Psychology: Clinical Psychology PhD

Major: Psychology
Degree Awarded: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 90.0 (PhD)
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 42.2799
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 19-3031; 19-3032; 19-3039

About the Program

The PhD program in Clinical Psychology is a scientist-practitioner-oriented program that is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). The program places equal emphasis on clinical research and the application of scientific principles. It encompasses five years of full-time study and provides graduate students with a strong foundation in relevant psychological theory, experience in the practice of psychological assessment and intervention, experience in conducting meaningful clinical research, and opportunities to develop teaching competencies.

The program in Clinical Psychology curriculum follows the scientist-practitioner model and APA guidelines on accreditation of doctoral clinical psychology programs. It also considers state licensing guidelines and various publications that have been written on the topic of doctoral education, training, and credentialing in clinical psychology, as well as the specialty areas of clinical health psychology, clinical child psychology, and/or forensic psychology.

Additional Information

See the Clinical Psychology program's website for more information.

Admission Requirements

All students are admitted with the expectation that they intend to complete the PhD degree; however, before advancing to doctoral-level studies, students must earn the MS including completion of a master’s thesis. Admitted students who hold a bachelor’s degree are expected to complete both the master’s degree and post-master’s portions of the Drexel curriculum. Applicants who already hold a master’s from another university may be admitted with post-master’s status if their graduate-level preparation is deemed equivalent to the master’s portion of the Drexel curriculum.

Requirements for Students Enrolling with a Bachelor’s Degree

For those entering with a bachelor’s degree, the PhD program requires approximately five years to complete. The first two years of training correspond to master’s-level studies: focusing on clinical areas such as entry-level assessment and intervention skills, psychopathology, and specialized study in clinical health psychology, clinical child psychology, and/or forensic psychology. These two years also include a major focus on research skills involving statistics, research design, and supervised research experience with the mentor. 

By the end of the first two years of study, students should have completed 45.0 credits of coursework, maintained a GPA of at least 3.5, developed and defended a thesis, passed necessary examinations, and completed initial clinical practicum experiences. Students demonstrating satisfactory performance in these areas will be admitted to post-master’s status.

Requirements for Students Who Already Hold a Master’s Degree

Students entering with a master’s degree from another university complete the PhD requirements in four to five years. The master’s degree should have included an empirical thesis. Students lacking this prerequisite will still be considered for admission, but such students will be required to complete a research project equivalent to the Drexel master’s thesis. In addition, students must demonstrate a GPA of at least 3.5 in master’s-level courses in order to be accepted for post-master’s status.

Requirements for All Students 

Once master’s level requirements are met, students continue their research training under the supervision of their mentor, including proposing and defending their doctoral dissertation. They also complete additional practicum experiences, and students may elect to obtain experiences in teaching and peer supervision. Prior to obtaining their doctoral degree, students must complete a one-year, full-time clinical internship placement.

Additional Information

For more information on how to apply, visit Drexel's Admissions Requirements for Psychology page.

Degree Requirements

The following section outlines the courses required for graduation for entering bachelor's-level students. The PhD program curriculum requires the student to earn a minimum of 90.0 credits. Typically, students enroll in 27.0 credits during the first year, 22.0 credits during the second and third years, 12.0 credits in the fourth year, and 8.0 credits during the fifth/final internship year. Drexel University operates on a calendar of four 11-week terms. Students in the program do not take courses during summer term in order to complete research projects and continue clinical practicum training.

All coursework can be divided into two major components: (1) foundations of psychology, which is the evolving body of knowledge in the discipline of psychology, and (2) clinical and professional training, which focuses on the application of theory and empirical research to the practice of psychology. Listed below are all required and elective courses offered within the Drexel psychology curriculum followed by specific requirements for each major area of study. Credit levels listed are set at the minimum required.

Program Requirements

*

Taken for 1 credit in Fall and 2 credits in Spring.

Major Areas of Study

Clinical Neuropsychology
The clinical neuropsychology concentration includes courses, research, and clinical experiences designed to train the students for professional practice in neuropsychology. Clinical neuropsychology involves the application of psychological assessment and intervention to the problems encountered by people with brain injury or illness. The knowledge of brain-behavior functioning and the incorporation of neuropsychological conceptualizations with traditional clinical conceptualizations of functioning are aimed at providing the student with a wider perspective regarding the range of human functioning and disability. The student is able to pursue specific interests in geriatrics, pediatrics, traumatic brain injury, and rehabilitation.

In addition to the core curriculum:

• One neuropsychology practicum (800 hours)
• A neuropsychology-focused thesis and dissertation
• At least two years of research in an area related to clinical neuropsychology
• Five courses from the following list: Neuroanatomy and Behavior, Neuropsychological Assessment, Biological Basis of Behavior and Treatment, Neuropsychological Case Analysis and Integration, Cognitive Neuroscience, Psychology of Rehabilitation

Forensic Psychology
Forensic psychology involves the application of assessment and intervention techniques to informing legal decision-makers and attorneys on questions in criminal, civil, and family law. Those who concentrate in forensic psychology will be trained in relevant law, behavioral science research, and assessment and intervention approaches with a particular focus on juvenile and criminal issues.

In addition to the core curriculum:

• One forensic psychology practicum (800 hours)
• A forensic psychology-focused thesis and dissertation
• At least two years of research in an area related to forensic psychology
• Required classes: Forensic Assessment I and II, Mental Health Law
• At least two electives from the following list: Neuropsychological Assessment, Neuropsychological Case Analysis and Integration, Child Psychopathology and Treatment, Mindfulness and Acceptance-Based Treatments, Multilevel Regression, Evidence-Based Psychotherapy, Substance Use, Advanced Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Psychology of Rehabilitation

Clinical Health Psychology

Clinical Health Psychology adopts a broad-based biopsychosocial perspective in order to: (1) better understand the interplay among behavioral, emotional, cognitive, social and biological factors regarding health, wellness, and physical disease; (2) promote and maintain wellness and positive physical health; (3) prevent, treat, and rehabilitate illness and disability, and (4) improve the health care delivery system. The clinical health psychology MAS aims to provide students with specialty training to prepare them for academic, clinical, and/or administrative positions where the primary focus is on medical and physical health problems.

In addition to the core curriculum:

• One clinical health psychology practicum (800 hours) 
• Clinical health psychology-focused thesis and dissertation
• At least two years of research in an area related to clinical health psychology
• Required classes: Health Psychology, Evidence-Based Psychotherapy, Biological Basis of Behavior and Treatment, Behavioral Stress Management
• At least two electives from the following list:  Advanced Topics in Health Psychology, Advanced Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness and Acceptance-Based Treatments, Psychology of Rehabilitation, Substance Use, Weight and Eating Disorders

Clinical Child Psychology

The clinical child psychology major area of study is designed for students who have strong clinical and/or research interests in working with children and adolescents. Students in this major area of study will complete the required courses taken by all clinical psychology students and will also enroll in child-related elective courses designed to help them develop a greater degree of expertise in working with child and adolescent populations. It is expected that students completing this specialization will develop an appreciation of the research literature in the clinical child area and will possess specialty skills that enable them to function as competent practitioners in the child/adolescent area upon graduation. 

In addition to the core curriculum:

• One pediatric, child or adolescent practicum (800 hours)
• A Clinical Child Psychology-focused thesis and dissertation
• At least two years of research in an area related to clinical child psychology
• Required classes: Child Psychopathology and Treatment, Pediatric Psychology
• At least two additional electives from the following list: Neuropsychological Case Analysis and Integration, Forensic Assessment I, Behavioral Analysis

Additional Information

For more information on the PhD program requirements, contact the Clinical Psychology PhD program.

Sample Plan of Study

Facilities

Computers

Computer resources for student use include computers available in the library and within individual laboratories and workspaces in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences. Students also have access to word processing and statistical processing software. When using personal computers, students have free access to email and a wide array of online services (e.g., virtual desktop, literature databases such as PsychINFO and PubMed).

Library

Psychology books and journals can be accessed via the Drexel library system. Certain resources (e.g., the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) are available for free online for Drexel students. The combined holdings across the Drexel library system represent one of the best psychology libraries on the East Coast.

Equipment

Testing equipment for classroom instruction is available to psychology graduate students. The program also has video and audio equipment available for classroom instruction, clinical training, and research activities.

Program Level Outcomes

Psychology Faculty

Emeritus Faculty