Program Overview

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Doctor of Philosophy - Clinical Psychology

The UNLV Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program, in the scientist-practitioner tradition, prepares students to address psychological concerns through both scholarly research and the application of psychological knowledge and skills in practice. We recognize psychology as an empirical science and expect students to have a broad understanding of existing psychological knowledge and methods.

About

The program is accredited by the American Psychological Association. We train students to base their scholarly and professional activity on the scientific foundation of psychology, including an understanding of and attention to human diversity. We train students as generalists who are prepared to conduct ethically appropriate scientific research and clinical interventions with children and adults in an increasingly multicultural society.

Available Options

• Post-Bachelor's Track
• Post-Master's Track

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the American Psychological Association.

Learning Outcomes

The central goal of our doctoral program is to train psychological scientist-practitioners who possess a broad foundation of psychological knowledge, the ability to design and implement scientific investigations, and the skills necessary to intervene in psychological concerns.

We evaluate our students along the following areas of competence:

1. Scientific Approach: Demonstration of knowledge, skills, and competence sufficient to produce new knowledge, to critically evaluate and use existing knowledge to solve problems, and to disseminate research.
2. Ethical and Legal Standards: Application of ethical concepts and awareness of relevant laws, regulations, rules, and policies governing professional activities at the organizational, local, state, regional, and federal levels.
3. Individual and Cultural Differences/Diversity: Awareness, sensitivity, and skills in working professionally with diverse individuals, groups, and communities who represent various cultural and personal background and characteristics defined broadly and consistent with APA policy.
4. Professional Values, Attitudes, and Behaviors: Behavior and comportment that reflect the values and attitudes of psychology.
5. Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Relates effectively and meaningfully with individuals, groups, and/or communities.
6. Assessment: Competence in evidence-based assessment and diagnosis of problems, capabilities consistent with the scope of Health Service Psychology.
7. Intervention: Competence in evidence-based interventions consistent with the scope of Health Service Psychology, including but not limited to psychotherapy, directed at an individual, family, group, organization, community, population, or other system.
8. Supervision: Supervision and training in the professional knowledge base of enhancing and monitoring the professional functioning of others.
9. Consultation and Interprofessional/Interdisciplinary Skills: The ability to collaborate intentionally with other individuals or groups to address a problem, seek or share knowledge, or promote effectiveness in professional activities.
10. Research: Active engagement in independent formulation, conduct, evaluation, and dissemination of research that contributes to scientific, psychological, and/or professional knowledge through presentation and publication.

Career Possibilities

Careers in clinical psychology typically involve employment in private practice, hospital and mental health agencies and centers, and academia. Career practices usually involve assessment, treatment, consultation, program development and evaluation, and clinical supervision.

Requirements

Plan Description

The Graduate Faculty of the Department of Psychology is comprised of a group of dedicated individuals who have received their training at outstanding graduate programs. We continue to recruit accomplished scholars who will enhance the quality and diversity of the graduate experience available to our students.

The department is committed to providing our graduate students with a high-quality program balanced across classroom, laboratories, and other research settings, as well as various practicum placements. The department currently offers M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Clinical Psychology and Psychological & Brain Sciences.

Plan Admission Requirements

Application Deadlines

Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.

All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.

The program is accredited by the American Psychological Association.

The Doctor of Philosophy - Clinical Psychology program currently admits only students seeking a doctoral degree.

The program admits students for matriculation only in the fall semester. Applicants will be notified of their status by April 15. We anticipate entering classes of 6-10 students each year.

Graduate College Admission Requirements

1. Completed application and non-refundable application fee.
2. Bachelor's Degree – You must hold a four-year baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution or an approved equivalent.
   • Post-Master's tracks require a regionally accredited Master's degree.
3. All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript from each postsecondary institution attended, showing all degrees and coursework, the dates awarded, and grades received. Official transcripts required upon admission.
   • Credentials not in English must be accompanied by an English translation certified as true by a university official, an official representative of a United States embassy or consulate, the United States Information Service, the United States Education Foundation, or an approved professional translating service. Notarized copies of originals or translations are not considered official.

Department Admission Requirements

1. Typical admitted students have GPAs of 3.7.
2. We strongly recommend that applicants have a degree in psychology. Applicants should have completed a minimum of 18 credits of undergraduate psychology courses including Statistics, Abnormal Psychology, and Research Methods.
3. Applicants are also expected to demonstrate foundational knowledge competency in Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Neuroscience or Physiological Psychology, Social Psychology, and History of Psychology. Foundational competency in each area can be demonstrated by either 1) a grade of B- or better in a relevant undergraduate course; or 2) a score at or above the 70th percentile in the relevant area of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Psychology Subject Test. Applicants can be admitted without having achieved these foundational competencies but should attempt to meet them prior to entering the program. If competencies are not met prior to entering the program, they can be remediated after entering the program during the first two years of study by taking necessary undergraduate coursework or the GRE Psychology Subject Test with relevant scores at or above the 70th percentile.
   • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores are not accepted for this program. The GRE Psychology Subject Test is recommended but not required. Current GRE Board policy states that your scores are retained for the five testing years following the testing year. Applicants must have official subject test scores sent to UNLV and may also submit unofficial scores in their online application.
4. Three letters of recommendation that evaluate the applicant's potential for doctoral studies in a scientist-practitioner model training program.
5. A letter of intent written by the applicant. This letter should describe your clinical and research interests, education and professional goals, a primary faculty member with whom you wish to work, and any other factors that you would want the admissions committee to consider in evaluating your application. We welcome you to comment on how you contribute to or benefit from our multicultural community.
6. A current curriculum vitae.
7. A personal interview with members of the program faculty is required for finalists in the selection process. Typically, applicants who are finalists are notified by early February of the program's interview day. Alternative interviews may be scheduled under unique circumstances.

Plan Requirements

Subplan 1: Post-Bachelor's

Total Credits Required: 93

Course Requirements

Clinical Foundation Courses – Credits: 21

• PSY 723 - Assessment I: Cognitive and Academic Assessment
• PSY 724 - Assessment II: Personality and Psychopathology
• PSY 725 - Intervention with Children
• PSY 726 - Intervention with Adults
• PSY 736 - Psychopathology
• PSY 750 - Diversity in Professional Psychology
• PSY 755 - Ethics and Professional Issues

Research Methods, Statistics, and Psychometric Courses – Credits: 12

• PSY 707 - Research Methods
• PSY 708 - Statistics for Psychologists I
• PSY 709 - Statistics for Psychologists II
• PSY 712 - Psychometrics

Practicum – Credits: 6

Complete 6 credits of practicum in spring and fall semesters of the second year of study.

• PSY 767 - Practicum

Elective Courses - Credits: 3

Complete 3 credits of a 700-level psychology course (except PSY 767: Practicum; PSY 769: Thesis; PSY 770: Dissertation; or PSY 771: Professional Internship).

Thesis – Credits: 6

Enroll in thesis credits in a) the semester the thesis is planned to be proposed and b) in the semester the thesis is planned to be defended.

• PSY 769 - Thesis

Advanced Integrative Knowledge Courses – Credits: 6

These courses are typically taken in the fall and spring semesters of the third year of study:

• PSY 720 - Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience
• PSY 722 - Developmental and Social Psychology

Elective Courses – Credits: 12

Complete 12 credits of 700-level psychology courses (except PSY 767: Practicum; PSY 769: Thesis; PSY 770: Dissertation; or PSY 771: Professional Internship).

Practicum – Credits: 12

Complete 12 credits of practicum in spring and fall semesters of the third and fourth years of study.

• PSY 767 - Practicum

Internship – Credits: 3

Complete a full calendar year APA-approved clinical psychology internship.

• PSY 771 - Professional Internship

Dissertation – Credits: 12

Enroll in dissertation credits starting in the semester the dissertation is planned to be proposed.

• PSY 770 - Dissertation

Degree Requirements

1. En route to doctoral candidacy, the student must complete the requirements for a master's degree in psychology and complete 6 credits of thesis over a minimum of 2 semesters. The thesis must be proposed and defended orally.
2. In addition to a master's degree in Psychology equivalent to the one previously described (48 credits), a minimum of 45 credits in graduate psychology is required for the doctoral degree.
3. Electives consist of any 700-level Psychology courses excluding PSY 767: Practicum; PSY 769: Thesis; PSY 770: Dissertation; or PSY 771: Professional Internship. No more than six elective credits may be fulfilled with PSY 766: Independent Study, PSY 768: Independent Research, or a combination of the two. 700-level courses offered by other departments may fulfill the elective requirement with approval.
4. Students must obtain a grade of B- or better in each course taken for that course to count toward the degree. One grade below a B- (i.e., C+ or lower) will result in probation. Once on probation for receiving a grade below a B-, a second grade (in the same or different classes) below a B-, will result in immediate separation from the program. If a student re-takes a course in which they received a grade lower than a B- (i.e., C+ or lower) and earns a B- or better, they will be removed from probation. A student may only be on academic probation twice during their graduate career in Psychology; a third probation will result in separation from the program. No student shall be allowed more than two simultaneous grades of incomplete, except in the case of a documented and approved medical leave.
5. Students must conform to all policies of the UNLV Graduate College, as stated in the UNLV Graduate Catalog, those stated in the UNLV Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program Student Handbook, and the American Psychological Association (APA) Code of Ethics. Students will be evaluated at least yearly across all program competencies. Inadequate performance in one or more competency may result in the imposition of additional requirements, loss of Graduate Assistantship, probation, or separation from the program.
6. If the program determines that a student is not making satisfactory progress toward the degree, it may request the Graduate Dean to separate the student from the program or place the student on probation. Failure to meet the conditions of the probation will result in separation from the program.
7. Transfer Credits. Admitted clinical students may transfer credits from graduate studies in other programs contingent upon departmental approval and in accordance with Graduate College policy. Transfer Credits will only be considered to fulfill Research Methods, Statistics, and Psychometric courses, Elective courses, and Discipline Specific and Advanced Integrative Knowledge courses. All courses must be completed with a minimum grade of B or better in order to meet program requirements.
8. Students must take a minimum of 6 credits of thesis over two semesters which may include summers. Students should enroll in thesis credits starting in the semester the thesis is formally proposed.
9. Students must take a minimum of 12 credits of dissertation over four semesters which may include summers. Students should enroll in dissertation credits starting in the semester the dissertation is formally proposed. The dissertation must be orally proposed and defended.
10. Consistent with APA implementing regulations, students are required to enroll in 1 credit of PSY 771 during their final year-long internship experience. This final internship experience is recognized by APA as meeting the equivalent of full-time enrollment.

Graduation Requirements

1. Students can apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements for both the Master's and Doctoral portions of the program. All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.
2. The student must submit and successfully defend their thesis by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public. After the thesis defense, the student must electronically submit a properly formatted pdf copy of their thesis to the Graduate College for format check. Once the thesis format has been approved by the Graduate College, the student will submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest. Deadlines for thesis defenses, format check submissions, and the final ProQuest submission can be found here.
3. The student must submit and successfully defend their dissertation by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public.
4. After the dissertation defense, the student must electronically submit a properly formatted pdf copy of their dissertation to the Graduate College for format check. Once the dissertation format has been approved by the Graduate College, the student will submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest. Deadlines for dissertation defenses, format check submissions, and the final ProQuest submission can be found here.

Subplan 2: Post-Master's

Total Credits Required: 72

Course Requirements

Clinical Foundation Courses – Credits: 21

• PSY 723 - Assessment I: Cognitive and Academic Assessment
• PSY 724 - Assessment II: Personality and Psychopathology
• PSY 725 - Intervention with Children
• PSY 726 - Intervention with Adults
• PSY 736 - Psychopathology
• PSY 750 - Diversity in Professional Psychology
• PSY 755 - Ethics and Professional Issues

Practicum – Credits: 18

Complete 18 credits of practicum in spring and fall semesters of the second, third, and fourth years of study.

• PSY 767 - Practicum

Advanced Integrative Knowledge Courses - Credits: 6

These courses are typically taken in the fall and spring semesters of the third year of study:

• PSY 720 - Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience
• PSY 722 - Developmental and Social Psychology

Elective Courses - Credits: 12

Complete 12 credits of 700-level psychology courses (except PSY 767: Practicum; PSY 769: Thesis; PSY 770: Dissertation; or PSY 771: Professional Internship).

Internship – Credits: 3

Complete a full calendar year APA-approved clinical psychology internship.

• PSY 771 - Professional Internship

Dissertation – Credits: 12

Enroll in dissertation credits starting in the semester the dissertation is planned to be proposed.

• PSY 770 - Dissertation

Degree Requirements

1. Students entering the Clinical Psychology doctoral program with a Master's degree equivalent to the one previously described in Subplan 1 (48 credits) will be required to complete a minimum of 72 credits that include the Clinical Foundation Courses (21 credits), Practicum (18 credits), Internship (3 credits), and Dissertation (12 Credits). For these students, the number of required courses for the PhD will be determined in consultation with the Director of Clinical Training. Additional credits will be required to address deficiencies or build specialized expertise.
2. Electives consist of any 700-level Psychology courses excluding PSY 767: Practicum; PSY 769: Thesis; PSY 770: Dissertation; or PSY 771: Professional Internship. Up to six elective credits may be fulfilled with PSY 766: Independent Study, PSY 768: Independent Research, or a combination of the two. 700-level courses offered by other departments may fulfill the elective requirement with approval.
3. Students must obtain a grade of B- or better in each course taken for that course to count toward the degree. One grade below a B- (i.e., C+ or lower) will result in probation. Once on probation for receiving a grade below a B-, a second grade (in the same or different classes) below a B-, will result in immediate separation from the program. If a student re-takes a course in which they received a grade lower than a B- (i.e., C+ or lower) and earns a B- or better, they will be removed from probation. A student may only be on academic probation twice during their graduate career in Psychology; a third probation will result in separation from the program. No student shall be allowed more than two simultaneous grades of incomplete, except in the case of a documented and approved medical leave.
4. Students must conform to all policies of the UNLV Graduate College, as stated in the UNLV Graduate Catalog, those stated in the UNLV Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program Student Handbook, and the American Psychological Association Code of Ethics. Students will be evaluated at least yearly across all program competencies. Inadequate performance in one or more competency may result in the imposition of additional requirements, loss of Graduate Assistantship, probation, or separation from the program.
5. If the program determines that a student is not making satisfactory progress toward the degree, it may request the Graduate Dean to separate the student from the program or place the student on probation. Failure to meet the conditions of the probation will result in separation from the program.
6. Transfer Credits. Admitted clinical students may transfer credits from graduate studies in other programs contingent upon departmental approval and in accordance with Graduate College policy. Transfer Credits will only be considered to fulfill Research Methods, Statistics, and Psychometric courses, Elective courses, and Discipline Specific and Advanced Integrative Knowledge courses. All courses must be completed with a minimum grade of B or better in order to meet program requirements.
7. Students must take a minimum of 12 credits of dissertation over four semesters which may include summers. Students should enroll in dissertation credits starting in the semester after the dissertation is formally proposed. The dissertation must be orally proposed and defended.
8. Consistent with APA implementing regulations, students are required to enroll in 1 credit of PSY 771 during their final year-long internship experience. This final internship experience is recognized by APA as meeting the equivalent of full-time enrollment.

Graduation Requirements

1. Students can apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements. All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.
2. Students must submit and successfully defend their dissertation by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public.
3. After the dissertation defense, the student must electronically submit a properly formatted pdf copy of their dissertation to the Graduate College for format check. Once the dissertation format has been approved by the Graduate College, the student will submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest. Deadlines for dissertation defenses, format check submissions, and the final ProQuest submission can be found here.