Program Overview

Program Overview

The PsyD in Clinical Psychology is a practice-focused doctoral program designed to prepare students for licensure and independent practice as clinical psychologists. With a strong emphasis on clinical application, this 98-credit hour program follows a practitioner-scientist model, blending rigorous academic coursework with extensive hands-on clinical training.

Program Highlights

• 98 semester credit hours completed over five years
• APA-aligned curriculum designed to meet licensure requirements in Texas
• Year-long practicum rotations in diverse clinical settings
• One-year APA-accredited or APPIC-member internship required for graduation
• Applied dissertation focused on improving clinical interventions

What You'll Learn

Students will develop the knowledge and skills necessary for professional clinical practice, including:

• Evidence-based assessment and intervention techniques
• Integration of psychological theory and clinical application
• Ethical and culturally competent care
• Advanced understanding of affective, biological, cognitive, developmental, and social aspects of behavior
• Research methods, statistics, and psychometrics

Clinical Training

Beginning in Year 2, students complete supervised practicum placements in both in-house and community-based settings. Practicum sites include:

• SBHS Psychology Teaching Clinic
• Lifespan Autism and Developmental Neuropsychology Clinics
• Trauma, Addictions, and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Clinics
• Inpatient units at the Dunn Behavioral Science Campus
• Neurology Neuropsychology Clinic
• Children's Learning Institute
• Family and Community Medicine Psychology Services These placements provide direct patient care experience under the supervision of licensed psychologists, with regular performance evaluations to ensure clinical competency.

Research & Dissertation

Students collaborate with faculty mentors on an applied dissertation that enhances clinical practice. The dissertation process includes:

• Literature review and synthesis
• Clinical research design and implementation
• Integration of research findings into real-world clinical settings A comprehensive examination, both written and oral, is required after core coursework, assessing students' ability to synthesize theory, research, and clinical knowledge.

Career Outcomes

Graduates of the PsyD program are prepared for careers as:

• Licensed Clinical Psychologists: Providing psychological assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders.
• Behavioral Health Consultants: Offering expert guidance on behavioral health issues within medical and organizational settings.
• Clinical Supervisors and Program Directors: Leading, mentoring, and overseeing mental health teams and program operations.
• Integrated Care Specialists: Collaborating with medical professionals to deliver coordinated mental and physical health services.

Program Demand & Labor Market Outlook

• Texas faces a critical shortage of licensed psychologists, ranking 50th in access to care and mental health workforce availability. In the Houston area alone, there is only one provider for every 988 residents.
• The U.S. demand for psychologists is projected to exceed 101,000 full-time equivalents by 2030, with Texas among the states facing the most significant shortages. The PsyD program directly addresses this need by preparing highly trained, practice-ready clinicians to serve diverse communities.

Faculty Mentorship

Our PsyD faculty are experienced clinicians, educators, and researchers who bring a wealth of expertise in clinical psychology, trauma-informed care, forensic psychology, and inpatient psychiatry. Students benefit from:

• Personalized mentorship and supervision
• Expert guidance in clinical training and dissertation development
• Opportunities to collaborate on applied research and service innovation

Program Faculty

Faculty Members

• Elaheh Ashtari, PsyD, Associate Professor
• Jessica Badawi, PhD, Assistant Professor
• Tessa Orellana, PhD, Assistant Professor
• Jeffrey R Temple, PhD, Associate Dean, Clinical Research