Mar 29, 2024  
Graduate Record 2022-2023 
    
Graduate Record 2022-2023 [ARCHIVED RECORD]

Clinical Psychology (PhD)


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Doctor of Philosophy - Clinical Psychology


The Clinical and School Psychology Program at the University of Virginia uses the scientist-practitioner model to prepare Ph.D. psychologists to understand and promote the development and well-being of children, adolescents, and young adults in context, with a particular emphasis on schools. Education and training includes strong grounding in: the foundational elements of clinical and school psychology, research skills essential to consuming and producing new evidence-based knowledge, and clinical skills necessary to provide competent, ethical assessment, intervention, and consultation services.  The program embraces an interdisciplinary perspective and is committed to training culturally competent scholars and practitioners who work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Ultimately, our mission is to develop leaders in the research and practice of psychological services for children, youth, and their families that span promotion, prevention, and intervention.

The Program offers training to all students in the recognized specialty areas of clinical psychology and school psychology, and is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association and approved by the National Association of School Psychologists. Research and clinical skills are considered to be equally vital to the success of psychologists in the profession today. This is reflected in our commitment to having students participate in active research labs and engage in our state-of-the-art outpatient clinic from the first semester they arrive in the program.  The program of instruction for each student includes a foundation of basic science in psychology and significant involvement in research. Research training includes critical on-the-ground work within a faculty member’s research lab, either focused on secondary data analysis of existing data or active data collection and management within current projects. All students begin working on a manuscript in their first year that is submitted to a peer review journal by their second year, and many students graduate having authored one or more publications. 

Clinically, our students receive extensive training in psychological assessment and are exposed to evidence-based approaches to therapy and intervention through course work and intensive one-on-one supervision of clinical casework within the Sheila C. Johnson Center for Human Services, local schools, and other community psychological service facilities. It is important to note that we adhere to a broad conceptualization of clinical and school psychology practice, aligned with the Institute of Medicine’s intervention spectrum that includes promotion, prevention, treatment, and maintenance approaches. And, although our graduates receive a solid foundation in understanding and treating psychopathology, program faculty place a strong emphasis on positive youth development and helping students to thrive across a variety of contexts. After a yearlong clinical internship at the end of the program, our graduates seek careers in both clinical and academic settings, including schools, medical centers, mental health agencies, and universities.

Total number of credits required

72 (may require additional credits)

Required core courses may include

Specific program requirements

  • Pre-dissertation (1st year)
  • Clinical Practicum (2nd-4th years)
  • Comprehensive Exam (3rd year)
  • Clinical Psychology Internship (5th year)

Culminating Experience

Students must complete the doctoral dissertation in accordance with the School of Education and Human Development’s doctoral dissertation guidelines.

Public Professional Licensure Disclosure

As a member of the State Authorizations Reciprocity Agreement, the University of Virginia (UVA) is authorized to provide curriculum in a distance learning environment to students located in all states in the United States except for California. (34 CFR 668.43(a)(6)& 34 CFR 668.72(n)). 

Upon completion of the Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology at the UVA School of Education and Human Development, graduates may be eligible for initial professional licensure in another U.S. state by applying to the licensing board or agency in that state.

Please visit the University’s state authorization web pages to make an informed decision regarding which states’ educational requirements for initial licensure are met by this program. (668.43(a)(5) (v)(A) - (C))

Enrolled students who change their current (or mailing) address to a state other than Virginia should update this information immediately in the Student Information System as it may impact their ability to complete internship, practicum, or clinical hours, use Title IV funds, or meet licensure or certification requirements in the new state. (34 CFR 668.402)