In order to receive the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, students must complete the following requirements:

1. A minimum of 72 credit hours, including departmental and clinical area course requirements
   
2. A preliminary requirement that consists of three components--a second-year project, a third-year project, and a clinical competency requirement
   
3. A doctoral dissertation and oral defense of the dissertation
   
4. A one-year, APA approved, clinical internship
   

During the first two years of the program, students complete the core sequence in the foundations of clinical psychology. In the first year, core course work focuses on the introduction to psychopathology, assessment, and case conceptualization. Students also take courses in statistics and research methods in clinical psychology. During the second year, core course work focuses on psychological interventions with adults and children, and students complete a full year of clinical training in assessment and intervention. Clinical training emphasizes empirically supported treatments. The department maintains a Psychological Services Center in which students serve as therapists and through which faculty offer a range of clinical practica. Students also have the opportunity to be involved in clinical and research experiences by working with faculty in the medical school, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, the Research Institute on Addictions, and other hospitals and community agencies serving both children and adults.

The program has emphases in both adult and child psychopathology and interventions. By working with specific faculty and selecting appropriate courses, it is possible for students to focus on specialized areas, such as adult mood and anxiety disorders, relationship dysfunction, and externalizing disorders of childhood. Our program recognizes cross-cultural issues in clinical research and practice and in our curriculum, and welcomes cultural diversity among our students and the clinical populations we serve.

Our program is designed to develop the skills necessary for becoming a clinical researcher, and to prepare students for careers in academic settings, such as psychology and psychiatry departments. Our students have done very well in competing for the best internships and professional placements, and many of our graduates have risen to positions of prominence and leadership in the field. Our aim is to provide each student with the quality of training that would afford that same opportunity.

We are particularly interested in applicants to our program who have extensive research experience. As part of our selection process, we ask those applicants who are being seriously considered for admission to visit the department and meet our faculty and students; we believe this is the best way to learn about our program and how it will meet students' objectives.


More Information on the Clinical Program

Apply Online

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[ Behavioral Neuroscience ] • [ Clinical ] • [ Cognitive ] • [ Social-Personality ]

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Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
Send comments to: psych@buffalo.edu | Last updated: September 4, 2002