Program Description | Admission | Degree Requirements | Courses
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.
Admission
Applicants seeking admission to the doctoral program in clinical psychology must submit the following directly to the Office of Graduate Studies:
- Graduate Studies Application with the application fee
- Official transcript(s) showing all college level work completed
- Program applicant with the fee
- Three letters of recommendation
- Essay
- Current resume or curriculum vitae
- Applicant publications (if applicable)
- 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
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Passing a written comprehensive examination or
successfully defending a major area paper which integrates at least 3 core
areas.
- 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.
-
Completion of a year-long pre-doctoral internship, during which the student
works full-time in an applied clinical setting.
- 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
| 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. |