Program Overview

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Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology

Advance Psychological Science and Practice

Serve individuals from an emotional, mental or behavioral perspective with expertise in research, observation and diagnosis of mental health conditions. The American Psychological Association (APA)-accredited cognitive-behavioral doctoral program in clinical psychology at the University at Albany will prepare you for comprehensive work with patients facing diverse challenges from depression to addiction.

Through coursework and research you will gain an understanding of clinical psychological principles for assessment and treatment. You will learn to apply critical thinking and analysis to generate solutions to prepare you for careers in academic, research, community and health care settings.

Participate in active clinical research programs with a faculty mentor in areas like eating disorders, drug addiction, anxiety, family violence, child and adolescent development, and minority disparities.

Program of Study

In the PhD in clinical psychology program you will obtain the nine profession-wide competencies required by the APA’s Standards of Accreditation in Health Service Psychology, which are:

• Research
• Ethical and legal standards
• Individual and cultural diversity
• Professional values, attitudes, and behavior
• Communication
• Assessment
• Intervention
• Supervision
• Consultation

These competencies are addressed in multiple courses throughout the curriculum and in training/experiential activities. Your program advisor will help you select an overall program of study consistent with your career goals.

Clinical Psychology Core Courses

• Introduction to Clinical Psychology: The Scientist-Practitioner
• Survey of Psychopathology
• Clinical Methods I: Assessment
• Clinical Methods II: Psychotherapy and Behavior Change
• Clinical Methods III: Psychotherapy and Behavior Change
• Clinical Child Psychology
• Treatment of Childhood Problems
• Diversity Issues in Mental Health
• Practicum in Clinical Assessment
• Practicum in Assessment Intervention
• Professional Issues and Current Directions in Clinical Psychology

Proseminar Courses

• Behavioral Neuroscience I
• Survey of Cognitive Psychology
• Survey of Developmental Psychology
• Survey of Social Psychology

Out of Specialization Area Courses

• Two courses from two different areas of specialization within Psychology PhD programs

Statistics/Method Courses

• Statistical and Experimental Methods I
• Statistical and Experimental Methods II

Initial Research Project

• Demonstrate basic research competency in your subfield of Psychology

Research Tool Requirement

• demonstrated proficiency in one of the following:
  • Pass a foreign language test
  • Course in computer programming, mathematics, electronics, biochemistry, histological techniques, foreign language, pharmacology, or advanced statistics
  • Master a technique, statistical or otherwise, in the process of conducting the Initial Research Project or another research project

Pre-doctoral Internship

• A full calendar year spent in an APA accredited internship site

Qualifying Examinations

Dissertation

Full-Time Study in Residence

Additional Information

See the Graduate Bulletin for program requirement details.

PhD Clinical Psychology Student Handbook

Research

The doctoral program in clinical psychology follows an apprentice/junior-colleague training model. You will interact closely with faculty members in all aspects of research activity, providing you with the opportunity to make significant contributions in the areas of treatment development, outcomes research, program evaluation, training, supervision, basic psychopathology research, clinical science and practice, and theory and philosophy of science. The program is structured so that you will dedicate your final year to a pre-doctoral internship.

Career Outcomes

You will be prepared to work in professional settings to further develop and enhance your research, or put your skills to practice in diverse health care areas.

Potential careers for a PhD in Clinical Psychology include:

• Clinical scientist
• Psychotherapist
• Professor
• Consultant
• Health Care Administrator

Accreditation

Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data

Diversity Statement

As part of our commitment to furthering knowledge, fulfilling our educational mission, and providing psychological services to our community, the Clinical Program welcomes, promotes, and celebrates respect for all people of any race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, ancestry, age, veteran status, or disability. We view this commitment as a natural extension of our devotion to good science and ethics. We continue to develop and communicate policies that promote values that discourage intolerance and discrimination. We extend these ideas to student life, the curriculum, teaching, programs, staffing, personnel training practices, research, community services, events, and all of our other endeavors. Our commitment to work toward an environment that values diversity requires that we create, promote, and maintain activities and programs that further our understanding of individual and group diversity.

Admissions Requirements

Deadlines

• Fall: December 1

Required Application Materials

• Transcripts from all schools attended
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official GRE general test scores are preferred but not required
• Statement of goals

Special Notes

This program requires an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience requirement. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. If applicants have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of the intended academic program.

Student Learning Objectives

PhD

• Students will demonstrate effective presentation skills.
• Students will be able to demonstrate in depth knowledge in the following areas:
  • Psychopathology
  • Child Clinical
  • Assessment
  • Behavior change
  • Research Design
  • Conceptual issues
  • Ethical and Professional Issues
  • General Issues
• Students will demonstrate assessment and Intervention skills.
• Students will be able to conduct original research including:
  • Literature review and generation of hypotheses
  • Understand and apply an appropriate technique or research methodology
  • Statistical analyses of data, incorporate findings into the existing literature and identify implications of study

Supplemental Degree Programs

Graduate students can typically request a supplemental degree in one or more subordinate degrees without needing to go through the full admissions process again.

Supplemental Program

• Africana Studies CGS
• Autism CGS
• Community College Leadership CGS
• Demography CGS
• International Education Management CGS
• Psychology MA