University General Course Catalog 2024-2025
Psychology (Clinical), Ph.D
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 Return to: Programs in the College of Science
The clinical psychology program at the University of Nevada, Reno has been accredited by the American Psychological Association since 1972 and is a charter member of the Academy of Clinical Science.
The program uses a clinical science model, which means that training in the research and science of clinical psychology is a centerpiece of our program. Prospective students are matched with research mentors from the beginning of their first year in the program. To facilitate hands-on research experience, a grant proposal and a research paper (empirical, chapter, or review) constitute our students’ comprehensive exams. This is followed by a master’s (or master’s-equivalent) project and a dissertation. These program requirements were carefully designed to provide students with the strong foundational skills they need to become independent clinical scientists.
While the program focuses on developing clinical scientists, we also include a strong focus on clinical training. A relatively unique aspect of our program is that clinical supervision is conducted directly by a subset of the clinical faculty during the first three years at our in-house Psychological Services Center. Strong clinical training is essential for students to gain perspective of the needs in the field and to advance the discipline of clinical science. The clinical training we offer at the PSC is informed by research and focuses primarily on behavioral and cognitive-behavioral models, with some opportunities for mindfulness-based intervention and training. In addition to in-house training, students provide services at partnering agencies in the Reno community. These community placements span from inpatient to outpatient settings, and have included opportunities to practice psychological assessment, CBT, DBT, and ACT. This array of clinical experiences, alongside rigorous clinical science, positions our student to be highly competitive for internship.
In accordance with the guidelines from the APA Commission on Accreditation, students may contact the Commission at the Education Directorate, American Psychological Association:
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 1st Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
Phone: (202) 336-5979
E-mail: apaaccred@apa.org
Webpage
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Program Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- demonstrate proficiency in basic psychology.
- contribute to scientific knowledge by conducting original research projects.
- explain key principles in clinical psychology.
- demonstrate effective clinical skills guided by empiricism.
Admission Requirements
We welcome your application. Your complete application must be received by December 1. Required forms and a description of materials are available by clicking here.
Approximately 6-7 students are admitted each year, most with funding. The Clinical Psychology program is dedicated to the active recruitment of a diverse group of students and faculty. It supports the University’s core values encouraging diversity and equal educational and employment opportunities throughout our community.
A. Basic Psychology Training
Training in basic psychology is designed to maximize flexibility while at the same time meet APA requirements for breadth of training. Two other areas exist in the Department: Cognitive and Brain Sciences and Behavior Analysis. The department also participates in an interdisciplinary program in Social Psychology. A wide variety of courses and seminars are taught in these areas.
B. Research Training
Students affiliate with one or more faculty for research training beginning in their first semester. Students normally are involved in research throughout their time in the program. Most students far exceed the minimum number of research projects required, namely, a predoctoral project, two comps projects, and the doctoral dissertation.
C. Didactic Clinical Training
Didactic clinical training includes training in psychopathology, assessment, and intervention cultural diversity, and ethics.
D. Practical Training
Students begin practical training in the first year of graduate training by sitting in on a treatment team, observing cases, and supervision. In their second and third years, most students take a clinical practicum in the Psychological Service Center (PSC). This practicum involves trainees for about 10 hours per week, and includes direct service hours (approximately 3 clients per week), supervision (2 to 4 hours per week), paperwork, and both formal and informal training. The PSC is an in-house, community-oriented clinic serving the greater Reno community. Training and treatment are provided by service teams, all supervised by clinical faculty. A list of clinical teams can be seen by clicking here.
In their fourth year, most students work in a community externship agency.
In their fifth year students complete a year-long, full-time APA-approved internship. Our program’s students have always been extremely competitive at the top internship sites.
E. Typical Curriculum
Core Clinical Courses
Diversity
General Psychology Core (Note: a number of options exist to meet these requirements, and the options change based on course availability. The courses are not listed here, but are listed in the student handbook, a.k.a. Blue Book) (9 units minimum)
- Affective aspects of behavior
- Biological aspects of behavior
- Cognitive aspects of behavior
- Developmental aspects of behavior
- Social aspects of behavior
- Advanced integrative knowledge
Methods and Statistics Core
Research
Practica (at least 8 units total of the following)
- Supervised clinical practica (PSY 714 - Clinical Practicum, variable credit)
- Externship (PSY 773 – Clinical Psychology Half-Time Externship, variable credit)
Internship
- Full-time Internship (PSY 774 – Clinical Psychology Full-Time Internship, 1 unit per semester during internship year)
II. Total Units (60 units, including 40 units of coursework)
Undergraduate Prerequisites
Abnormal Psychology, Personality, and Statistics courses are highly recommended.
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