Fairleigh Dickinson University

Program Information

Degree Offered

Ph.D. - Clinical Psychology

Format: Campus

Program Description:

The Ph.D. Program in Clinical Psychology is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). The program adheres to the scientist/practitioner model, and requires a number of clinical and research practica in addition to an extensive curriculum. This is a four-year plus internship, full-time program designed to prepare skilled psychologists who are capable of serving as clinicians, appreciative of the relationship between science and clinical practice, and capable of conducting sound research.

The scientist-practitioner orientation emphasizes academic content areas of psychology and views clinical training as growing directly out of foundations in psychological theory and research. It reflects the School's belief that a competent and effective clinician is best described as a scientist-practitioner, well-versed not only in clinical techniques and methods, but also in the theoretical and research-based underpinnings of various approaches.

As an expression of the scientist-practitioner model, the sequence of courses in the program emphasizes a thorough preparation in theoretical psychology and methodology. The sequence becomes the matrix against which students receive applied training in clinical psychology. For example, the first year of the program exposes students to a course in the theory of measurement prior to course work in intellectual assessment. Theoretical foundations in personality and psychopathology are explored prior to behavioral and personality assessment.

Concurrent with the work in assessment, students begin study of the traditional psychotherapies. The second year of course work expands students' knowledge of treatment procedures, specialized populations, and related topics. In addition, the student completes two semesters of statistics (research design and analysis) in the second year.

By the end of the third year, students are prepared to begin writing their dissertation. Each student selects a mentor from the faculty, and that mentor serves as chairperson of the student's dissertation committee. The chairperson and student select the remaining three members of the committee based on criteria developed by the program faculty.

An optional forensic track is available to students in the Ph.D. program who fulfill the following additional requirements:
* Completion of at least one of the required clinical practica in a forensic setting.
* Completion of at least two additional courses, PSYC6230 Introduction to Forensic Psychology and PSYC7230 Forensic Assessment and Prediction, as additional electives (a third elective independent study is recommended).
* Completion of a dissertation on a forensic topic.

Completion of the forensic track will be noted on the student’s transcript.

Accreditation:

The program is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).

Eligibility Requirements:

* A completed Ph.D. Clinical Psychology application.
* A $40 nonrefundable application fee.
* All undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
* Three letters of recommendation.
* Personal statement.
* GRE aptitude and psychology test score reports.
* Must have completed at least 18 credits of psychology course work at the graduate or undergraduate level, including Introductory Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Statistics, Experimental Psychology, and Social Psychology.

# of Credits Required:

92.5

Tuition & Financial Aid

Financial Aid Offered: Yes

Classification: Master's Colleges & Universities I

Institution Sector: Private not-for-profit

Locale: Large Suburb

Size & Settings: 5,000 - 9,999