Clinical Psychology Program (Overview)

Michael Feuerstein, Director

Michael Feuerstein, Ph.D., MPH
Director, Clinical Psychology PhD Programs
(Military and Medical/Clinical Tracks)

Clinical Psychology PhD Program
(Military Psychology Track)
Program Requirements

(Active Duty Military)
 
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Page 2 Page 3 		Medical Psychology PhD Program
(Clinical Psychology Track)
Program Requirements

(Civilian Only)
 
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The Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology offers two training tracks within an APA-accredited Clinical Program:

In 1994, the U.S. Congress mandated the creation of a Clinical Psychology PhD program for training psychologists to provide service in the military. This program integrates theory and skills in the areas of clinical psychology, health psychology and organizational psychology to train military clinical psychologists as providers of health care in public health contexts. This program has been accredited by the American Psychological Association since 1997. Graduates of the Military Clinical Psychology PhD program have held leadership positions in military heath care, many have received awards and commendations for their work, and several have published papers in the clinical literature.
 
In the late 1990s, the Department initiated a Medical/Clinical Psychology Track open to civilians with no military obligation. This track is designed for a few individuals with proven evidence of research commitment and interest in professional applications of medical psychology. Graduates of this track will conduct clinically relevant research and posses clinical skills that to promote evidence based applications.
 
The Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Programs at USU follow a scientist- practitioner or "Boulder Model" of training. While the program strongly values the development of knowledge and skill base in applied clinical psychology, it equally acknowledges the importance of assisting students in further developing critical thinking skills in psychology and related areas, and its application to real world situations, particularly in relation to military, public health, and medical environments. Basic and applied approaches to clinical psychology, health psychology, and behavioral medicine are emphasized, focusing on the study of psychosocial, behavioral, and psychobiological variables. Students earn M.S. (with master's thesis) and Ph.D. (with doctoral dissertation) degrees. The completion of a Ph.D. requires independent scholarly work that represents a contribution to knowledge combined with clinical training.
 
The Clinical Psychology Program includes graduate and medical school course work and relevant research.

Clinical Psychology- Military Track Program Requirements

Program requirements for the Ph.D. in Military Clinical Psychology include course work (required courses and electives), a review paper (in the first year), second year research project, a master's thesis (leading to an M.S. degree), contributions as a research and teaching assistant, clinical practical and other required clinical training, Ph.D. written qualifying examination, Ph.D. oral specialty examination, written doctoral dissertation proposal, written doctoral dissertation, public forum and defense of doctoral dissertation research.

Medical Psychology- Clinical Track Program Requirements

Students admitted to the Medical Psychology- Clinical Track Program usually have a background in psychology and life sciences and some research experience in psychology or biomedical sciences. However, students with varied academic backgrounds and work experiences have successfully applied for admission and completed the program. Applicants to this program must have career goals that are consistent with this highly research-focused track, have demonstrated evidence of motivation, and have the ability to pursue a research/academic career (e.g., publications, professional presentations). Undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or better and scores (Verbal + Quantitative) on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) of 1200 (out of 1600) or above are preferred. The Advanced Test in Psychology is not required.
 
Program Requirements. Program requirements for the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology include course work (required courses and electives), a review paper (in the first year), second year research project, a master's thesis (leading to an M.S. degree), contributions as a research and teaching assistant, clinical practica and other required clinical training, Ph.D. written qualifying examination, Ph.D. oral specialty examination, written doctoral dissertation proposal, written doctoral dissertation, public forum and defense of doctoral dissertation research.
 
Course Work. All students in the Clinical Psychology Program must complete a series of required courses during the years of study and also take electives throughout their graduate training. The goal of course work is to ensure that each student is knowledgeable in the areas of: biological bases of behavior, cognitive-affective bases of behavior, social and cultural bases of behavior, and individual behavior.
 
Along with the required courses, students can take electives that reflect various specialties in psychology and in the study of behavior and health. Special Tutorials in Medical Psychology that focus on specific topics can be arranged depending on student interests. Students also may take courses in other departments or programs as electives.
 
How to Apply. Applications for these Ph.D. programs should be compled by January 1 of the year they wish to enter. Applications can be obtained on the graduate school web site. Candidates should indicate the program (i.e., Medical Psychology, Medical Psychology-Clinical Track, or Clinical Psychology- Military Track) to which they are applying.

Questions related to the program's accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 336-5979 / E-mail: apaaccred@apa.org
Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

Contact Information

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
4301 Jones Bridge Road
Bethesda, Maryland 20814-4799


Center for Deployment Psychology
Center for Health Disparities