Clinical Psychology Ph.D. - Program Requirements
Program Requirements:
The program requires the development of broad competencies described in the Clinical Psychology PhD Program Handbook. Thus, the program is not merely a series of courses and experiences. In addition to the requirements listed below, the student must demonstrate competence to advance through the various phases of the degree program, including the internship and clearance for graduation.
The 100 hours of credit include coursework, clinical training, thesis and dissertation, and comprehensive exams.
Course Work:
Research Core Courses
Graduate Statistics
501 – Data Analysis in Psychological Research I: 3 credits
502 – Data Analysis in Psychological Research II: 3 credits
Research Design and Methodology
504 – Research Design: 3 credits
Thesis and Dissertation
699R – Thesis: 6 credits
799R – Dissertation: 18 credits
Total: 33 credits
General Core Courses
Biological Bases of Behavior
585 – Human Neuropsychology/ Biological Bases of Behavior: 3 credits
Social and Cultural Bases of Behavior
550 – Theory & Research in Social Psychology: 3 credits
645 – Cultural Diversity and Gender Issues: 3 credits
Cognitive and Affective Processes
575 - Cognitive and Affective Processes: 3 credits
History and Systems
510 – History and Systems of Psychology: 3 credits
Human Development
520 – Advanced Developmental Psychology: 3 credits
Total: 18
Clinical Core Courses
Assessments
622 - Intelligence Assessment: 3 credits
623 - Personality Assessment: 3 credits
Psychotherapy
651 – Psychotherapy Skills and Theories: 3 credits
652 – Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy: 3 credits
653 – Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy: 3 credits
OR
654 – Group Psychotherapy
OR
656 – Mindfulness and Psychotherapy
Psychopathology
611 – Psychopathology: 3 credits
Ethics and Standards
609 – Professional and Ethical Issues in Psychology: 3 credits
Total: 21
Clinical Practica
740R – Case Conference: 3 credits
(6 Semesters, 0.5 credits per semester)
741R – Integrative Practicum: 20 credits
(11 Semesters, varied credits per semester)
688R – Externships/ Clerkships: 2 Credits
(4 semesters, 0.5 credits per semester)
745R – Internship: 3 credits
Total: 28
COMBINED TOTAL: 100 Credits
Practicum, Clerkships and Externships:
Throughout the first four years in the program, students are required to complete clinical practica at BYU’s Comprehensive Clinic. In addition, they participate in clinical rotations (externships/clerkships) at a variety of sites throughout Utah and Salt Lake Counties.
Internship:
A 2000 hour APA-approved Internship is required during the 5th year in the program. Most students complete this requirement at sites outside of Utah.
Comprehensive Examinations:
- 1st Year: Psychological Assessment
- 2nd Year: Research
- 3rd Year: Psychotherapy
Master's Thesis:
During the first and second years of the program, the student completes a master's thesis. It results in a publication-quality paper and is defended before a faculty committee. All papers are presented in a poster session sponsored by the Department.
Dissertation:
Oral Examinations take place in defense of the dissertation prospectus and in defense of the final dissertation. Students complete the prospectus defense by the end of Spring Term of their third year and the final dissertation defense ideally prior to leaving on an internship at the end of their fourth year.
Optional Major Areas of Study:
Completion of the requirements listed below may eventually lead to developed competencies in these specialties. Aside from grades in the courses, there are no special examinations used to determine the level of competence in these areas. It should also be noted that Major Areas of Study are not required of the students, nor does the transcript note the completion of a Major Area of Study.
A. Child, Adolescent, and Family Major Area of Study
- Psychology 520 Advanced Developmental Psychology (3)
- Psychology 612 Developmental Psychopathology (3)
- Psychology 624 Advanced Child Assessment (3)
- Psychology 741R Practicum (1-3 each)
- Assigned to Clinical Child Psychologist for supervision at least one year
- One or more externships/clerkships completed in the Major Area of Study
B. Clinical Neuropsychology Major Area of Study
- Psychology 585 Human Neuropsychology (3)
- Psychology 680 Clinical Neuropsychology (3)
- Psychology 713 Adult Neuropsychology (3)
- Psychology 714 Child Neuropsychology (3)
- Psychology 715 Neuroanatomy (3)
- Psychology 740R Case Conference: Neuropsychology (.5 each, 6 semesters)
- One or more externships/clerkships completed in the Major Area of Study
C. Clinical Health Major Area of Study
- Psychology 583 Health Psychology (3)
- Psychology 686R Seminar in Health Psychology (3)
- One or more externships/ clerkships completed in the Major Area of Study
And Choose 2 of the Following: - Psychology 552 Applied Social Psychology
- Psychology 680 Clinical Neuropsychology
- Psychology 687R Seminar in Psychopharmacology
- Psychology 711R Biofeedback
- Psychology 715 Neuroanatomy
- Public Health 613 Community, Family & Individual Health
- Public Health 614 Program Planning (must be taken in addition to 623 in order to count as 1 elective)
- Public Health 622 Health Behavior Change & Communication
- Public Health 623 Health Systems, Policy & Advocacy