Program Admission

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Admission to the program is based on the following criteria

1) Academic ability as measured by Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing scores on the GRE. In keeping with other Ph.D. programs in the State and with national criteria, admission typically includes a minimum score around the 50th percentile on the Verbal and Quantitative sections and a Writing section minimum score of 4.0. However, successful applicants may present much higher scores given the highly competitive nature of clinical doctoral programs. Applicants are not required to take the GRE Advanced Psychology Test. 

Important Note: The GRE requirement has been waived for applicants seeking admission to the doctoral program for Fall 2021.

2) Achievement in undergraduate or graduate work. Admission typically includes a minimum standard of a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale undergraduate GPA. Again, successful applicants typically present with higher GPAs. Students may be admitted with either a bachelor’s or a master’s degree. Transfer credits will be determined on a case-by-case basis upon matriculation.

3) Academic background in psychology. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 20 undergraduate semester hours in psychology, including a course in statistics and a laboratory course in research methods/experimental psychology.

4) Personal qualities that predict success in graduate study and in professional placement after graduation. To evaluate these, each applicant must submit three letters of recommendation. Personal qualities will also be evaluated in the context of an interview for those who pass the initial file review and are invited to the interview day(s).

5) Fit between applicant and faculty interests. A personal statement is required, describing the applicant’s interests. We will be particularly interested in students who have had research and/or clinical experiences that are a good fit with faculty areas of expertise. 

Steps for Admission

The admission process has two components: a PSYCAS application and an EMU Graduate School application. All steps must be completed and admission requirements met by the deadline for your application to be reviewed by the department. 

1) Program Application (PSYCAS)

Application materials submitted to PSYCAS include:

• Centralized application
• Personal statement (instructions available within PSYCAS) – 500 words
• Essay related to fit with the program (instructions available within PSYCAS) – 500 words.
• Diversity essay (instructions available within PSYCAS) – 75 words.
• Official transcripts of all education beyond high school. Required for every institution granting credit. Transcripts must be submitted directly to PSYCAS. Transcripts sent to EMU will not be accepted as official and the application will not be considered complete. (Applicants should allow 2-6 weeks for PSYCAS to process transcripts.). For additional information regarding transcript submission please see the PSYCAS website.
• Official GRE results, including Verbal, Quantitative, and Writing scores as well as the Advanced Psychology Exam score, if taken.
• Writing sample (typically a research paper).
• Curriculum vitae or resume.
• Three letters of recommendation.

2) Graduate School Application (ApplyEMU)

• Meet Graduate School Admission Requirements (see Graduate Admissions)
• Submit a Graduate School Application
• Pay $45 application fee

 Questions and concerns should be directed to:

Doctoral Program Associate

Community Behavioral Health Clinic, 1075 N. Huron River Dr. Ypsilanti, MI 48197, psy_doc@emich.edu, 734.487.4987

Completed applications, including Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores, letters of recommendation, and transcripts, must be received by December 1 for consideration. If the 1st falls on a weekend, materials will be accepted the next business day only. Applicants will be notified by February 15 if an interview is warranted. In accordance with APA guidelines, acceptance notices will be made by April 1.

Eastern Michigan University and the Psychology Department reserve the right to change any statement in this program concerning, but not limited to, rules, policies, tuition, fees, curricula, and courses.

Department Information

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Psychology | Ellen Koch, Ph.D., Department Head | 341C Science Complex, 734.487.1155, ellen.koch@emich.edu

Advisor Information

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Michelle Byrd, Ph.D., Director of Clinical Training, 301E Science Complex, 734.487.4919, mbyrd@emich.edu

Objectives

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 The purpose of the doctoral program is to graduate fully licensable clinical psychologists with state-of-the-art knowledge relating to 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 be effective in supervising and managing 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. Students will also be able to focus their training on one or more of five areas of emphasis (adult, applied behavior analysis, assessment, developmental psychopathology, or health). To meet these objectives, students will be provided with opportunities to:

1. Practice assessment and treatment skills in a highly supervised environment.
2. Work with and be supervised by faculty with expertise in a variety of assessment and treatment modalities.
3. Use state-of-the-art equipment and technology employed in the field today.
4. Propose and conduct research.
5. Participate in a collegial atmosphere that is open to diverse opinions and viewpoints and prepares students to analyze the current literature critically

Curriculum Design

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The doctoral program is a full-time, full-residency program that is designed to be completed in five years but typically students complete 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 currently 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: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

Integration of M.S. and Ph.D. Curricula

The doctoral program builds on our current M.S. programs, which offer two different clinical approaches. 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 that emphasizes assessment, diagnosis, and treatment from various perspectives. A unique feature of our doctoral program is the opportunity for students to acquire specialization in applied behavior analysis and behavior therapy and 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, as well as broad knowledge of the empirical, theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of the profession. Our doctoral program includes a series of Ph.D. seminars that serve as links between concurrently taught M.S. level courses, the Ph.D. knowledge base, and pre-practicum training. For each two-credit course, students are required to spend two hours per week in scholarly discussions relevant to treatment, assessment and clinical practice. Practicum work for the seminars will require three to five hours per week of client contact at the on-site clinic and two to three hours monthly in group and individual supervision. After mastering M.S.-level skills, Ph.D. students learn to train and supervise masters-level clinicians. Training also focuses on developing expertise in one or more of the following areas of emphasis: adult, applied behavior analysis, assessment, developmental psychopathology, and health.

Doctoral Fellowship

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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 will spend 10 to 12 hours per week with that faculty member, assisting with research and teaching activities. Fellows may be asked to help with class preparations, as well as assist in data collection, preparation, and analysis. The faculty members will serve as mentors to their students, training and guide them in developing their own research plans for master’s thesis and dissertation work. Students may 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. Additionally, students complete 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 (for 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 can teach two undergraduate courses their last year of fellowship.

Master of Science in Clinical Psychology (Pre-Doctorate):

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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 has received a master’s degree, 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 prior to completing their up to twelve months for two to three years of external practicum training,

The Pre-Doctoral Master of Science in Clinical Psychology program of study includes courses required for the doctoral program (see below). Additionally, students complete a pre-master’s practicum (at our Psychology Clinic where a TLLP is not necessary) and master’s thesis project as part of this Program of Study. Students admitted to the doctoral program do not apply, get admitted, or graduate from the Psychology - Clinical Behavioral [M.S.]  or Psychology - General Clinical [M.S.]  programs since both class and thesis requirements are different 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 choose to apply for this MS degree, or simply continue on 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:

Assessment (8-hour minimum): ​PSY 762  Electives: PSY 619 /641 , PSY 710 , PSY 763 , PSY 770 , PSY 771  

Treatment (8-hour minimum): PSY 751 /731  and (PSY 627 /671  or PSY 720 /791 ) Electives: PSY 625 /661 , PSY 630 /621 , PSY 672 , PSY 721 , PSY 722 , PSY 752  

Individual Differences (6-hour minimum): PSY 640 , PSY 743 , PSY 888  Electives: PSY 623 /651 , PSY 646 , PSY 744  

Research: PSY 600 , PSY 601 , PSY 605 , and PSY 690  

Professional Practice: PSY 670  

Doctoral Seminars: PSY 881  and PSY 882  

Degree Requirements: 90 hours

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The Clinical Doctoral program requires the completion of 90 graduate credit hours. The master’s degree is earned en route to the doctoral degree. Students in the doctoral program must complete a master’s thesis. Students may choose courses that are required for Board Certification in Behavior Analysis (BCBA). Students must obtain a B or better in all courses.

Area of Emphasis

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Students must complete at least one area of emphasis including a restriction of an elective needed to fulfill that area of specialization. No single class can count in two areas of emphasis

Other Program Requirements

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1. Master’s Prepracticum: 200-300 hours (onsite; taken in conjunction with master’s courses).
2. Doctoral Prepracticum: 120-150 hours the first year (onsite; approximately five hours per week for one year; students answer phones, do intakes, and do some clerical work. The doctoral pre-practicum is part of 20 hours per week doctoral assistantship).
3. Internal Practicum: 500 hours for one year and 150-200 per year for next two years (onsite); starting Summer of the first year, doctoral students begin to see 1-2 clients at the clinic along with telephone duty. Fall and Winter of the second year, students see 5-6 clients.
4. External Practicum: up to twelve months for two to three years is conducted offsite (externship). Ph.D. students typically complete 20 hours per week.
5. Qualifying paper
6. M.S. clinical supervision and undergraduate teaching (in third and fourth years of the program); advanced students prepare two educational workshops for first-year students for summer.
7. Clinical Predoctoral Internship (2,000 hours).