Doctor of Philosophy in the Field of Clinical Psychology (STEM)

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 physical health problems within diverse communities.

The program's coursework, research, and clinical training are grounded in developmental and social-ecological perspectives that attend to the intersection of multiple forms of diversity and recognize the impacts of systemic oppression on individuals and communities. 

Faculty subscribe to a range of theoretical orientations, including cognitive-behavioral, family systems, social-ecological, and community frameworks. These perspectives enable students to develop a broad base of knowledge and the opportunity to specialize in particular areas of research and evidence-based application.

This is a STEM designated program.

Visit the program website for additional information

Visit the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences website for application 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 for questions:

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.

72 credits, including at least 51 credits in required courses, and at least 6 credits in dissertation research. Students are also required to take five 0-credit courses and to successfully complete three comprehensive evaluations (research, assessment, and therapy), teaching and ethics requirements, and an oral defense of the dissertation proposal.

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 pre-doctoral internship program.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required
Methods/Statistics
PSYC 8205	Multiple Regression Analysis in Psychological and Social Sciences
PSYC 8206	Multivariate Analysis and Modeling
PSYC 8202	Psychological Research Methods and Procedures
Breadth
PSYC 8210	Developmental Theories and Issues
PSYC 8250	Foundations 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 0-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 (taken for a least 4 semesters)
Dissertation
PSYC 8999	Dissertation Research (taken for at least 6 credits)
Candidacy assessment process
To advance to candidacy, students must successfully complete 45 credits of required coursework and all required 0-credit courses (except PSYC 8280 and 2 semesters of PSYC 8286), three comprehensive evaluations (research, assessment, and therapy), and teaching and ethics requirements.