Program Overview

Doctor of Psychology in the field of Clinical Psychology

Overview

Clinical Psychology is a scientific discipline that aims to understand, prevent, and relieve psychological distress and dysfunctions, as well as to promote well-being and personal development. Clinical Psychologists are employed in hospitals, government sectors, counseling service units, and non-government organisations. Daily duties of clinical psychologists include conducting psychological assessments, delivering psychological interventions, giving public educational talks, providing staff training and consultation, and conducting scientific research.

The Department of Psychology of HKU offers three postgraduate programmes in clinical psychology, including the Master of Social Science in the field of Clinical Psychology Programme, the Doctor of Psychology in the field of Clinical Psychology Programme, and the PhD with Specialization in Clinical Psychology Programme.

The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in the field of Clinical Psychology programme, established in 2004, integrates research, coursework, and clinical specialty training. It aims to train psychologists who will be competent researchers and clinical specialists. Graduates are expected to lead clinical and research development in the profession, and bridge applied research findings with evidence-based clinical practice.

Structure & Syllabus

The curriculum of Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in the field of Clinical Psychology extends over a minimum of twenty-four months of full-time study or thirty-six months of part-time study. Candidates are expected to complete satisfactorily the required courses and a thesis as set out below. The courses cover theoretical and applied aspects of clinical psychology.

Doctoral candidates should attend all courses in List A and at least 1 course in List B:

• PSYC6100 – Supervised reading in research studies
• PSYC6010 – Conceptual and methodological issues in psychological research I
• PSYC6011 – Conceptual and methodological issues in psychological research II
• PSYC6101 – Thesis
• PSYC6102 – Clinical specialty training
• GRSC6101 – Responsible conduct of research
• GRSC6102 – Stream-based responsible conduct of research
  • PSYC8002 – Community and health psychology
  • PSYC8001 – Clinical seminar II
  • PSYC8007 – Applied developmental psychology
  • PSYC6020 – Clinical seminar III
  • PSYC6026 – Seminar in neuroscience
  • PSYC6027 – Developmental neuroscience
  • PSYC6028 – Neurobiological basis of psychological issues
  • PSYC6025 – Postgraduate seminar in scientific writing for psychology
  • PSYC7021 – Postgraduate seminar in cognitive psychology
  • PSYC7022 – Postgraduate seminar in social psychology
  • PSYC7023 – Postgraduate seminar in developmental psychology

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in the field of Clinical Psychology programme, a candidate shall satisfy both the University admission requirement and the programme specific requirements as listed below:

1. hold a Master of Social Sciences in Clinical Psychology degree of this University, or another qualification of an equivalent standard from this University or from another University or comparable institution accepted for this purpose;
2. shall be eligible for membership in the Hong Kong Psychological Society, Division of Clinical Psychology, or in the Hong Kong Institute of Clinical Psychologists;
3. preferably, shall have working experience in the field of Clinical Psychology, as appropriate;
4. satisfying the examiners in a qualifying examination if required;
5. candidate who is seeking admission on the basis of a qualification from a university or comparable institution outside Hong Kong of which the language of teaching and/or examination is not English, shall satisfy the University English language requirement applicable to higher degrees;
6. compliance with the General Regulations.

Application for exemption from the above requirements shall be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Study Mode and Schedule

The curriculum extends over two academic years of full-time study or three academic years of part-time study.

Tuition Fee

• Full-time: HK$184,350 p.a.
• Part-time: HK$122,900 p.a.

Admissions

The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in the field of Clinical Psychology programme admits students every year.

Programme Booklet

Programme Booklet - Doctor of Psychology in the field of Clinical Psychology

Admission

• Undergraduate
• Taught Postgraduate
  • Doctor of Psychology in the field of Clinical Psychology
  • Doctor of Psychology in the field of Educational Psychology
  • Master of Social Sciences in the field of Clinical Psychology
  • Master of Social Sciences in the field of Educational Psychology
  • Master of Social Sciences in the field of Psychology
• Research Postgraduate
  • Master of Philosophy (MPhil) & Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
  • PhD with a Specialization in Clinical Psychology
  • PhD with a Specialization in Educational Psychology
  • PhD in the field of Clinical Psychological Sciences
• Programme Booklet

Research Areas

• Clinical psychology and neuropsychology
• Cognitive psychology and cognitive science
• Educational and developmental psychology
• Neuroscience
• Social and health psychology

Programmes

• Undergraduate
• Taught Postgraduate
  • MSocSc (Psychology)
  • MSocSc (Clinical Psychology)
  • MSocSc (Educational Psychology)
  • PsyD (Clinical Psychology)
  • PsyD (Educational Psychology)
• Research Postgraduate
  • Research Degrees – MPhil & PhD
  • Research Degree – PhD with a specialization in Clinical Psychology
  • Research Degree – PhD with a specialization in Educational Psychology
• Useful Information to Current Students