Psychology (Clinical), PhD
Train as a clinical scientist in a top-ranked, APA- and PCSAS-accredited program. You'll work alongside nationally recognized faculty, blend rigorous research with supervised practica and internships, honing evidence-based skills to tackle mental and behavioral health challenges.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
International students (F1) can extend U.S. work experience by 24 months.
Accreditation and professional licensure
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
The Doctor of Philosophy program in psychology with a clinical concentration trains students in the clinical science model, blending research and clinical practice to improve understanding and treatment of mental and behavioral health. Accredited by the American Psychological Association and the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System, the clinical concentration program emphasizes rigorous research and evidence-based approaches to clinical work.
Students conduct research on the causes, development and treatment of behavioral and emotional disorders while learning to evaluate and apply interventions grounded in science. Coursework and research training promote critical thinking about psychological assessment, intervention and prevention across populations and settings. Research and mentorship are central to the program. Students work with faculty on research, contributing to all stages from study design to dissemination while applying findings to clinical psychological questions.
Clinical training begins in the second year with supervised practicum placements and culminates in a one-year, full-time internship. These experiences take place in university and community settings and emphasize ethical practice shaped by cultural awareness and scientific evidence. Students can customize their elective coursework in the following areas:
- community and prevention --- examining social and environmental influences on mental health and substance use and designing interventions to promote healthy outcomes
- child clinical psychology --- training in assessing, treating and preventing childhood disorders, with attention to family stress and resilience
- health psychology --- exploring connections between psychological processes and physical health and medical care
Faculty research spans substance use, evidence-based treatment, child and adolescent development, health psychology, trauma and adversity and cultural influences on mental health. Through mentorship and interdisciplinary collaboration, the PhD program in psychology with a clinical concentration prepares students to advance clinical psychology as both a science and a practice.
GI Bill® benefits
This new program is not yet approved for use with GI Bill® benefits.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation
Required Core (3 credit hours) Concentration (11 credit hours) Other Requirements (23 credit hours) Didactic Training for Clinical (3 credit hours) Research (12 credit hours) Domain-Specific Knowledge (6 credit hours) Electives and Research (14 credit hours) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information This program includes required, in-person clinical learning placements. External Practicum Placements occur in semesters 5-10 (after completing the foundational coursework and the in-house clinical training) and are typically in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The External Internship for the Predoctoral Psychology culminating clinical training experience occurs during semesters 11-12 and is commonly performed outside of the state of Arizona.
PSY 502 Professional Issues in Psychology (3)
PSY 530 Intermed Statistics (4)
PSY 531 Multiple Regression in Psychological Research (4)
PSY 573 Psychopathology (3)
PSY 598 Topic: Clinical Interviewing and Ethics (3)
PSY 600 Research Methods (3)
PSY 680 Clinical Training I (3)
PSY 680 Clinical Training II (3)
PSY 680 Clinical Training III (4)
PSY 780 ATM Assessment (3)
PSY 780 ATM Topic (3)
PSY 784 Internship (1)
PSY 574 Psychotherapy (3) or PSY 591 Child and Family Therapy (3)
PSY 692 Research-Intensive Project (6)
PSY 792 Research (6)
PSY 799 Dissertation (12)
In addition to the required coursework, students need to work with their faculty advisor to determine what additional coursework is required in the domain-specific knowledge area (also known as DSK), which is intended to provide discipline-specific knowledge in psychology, consistent with APA Standards of Accreditation. Students must fulfill the DSK requirements in the following topical areas: Affective, Biological, Cognitive, Developmental and Social. Students in the program are also expected to complete a research-intensive project to ensure that they can demonstrate advanced competence in independent psychological research prior to comprehensive exams and dissertation work.
Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in psychology and behavioral health related fields from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.30 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. Applicants are required to submit: Additional Admission Information To apply to the doctoral program, applicants must follow the instructions on the doctoral program admission instructions and checklist. It is strongly recommended that applicants download and print this form to ensure completion of the application process and to include all of the required supplemental forms. The Department of Psychology application process is completed online through ASU's graduate admission services, which includes the application form and official transcripts. Application to the Department of Psychology doctoral programs is also completed via SlideRoom, for processing of supplemental application materials. The SlideRoom account requires an additional fee. Applicants must submit three academic letters of recommendation from faculty members who know the student well. Three letters are required, but four letters of recommendation may be submitted. Applicants must complete and submit a statement of purpose consisting of responses to, at minimum, two of the three prompts. Applicants may submit GRE® scores, but they are not required. ASU does not accept the GRE® General Test at home edition.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 11/17 | Final* |
*A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Admission Services by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
The PhD in psychology with a clinical concentration prepares graduates to be clinical scientists who pursue research-focused careers in academia and medical centers. Some graduates also pursue licensure as psychologists and obtain jobs in hospitals, health care and public service.
Overall, graduates are prepared for impactful roles such as:
- data scientist-biostatistician
- licensed clinical psychologist
- program evaluation specialist
- psychology professor
- research professor
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
Department of Psychology
|
PSY 201
psychgrad@asu.edu
480-727-4561
Admission deadlines
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
