Doctor of Psychology in the Field of Clinical Psychology

Offered through the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences’ social and behavioral sciences discipline, the professional psychology program teaches students clinical research methods for new discoveries. Students receive in-depth psychodynamic training that combines extensive practical experience with classes on scientific foundations of psychology taught by seasoned clinicians, scholars, and researchers. Students also study cognitive behavioral, systems, and community consultation approaches. They have opportunities to learn group, family, and short-term interventions and to work in hospital, forensic, and school settings.

The professional psychology program offers a substantive introduction to the basic science aspects of psychology and the skills required of a clinical psychologist. Students take a series of foundation courses outlining biological, cognitive, social, and cultural foundations; basic and more advanced clinical courses, such as psychopathology, group dynamics, assessment, psychotherapy, supervision, and consultation; and research methods, statistics, history, and systems and ethics courses.

The advanced curriculum offers courses tailored within three broad tracks: adult, assessment, and child. In addition to coursework, students work with a diverse patient population at different public and private agencies as well as at the department’s in-house clinic.

Upon completion of curriculum requirements and prior to receiving the PsyD, students perform a one-year, full-time internship.

Visit the program website for additional information.

Admission deadlines:	Fall – December 1
Standardized test scores:	GRE general test is not required. Applicants without a degree in psychology should submit the GRE Subject Test in psychology. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the PTE Academic is required of all applicants except those who hold a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a college or university in the United States or from an institution located in a country in which English is the official language, provided English was the language of instruction. Minimum scores for the Psy.D. program are: Academic IELTS: an overall band score of 7.0 with no individual score below 6.0; or TOEFL: 600 on paper-based or 100 on Internet-based; or PTE Academic: 68;
Prerequisite requirements:	A bachelor’s degree in psychology with relevant background and experience, or a master’s degree in psychology.
Recommendations required:	Three (3) recommendations
Prior academic records:	Transcripts are required from all colleges and universities attended, whether or not credit was earned, the program was completed, or the credit appears as transfer credit on another transcript. Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be uploaded to your online application. Official transcripts are required only of applicants who are offered admission. If transcripts are in a language other than English, English language translations must be provided. The English translation alone should be uploaded into your application.
Statement of purpose:	In an essay of 250 – 500 words, state your purpose in undertaking graduate study in clinical psychology. Include your clinical and research interests and your career plans. In addition, as a window on your self-awareness, interpersonal perception, and understanding of other perspectives, in three 250 word essays: 1) describe yourself; 2) describe someone you know well; 3) describe how that person would describe you.
Interview:	An on-campus interview is required.
International applicants only:	Please review International Applicant Information carefully for details on required documents and English language requirements.

Supporting documents not submitted online should be mailed to:

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Office of Graduate Studies
The George Washington University
801 22nd Street NW, Phillips Hall 107
Washington DC 20052

For additional information about the admissions process visit the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences Frequently Asked Questions page.

Contact:

askccas@gwu.edu
202-994-6210 (phone)

Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Programs.

Satisfactory completion of at least 83 credits of approved graduate coursework. A maximum of 12 credits may be taken in courses offered by the other affiliated members of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington DC Metropolitan Area. Doctor of psychology students must complete all degree requirements within five years of matriculation in the program.

Successful completion of required courses, practical requirements, general examination, and major area paper.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Required
Core courses
PSYD 8201	Psychological Assessment
PSYD 8202	Psychological Assessment
PSYD 8203	Practicum in Clinical Psychology
PSYD 8204	Biological Bases of Clinical Psychology
PSYD 8205	Psychodynamic Psychopathology
PSYD 8206	Cognitive Bases of Clinical Psychology
PSYD 8207	Group and Organizational Dynamics
PSYD 8209	Statistics and Research Design
PSYD 8210	Professional Issues
PSYD 8220	Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
PSYD 8221	Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
PSYD 8222	Behavioral–Cognitive Therapies
PSYD 8225	Theories of Mind
PSYD 8226	Ego Psychology/Object Relations Theory
PSYD 8227	History and Systems of Clinical Psychology
PSYD 8231	Short-Term Psychotherapy
or PSYD 8240	Group Psychotherapy
PSYD 8246	Community Intervention (Consultation)
PSYD 8261	Life Span Development
PSYD 8270	Current Topics in Clinical Psychology
Topics offered annually under PSYD 8270 include Psychological Assessment III, Empirical Research, Prevention, and Supervision.
Additional coursework
Sufficient courses chosen from one of three tracks (adult, assessment, or child and adolescent) to complete the minimum requirement of 83 credits in graduate courses.

Practical requirements

Practicum

Successful completion of the practicum seminar PSYD 8203 in the summer of the first year and each fall and spring semester thereafter, as well as an additional practicum during a summer session.

Externship

Successful completion of an externship comprising a year-long, part-time supervised clinical assignment in two years of the program. A failed externship may, in exceptional circumstances and with the approval of the program director, be repeated. If the student fails a second time, no further opportunity will be provided, and the student’s degree candidacy is terminated.

Internship

Successful completion of a one-year, full-time internship at an institution approved by the program faculty is required. If the student fails the internship, no further opportunity will be provided and the student's degree candidacy is terminated.

General Examination

Satisfactory completion of the general examination.

Major area paper

Satisfactory completion of a major area paper.