Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program

Accredited by the American Psychological Association

Program Details

Research

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Consistent with the training model first introduced by the American Psychological Association at the Boulder Conference in 1949, our educational philosophy is to produce scientist/practitioners who possess expertise in both research and clinical practice. Our program and the associated career opportunities fit the needs of both students whose primary interest lies in psychological research and those who are primarily focused on a career in clinical practice.
Within the program, students are not limited to a single mentor, but are encouraged to interact and engage in research with a variety of faculty members. Consistent with the Boulder Model and the demands of our training program, all students are required to be enrolled full-time and to complete a dissertation.
 

Clinical Psychology
Clinical Psychology is the psychological science that seeks to understand, assess, and treat psychological disorders and conditions. Our students' published research has examined test development, personality assessment, psychopathology, psychotherapy, gender and minority issues, and public policy. For a list of student publications and conference presentations, please click here.

Our close proximity to Houston allows access to the largest medical center in the world for practicum experience. Students have the opportunity to engage in the treatment of a wide variety of populations including individuals with severe chronic mental illness, individuals with a history of brain trauma, and individuals with substance use disorders. Practicum placements have included a variety of psychiatric hospitals, private psychological practices, community mental health facilities, neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitative services, and correctional settings.  

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In addition, the program also operates its own Psychological Services Center where students work with a broad range of community clientele under the close supervision of psychologists licensed in the state of Texas. For a list of some of the practicum sites available to our students, please click here.

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Forensic Emphasis
In addition to a broad general clinical training, the program also trains students to become legally informed clinicians, by exposing them to applications of clinical psychology to legal issues. Some of this exposure occurs during course work, with students taking courses in Mental Health Law and Forensic Assessment. In the field, clinical psychology is routinely applied to legal issues in medical hospitals, outpatient clinics, and most other settings in which clinical services are offered. In addition to general clinical services, the SHSU Psychological Services Center currently conducts forensic evaluations for courts in ten counties. Students are offered the unique opportunity to participate in these assessments. This exposure to forensic clinical psychology is intended to provide knowledge and basic skills, such that students who desire substantial forensic psychology expertise can pursue specialized training at the postdoctoral level.
 

Program Components
Students will receive broad, general training in clinical psychology. Graduates will:
  • Have a broad knowledge of scientific psychology.
  • Have the skills to perform meaningful psychological research.
  • Demonstrate expertise in evaluation, assessment, and report writing.
  • Provide psychotherapy to an array of diverse clients.
  • Instruct, supervise, and consult with students and fellow professionals.
  • Promote respect for ethnic diversity.
  • Understand and adhere to ethical standards of practice.
  • Acquire licenses as psychologists through various state licensing boards.
  • Be legally informed clinicians, such that those desiring specialized expertise in forensic clinical psychology have the basic skills necessary to pursue such expertise through postdoctoral training and experience.

Funding
To date, all students in the program receive either a scholarship, graduate student instructorship, research assistantship, or clinical externship worth $10,000 or more per year. This support allows out-of-state students to qualify for in-state tuition. Additional opportunities are also available to receive summer funding, research conference support, and other agency grants.