Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology - Clinical

Psychology – Clinical (PH4104)

Department of Psychology
Porter Hall 200
Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701
wymbs@ohio.edu

Delivery Mode: Athens Campus

Terms of Entry: Fall

Terms of Entry Requiring Program Permission: Spring

Program Overview

The primary goal of the doctoral training program in clinical psychology is to prepare students to become competent professionals in the field of clinical psychology. Our program seeks to graduate students who are adept at both conducting scientific research and providing clinical services, as well as integrating science with clinical practice. The program has been accredited by the American Psychological Association since 1970. Ohio University does not offer the master’s degree in clinical psychology as a terminal degree, but only as a step toward the Ph.D. degree. The program requirements for all students include coursework, clinical practica, independent research, and an internship. Students complete a wide range of courses and practical training experiences consistent with accreditation requirements of the American Psychological Association for the specialty of clinical psychology with an adult focus. While all students complete intensive, broad-based clinical and research training consistent with this specialty, students can also elect to complete coursework and clinical and research training for the major areas of study of clinical child psychology, psychology, and clinical neuropsychology. Not counting the internship in the clinical program, students typically take five years to complete their on-campus requirements for graduation.

Major areas of study

Clinical Psychology (required of all students)

The doctoral program in clinical psychology integrates academic, research, and professional training. The program requires 90 credit hours for those entering with the bachelor’s degree and 56 credit hours for those entering with the master’s degree. The program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and program requirements are structured to fulfill the Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Profession-Wide Competency areas specified by the APA accreditation guidelines.

All clinical students complete required coursework and practical training in Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Profession-Wide Competencies, a master’s thesis for those entering with the bachelor’s degree (or those students entering with a master’s degree who did not complete an approved thesis prior to entering the doctoral program), a doctoral comprehensive examination, a dissertation, and an internship.

Competence in Discipline-Specific Knowledge domains and Profession-Wide Competencies is assessed in multiple ways, including: 1) performance in the prescribed courses, 2) completion of the doctoral comprehensive examination, 3) completion of a thesis and dissertation, 4) performance in all practical training settings (courses, practicum and traineeship assignments) (competency evaluations), and 5) successful completion of an internship appropriate to the student’s training. Evaluation tools used in assessment of students are reviewed with students in the Clinical Orientation Seminar (PSY 5700) that is taught by the Director of Clinical Training during their first semester on campus.

All students complete training consistent with the specialization of clinical psychology. There is additional coursework and practical /research training that would allow interested students to complete elective areas of study, including clinical child psychology, clinical health psychology, and clinical neuropsychology specializations. Students work closely with the Director of Clinical Training to ensure successful completion of the requirements for the clinical psychology specialization as well as any elective areas of study they wish to complete.
 

Clinical Child Psychology (Elective)

The clinical child psychology major area of study is devoted to training graduate students to conduct research with and provide clinical services to children, adolescents, and families. Graduate students completing training in the Clinical Child area of study train in the Center for Intervention Research in Schools, which is dedicated to conducting cutting-edge research and providing innovative training experiences for students and professionals. Our current research focuses on the development and evaluation of school-based interventions for youth with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as well as other problems such as depression, conduct, anxiety and the impairments (e.g., peer relations, academic problems) that are common for students with these difficulties. Additional research interests include studying ADHD as a risk factor for family conflict and dating violence as well as identifying ways to engage children, parents and teachers in effective therapeutic services. The Center for Intervention Research in Schools is committed to providing high-quality training experiences that prepare graduate students to conduct interdisciplinary treatment outcome research.

Graduate students are also trained to be knowledgeable and effective clinical practitioners. Students in the child major area of study receive clinical training in evidence-based assessment and intervention techniques for children, adolescents, and families in the context of the Ohio University Psychology and Social Work Clinic. Child-focused traineeship sites provide experiential training opportunities that prepare students for research and practice in an interdisciplinary climate. Traineeship sites include schools, community mental health centers, residential treatment centers, and medical hospitals. These advanced clinical training opportunities help students develop the competencies necessary for interdisciplinary assessment, consultation, collaboration, and coordination of service delivery.

Applied Quantitative (Elective Complementary Concentration)

The applied quantitative psychology concentration is based on the belief that progress in psychology demands the development of precise measurement and formal models of behavior. For this reason, the applied quantitative psychology concentration offers advanced training in quantitative methods to graduate students who are concurrently studying in one of the other experimental or clinical psychology specializations. The aim of this concentration is to prepare students for conducting research in academic, business, health, or government settings that require proficiency in mathematical, statistical, or computer-based techniques.

Program Learning Outcomes

In line with American Psychological Association accreditation standards, students who successfully complete the clinical psychology Ph.D. program will demonstrate competence in:

• Discipline-specific knowledge, including
  • History and systems of psychology
  • Affective aspects of behavior
  • Biological aspects of behavior
  • Cognitive aspects of behavior
  • Developmental aspects of behavior
  • Social aspects of behavior
  • Advanced integrative knowledge of basic discipline-specific content areas (excluding history and systems of psychology)
  • Research methods
  • Quantitative methods
  • Psychometrics
• Profession-wide competencies, including
  • Research
  • Ethical and legal standards
  • Individual and cultural diversity
  • Professional values, attitudes, and behaviors
  • Communication and interpersonal skills
  • Assessment
  • Intervention
  • Supervision
  • Consultation and interprofessional/interdisciplinary skills

Opportunities for Graduates

Recent graduates of the program work in careers that include varying degrees of research and practice. Employment settings include medical centers, colleges and universities, independent practice, state and county hospitals, medical schools, school districts, university counseling centers, correctional facilities, and business and industry. Graduates are prepared, with additional postdoctoral experience, for the psychology licensing requirements of all states in the United States.

Further Information

Link to Program: https://www.ohio.edu/cas/psychology/graduate/clinical 

Link to Program Handbook: https://www.ohio.edu/cas/psychology/graduate/clinical/manual

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution or equivalent. Coursework preferred: 18 hours (or equivalent quarter hours) of psychology at the undergraduate level, including one course in statistics and one in experimental research design. Students are not required to have completed a US-equivalent master’s degree by the time of enrollment.
• GPA of 3.0 or better overall; and an average of at least 3.3 (B+) in psychology. Applicants who have completed some graduate work should have a grade-point average of at least 3.4 in that work. (Please note that you can submit an unofficial transcript at the time of your application, but you will be required to submit an official transcript if you are admitted to the program.)
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is currently NOT required. 
• Three letters of recommendation, preferably from psychology faculty.
• Personal Statement describing your special interests and professional goals. Personal statements are typically 500 to 1000 words in length. In your statement, you should:
  • Discuss why you decided to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. What professional (volunteer, work, academic) experiences informed your decision?
  • Discuss your short-term and long-term career goals.
  • Discuss your research interests and how they fit with faculty here at Ohio University. You may discuss one to three faculty with whom you see a research fit.
  • Talk about any other experiences that you feel a potential advisor would like to know.

• Competency Essay: The American Psychological Association Standards of Accreditation in Health Service Psychology require that students develop the ability to conduct professional activities with sensitivity to human diversity. Students must demonstrate knowledge, awareness, sensitivity, and skills when working with diverse individuals and communities who embody a variety of cultural and personal background characteristics. In this essay, please describe:

  • how your personal experiences, research experiences, and/or education thus far have prepared you to start developing this professional competency, and
  • ways in which you hope to develop this competency during your doctoral studies.
• Official transcript from each postsecondary school attended.
• Curriculum Vitae (or resumé)
• English Proficiency. International students whose native language is not English also must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS academic). To be considered official, test scores must be reported directly from the testing agency to Ohio University. A TOEFL-iBT of 80 or higher is recommended. The minimum IELT is 6.5 across all bands. Additional information on English proficiency can be found in the Application, Admission, and Adding Degrees  page of this catalog or on the Graduate College website.

International Students

This program permits full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to this program.

Graduation Requirements

The Psychology Ph.D. requires a minimum of 90 hours above a bachelor’s degree or 56 hours above the master’s degree. Core requirements those noted below for specializations/concentrations are available from the department. All students must meet the following requirements: