Program Overview

Program Overview

The Doctoral Degree (PhD) in Psychology is offered by the College of Arts and Sciences. The program has two main areas of focus: clinical psychology and experimental psychology. The clinical psychology program aims to train clinical scientists with a focus on the integration of science and clinical applications, while the experimental program prepares students for a career in research in both academic and non-academic settings and in teaching.

Program Structure

• The program emphasizes broad exposure to the major areas of clinical psychology.
• Students may concentrate in areas such as research methodologies, individual psychotherapy, neuropsychology, psychopathology, mental health administration, community psychology, health psychology, or clinical child psychology.
• The curriculum provides breadth of coverage in traditional and contemporary science-based aspects of clinical psychology, as well as freedom in choice of electives by the student beyond the first year.

Accreditation

The PhD program in clinical psychology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of American Psychological Association and by the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System, and is a member of the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science.

Admission Requirements

• Please view the Graduate School's Admission Requirements.
• Program Specific Requirements:
  • CV
  • Personal Statement
  • Three letters of recommendation

Application Requirements

• Please view the application requirements for the Graduate School.
• Program Specific Requirements:
  • CV
  • Personal Statement
  • Three letters of recommendation

Application Deadlines

• Domestic & International Students:
  • Fall: 12/01/2025

Tuition and Fees

• Resident: $825.50 per credit hour
• Non-Resident: $2,060.50 per credit hour

Financial Aid

• The program has a long history of providing financial support to all students in the form of grant-funded research fellowships, graduate school fellowships, psychology department fellowships, minority student fellowships, research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and training stipends from clinical practicum placements.
• Fellowship awards include full remission of tuition, and out-of-state tuition is waived for those students on research assistantships or clinical traineeships.

Career Opportunities

• Graduates can pursue careers in academia, mental health services, healthcare, or research, contributing to advancements in therapy, psychological assessments, or the understanding of neurological disorders.
• Many graduates receive medical center and university psychology department faculty appointments, involving clinical research and clinical service delivery.

Licensure

• If you plan to obtain professional licensure outside of Kentucky, please refer to the Licensure page to confirm whether the program meets the educational requirements for professional licensure in your state of interest.