Program Overview

Introduction to the Clinical Psychology Program

The Clinical Psychology program at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) is a Ph.D. program that combines science and practice, emphasizing evidence-based interventions and research-informed clinical practice. The program prioritizes the scientist-practitioner model, producing graduates who are skilled therapists and capable researchers.

Program Overview

The BGSU Ph.D. program in psychology with a specialization in clinical psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and has been continuously accredited since 1971. The program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in clinical psychology, including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological issues.

Program Requirements

• The program requires a combined master's and doctoral degree.
• Students earn a master's degree en route to their doctorate.
• The program includes a strong research component, with students developing their own program of research.
• Students participate in a survey course and join faculty-student research groups in their first year.
• The program includes a psychological services center, which provides on-campus practicum and training facilities.

Curriculum

The doctoral clinical psychology curriculum at BGSU is structured to adhere to the scientist-practitioner model, integrating scientific research with clinical practice. The curriculum includes:

• Core clinical psychology courses
• Advanced-level classes and specialized seminars
• In-house psychotherapy training starting in the second year
• Clinical psychology faculty provides close supervision and exposes students to a wide range of theoretical orientations and therapeutic techniques

Areas of Concentration

The program offers three areas of concentration:

• Child clinical psychology: assessing, diagnosing, and treating psychological issues in children and adolescents
• Community clinical psychology: preventing and treating mental health problems in a community setting
• Health psychology: improving well-being by focusing on the interplay between psychology and physical health

Practicum Experiences

Students participate in practicum experiences, including:

• Basic Clinical Skills practicum teams
• Advanced Clinical Teams, which take on projects blending research and practice related to their chosen clinical psychology concentration

Culminating Experience

Doctoral students must register for a minimum of 16 hours in Dissertation Research, in addition to:

• Thesis research (3-6 credits)
• Internship (2 semesters)
• A supervised practicum in clinical psychology (6 hours)

Career Opportunities

Clinical psychologists have a wealth of career opportunities in private practice, hospitals, schools, community mental health centers, and research institutions. Employment for clinical psychologists is projected to grow 7% over the next decade.

Career Paths

• School psychologist
• Behavioral health consultant
• Research psychologist
• Veterans Affairs psychologist
• Organizational psychologist
• Clinical psychologist

Accreditation

The doctoral program in clinical psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and has been continuously accredited since 1971. Bowling Green State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.