Psychology (Clinical), PHD
Degree Awarded: PHD Psychology (Clinical)
The Doctor of Philosophy program in psychology with a clinical concentration trains students in the clinical science model, blending research and clinical practice to improve understanding and treatment of mental and behavioral health. Accredited by the American Psychological Association and the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System, the clinical concentration program emphasizes rigorous research and evidence-based approaches to clinical work.
Students conduct research on the causes, development and treatment of behavioral and emotional disorders while learning to evaluate and apply interventions grounded in science. Coursework and research training promote critical thinking about psychological assessment, intervention and prevention across populations and settings. Research and mentorship are central to the program. Students work with faculty on research, contributing to all stages from study design to dissemination while applying findings to clinical psychological questions.
Clinical training begins in the second year with supervised practicum placements and culminates in a one-year, full-time internship. These experiences take place in university and community settings and emphasize ethical practice shaped by cultural awareness and scientific evidence. Students can customize their elective coursework in the following areas:
- community and prevention ¿ examining social and environmental influences on mental health and substance use and designing interventions to promote healthy outcomes
- child clinical psychology ¿ training in assessing, treating and preventing childhood disorders, with attention to family stress and resilience
- health psychology ¿ exploring connections between psychological processes and physical health and medical care
Faculty research spans substance use, evidence-based treatment, child and adolescent development, health psychology, trauma and adversity and cultural influences on mental health. Through mentorship and interdisciplinary collaboration, the PhD program in psychology with a clinical concentration prepares students to advance clinical psychology as both a science and a practice.
GI Bill® benefits
This new program is not yet approved for use with GI Bill® benefits.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.
Degree Requirements
Curriculum Plan Options
- 84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation
Required Core (3 credit hours)
PSY 502 Professional Issues in Psychology (3)
Concentration (11 credit hours)
PSY 530 Intermed Statistics (4)
PSY 531 Multiple Regression in Psychological Research (4)
PSY 573 Psychopathology (3)
Other Requirements (23 credit hours)
PSY 598 Topic: Clinical Interviewing and Ethics (3)
PSY 600 Research Methods (3)
PSY 680 Clinical Training I (3)
PSY 680 Clinical Training II (3)
PSY 680 Clinical Training III (4)
PSY 780 ATM Assessment (3)
PSY 780 ATM Topic (1)
PSY 784 Internship (1)
Didactic Training for Clinical (3 credit hours)
PSY 574 Psychotherapy (3) or PSY 591 Child and Family Therapy (3)
Research (12 credit hours)
PSY 692 Research-Intensive Project (6)
PSY 792 Research (6)
Domain-Specific Knowledge (6 credit hours)
Electives and Research (14 credit hours)
Culminating Experience (12 credit hours)
PSY 799 Dissertation (12)
Additional Curriculum Information
In addition to the required coursework, students need to work with their faculty advisor to determine what additional coursework is required in the domain-specific knowledge area (also known as DSK), which is intended to provide discipline-specific knowledge in psychology, consistent with APA Standards of Accreditation. Students must fulfill the DSK requirements in the following topical areas: Affective, Biological, Cognitive, Developmental and Social. Students in the program are also expected to complete a research-intensive project to ensure that they can demonstrate advanced competence in independent psychological research prior to comprehensive exams and dissertation work.
This program includes required, in-person clinical learning placements. External Practicum Placements occur in semesters 5-10 (after completing the foundational coursework and the in-house clinical training) and are typically in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The External Internship for the Predoctoral Psychology culminating clinical training experience occurs during semesters 11-12 and is commonly performed outside of the state of Arizona.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in psychology and behavioral health related fields from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.30 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
Applicants are required to submit:
- graduate admissions application and application fee
- official transcripts
- personal statement
- professional resume
- three letters of recommendation
- SlideRoom application and fees
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Admission Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
To apply to the doctoral program, applicants must follow the instructions on the doctoral program admission instructions and checklist. It is strongly recommended that applicants download and print this form to ensure completion of the application process and to include all of the required supplemental forms.
The Department of Psychology application process is completed online through ASU's graduate admission services, which includes the application form and official transcripts. Application to the Department of Psychology doctoral programs is also completed via SlideRoom, for processing of supplemental application materials. The SlideRoom account requires an additional fee.
Applicants must submit three academic letters of recommendation from faculty members who know the student well. Three letters are required, but four letters of recommendation may be submitted.
Applicants must complete and submit a statement of purpose consisting of responses to, at minimum, two of the three prompts.
Applicants may submit GRE® scores, but they are not required. ASU does not accept the GRE® General Test at home edition.
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Application Deadlines
Fall
Career Opportunities
The PhD in psychology with a clinical concentration prepares graduates to be clinical scientists who pursue research-focused careers in academia and medical centers. Some graduates also pursue licensure as psychologists and obtain jobs in hospitals, health care and public service.
Overall, graduates are prepared for impactful roles such as:
- data scientist-biostatistician
- licensed clinical psychologist
- program evaluation specialist
- psychology professor
- research professor
Program Contact Information
If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.
- [email protected]
- 480/727-4561