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Doctor of Philosophy in the Field of Clinical Psychology
The PhD in clinical psychology program follows the scientist-practitioner model. In this American Psychological Association-accredited program, students are trained as applied researchers and scientists, developing skills in the research methods used to advance knowledge of the causes, prevention and treatment of emotional, behavioral and interpersonal problems.
Program faculty subscribe to a range of theoretical orientations, including cognitive-behavioral, family systems, social ecology, and community frameworks. These faculty perspectives enable students to develop a broad base of knowledge, as well as specialize in particular areas of research and/or evidence-based application.
The program’s coursework, research, and clinical training embrace a community psychology perspective that emphasizes the importance of understanding the associations between individuals and the settings and systems in which they are embedded. This ecological orientation is evident throughout the curriculum and reflects the program theme: prevention and health promotion in diverse urban communities. Because of this focus, the clinical psychology program is also recognized by the Society for Community Research and Action as a doctoral clinical–community training program.
The PhD in clinical psychology is a STEM-designated program.
Visit the program website for additional information
| Admission deadlines: | Fall: December 1 |
| Standardized test scores: | The GRE general exam is not required. |
| 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 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: | Course prerequisites: applicants need to meet program course requirements in one of three ways: |
| a) Have an undergraduate Bachelor's degree in psychology | |
| b) Have a Master’s degree in psychology | |
| c) For Non-Psychology majors - Complete at least six undergraduate or graduate courses in psychology, including Statistics, Research Methods, Abnormal Psychology, and three general content courses (such as developmental psychology, social psychology, cognitive psychology, personality, biological bases of behavior, or history and systems of 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 your chosen field. Include your academic objectives, research interests, research experience and career plans. Also discuss your related qualifications, including collegiate, professional, and community activities, and any other substantial accomplishments not already mentioned on the application. If you are applying for an assistantship or fellowship, you should also describe any teaching experience you have had. |
| Interview: | An interview is required. |
| Additional requirements: | Applicants will rank two faculty members whose research interests best match their current research interests (1 = first choice, 2 = second choice). Applicants should review eligible core faculty and bios and indicate their ranking on the online application for the PhD program in clinical psychology. |
| International applicants only: | Please review International Applicant Information carefully for details on required documents and English language requirements. |
For more information on the admission process, please visit the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences Frequently Asked Questions page.
Supporting documents not submitted online should be mailed to:
Columbian College of Arts and Sciences – Graduate Admissions Office
The George Washington University
801 22nd Street NW, Phillips Hall 215
Washington DC 20052
Contact for questions:
askccas@gwu.edu ~ 202-994-6210 (phone) ~ 202-994-6213 (fax)
8:30 am – 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday
The following requirements must be fulfilled:
The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Programs.
The requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Program.
72 credits, including 54 credits in required courses, 6 credits in elective courses, and 12 credits in dissertation. Students also take five zero-credit courses and successfully complete a comprehensive examination.
In addition, students are required to obtain clinical training, including a minimum of two assessment practica and two therapy practica in the Meltzer Center’s Psychological and Community-Based Services, and to complete a one-year Psychology Internship Training Program. In almost all cases this will be an APA- approved predoctoral internship program.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| Methods/Statistics | ||
| DNSC 6274 | Statistical Modeling and Analysis | |
| DNSC 6275 | Advanced Statistical Modeling and Analysis | |
| DNSC 6276 | Exploratory and Multivariate Data Analysis | |
| PSYC 8202 | Psychological Research Methods and Procedures | |
| Breadth | ||
| PSYC 8210 | Developmental Theories and Issues | |
| PSYC 8250 | Seminar in Cognitive Neuroscience | |
| PSYC 8253 | Social Cognition | |
| Clinical core | ||
| PSYC 8207 | Psychological Assessment I | |
| PSYC 8208 | Psychological Assessment II | |
| PSYC 8211 | Community Psychology I | |
| PSYC 8212 | Community Psychology II | |
| PSYC 8218 | Evidence-Based Interventions | |
| PSYC 8220 | Ethics and Professional Issues | |
| PSYC 8236 | Ethnic and Racial Diversity in Psychology | |
| PSYC 8237 | The Practice of General Psychology I | |
| PSYC 8238 | The Practice of General Psychology II | |
| PSYC 8239 | Lifespan Developmental Psychopathology I | |
| PSYC 8240 | Lifespan Developmental Psychopathology II | |
| Required zero-credit courses | ||
| PSYC 8280 | Theories and Practice of Clinical Supervision | |
| PSYC 8283 | First Year Seminar I: Motivational Interviewing | |
| PSYC 8284 | First Year Seminar II: Introduction to Therapy | |
| PSYC 8285 | History and Systems of Psychology | |
| PSYC 8286 | Clinical Psychology Externship | |
| Electives | ||
| 6 credits in elective courses outside of the clinical program. | ||
| Dissertation | ||
| PSYC 8998 | Advanced Reading and Research | |
| PSYC 8999 | Dissertation Research | |