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The Clinical Program in the Department of Psychology has trained students for almost 45 years. In Fall, 1994, the Department admitted its first class of students pursuing doctoral degrees. In Spring, 2000, the Program was accredited by the American Psychological Association. You may wish to read Why Accreditation Matters by Deborah Smith Bailey, regarding the importance of accreditation.
The Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology offers courses and training leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology. All doctoral students acquire a Master's of Science (M.S.) degree as they progress toward the doctoral degree.
The "Full Disclosure" page can be downloaded from this link (it is a PDF file). The page includes information about the number of applicants, number of interviewees, and other information about the Program.
Overview of Academic Program and Clinical Training
The doctoral program is designed according to the American Psychological Association's scientist-practitioner model. The program trains students to conduct research that is integrated with clinical practice. A basic tenet of this approach is that consistently effective professional practice is firmly grounded in scientific psychology. Students receive a solid foundation in scientific areas of psychology and in the historical foundations of psychology.
Training in research skills such as statistics, measurement, and research methods ensures competence in conducting empirical research and in critically evaluating one's own and others' clinical and empirical work.
Students become competent in professional practice skills, such as assessment, interventions, and consultation. Supervised clinical experiences are planned throughout the curriculum.
Thus, graduates of the program are prepared to practice as clinical psychologists, teachers, researchers, consultants, and administrators. Click here to see a complete list of the training goals of the doctoral program.
Research Training
| Training in research skills is designed to promote increased independence in conducting empirical research. Students are required to complete one research project each year in the program. The first year project may be suggested by a faculty mentor as a contribution to the faculty supervisor's program of research. In the second year, the student proposes and conducts a master's research project and writes a thesis under the supervision of a committee. The third and fourth years are typically the time to write the doctoral qualifying exam (DQE) and to complete the dissertation. |
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Clinical Training
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Graduates of the Clinical Program demonstrate competency in psychological assessments and interventions (treatments) of children, adolescent and adults, proficiency in at least one other intervention modality (e.g., group therapy, family interventions), and competency in consultation and supervision. The doctoral graduate is expected to demonstrate understanding of professional practice issues, including ethical principles, legal guidelines, and multicultural and diversity issues. Doctoral students obtain clinical experience in both assessments and interventions, under the supervision of departmental clinical faculty, through the practicum courses. Opportunities for practicum work in clinical psychology services are offered in the Center for Psychological Services, which is administered by the Department of Psychology, and in cooperating hospitals and centers throughout the Milwaukee metropolitan area. |
Internship
A 12-month predoctoral internship is completed prior to granting of the doctoral degree. The internship must be approved by the department.
Hours Required
The doctoral curriculum requires 78 credit hours over five years of full-time study.
The required courses in the program have been selected to realize the goals of scientist-practitioner training suggested in the APA guidelines.
Descriptions of these courses can be found in the Graduate Bulletin beginning on page 144.
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