|
Objectives
The doctoral program aims to graduate fully licensable clinical psychologists with state-of-the-art knowledge of the psychological practice of assessment, therapy, and research within a scientist-practitioner model training. A primary program objective is the preparation of clinical psychologists who will effectively supervise and manage therapists in multidisciplinary mental health care delivery systems in a diverse society. To meet these objectives, the program emphasizes fundamental scientist-practitioner skills such as practical clinical skills in assessment and treatment and scholarly skills in designing, conducting, analyzing, and disseminating research that contributes to the field of psychology.
To meet these objectives, students will be provided with opportunities to:
- Practice assessment and treatment skills in a highly supervised environment.
- Work with and be supervised by faculty with expertise in various assessment and treatment modalities.
- Use state-of-the-art equipment and technology employed in the field today.
- Propose and conduct research.
- Participate in a collegial atmosphere that is open to diverse opinions and viewpoints and prepares students to analyze the current literature critically
Curriculum Design
The doctoral program is a full-time, full-residency program designed to be completed within five years, but typically students complete it within six years. No part-time students will be accepted. The curriculum is designed to meet or exceed state and national guidelines for licensing and accreditation.
APA Accreditation
The program is APA accredited, with the next site visit expected in 2027. 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 Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 336-5979 / E-mail: apaaccred@apa.org
Web: accreditation.apa.org
Integration of M.S. and Ph.D. Curricula
The doctoral program builds on our M.S. programs. The Clinical Behavioral (CB) M.S. program provides training in state-of-the-art behavioral assessment and empirically validated treatment techniques, encompassing applied behavior analysis, behavior therapy, cognitive-behavior therapy, and third-wave behavior therapy. The General Clinical (GC) M.S. program provides a multitheoretical view of psychological disorders, emphasizing assessment, diagnosis, and treatment from various perspectives, including neuroscience. A unique feature of our doctoral program is the opportunity for students to acquire specialization in applied behavior analysis and behavior therapy and/or assessment or to sample from a menu of courses from multitheoretical orientations.
Competent M.S. and Ph.D. clinicians must learn complex, specialized assessment and treatment strategies. Our two M.S. programs concentrate on training effective therapists. Well-prepared Ph.D. clinicians need this skill-based training and broad knowledge of the profession’s empirical, theoretical, and philosophical underpinnings. Therefore, our doctoral program includes a Ph.D. seminar that links concurrently taught M.S. level courses, the Ph.D. knowledge base, and practicum training. Initial practicum work will require three to five hours per week of client contact at the on-site clinic and 8 hours monthly in group and individual supervision. After mastering M.S. level skills, Ph.D. students learn to train and supervise masters-level clinicians and teach psychology.
Doctoral Fellowship
To help ensure the success of our students in the program, every student accepted will be eligible for a full-time doctoral fellowship for the first three to four years of the program. Students will be assigned to a faculty mentor in their area of research interest. Students spend 10 to 12 hours weekly with that faculty member, assisting with research and teaching activities. Fellows may be asked to help with class preparations and assist in data collection, preparation, and analysis. The faculty members will mentor their students, training and guiding them by doing collaborative research and developing and conducting their research plans for a master’s thesis, qualifying examination, and dissertation. Students request a specific faculty person as their mentor and may request a change in mentor as they matriculate through the program. Every effort will be made to accommodate student requests within reason.
Students also complete supervised training hours in the psychology clinic during their first year and for the remainder of their fellowship hours (not to exceed an average of 20 hours per week). Doctoral fellowships include a tuition fee waiver (up to 90 credits) and a stipend ($16,500 per year). Students are responsible for the registration fee (approximately $50 per semester). As part of the doctoral fellowship, students teach undergraduate courses and/or provide counseling services and/or grant-supported research.
Master of Science in Clinical Psychology (Pre-Doctorate)
Students in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program are allowed to apply for the pre-doctoral Master of Science in Clinical Psychology en route to the Ph.D.
The ability of doctoral students to apply for their pre-doctoral master’s is essential for Michigan licensure, which is required for many predoctoral practicum placements; specifically, once a student is enrolled in the doctoral program, they can apply for a Temporary Limited License as a Psychologist (TLLP) in Michigan. External practicum placements (two are required as part of the doctoral program) in hospital settings (i.e., UM, Henry Ford, Beaumont, etc.) and some other settings require students to have their TLLP before completing two to three years of external practicum training.
The Pre-Doctoral Master of Science in Clinical Psychology program includes courses required for the doctoral program (see below). In addition, students complete a pre-master’s practicum (in the Community Behavioral Health Clinic) and master’s thesis as part of this Program of Study. Students admitted to the doctoral program do not apply, become admitted, or graduate from the Psychology - Clinical Behavioral [M.S.] or Psychology - General Clinical [M.S.] programs since both class and thesis requirements differ from those in the doctoral program.
Only students admitted to the Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology program are eligible for the Pre-Doctoral MS degree. A student can apply for this MS degree or continue in the Ph.D. program without receiving the MS degree en route.
To earn the pre-doctorate Master of Science degree, students must complete 45 credit hours from the following:
|
