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Clinical Psychology, Ph.D.

The Clinical Psychology Doctoral Training Program at ¶¶Òõpro adheres to the scientist-practitioner model of training in clinical psychology. ÌýAs part of the Department of Psychology, our students receive strong generalist training and develop extensive skills in research. ÌýOur diverse faculty members offer specialized clinical training opportunities in clinical child psychology, clinical neuropsychology, health psychology, trauma psychology and sports psychology.

U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks ¶¶Òõpro's clinical psychology graduate education program among the top programs in the United States.

Program Highlights

Areas of Emphasis, Experience or Exposure

Our program’s major area of study is adult clinical psychology. Consistent with the APA taxonomy, you may elect one of the following areas of emphasis, experience or exposure: clinical neuropsychology, clinical child psychology, health psychology, trauma psychology or sports psychology. Students interested in pursuing one of these areas work with their advisor to establish an individualized curriculum and training plan. Relevant research may be conducted in any of these areas.

Clinical Child Psychology (Experience or Exposure)

Elective graduate courses for students interested in clinical child psychology include Child Assessment and Psychopathology, Child Interventions, Couples and Family Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Interventions and Psychopharmacology. External placements involving pediatric, child and adolescent assessment, consultation and intervention are also available.

Clinical Neuropsychology (Emphasis, Experience or Exposure)

Elective graduate courses for students interested in clinical neuropsychology include Fundamentals of Neuropsychology, Neuropsychological Assessment, Memory and Cognition, Physiological Psychology and Psychopharmacology. Supervised clinical experience in neuropsychological assessment, consultation and treatment is offered through external placements.

Health Psychology (Experience or Exposure)

Students interested in health psychology should consider taking courses in clinical health psychology, cognitive behavior interventions, psychopharmacology, sports psychology and addictions: assessment and interventions. Additional courses related to health psychology are offered in SLU's College for Public Health and Social Justice. External placements in the application of psychological services to enhance physical well-being and health are available.

Trauma Psychology (Experience or Exposure)

Students interested in working in the field of trauma are offered elective graduate coursework in the psychology of trauma, cognitive-behavioral interventions and addictions: assessment and interventions. Additional courses related to traumatic stress are offered through SLU's College for Public Health and Social Justice. Supervised clinical training experiences with those who have experienced trauma are offered within the on-campus Psychological Services Center on a trauma-focused team.

Sports Psychology (Experience or Exposure)

Elective graduate courses in sports psychology, health psychology and cognitive-behavioral interventions are offered to students interested in sports and performance psychology. Students work with teams and athletes across the community, including the SLU Department of Athletics, through research, practicum and clinical training opportunities.

Curriculum Overview

The clinical psychology program at ¶¶Òõpro is designed to provide broad and general doctoral education and training in health service psychology. Our faculty members are committed to training and education that evidences the integration of science and practice, that is sequential, cumulative, graded in complexity, designed to prepare students for further organized training and that indicates respect for and understanding of individual and cultural diversity.

Further information about the program can be found in the handbook and student manual.

Program HandbookÌýStudent Manual

Thirty-six credits are required for SLU's master's degree in clinical psychology, including 30 credits of departmental and clinical core coursework and six credits of thesis research. Each student must complete and defend a thesis. Upon completing the master's degree, doctoral students complete an additional 42 credits of coursework and 12 credits of dissertation research.

Ph.D. students conduct a public presentation and oral defense of the dissertation after completing this research project. They must also complete an APA-approved internship in clinical psychology before receiving their doctoral degree.

Students enrolled in the program can also complete a graduate certificate in Public Health.

Consumer Disclosure Information

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Training in psychological assessment and intervention for children, adolescents and adults is provided through the on-campus Psychological Services Center.

Advanced clinical training opportunities in neuropsychology, pediatric and clinical child psychology, health psychology and academic psychology are available through collaborative relationships with medical centers, agencies and practitioners in the St. Louis community. Specialized research, clinical and academic opportunities also are available through various fellowships, grants and contracts.

Careers

SLU's American Psychological Association-accredited clinical psychology program will train students to be competent and ethical scientist-practitioners in various health care settings. Job possibilities include clinical psychology, clinical health psychology, neuropsychology and child and pediatric psychology positions.

Students in SLU's graduate program in clinical psychology have gained professional experience through internships at Baylor College of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Vanderbilt University VA Medical Center, Rush University Medical Center and the University of Louisville, among others.

Admission Requirements

Most students enter the program with a bachelor's degree and complete both the Master of Science degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in the clinical program.

All applicants apply to the Ph.D. program. Applicants who have earned a Master of Arts or Master of Science degree in psychology may apply for advanced standing upon matriculation into the program.

Students admitted to the program typically have an average undergraduate GPA of 3.7 (on a 4.0 scale). Admitted students usually also have relevant clinical and research experience. Students must have completed a minimum of 21 credits in psychology, including courses in general psychology, abnormal psychology and research and/or statistical methods. Applications must be submitted by December 1.

Application Requirements

  • Application form (no fee required)
  • Transcript(s)
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • ¸éé²õ³Ü³¾Ã©
  • Interview
  • Personal statement
  • Diversity statement

Requirements for International Students

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students. International students must also meet the following additional requirements:

  • DemonstrateÌýEnglish Language Proficiency
  • Financial documents are required to complete an application for admission and be reviewed for admission and merit scholarships.Ìý
  • Proof of financial support that must include:
    • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the student's time at ¶¶Òõpro
    • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of the student's study at the University
  • Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include:
    • Courses taken and/or lectures attended
    • Practical laboratory work
    • The maximum and minimum grades attainable
    • The grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations
    • Any honors or degrees received.

WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Assistantship Application Deadline

Students who want to be considered for an assistantship must submit their application by December 1. All applicants accepted for admission are considered for assistantships. No separate assistantship application is required.

Review Process

Applications are reviewed by a committee of psychology department faculty members.

Tuition

Tuition Cost Per Credit
Graduate Tuition $1,310

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

Net Price Calculator

Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships, Assistantships and Financial Aid

For priority consideration for a graduate assistantship, apply by the program admission deadlines listed. Fellowships and assistantships provide a stipend and may include health insurance and a tuition scholarship for the duration of the award.Ìý

Explore Scholarships and Financial Aid Options

Accreditation

The American Psychological Association has continually accredited ¶¶Òõpro's clinical psychology program since 1965.

Questions related to the program's accreditation status should be directed to the American Psychological Association's Commission on Accreditation:

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association
750 1st Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: 202-336-5979

Student Admissions, Outcomes and Other DataÌý

  1. Graduates will be able to demonstrate Discipline-Specific Knowledge (DSK) (categories 1- 3) as defined by the American Psychological Association’s Office of Accreditation.
  2. Graduates will be able toÌýdemonstrate the ability to apply knowledge of DSK category 4 as defined by the American Psychological Association’s Office of Accreditation.
  3. Graduates will be able toÌýmeet or exceed expectations on the Profession Wide Competencies (PWCs) as defined by the American Psychological Association’s Office of Accreditation.

Bachelor's Degree Entry

This option is for students entering with a bachelor’s degree.

Required Courses
PSYÌý5030Clinical Assessment I3
PSYÌý5040Clinical Assessment II3
PSYÌý5100History of Psychology3
PSYÌý5120Memory & Cognition3
PSYÌý5220Lifespan Dev Psychology3
PSYÌý5300Advanced Social Psychology3
PSYÌý6030Human Diversity3
PSYÌý5520Psychopathology3
PSYÌý5610Clinical Interventions3
PSYÌý6800Ethics, Supervision, and Consultation3
Research Methods
PSYÌý5080Advanced Quantitative Research Methods3
PSYÌý5090Psychometric Theory3
Statistics
PSYÌý5790Applied Univariate Statistics in Behavioral Science3
PSYÌý6500Applied Multivariable and Multivariate Statistics in Behavioral Science3
Clinical Practice
PSYÌý5800Clinical Assessment Practicum I0
PSYÌý5880Practicum: Psychopathology0
PSYÌý5830Clinical Assessment Practicum II0
PSYÌý5890Clerkship in Clinical Psychology0
PSYÌý6880PRC: Clinical Interventions0
PSYÌý5810Clinical Practicum I 13
PSYÌý5820Clinical Practicum II 13
PSYÌý6810Clinical Practicum III 13
PSYÌý6820Clinical Practicum IV 13
Electives
Select 18 credits18
Research
PSYÌý5860Clinical Research I 10
PSYÌý5870Clinical Research II 10
PSYÌý5990Thesis Research6
PSYÌý6860Clinical Research III 10
PSYÌý6870Clinical Research IV 10
PSYÌý6990Dissertation Research12
Total Credits90
1

At least one taken each semester in residence

Master's Degree Entry

This option is for students entering with a master’s degree.

Required Courses
PSYÌý5100History of Psychology3
PSYÌý5120Memory & Cognition3
PSYÌý5220Lifespan Dev Psychology3
PSYÌý5300Advanced Social Psychology3
PSYÌý6030Human Diversity3
Research Methods
PSYÌý5080Advanced Quantitative Research Methods3
PSYÌý5090Psychometric Theory3
Statistics
PSYÌý5790Applied Univariate Statistics in Behavioral Science3
PSYÌý6500Applied Multivariable and Multivariate Statistics in Behavioral Science3
Clinical Practice
PSYÌý6810Clinical Practicum III 13
PSYÌý6820Clinical Practicum IV 13
PSYÌý6890Internship in Clinical Psychology0
Psychology Electives
Select 15 credits15
Research
PSYÌý6860Clinical Research III 10
PSYÌý6870Clinical Research IV 10
PSYÌý6990Dissertation Research12
Total Credits60
1

At least one taken each semester in residence

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollmentÌýunless otherwise noted. Ìý

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Bachelor's Degree Entry

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
PSYÌý5030 Clinical Assessment I 3
PSYÌý5800 Clinical Assessment Practicum I 0
PSYÌý5520 Psychopathology 3
PSYÌý5880 Practicum: Psychopathology 0
PSYÌý5080 Advanced Quantitative Research Methods 3
PSYÌý5790 Applied Univariate Statistics in Behavioral Science 3
PSYÌý5810 Clinical Practicum I 0
PSYÌý5860 Clinical Research I 0
PSYÌý5890 Clerkship in Clinical Psychology 0
ÌýCredits12
Spring
PSYÌý5040 Clinical Assessment II 3
PSYÌý5830 Clinical Assessment Practicum II 0
PSYÌý5610 Clinical Interventions 3
PSYÌý6880 PRC: Clinical Interventions 0
PSYÌý6500 Applied Multivariable and Multivariate Statistics in Behavioral Science 3
PSYÌý5810 Clinical Practicum I 0
PSYÌý5860 Clinical Research I 0
PSYÌý5890 Clerkship in Clinical Psychology 0
PSYÌý5990 Thesis Research 0-3
ÌýCredits9-12
Summer
Psy DSK Elective 0-3
PSYÌý5810 Clinical Practicum I 3
PSYÌý5860 Clinical Research I 0
PSYÌý5990 Thesis Research 0-3
ÌýCredits3-9
Year Two
Fall
PSYÌý6030 Human Diversity 3
PSYÌý6800 Ethics, Supervision, and Consultation 3
Psy DSK Core and/or Psy Elective 0-3
PSYÌý5820 Clinical Practicum II 0
PSYÌý5870 Clinical Research II 0
PSYÌý5990 Thesis Research 0-3
ÌýCredits6-12
Spring
PSYÌý5090 Psychometric Theory 3
Psy DSK Core and/or PSY Elective 0-3
PSYÌý5820 Clinical Practicum II 0
PSYÌý5870 Clinical Research II 0
PSYÌý5990 Thesis Research 0-3
ÌýCredits3-9
Summer
Psy DSK Elective 0-3
PSYÌý5820 Clinical Practicum II 3
PSYÌý5870 Clinical Research II 0
PSYÌý5990 Thesis Research 0-3
ÌýCredits3-9
Year Three
Fall
Psy DSK Core and/or Psy Elective 0-6
PSYÌý6810 Clinical Practicum III 0
PSYÌý6860 Clinical Research III 0
PSYÌý5990
or PSYÌý6990
Thesis Research
or Dissertation Research
0-3
ÌýCredits0-9
Spring
Psy DSK Core and/or Psy Elective 0-6
PSYÌý6810 Clinical Practicum III 0
PSYÌý6860 Clinical Research III 0
PSYÌý5990
or PSYÌý6990
Thesis Research
or Dissertation Research
0-3
ÌýCredits0-9
Summer
Psy DSK Core and/or Psy Elective 0-3
PSYÌý6810 Clinical Practicum III 3
PSYÌý6860 Clinical Research III 0
PSYÌý6990 Dissertation Research 0-3
ÌýCredits3-9
Year Four
Fall
Psy DSK Core and/or Psy Elective 0-6
PSYÌý6820 Clinical Practicum IV 0
PSYÌý6870 Clinical Research IV 0
PSYÌý6990 Dissertation Research 0-6
ÌýCredits0-12
Spring
Psy DSK Core and/or Psy Elective 0-6
PSYÌý6820 Clinical Practicum IV 0
PSYÌý6870 Clinical Research IV 0
PSYÌý6990 Dissertation Research 0-6
ÌýCredits0-12
Summer
Psy DSK Core and/or Psy Elective 0-3
PSYÌý6820 Clinical Practicum IV 3
PSYÌý6870 Clinical Research IV 0
PSYÌý6990 Dissertation Research 0-3
ÌýCredits3-9
Year Five
Fall
PSYÌý6890 Internship in Clinical Psychology 0
PSYÌý6990 Dissertation Research 0-3
ÌýCredits0-3
Spring
PSYÌý6890 Internship in Clinical Psychology 0
PSYÌý6990 Dissertation Research 0-3
ÌýCredits0-3
Summer
PSYÌý6890 Internship in Clinical Psychology 0
PSYÌý6990 Dissertation Research 0-3
ÌýCredits0-3
ÌýTotal Credits42-132

Program Notes

We do not have a terminal master’s degree. Coursework generally includes 90 credits including six hours of thesis research and 12 hours of dissertation research. In certain cases, credit may be award for completion of History and Systems of Psychology prior to program matriculation.

Students apply for an internship during their fourth year and generally complete it during their fifth year. The internship is required for the award of the doctoral degree. Once in a while, a student does not match in which case we work with the student to determine how to best spend the fifth year during which time they re-apply for internship. Dissertation hours (0-3 credits) may be taken while on internship.

Master's Degree Entry

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
Psy DSK Core and/or Psy Elective 0-6
PSYÌý5810 Clinical Practicum I 0
PSYÌý5860 Clinical Research I 0
PSYÌý5890 Clerkship in Clinical Psychology 0
PSYÌý6990 Dissertation Research 0-3
ÌýCredits0-9
Spring
PSYÌý5090
or PSYÌý6500
Psychometric Theory
or Applied Multivariable and Multivariate Statistics in Behavioral Science
3
PSYÌý5820 Clinical Practicum II 0
PSYÌý5870 Clinical Research II 0
PSYÌý5890 Clerkship in Clinical Psychology 0
PSYÌý6990 Dissertation Research 0-3
ÌýCredits3-6
Summer
Deleted summers if not needed Ìý
PSYÌý5820 Clinical Practicum II 3
PSYÌý5870 Clinical Research II 0
PSYÌý6990 Dissertation Research 0-3
ÌýCredits3-6
Year Two
Fall
Psy DSK Core and/or Psy Elective 0-3
PSYÌý6030 Human Diversity 3
PSYÌý6810 Clinical Practicum III 0
PSYÌý6860 Clinical Research III 0
PSYÌý6990 Dissertation Research 0-3
ÌýCredits3-9
Spring
Psy DSK Core and/or Psy Elective 0-3
PSYÌý6810 Clinical Practicum III 0
PSYÌý6860 Clinical Research III 0
PSYÌý6990 Dissertation Research 0-3
ÌýCredits0-6
Summer
Psy DSK Elective 0-3
PSYÌý6810 Clinical Practicum III 3
PSYÌý6860 Clinical Research III 0
PSYÌý6990 Dissertation Research 0-3
ÌýCredits3-9
Year Three
Fall
Psy DSK Core and/or Psy Elective 0-6
PSYÌý6820 Clinical Practicum IV 0
PSYÌý6870 Clinical Research IV 0
PSYÌý6990 Dissertation Research 0-3
ÌýCredits0-9
Spring
Psy DSK Core and/or Psy Elective 0-6
PSYÌý6820 Clinical Practicum IV 0
PSYÌý6870 Clinical Research IV 0
PSYÌý6990 Dissertation Research 0-3
ÌýCredits0-9
Summer
PSYÌý6820 Clinical Practicum IV 3
PSYÌý6870 Clinical Research IV 0
PSYÌý6990 Dissertation Research 0-3
ÌýCredits3-6
Year Four
Fall
PSYÌý6890 Internship in Clinical Psychology 0
PSYÌý6990 Dissertation Research 0-3
ÌýCredits0-3
Spring
PSYÌý6890 Internship in Clinical Psychology 0
PSYÌý6990 Dissertation Research 0-3
ÌýCredits0-3
Summer
PSYÌý6890 Internship in Clinical Psychology 0
PSYÌý6990 Dissertation Research 0-3
ÌýCredits0-3
ÌýTotal Credits15-78

Program Notes

Coursework generally involves 60 graduate credits including 42 hours of coursework, six practicum hours and 12 hours of dissertation research.

Students entering with a clinical master’s degree must have fulfilled the requirements for the Profession Wide Competency (PWC) Courses in their master’s degree programs. If these courses were not completed, were not completed at the graduate level, lacked original source material, were not completed with a grade of "B" or better or in any other way did not meet our curricular requirements, these courses will need to be taken. This plan also assumes that students have completed at least nine hours of Discipline Specific Knowledge (DSK) credit in Research Methods/Statistics in their master’s programs. In total, six hours of Statistics and six hours of Research Methods (at least three hours of which address psychometric theory and/or test development) are required at the graduate level.

Students entering with a clinical master’s degree usually apply for an internship during their third year and generally complete it during their fourth year. The internship is required for award of the doctoral degree. Once in a while, a student does not match for an internship in which case we work with the student to determine how to best spend the fourth year during which time they re-apply for an internship. Dissertation hours (0-3 credits) may be taken while on internship.

For additional information about our program, please contact

David Kaufman, Ph.D., ABPP
Director of the Clinical Psychology Program
david.kaufman@health.slu.edu

Annie Garner, Ph.D.
Coordinator of Admissions
annie.garner@health.slu.edu.