PhD in Clinical Psychology

Program Description | Admission | Degree Requirements | Courses

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Program Description

The Clinical Psychology PhD program seeks to train professionals with a broad knowledge of scientific psychology who will be skilled clinicians. The program’s educational philosophy is to produce scientist/practitioners who possess expertise in both research and clinical practice. The department believes that experience in applied settings produces scientists who are sensitive to pragmatic issues and who are on the cutting edge of research questions essential to practitioners in the field. Conversely, clinicians who have been trained as scientists understand emerging research results and assimilate them into their daily practice. This program is NOT based on a mentor-model, and students entering the program are free to work with a variety of faculty on research and clinical projects. All students are required to complete a dissertation and to be enrolled full-time. The demands of the program’s training are not amenable to part-time or weekend course schedules.

Additionally, the PhD program includes a strong forensic emphasis, training all students to be legally informed clinicians, who can explain psychopathology to courts or administrative agencies, intervene with families at various junctures in the social system, as well as providing treatment for both victims and offenders. All students have the opportunity to participate in performing forensic evaluations for the courts. Students will complete the program with the basic preparation they need to pursue postdoctoral specialty training and legally-relevant clinical psychology research.

Clinical psychology is the psychological science that seeks to understand, assess, and treat psychological disorders and conditions. SHSU psychology students’ published research has examined test development, personality assessment, psychopathology, gender and minority issues, jury processes, and public policy, among other topics. Students’ practicum experiences have involved work with severely disturbed clients, people with brain injuries, persons with addictions, troubled adolescents, children and families, and persons in the legal system. Practicum settings have included a variety of inpatient and residential settings (neuropsychiatric, rehabilitation, and university medical center), private psychological practices, and correctional settings. In addition, the program operates its own Psychological Services Center where students encounter a broad range of community clientele.

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Admission

Applicants seeking admission to the doctoral program in clinical psychology must submit the following directly to the Office of Graduate Studies:

1. Graduate Studies Application with the application fee
2. Official transcript(s) showing all college level work completed
3. Program applicant with the fee
4. Three letters of recommendation
5. Essay
6. Current resume or curriculum vitae
7. Applicant publications (if applicable)
8. Official GRE scores

The application deadline is December 1.

The typical academic profile of students admitted to the program includes an undergraduate GPA of 3.7 and a GRE score (Verbal and Quantitative combined) of 1200. However, promising students from all backgrounds who will enhance the program and, later, professional psychology are sought. High test scores and grades do not guarantee acceptance, and students whose lower scores are offset by other exceptional qualifications may be admitted. New students may join the program with either a baccalaureate or a master’s degree.

For application forms or further information, write or call:

Clinical Psychology PhD Program
Department of Psychology and Philosophy
Sam Houston State University
Box 2210
Huntsville, TX 77341-2210
Telephone: 936.294.1210
E-mail: clinpsy@shsu.edu

https://www.shsu.edu/clinpsy

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Degree Requirements

All formal requirements for completion of the PhD are described in the Clinical Psychology Doctor of Philosophy Program Handbook and may vary from one student to another depending on previous academic preparation. The following guidelines are offered to demonstrate the nature of the doctoral program and should not be misconstrued as representing the formal requirements for the PhD.

1. A course of study beyond the master’s degree designed in consultation with the Director of Clinical Training that will provide the student with in-depth knowledge in the areas of research and statistics, the broad bases of psychology, and clinical psychology. This course of study is sequential, cumulative, graded in complexity, and designed to prepare students for further organized training. 
2. Enrollment as a full-time student (i.e., a minimum of 9 credit hours per semester) on campus for at least four consecutive long (i.e., Fall, Spring) semesters.
   
3. An average of 3.0 (B) must be maintained by the student in all courses in which he/she registers after admission into the doctoral program. Students should consult the Program Handbook for a more detailed description of policies regarding academic standards.
   
4. Passing a written comprehensive examination or successfully defending a major area paper which integrates at least 3 core areas.
   
5. Completion and defense of a doctoral dissertation that is the product of original scholarly research and is of such quality as to represent a meaningful contribution to knowledge in the field of psychology.
   
6. Completion of a year-long pre-doctoral internship, during which the student works full-time in an applied clinical setting.
   
7. Completion of the degree within 6 years from the first semester of registration as a doctoral student (i.e., following completion of requirements for the master’s degree).

Students entering with a master’s degree in psychology and who have completed similar courses as part of their degree may have courses waived at the discretion of the Graduate Advisor.

Plan 1 - PhD in Clinical Psychology

Item	Requirement	Options	Hours Required
1	Specified Courses	Choose all from: PSY 532 <PSYC 5332> Advanced Social Psychology PSY 560 <PSYC 5360> Advanced Physiological Psychology PSY 777 <PSYC 7377> Emotions PSY 587 <PSYC 5387> Advanced Statistics PSY 588 <PSYC 5388> Introduction to Experimental Design PSY 592 <PSYC 5392> History and Systems of Psychology PSY 597 <PSYC 5397> Advanced Developmental Psychology PSY 760 <PSYC 7360> Multicultural Psychology PSY 787 <PSYC 7387> Multivariate Statistics in Psychology PSY 530 <PSYC 5330> Psychopathology PSY 533 <PSYC 5333> Theory and Research in Psychotherapy I PSY 594 <PSYC 5394> Psychometrics PSY 595 <PSYC 5395> Assessment of Intelligence and Achievement PSY 596 <PSYC 5396> Assessment of Personality and Psychopathology PSY 730 <PSYC 7330> Clinical Psychology Proseminar PSY 736 <PSYC 7336> Mental Health Law PSY 739 <PSYC 7339> Developmental Psychopathology PSY 762 <PSYC 7362> Ethics in Clinical Practice PSY 770 <PSYC 7370> Empirically Supported Treatments PSY 860 <PSYC 8360> Forensic Assessment I	60
2	Restricted Electives	Choose two from: PSY 585 <PSYC 5385> Advanced Health Psychology PSY 596 <PSYC 5396>Assessment of Personality and Psychopathology PSY 694 <PSYC 6394> Practicum in Psychometrics PSY 733 <PSYC 7333> Law and Social Psychology PSY 774 <PSYC 7374> Human Neuropsychology PSY 861 <PSYC 8361> Forensic Assessment II	6
3	Practica	Choose all from: PSY 881 <PSYC 8381> Introduction to Doctoral Practicum PSY 882 <PSYC 8382> Doctoral Clinical Practicum I PSY 883 <PSYC 8383> Doctoral Clinical Practicum II1	21
4	Internship	Choose all from: PSY 890 <PSYC 8390> Internship I PSY 891 <PSYC 8391> Internship II PSY 892 <PSYC 8392> Internship III	3
5	Thesis	Choose all from: PSY 698 <PSYC 6398> Thesis I PSY 699 <PSYC 6399> Thesis II2	6
6	Dissertation	Choose all from: PSY 896 <PSYC 8396> Dissertation PSY 897 <PSYC 8397> Dissertation PSY 898 <PSYC 8398> Dissertation PSY 899 <PSYC 8399> Dissertation3	12
TOTAL			108

Notes:

1	PSY 883 <PSYC 8383> Doctoral Clinical Practicum II must be taken for a minimum of nine hours.
2	Once enrolled in PSY 699 <PSYC 6399> Thesis II, students must enroll in this course in every semester until the thesis route sheet is received by the Office of the Registrar.
3	Once enrolled in PSY 899 <PSYC 8399> Dissertation, students must enroll in this course in ever semester until the dissertation route sheet is received by the Office of the Registrar.

 

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Courses

Psychology (PSYC)

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