Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program
Statement from the Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology in Support of
BLACK LIVES MATTER
The murder of Mr. George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers, coming on top of a worldwide pandemic that has disproportionately impacted people of color, has sparked a movement across our country and around the world demanding an end to unjust law enforcement practices and discriminatory practices that have been woven into the fabric of the formation of the United States for generations. We recognize this tragedy however, is only one event in a long history of racial discrimination and violence toward the Black community. Racism is a long-standing public health concern that has led to economic, legal, and health inequality for Black Americans. The faculty and students of our program cannot be silent about injustice, racism and the ways we can all do better as a society; such inaction would amount to complicity and would serve to perpetuate the systemic racism and inequities of White privilege present in all sectors of our society, including health care and higher education. We, the faculty and students of the SHSU Doctoral program in Clinical Psychology, join with our friends and colleagues in a shared effort to eliminate the scourge of White supremacy. Thus, we add our voices to those of our colleagues in the Department of Psychology and Philosophy, as well as others around the world, in declaring…
BLACK LIVES MATTER! BLACK LIVES ARE VALUABLE! BLACK LIVES ARE WORTHY! BLACK LIVES ARE NEEDED! BLACK LIVES DESERVE JUSTICE!
Beyond expressing our outrage and commitment to social justice, we have begun the process of critical self-examination to ensure our program is inclusive and focuses on equity. We have always valued diversity, but in light of recent events, we have doubled our commitment to seeking ways to improve training the next generation of culturally competent clinical psychologists and creating a welcoming environment for students of color to learn and thrive. Working with our students and department colleagues, we have begun to identify tangible actions to enhance our program climate and practices to ensure that all students, especially those who are members of the Black community, feel welcome to pursue higher education goals in clinical psychology. The doctoral program will examine and seek ways to improve our recruitment and retention of students of color, increase the infusion of antiracism content throughout our coursework and other training activities, promote and support research related to diversity, and seek ways to fund these efforts. We take on this challenge, because we firmly believe…
BLACK LIVES MATTER! BLACK LIVES ARE VALUABLE! BLACK LIVES ARE WORTHY! BLACK LIVES ARE NEEDED! BLACK LIVES DESERVE JUSTICE!
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.
Program Mission Statement
Through a rigorous foundation in scientific psychology as well as broad and general training in research and clinical practice, the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program at Sam Houston State University provides candidates with opportunities to develop attitudes, knowledge, and skills to become effective clinical psychologists as well as researchers and scholars.
Mentor Model
Students are admitted to the program under the supervision of a primary research mentor who serves as the supervisor for a student's first-year research assistantship. Although students will be generally expected to complete thesis and dissertation projects with their primary research mentor, they are encouraged to interact and engage in research with other faculty members, as well. Students who develop research interests that fall outside their primary mentor's areas of expertise may conduct thesis and/or dissertation research under the supervision of other faculty members.
Commitment to Diversity
Our program affirms the principle that clinical psychologists should be trained to offer services to diverse populations. In pursuit of this goal, students entering our training program will be required to provide services to persons whose cultural backgrounds, beliefs, religious values, or lifestyles may be different from their own. Should unanticipated conflicts arise for any student, faculty are committed to working with the student to be certain cultural competence is achieved.
Accreditation
The Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program at Sam Houston State University has been continuously accredited by the American Psychological Association since 2006. The program received reaccreditation in May 2019 and will have its next site visit in 2028.
Commission on Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
(202) 336-5979
apaaccred@apa.org