examines interplay among biological, psychological, and social factors related to human adjustment.
• Dedicated to holistic diversity, addressing individual or group differences and implications of diversity for ethical and effective practice of clinical psychology.
We believe a full appreciation of diversity also includes spiritual and religious factors.
• Faculty research teams ensuring our students can participate in real-life research beginning early in their academic careers.
• Graduate faculty who invest in students’ lives with personal mentoring, research opportunities, and individual instruction.
• A master’s of science in psychological science is earned en route to the doctorate.
• Offers of admission are to the doctoral program.
However, continuance in the program is formally evaluated when the M.S. in Psychological Science is earned and at the doctoral comprehensive exam. Continuance from the master’s to the doctoral program is also contingent upon viability of the program and institution at large.

Outline:

The Clinical Psychology doctoral program curriculum includes coursework in the following areas:

• Biological bases of behavior
• Cognitive psychology
• Developmental psychology
• Personality psychology
• Social psychology
• Abnormal psychology
• Clinical assessment
• Psychotherapy
• Research methods
• Statistics
The program also includes a one-year clinical internship and two one-year part-time practica.

Assessment:

Students in the Clinical Psychology doctoral program are evaluated on their coursework, research, and clinical work.

• Coursework: Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 to remain in the program.
• Research: Students must complete a doctoral dissertation that makes a significant contribution to the field of clinical psychology.
• Clinical work: Students must complete two one-year part-time practica and a one-year clinical internship.
Students must demonstrate competence in the following areas:
• Clinical assessment
• Psychotherapy
• Case management
• Ethical decision-making

Teaching:

The Clinical Psychology doctoral program faculty are committed to providing students with a high-quality education. The faculty are actively involved in research and clinical practice, and they bring their expertise into the classroom. The program uses a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, discussions, group work, and role-playing. The program also provides students with opportunities to work with clients in a clinical setting.

Careers:

Graduates of the Clinical Psychology doctoral program can work in a variety of settings, including:

• Private practice
• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Schools
• Research institutions
• Government agencies
Graduates can also work as clinical psychologists, research psychologists, or teachers.