Clinical Psychology Graduate Schools

Schooling at the graduate level is necessary to become a clinical psychologist. You can ensure your understanding of program requirements for doctoral degrees in this field and where they are offered by reading the following article.

How Do I Gain Admittance to a Graduate Degree Program in Clinical Psychology?

Graduate degrees offered by most universities are typically doctorates. You might be required to take a qualifying exam prior to admission. Usually, a bachelor's degree is the minimum educational requirement. A major in psychology isn't always necessary. However, you will likely need to have completed several introductory and intermediate psychology and statistics courses.

Certain institutions require you to prepare a statement of integrity, revealing aspects of your personal and professional history. Experience in clinical medicine or psychology might be wanted by certain schools, in which case your resume will need to be submitted. Other application materials required by most schools include graduate record exam scores, an essay and references.

Which Schools Offer Doctor of Philosophy Degree Programs in Clinical Psychology?

Various universities provide the opportunity for students to earn a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. Listed below are a handful of them:

• Palo Alto University houses a clinical psychology Ph.D. program.
• Northwestern University offers a Ph.D. program in clinical psychology.
• The University of Massachusetts - Boston has a clinical psychology Ph.D. program.

Will I Need to Specialize?

Schools conferring doctoral degrees in clinical psychology will likely ask you to specialize. Topics of concentration can vary and include:

• Behavioral medicine
• Trauma
• Women and gender issues
• Child emphasis
• Neuroscience and neuropsychology
• Psychopathology
• Policy

What Must I Do to Graduate?

Advanced courses in various psychological disciplines will likely be your main requirements. Although specific core classes and electives vary depending on the school and your area of specialization, you might enroll in course offerings such as:

• Professional ethics
• Research design
• Neuropsychology
• Social psychology
• Research methods
• Cognitive psychology

A practicum and internship are usually graduation expectations in many instances. You will have to write and defend a dissertation. Typically, you are given 5-6 years to meet all degree requirements.

Can I Earn My Degree Online?

Fully online graduate degree programs in clinical psychology are usually not available. You might find some distance classes offered as part of hybrid programs that require the remaining coursework to be completed on-site. A computer with an Internet connection would be necessary to for distance studies.

Which Schools Offer Online Clinical Psychology Degrees?

Clinical psychology programs offering coursework in a distance education format are specifically designed to help students meet licensing requirements for the state in which the university is located. Examples of universities with these programs include:

• Antioch University offers a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology program that includes a few online and hybrid courses.
• The University of the Cumberlands offers a hybrid Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program.

Graduate study in clinical psychology takes the form of doctoral degree programs. Ph.D. program requirements must typically be completed in person, though these programs are flexible in the sense that you can often choose fields to specialize in, thereby tailoring your education to your specific interests and career goals.