Program Overview

Introduction to the Ph.D. Program in Clinical Psychology

The Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology at the University of Arkansas follows the scientist-practitioner model of training. The program's premise is that doctoral training in clinical psychology prepares individuals to be scientifically informed mental health service providers as well as clinically informed researchers.

Program Overview

The program is designed to promote the development of competency in both clinical practice and research. The goal is to train students who are capable of applying psychological theory, research methodology, and clinical skills to complex clinical problems and diverse populations. The program is accredited by the American Psychological Association.

Generalist Approach to Clinical Training

The program recognizes that all students require broad clinical training that spans a range of skills, modalities, settings, and populations. The curriculum has been carefully designed to provide that broad coverage, with a strong emphasis on empirically based approaches to assessment and intervention.

Focused Approach to Research Training

Research training is typically done in the context of faculty members' overall program of research. A mentor-apprentice model guides decisions about student recruitment and selection. Once accepted into the program, each student is trained to be a critical consumer of and an effective contributor to the empirical research literature in clinical psychology.

Consistent Blending of Scientist-Practitioner Training

Experiences and skill development opportunities that prepare students to be scientist-practitioners begin early in the graduate career. Each semester presents students with a mix of coursework, practicum involvement, and research requirements that consistently blend the roles of clinician and scientist.

Training in Diversity and Integrated Behavioral Health

The doctoral clinical training program has received several federal Graduate Psychology Education (GPE) grants from the United States Department of Health & Human Services (Health Resource Service Administration). The most recent grant was designed to increase the number of behavioral health care providers who work in interprofessional health care teams to address the mental, behavioral, and substance use needs of residents in Northwest Arkansas.

Standards of Accreditation

The doctoral program in clinical psychology at the University of Arkansas is consistent with the Standards of Accreditation for Health Service Psychology. All students in the program are trained to meet competencies for discipline-specific knowledge as well as profession-wide competencies.

Faculty

• Core Faculty:
  • Ana Bridges
  • Timothy A. Cavell
  • Jessica Fugitt
  • Lindsay Ham
  • Matt Judah
  • Ellen Leen-Feldner
  • Jeff Lin
  • Lauren Quetsch
  • Sarah Tonkin
  • Jennifer C. Veilleux
• Adjunct Faculty:
  • Melissa Zielinski

Program Accreditation

The program is accredited by the American Psychological Association. Questions related to the program's accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation.