PhD in Clinical Psychology
Accredited by the American Psychological Association, the clinical psychology PhD program follows a scientist-practitioner model. Students are trained as applied researchers and scientists, developing skills in research and practical methods used to advance knowledge of the causes, prevention and treatment of emotional, behavioral and physical health problems within diverse communities.
We embrace a community psychology orientation that emphasizes multiple influences on the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities and values engaging communities in all aspects of the work that we do.
Our training is grounded in developmental and social-ecological perspectives that attend to the intersection of multiple forms of diversity and recognize the impacts of systemic oppression on individuals and communities. We aspire to train behavioral scientists who are able to identify, implement and evaluate strategies to promote equity and social justice and to reduce health and mental health disparities in a variety of settings.
Faculty subscribe to a range of theoretical orientations, including cognitive-behavioral, family systems, social-ecological and community frameworks. These perspectives enable students to develop a broad base of knowledge and the opportunity to specialize in particular areas of research and evidence-based application.
Admissions for 2027-2028
Only the following faculty members are considering Clinical Psychology PhD applicants for students entering the program in the Fall 2027 admissions cycle: Sarah Calabrese, Jody Ganiban, Christina Gee, David Huebner, Sharon Lambert. Please include the Faculty Preference Ranking Form (PDF) as part of your application.
For additional information:
See Application Requirements Here
American Psychological Association Accreditation
The clinical psychology program has been accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (COA) since 1970. COA is part of the Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation (OPCA).
- Accreditation Details
Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 1st St. NE
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: 202-336-5979 / E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditationThe clinical psychology program is also recognized by the Society for Community Research and Action as a doctoral clinical-community training program.
Course Requirements
This Bulletin covers the degree requirements for students matriculating in the current academic year. Students who matriculated before the current year can find their requirements in the relevant archived Bulletin.
The following requirements must be fulfilled:
The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Programs.
72 credits, including at least 51 credits in required courses, and at least 6 credits in dissertation research. Students are also required to take five 0-credit courses and to successfully complete three comprehensive evaluations (research, assessment, and therapy), teaching and ethics requirements, and an oral defense of the dissertation proposal.
In addition, students are required to obtain clinical training, including a minimum of two assessment practica and two therapy practica in the Meltzer Center’s Psychological and Community-Based Services, and to complete a one-year psychology internship training program. In almost all cases this will be an APA- approved pre-doctoral internship program.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| Methods/Statistics | ||
| PSYC 8205 | Multiple Regression Analysis in Psychological and Social Sciences | |
| PSYC 8206 | Multivariate Analysis and Modeling | |
| PSYC 8202 | Psychological Research Methods and Procedures | |
| Breadth | ||
| PSYC 8210 | Developmental Theories and Issues | |
| PSYC 8250 | Foundations in Cognitive Neuroscience | |
| PSYC 8253 | Social Cognition | |
| Clinical core | ||
| PSYC 8207 | Psychological Assessment I | |
| PSYC 8208 | Psychological Assessment II | |
| PSYC 8211 | Community Psychology I | |
| PSYC 8212 | Community Psychology II | |
| PSYC 8218 | Evidence-Based Interventions | |
| PSYC 8220 | Ethics and Professional Issues | |
| PSYC 8236 | Ethnic and Racial Diversity in Psychology | |
| PSYC 8237 | The Practice of General Psychology I | |
| PSYC 8238 | The Practice of General Psychology II | |
| PSYC 8239 | Lifespan Developmental Psychopathology I | |
| PSYC 8240 | Lifespan Developmental Psychopathology II | |
| Required 0-credit courses | ||
| PSYC 8280 | Theories and Practice of Clinical Supervision | |
| PSYC 8283 | First Year Seminar I: Motivational Interviewing | |
| PSYC 8284 | First Year Seminar II: Introduction to Therapy | |
| PSYC 8285 | History and Systems of Psychology | |
| PSYC 8286 | Clinical Psychology Externship (taken for a least 4 semesters) | |
| Dissertation | ||
| PSYC 8999 | Dissertation Research (taken for at least 6 credits) | |
| Candidacy assessment process | ||
| To advance to candidacy, students must successfully complete 45 credits of required coursework and all required 0-credit courses (except PSYC 8280 and 2 semesters of PSYC 8286), three comprehensive evaluations (research, assessment, and therapy), and teaching and ethics requirements. | ||