• ISU Navigate
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Virtual Tour

Common Searches

  • Academic Calendar
  • Transcripts
  • Scholarships
  • Event Tickets
  • Health Center
  • APA Style Guide
  • Financial Aid

Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology (M.S.-Ph.D.)

penn state university phd clinical psychology

Request Information

APPLY ONLINE

Course Offerings

Application Information

Objectives and Scope

Applicant Qualifications

Student admissions, outcomes, and other data.

Financial Aid/Support

Courses/Curriculum

ISU Psychology Dept Policies and Program Handbooks 2023-2024

Graduate Psychology Courses: Goals and Objectives

Graduate catalogue.

Program Description

Course Descriptions

In order to apply for our program, the following items are required to complete the online application: CV, college(s) transcript, contact information for three people who have agreed to write letters of recommendation for you, and a personal essay.  The essay should describe your preparation for graduate training, the clinical interests you might like to pursue during your graduate training, and the aspects of the program that match your training goals and interests, including your interest in the research of specific faculty members.  Ideally, this essay will be 2-3 pages in length. You can learn about obtaining feedback on your essay at https://www.asfp.io/ .

The Clinical Program does not require or expect applicants to submit GRE General or Subject test scores, and applications will be considered complete without them. However, applicants may voluntarily submit GRE scores. If submitted, GRE scores will be reviewed as a part of our holistic evaluation of each applicant’s academic background and aptitude, relevant research and clinical experiences and skills, and mentor and program fit. Relatedly, our program does not use specific cutoff scores for GRE tests or GPA when evaluating applications.

The vast majority of applicants can successfully demonstrate their readiness for graduate work without GRE scores. However, some applicants may choose to submit GRE General Test or GRE Subject Test scores to better represent their readiness for graduate work in clinical psychology. For instance:

  • GRE General Test scores may be advantageous for applicants whose undergraduate course performance may underrepresent their overall academic aptitude or specific academic competencies related to GRE Verbal or Quantitative scores.
  • Quantitative scores from the GRE General Test may be advantageous for applicants whose academic studies did not include statistical coursework or related research experiences.
  • GRE Psychology Subject Test scores may be advantageous for applicants whose academic degree is not in psychology (e.g., sociology, biology, special education).

If you have questions about your application to the program, please contact the Director of Clinical Training, Dr. Steven Lawyer ( [email protected] ; 208-282-2142).

Graduate Application Fee Waivers

McNair Scholars. The ISU Graduate School offers application fee waivers for McNair Scholars applying to graduate degree programs at Idaho State University. If you are a McNair Scholar, please see the ISU Graduate School information for McNair Scholars and contact the McNair Scholar office at your university before you submit your application.

Need-Based Graduate Application Fee Waivers. The ISU Psychology Department recognizes that the application fees for applying to our program can be a barrier for some applicants. As such, we are pleased to be able to offer a limited number of need-based application fee waivers to applicants who might not otherwise be able to afford these costs to remove this barrier to graduate admissions.

If you are in financial need and would like one of these waivers, please email the ISU Psychology Department ( [email protected] ). In your email, please indicate that you are applying to the Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology and indicate that you have a financial need. Please do this before you submit your application , as application costs cannot be refunded. Using a fee waiver will not affect the review of your application.   

For Prospective Applicants/How to Apply

Objectives and Scope of the Clinical Program

The ISU Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology was constructed in the late 1980s and approved by the State Board of Education in 1991 for the express purpose of educating empirically oriented, generalist practitioners of clinical psychology.

Excellence in Clinical Training. Our program strives to produce students who become competent clinical psychologists who recognize the reciprocal relationship between science and practice and integrate research and theory from diverse areas of psychology into their evidence-based practice. We use a scientist-practitioner clinical training model to train students in diverse range of clinical settings (e.g., inpatient, community mental health, forensic settings, counseling centers, private practice) to meet its mission to train competent clinical psychologists who can apply and adapt general conceptual and technical skills in diverse regional and professional settings.

Excellence in Psychological Science . Our program strives to produce students who can comprehend and critically evaluate psychological science and plan, execute, and disseminate research relevant to the field of psychology. Students develop rigorous knowledge of research methodology, including experimental design and analysis, that provides strong critical and integrative thinking skills as well as the fundamentals needed to be an active and informed consumer of clinical research. Doctoral level scholarship is an integral component of our training, and students are required to conduct original empirical research. Clinical students may elect to be mentored by any full-time faculty member of the Psychology Department, including members of the ISU Doctoral Program in Experimental Psychology .

Ethical Practice. Our program strives to produce students who have knowledge of and embody the ethical standards of the profession of psychology and who demonstrate appropriate professional conduct and professional interpersonal relationships. Ethical principles and practice are integrated at all levels of training and in all training settings.

Cultural Awareness and Humility. Our program strives to produce students who value cultural and individual differences and diverse value or belief systems and effectively integrate diversity into case conceptualization, assessment, and treatment delivery. Our program promotes the integration of all aspects of diversity in clinical practice. This means teaching students to match evidence-based approaches to clinical care to diverse individuals and interacting social systems, and how to tailor and/or adapt that treatment to specific cases. This also means teaching students to integrate awareness and navigation of personal biases that may influence their ability to deliver effective clinical care.

The clinical training program at ISU has been accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation since 2001. We continue to work with the APA to ensure that the program evolves consistently with national professional criteria. For information regarding program accreditation status, contact the American Psychological Association's Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation at 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC, 20002-4242, by phone 202-336-5500, or  [email protected] .

Students are required to have a BA/BS in psychology or the equivalent and an undergraduate GPA at or above 3.0 for the last two undergraduate years. Students with a strong undergraduate psychology major, research experience, and applied or clinical experience are encouraged to apply. Students with a Master’s degree in Psychology are also encouraged to apply. General GRE test scores are not required for admissions in Fall 2023, but may be submitted as optional information.

What Does Our Program Look for in an Applicant?

ISU’s Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, like others like it around the country, tends to be very competitive. Our program is a member of the Council of University Directors of Clinical Psychology (CUDCP) and interested applicants should consider reviewing CUDCP’s review of undergraduate competencies that make for successful applicants to programs like ours.

There are no absolute requirements for admission to our program and we admit applicants with a diverse range of interests, experiences, and backgrounds. However, competitive applicants to ISU’s Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology program tend to have:

  • Undergraduate and/or graduate GPAs of 3.75 or higher; 
  • Research products that demonstrate meaningful research experiences.  Students in our program often have one or more research articles under review (and/or published) and/or several research presentations at regional, national, and/or international professional conferences;
  • One or more years of research lab experience relevant to scientific psychology;
  • One or more years of employment and/or volunteer service relevant to clinical-community psychology; 
  • Clearly identified potential research advisor(s) with a clear and well-articulated rationale;
  • Interaction with diagnostic, developmental, and/or cultural groups relevant to lab foci;
  • A compelling description of program fit, with clear, supportive details (e.g., shared goals, philosophy, values); and
  • Strong letters of recommendation that make it clear that the student is likely to be successful in a program like ours.

If you are interested in our program and want to learn more, please reach out to the Director of Clinical Training, Dr. Steve Lawyer ([email protected]).

All applications to the Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology are completed  online through the Idaho State University Graduate School. Updated clinical application materials are available online by October 1st each year.  All application materials must be received before the November 15th deadline. Student applications with missing and/or late required materials shall not be considered for admission.

Interviews will be scheduled on a Saturday in early February. Due to the COVID 19 pandemic and economic impacts, applicant interviews will be conducted via Zoom rather than in-person to increase safety and access for all applicants. Students invited for an interview by the Clinical Admissions Committee will be notified of dates and times.

Once admitted, students are expected to maintain “full-time” status (i.e., 9 to 12 credits during fall and spring semesters; at least 1 credit each summer); all clinical students must matriculate during the fall semester. For more information about the application process, contact the department secretary at 208-282- 2462 or by email to Lisa Coleman .

All qualified applicants will be given equal consideration. Our program values and promotes diversity in principle and practice across all aspects of training. Therefore, we encourage applicants from diverse demographic (e.g., socioeconomic, ethnic, sexual identity) and experiential backgrounds to apply to our program. Given our program’s historical mission to provide Idahoans with quality clinical and academic training, we also encourage Idaho residents to apply to our program. However, Idaho residency does not compensate for deficits in qualifications and is only considered when comparing individuals of equivalent ability.

Doctoral training in clinical psychology requires a full-time clinical internship and usually assigns community practicum placements in regional mental health agencies. Many of these institutions require a legal background check to insure all employees meet current standards. In addition, licensure boards usually require applicants to report on their legal background. In addition, many hospital settings require documentation of vaccinations and /or proof of immunity to common communicable diseases.

For a detailed description of the Clinical Training program, please click on the link below. 

Program Disclosures

Does the program or institution require students, trainees, and/or staff (faculty) to comply with specific policies or practices related to the institution’s affiliation or purpose? Such policies or practices may include, but are not limited to, admissions, hiring, retention policies, and/or requirements for completion that express mission and values?  ____Yes __X__No

Past Applicant/Student Statistics for the Ph.D. Program

Time to completion for all students entering the program.

The Clinical Training Program welcomes applicants who have completed the MS or MA degree at other accredited institutions. Please refer to the 2023-2024 Graduate Catalog . Departments are allowed to accept credits by transfer in total or part toward the completion of the doctoral degree in clinical psychology at ISU. Departmental subject matter experts review a newly matriculated student's transcripts and course syllabi, as well as interview the student to determine equivalencies. Transfer credits, which can include the student's masters thesis, often reduce the time to completion by as much as one year.

Program Costs

* Student Health Insurance unless waived through parent's insurance

Internship Placement-Table 1

Internship placement-table 2, financial support.

Our students are funded by a collection of Graduate Assistantships (for teaching or research), clinical externships, and several funding sources in the Department of Psychology (adjunct teaching and Career Path Internships). All students receive non-resident tuition waivers through one of several mechanisms, such as the Western Regional Graduate Program or from ISU.

Graduate Assistantships require up to 20 hours per week and typically pay a generous stipend along with a tuition waiver. Graduate Teaching Assistants assist instructors for graduate and undergraduate courses, performing such duties as grading exams, giving presentations, holding office hours, directing review sessions, proctoring tests, etc. Senior GTAs may serve as course instructors. Two GTA positions are assigned to the Psychology Clinic, where students perform evaluations, participate in quality assurance, and assist in managing clinic operations. Graduate Research Assistants work for researchers who manage externally-funded research grants.

Clinical Externships are typically reserved for third- and fourth-year clinical students with a completed MS degree. Externships provide opportunities in local agencies to practice professional skills in community settings under supervision. Compensation rates vary but are typically $14-$20 per hour. These positions come with a non-residential tuition waiver but the resident tuition remains an obligation of the student.

Departmental funding is available on an annual, competitive basis. Given the competitive nature of awards, a first-year stipend does not guarantee departmental funding during all four on-campus years. Individual student funding varies across their time in the program, but students typically receive funding of some kind while they are in the program. Funded students are expected to not seek or accept employment elsewhere.

Do you qualify for in-state tuition at ISU?

The Clinical Psychology Program is a member of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP). We are happy to be recognized as one of only two Clinical Psychology programs classified as WRGP programs.

What is WRGP?

The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) is an agreement among WICHE 16 member states and territories, through which participating Western public universities allow WICHE-region students to attend select out-of-state graduate certificate, master’s, and doctoral programs – and pay up to 150 percent of resident tuition.

Since public-university nonresident tuition rates are typically much higher than resident rates – sometimes by 300 percent or more–WRGP increases affordable higher education options for students, and minimizes student loan debt.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Reside in a  WRGP eligible state   for at least 9 consecutive months prior to the beginning of the first academic term of WRGP acceptance.
  • Proof of a permanent address in the WRGP state.
  • Payment of state income tax on wages earned in the WRGP state.
  • Vehicle registration
  • Driver’s license
  • Voter registration

Qualifying States

Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States (CNMI, Guam, RMI, FSM, and Republic of Palau), South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming

penn state university phd clinical psychology

Coursework and internship . The current curriculum requires four years on campus of full-time student course work, research, and practica/professional training (usually less if the student comes in with a psychology MS/MA degree). The fifth year is a clinical internship at a member site of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) or an equivalent experience approved by the Clinical Training Committee. The internship application process is nationally competitive and positions are awarded by the internship agency, not by Idaho State University. Idaho State University cannot guarantee that matriculated clinical students will gain access to internships in a timely fashion, but our program has a strong history of placing students in high-quality internship positions. In the last decade, 100% of our internship applicants matches to an APA-approved APPIC internship site and most of our students get one of their top three internship sites.

Research Training . The doctoral training program in Clinical Psychology offers thorough training in the science of human behavior. Students without course experience in core undergraduate areas (physiology, learning, social, developmental, cognition, personality, and history) may be required to address deficiencies with appropriate coursework. All clinical students earn the Master of Science degree in Psychology. Completion of graduate course work in all core areas of human function (biological, cognitive-affective, social, developmental, individual differences, and history/systems) is required, along with basic methodological and statistics course work, clinical course work, a thesis, and a dissertation

Clinical Training . Our students receive excellent clinical training and education in psychopathology, assessment, and intervention, all of which integrate critical content regarding diversity and inclusion. Students also receive training in interdisciplinary assessment and treatment as well as supervision and consultation. Our curriculum is designed for generalist training but student selection of practica during the third and fourth years, dissertation topic, and internship site all implicitly demand some narrowing of interest. It is our policy that all students are expected to develop competencies to serve a diverse clientele.

Students propose, direct, and defend a master's thesis during the second year. Eligible students take the Qualifying Exam for doctoral candidacy in their third year. Students can choose between a research qualifying exam paper or a clinical comprehensive exam in which they demonstrate their ability to integrate core psychology content. Students typically propose a dissertation during the third year and collect dissertation data during the fourth year.

Summer semester is an important component of our program. Many students enroll in summer practicum offerings, complete research projects, or prepare for the Qualifying Exam. In addition, externship contracts require professional activities through late July.

Students on internship are recognized as full-time students by the ISU Registrar and enroll in 1-credit of internship (PSYC 7749) each semester for three consecutive semesters commencing with fall semester of the internship year.

Students participate in many professional activities during their time at ISU. Students rotate across several practicum teams in the ISU Psychology Clinic to ensure our objective of generalist clinical training. Each team is supervised by a full-time program faculty member. All clinical faculty are licensed psychologists or finishing post-doctoral requirements for licensure. ISU Psychology Clinic practicum offerings rotate during the year, but students can receive rigorously-supervised experience working with general adult psychopathology, anxiety and trauma, autism spectrum disorders, and externalizing disorders in children.

Students also receive training in a variety to community practicum and externship training sites, which include community mental health centers, private practice, medical centers, ISU Counseling and Testing Services, forensic practice, and a state hospital. Students also gain experience in working with professionals from other disciplines by completing one semester on the ISU Interdisciplinary Evaluation Team.

Clinical and departmental colloquia, the annual clinical workshop, and regularly scheduled clinical program meetings ("Lunch & Learn") round out the student’s structured professional training.

We take professional training very seriously and are committed to high quality supervision. Students typically receive group and individual supervision, often in addition to live supervision of therapy sessions.

Students receive ongoing feedback about their program progress in the form of course grades, clinical training evaluations, evaluation of performance in funded positions (e.g., Graduate Assistant roles), and annual formal written feedback to each student from the Clinical Training Committee. We require and expect all students to adhere to the American Psychological Association Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct.

The Psychology Department is located on the fourth floor of Garrison House on ISU’s upper campus. All graduate students get office space either in the Department of Psychology or in relevant locations on ISU’s campus. The Idaho State University Psychology Clinic, on the fifth floor, provides individual therapy rooms, a child/family room, testing rooms, and a group therapy room, all equipped with observation, sound, and recording capabilities. To go to the Psychology Clinic webpages, please click the link in the menu at the top of this page. Research labs are assigned to all full-time faculty members of the Psychology Department.

A local network of mental health agencies and other organizations provide external practicum sites and funding sources for clinical graduate students. There are adequate facilities available to meet the needs of experimental laboratory courses and independent research projects. Additional facilities include a university-managed animal colony, the university library, a university computer center located near the department, and computer labs in both the department and the clinic for graduate student use.

  • Skip to Content
  • Catalog Home
  • Institution Home
  • Graduate Catalog /
  • School of Arts & Sciences /

Psychology, PhD

Graduate study in Psychology at Penn emphasizes scholarship and research accomplishment.  The first-year program is divided between courses that introduce various areas of psychology and a focused research experience.  A deep involvement in research continues throughout the graduate program, and is supplemented by participation in seminars, teaching, and general intellectual give-and-take.  Students are admitted into the graduate program as a whole, not into specific subfields. Students and faculty are free to define their fields of interest.  A high level of interaction between students and faculty helps generate both a shared set of interests in the theoretical, historical, and philosophical foundations of psychology and active collaboration in research projects.

The Graduate Group in Psychology is highly distinguished and represents a broad range of work in psychology and includes an APA-approved clinical program. Two regular faculty and two emeritus professors are members of the National Academy of Sciences, and three regular faculty are Fellows of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. The Department also includes past presidents of the American Psychological Association, the Society for Judgment and Decision Making, and of the Linguistics Society of America.

Many other faculty, graduate students, and former students have received national awards for excellence in research and teaching. We have strong connections with other disciplines at the University. Our members play pivotal roles in two of the most important interdisciplinary areas on campus, the cognitive sciences and the neurosciences, both of which have been fostered by the Department as a matter of policy.

For more information: http://psychology.sas.upenn.edu/graduate

View the University’s Academic Rules for PhD Programs .

Required Courses

A total of 20 course units are required for graduation.

By the end of Year 2, you must have taken one in each of the following areas: The Mind, The Brain, The Individual & The Group.

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2023 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

Clinical Program Requirements

The clinical training program, nested in the Department, is intended to prepare students for research/academic careers in Clinical Psychology, Psychopathology, or Personality. Clinical training (in assessment, diagnosis and psychotherapy) is seen as an integral part of the education of highly qualified, creative clinical scientists.  Nevertheless, the principal goal of Penn clinical students is to become expert psychologists, not simply expert clinicians, and the program is designed to support that goal. Our program is a member of the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science, a coalition of doctoral training programs that emphasize the scientific basis of clinical psychology and is accredited by the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System. Our membership in the Academy indicates our commitment to empirical research as the basis of theory, assessment, and intervention, and our PCSAS accreditation attests to our success in training clinical students. The program is also accredited by the American Psychological Association. 

For more clinical information:   http://psychology.sas.upenn.edu/training-programs/clinical-training-program . 

Must be approved by Director of Graduate Studies. 

Print Options

Print this page.

The PDF will include all information unique to this page.

A PDF of the entire 2023-24 catalog.

A PDF of the 2023-24 Undergraduate catalog.

A PDF of the 2023-24 Graduate catalog.

  • Statements on Current Events
  • Make a Gift

As a department, we prioritize research, teaching, and service in our pursuit of advancing our understanding of human behavior, thoughts, and emotions. Our research efforts are geared towards discovering new knowledge and innovative ways to apply this knowledge to improve the lives of individuals and communities. In our teaching, we aim to provide students with a comprehensive and engaging education in psychology that prepares them for successful careers and meaningful contributions to society. Finally, we are committed to providing service to our community and to society as a whole by using our expertise to help individuals and organizations address psychological issues and improve mental health.

Follow us on social media to keep up with news

What’s in a face? Study shows puberty changes facial recognition

Dr. Suzy Scherf recently published a study showing how face processing changes as adolescents take on new social roles.

http://www.ssri.psu.edu/news/1369/what%E2%80%99s-face-study-shows-puberty-changes-facial-recognition

Susan Mohammed led the development of The Pennsylvania State University Team Science Toolbox

Susan Mohammed led the development of The Pennsylvania State University Team Science Toolbox ( https://ctsi.psu.edu/research-support/team-science-toolbox/ ), which features evidence-based team interventions to support team leaders and members dealing with the complex challenges of forming, launching, and managing teams. The toolbox is specifically tailored to team science novices who desire ready access to practical, pertinent team knowledge addressing specific team needs. Toolbox content highlights team interventions supported by science to help identify and select the right members, aid teams in getting off to a good start, and help members foster effective team dynamics. As such, an array of tools are featured to support diverse teams throughout their life cycle from team formation (e.g., team assembly, team composition), to team launch (e.g., kick-off meetings, ice breakers, team ground rules, team goal setting, team charters) to team maturation (e.g., cohesion, psychological safety, conflict resolution, vertical leadership, shared leadership, team building, team meetings, team debriefs). Check out the toolbox at: https://ctsi.psu.edu/research-support/team-science-toolbox/ .     

Scholarly Achievement Award for Taboo publication – 2021

Dr. Alicia Grandey and coauthors (Dr. Allison Gabriel and Dr. Eden King) were honored with this award by the Human Resource Division of the Academy of Management, for their 2021 publication “Tackling taboo topics:  A review of the three Ms in working women’s lives” in Journal of Management.  Read a quick summary here: https://journalsblog.sagepub.com/blog/guest/management/tackling-taboo-topics

New HIP Workplace Initiative, funded by SSRI Fall 2021

Dr. Alicia Grandey recently received funding from the Social Science Research Institude (SSRI) to support return-to-work in the pandemic era with more Healthy-Inclusive-Productive Workplaces.  This interdisciplinary team of scholars from across Penn State’s colleges and campuses will be connecting with industry partners to develop innovative and actionable research.

You can view her research on the HIP Workplace website .

BRIDGE Response to Covid-19

For an up-to-date list of BRIDGE resources and events related to Covid-19, please visit this page

Psychology Today

Worrying isn’t the best response to the covid-19 crisis | psychology today.

Penn Arts & Sciences Logo

  • University of Pennsylvania
  • School of Arts and Sciences
  • Penn Calendar

Search form

Penn Arts & Sciences Logo

Clinical Training Program

Program philosophy.

The clinical training program, nested in the Psychology Department, is a  clinical science program intended to provide preparation for research/academic careers in Clinical Psychology. Clinical training (in assessment, diagnosis, and psychotherapy) is seen as an integral part of the education of highly qualified, creative clinical scientists. Nevertheless, the principal goal of Penn clinical students is to become expert psychological scientists, not simply expert clinicians, and the program is designed to support that goal. An analysis of the programs for training clinical psychology faculty determined Penn to be the third-ranked program in this regard (Ilardi & Roberts, 2002, Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice ). Moreover, our core clinical psychology faculty ranked first in an analysis of the eminence of faculty members at 157 university-based, APA-accredited clinical psychology programs (Matson et al., 2005, Research in Developmental Disabilities ). 

We are committed to training clinical scientists who can ease the burden of mental illness and promote well-being in society through research, treatment development, training, supervision, and clinical practice. Our training opportunities emphasize continuity and interdependence across laboratory, clinical, and community contexts. We value a flexible and integrative approach to pedagogy that bridges the many content areas, approaches, and methodologies relevant to clinical science.  

Since the clinical training program is fully integrated into the department, clinical students have the opportunity to take courses in Cognitive Neuroscience, Behavioral Neuroscience, Neuroendocrinology and Psychopharmacology, Human Memory, Judgment and Decision Making, Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Language, and Perception. The core of knowledge gained in these areas gives clinical students a solid foundation of basic psychological science and research methodology from which to launch their clinical training and research. Click here to link to our general graduate program homepage, which includes information about the program and instructions for applicants.

Consistent with Penn's basic scientific orientation, the clinical training opportunities at Penn focus on empirically supported treatments. Practicum opportunities are heavily weighted towards cognitive-behavioral interventions, with opportunities to learn dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and other empirically supported variants available to more advanced students as well. Experience with a variety of patient populations, clinical problems, and practice settings helps graduate students identify limitations of existing knowledge and methods. This, in turn, enables students to hone their own research questions, generate new hypotheses, and maximize the ecological validity and generalizability of their research. While practical clinical training can be gratifying in its own right, the clinical scientist model implies that research and clinical work are inextricably entwined, each in the service of the other. Thus, Penn graduates are not expected to pursue careers purely in clinical practice. Anyone committed to such a career track would not be a good fit for our program.

As Ph.D.-level clinical psychologists, Penn graduates can be expected to advance the frontiers of basic science and contribute to our understanding of the etiology, prevention, and treatment of psychopathology as well as the advancement of well-being. In addition, the Penn education prepares its graduates to participate in the development, validation, and dissemination and implementation of effective new treatment and prevention programs. It is the combination of basic scientific knowledge, excellence in research, clinical acumen, and experience that prepares individuals for careers of such scope and impact.

Admission to the Clinical Program

Ordinarily, students apply for admission to the clinical program when they apply for admission to the graduate program; they do so by indicating their interest in clinical training at that time. Admission to the graduate program carries the presumption of admission to the clinical program for those students who have indicated such an interest on their application unless the applicant is specifically told otherwise. In some cases, students request clinical training after they have begun the graduate program. In such cases, the Clinical Program Committee reviews the request and will accept the student if (a) the student is judged to be suitable for participation in clinical practica and (b) there are sufficient resources available.

Accreditation

Our program is accredited by the American Psychological Association. Information on our program's APA status may be confirmed by contacting the Commission on Accreditation, American Psychological Association, 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242; telephone: (202) 336-5979; e-mail:  [email protected] ; website: https://accreditation.apa.org/ .

Our program is also a member of the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science ( https://www.acadpsychclinicalscience.org/ ), a coalition of doctoral training programs that emphasize the scientific basis of clinical psychology, and is accredited by the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System. Our membership in the Academy indicates our commitment to empirical research as the basis of theory, assessment, and intervention, and our PCSAS accreditation attests to our success in training clinical scientists. Questions about PCSAS accreditation can be addressed to Joe Steinmetz, Executive Director, PCSAS, by mail: Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Indiana University, 1101 E. 10th St., Bloomington, IN 47405-7007; telephone: (479) 301-8008; e-mail: [email protected] ; website: https://www.pcsas.org/ .

The tenets and expectations of PCSAS are highly consistent with our training goals and methods, and we plan to maintain PCSAS accreditation indefinitely. We are actively promoting efforts to ensure that, in the future, graduates of programs accredited by PCSAS are given the same access to licensure opportunities as are graduates of programs accredited by APA. Once this is achieved, it is likely that we will no longer maintain APA accreditation. 

Secondary Menu

Research specialist position @ university of pennsylvania, philadelphia pa.

The research lab of Dr. John Trueswell is hiring a full-time research specialist (i.e., lab manager/coordinator) to help conduct language learning studies with children and adults. Some of these studies will involve eye-tracking studies of participants as they respond to spoken instructions. The successful candidate will have frequent interactions with postdocs, graduate students, research assistants, and will have plenty of opportunities for scientific involvement in all aspects of research projects including journal articles and conference presentations. Thus this position is an excellent stepping stone for someone planning to go to graduate school in psycholinguistics — individuals previously employed in this position are now star graduate students, postdocs and even professors within psychology and linguistics. This is a one year term appointment position.

Responsibilities:

  • Assisting lab members and the PIs in the running of experiments
  • Designing, running and analyzing experiments with infants, children, and adults
  • Developing experimental materials, and data management/analysis
  • Recruiting participants
  • Coordinating and training undergraduate research assistants
  • Assisting in planning lab events and meetings
  • Additional duties include management of human subject information, assisting in the reporting of information to funding institutions and Penn’s Institutional Review Board (IRB), and lab scheduling

Qualifications:

Essential qualifications:

  • A Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Linguistics, Computer Science, or Cognitive Science 
  • 0-1 year of research experience, preferably with children or infants (an equivalent combination of education and experience can be considered).
  • Excellent organizational and communication skills (especially with young children and families).
  • Be detail-oriented, motivated, creative, organized, and able to work independently
  • Experience is required in Microsoft Excel and statistical analysis software (preferably R, SPSS and/or MatLab). 
  • Be able to jump from low- to high-level amount of work smoothly and work under pressure when deadlines are approaching

Preferred qualifications:

  • Prior experience in psychology research and/or computational modeling.
  • Proficient programming skills, ideally in Javascript, Python, and/or R.
  • Flexible work availability is desirable.

Click here for more information and to apply

  • Professional development
  • Post-graduation
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • Climate Handbook
  • P&N Team Resources
  • Degree Requirements
  • Practicum and Ongoing Research Projects in Psychology
  • Research Participation Requirements for Psychology Courses
  • Summer Vertical Integration Program (VIP)
  • Psychology Courses
  • Graduate School Advice
  • Career Options
  • Forms & Resources
  • Global Education
  • Trinity Ambassadors
  • Co-requisite Requirement
  • Neuroscience Courses
  • Neuroscience: Undergraduate Research Opportunities
  • Neuroscience Research Practicum & Laboratories
  • Summer Neuroscience Program
  • Research Independent Study in Neuroscience
  • Graduation with Distinction
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Neuroscience Teaching Lab
  • Student Spotlights
  • Neuroscience Graduation 2024 Program
  • Other Job Boards
  • Student Organizations
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Cognition & the Brain
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Social Psychology
  • Systems and Integrative Neuroscience
  • Admitting Faculty
  • Application FAQ
  • Financial Support
  • Teaching Opportunities
  • Departmental Graduate Requirements
  • MAP/Dissertation Committee Guidelines
  • MAP/Oral Exam Guidelines/Timeline
  • Dissertation and Final Examination Guidelines
  • Awards for Current Students
  • Teaching Resources
  • Instructor/TA Guidelines
  • Faculty Mentorship Vision Statement
  • All Courses
  • Psychology: Course Sequence
  • Psychology: Methods Courses
  • Neuroscience: Course Clusters
  • Neuroscience: Courses By Category
  • Primary Faculty
  • Joint Graduate Training Faculty
  • Instructional Faculty
  • Secondary Faculty
  • Graduate Students
  • Postdocs, Affiliates, and Research Scientists
  • Faculty Research Labs
  • Research News Stories
  • Child Studies
  • Community Volunteers
  • Charles Lafitte Foundation: Funding Support
  • Meet Our Alumni
  • For Current Students
  • Assisting Duke Students
  • Neuroscience Graduation 2023 Program
  • Psychology Graduation 2023 Program
  • Giving to the Department

IMAGES

  1. Andrea HOBKIRK

    penn state university phd clinical psychology

  2. College adds Master of Arts in Applied Clinical Psychology.

    penn state university phd clinical psychology

  3. Clinical Psychology

    penn state university phd clinical psychology

  4. 5 Things to Know About Applying to PhD Programs in Clinical Psychology

    penn state university phd clinical psychology

  5. Doctoral Programs At Penn State

    penn state university phd clinical psychology

  6. PhD in Clinical Psychology

    penn state university phd clinical psychology

VIDEO

  1. Penn State Health Children's Hospital Pediatric Surgery. abc27 Special. Hope, Trust, and Healing

  2. Studying for finals at a Penn State University library. #school #study #pennstateuniversity #college

  3. A mission to conquer childhood cancer

  4. A Day in the Life

  5. Research Ethics in Clinical and Translational Studies

  6. MS in Psychology

COMMENTS

  1. Clinical (Adult and Child)

    Penn State's doctoral program is a founding member of the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science. Psychological clinical science is concerned with generating new knowledge regarding the nature of psychological problems, and with translating that knowledge into applications that improve the human condition. Our PCSAS1 and APA2 accredited Clinical Science program is designed to train ...

  2. Graduate

    Penn State's Department of Psychology provides students with a top-ranked graduate education. Our mission is to train the next generation of leaders, innovators, and cutting-edge professionals. Please view our graduate training program video. As a part of their training, students in our program: Receive Sound Scientific Training Students become first-rate scientists and thinkers. They gain ...

  3. How to Apply to Graduate School in Psychology

    How to Apply to Graduate School in Psychology. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) by Prospective Students. ... Thank you for your interest in graduate study in the Department of Psychology at Penn State. The deadline date for Clinical, Cognitive, Developmental, I/O, ... Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802; 814-865-9514; 814-863-7002 ...

  4. Master of Arts in Applied Clinical Psychology

    A Penn State graduate degree in clinical psychology is attractive to employers and doctoral programs alike, and offers you more opportunity than a degree solely focused on counseling. Preparation for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) designation is an option for our M.A. graduates, as are doctoral study, teaching, research, and mental ...

  5. Program Requirements for Applied Clinical Psychology

    Academic Eligibility Requirements. For admission to the Graduate School at Penn State, an applicant must hold either: (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution.

  6. Applied Clinical Psychology Graduate Program Directory

    Professor of Psychology, School of Behavioral Sciences and Education. Director of Honors Program. [email protected]. 717 948 6759. Olmsted Building, W311.

  7. Applied Clinical Psychology Program Overview

    The Applied Clinical Psychology program emphasizes study of the scientific bases of behavior, including biological, social, and individual causes and their correlates. The broad training model is oriented to empirically supported treatment and the development of assessment and intervention skills. In addition to course work, you will complete ...

  8. PDF DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY Clinical Psychology Program Brochure 2023-2024

    DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY . Clinical Psychology Program Brochure . 2023-2024 . Overview and Purpose . The Clinical Psychology Program at The Pennsylvania State University has been continuously accredited by the American Psychological Association since the 1940s. The doctoral program is a ... Penn State's graduates play leading roles in this ...

  9. Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology (M.S.-Ph.D.)

    The ISU Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology was constructed in the late 1980s and approved by the State Board of Education in 1991 for the express purpose of educating empirically oriented, generalist practitioners of clinical psychology. ... The Idaho State University Psychology Clinic, on the fifth floor, provides individual therapy rooms ...

  10. Applied Clinical Psychology (M.A.)

    Applied Clinical Psychology (M.A.) The Master of Arts in Applied Clinical Psychology endorses a scientist-practitioner framework, where graduates have clinical skills in empirically supported psychotherapy interventions, the research skills to consume cutting-edge research in counseling to stay atop of their field, and a commitment to lifelong ...

  11. Information for Applicants

    Information for Applicants. The Department of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania will be accepting applications for the PhD program for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle beginning October 1, 2023. The deadline for applicants who wish to matriculate in Fall 2024 is December 1, 2023 11:59 pm P.S.T. (Note that this deadline is earlier than ...

  12. Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data

    All clinical students are fully funded for 5 years. ... Department of Psychology / Stephen A. Levin Building / 425 S. University Ave / Philadelphia, PA 19104-6018 Phone: (215) 898-7300 / [email protected]

  13. Applied Clinical Psychology Curriculum and Course Descriptions

    The M.A. in Applied Clinical Psychology is a 48-credit program with optional graduate-level course work for Licensed Professional Counselor preparation. Starting in Fall 2024, the program will shift to a 60-credit program, integrating additional courses needed for licensure. ... The Graduate School of Penn State University allows eight years to ...

  14. Psychology, PhD < University of Pennsylvania

    Psychology, PhD. Graduate study in Psychology at Penn emphasizes scholarship and research accomplishment. The first-year program is divided between courses that introduce various areas of psychology and a focused research experience. A deep involvement in research continues throughout the graduate program, and is supplemented by participation ...

  15. Home

    Clinical (Adult and Child) Cognitive. Developmental. Industrial-Organizational. ... Current Students Overview. General Timeline. Course Requirements. Graduate Courses. Psychology Department Subject Pool Information. Prospective Students. Prospective Students Overview. Letter from the Department Head ... Penn State University, University Park ...

  16. Clinical Training Program

    Program Philosophy. The clinical training program, nested in the Psychology Department, is a clinical science program intended to provide preparation for research/academic careers in Clinical Psychology. Clinical training (in assessment, diagnosis, and psychotherapy) is seen as an integral part of the education of highly qualified, creative ...

  17. Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling Emphasis

    The Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling (60 credits) emphasis in the Counselor Education (M.Ed.) Master's Program at Penn State has a dual accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Professions (CACREP) in both Clinical Rehabilitation and Clinical Mental Health Counseling. This emphasis prepares professionals to work with people with chronic ...

  18. Applied Clinical Psychology Faculty

    Melanie Hetzel-Riggin, Ph.D. Director, School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Professor of Psychology, Psychology program and Applied Clinical Psychology M.A. program. Faculty Affiliate, Susan Hirt Hagen CORE. Faculty Affiliate, The Public Policy Initiative at Penn State Behrend. [email protected]. 814-898-6949.

  19. Research Specialist Position @ University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

    The research lab of Dr. John Trueswell is hiring a full-time research specialist (i.e., lab manager/coordinator) to help conduct language learning studies with children and adults. Some of these studies will involve eye-tracking studies of participants as they respond to spoken instructions. The successful candidate will have frequent interactions with postdocs, graduate students, research ...

  20. Applied Clinical Psychology Tuition and Costs

    Graduate financial aid options are available to graduate students in the Applied Clinical Psychology M.A. program. For additional information, contact the Penn State Behrend Office of Financial Aid by emailing [email protected] or calling 814-898-6162. If you plan to apply for financial aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal ...