Clinical Psychological Science (PhD)
Admission Requirements
The Clinical Psychological Science PhD Program application deadline is December 1.
Completed graduate applications should be submitted online to the University of Louisville, Graduate School. For additional information regarding the admissions application students may call the Graduate School at (502) 852-6495.
Our PhD programs admit students to begin in the fall semester, with a usual start date of August 1. Applicants must provide the following:
- All applicants for whom English is a second language must also submit official TOEFL scores of 79 or higher on the internet-based test, 213 or higher on the computer-based test. English proficiency can also be met by submitting official IELTS scores of at least 6.5 overall band score from the academic module exam or official Duolingo overall score of 105. Students holding a bachelor's or advanced degree from an accredited institution in the United States may be exempt from this requirement.
- Transcripts of college records from all schools attended must be submitted to the Graduate School. Students must have earned an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university.
- Three letters of recommendation from academic sources are required and must be submitted to the Graduate School.
Application materials are available online and additional information can be found here.
The Clinical Psychological Science PhD curriculum contains department/general core courses, clinical core courses, and other required courses in areas such as diversity and history. The curriculum closely follows guidelines for accreditation established and maintained by the American Psychological Association's Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation.
General Core
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Area A: Cognitive Aspects of Behavior | ||
| PSYC 620 | Human Learning | 3 |
| or PSYC 621 | Cognitive Processes | |
| Area B: Biological Aspects of Behavior | ||
| PSYC 642 | Behavioral Neuroscience | 3 |
| or PSYC 643 | Principles of Neuroscience | |
| or PSYC 645 | Cognitive Neuroscience | |
| Area C | ||
| PSYC 670 | Advanced Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 661 | Advanced Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 673 | Advanced Personality Theory | 3 |
| Area D: Statistical Analysis | ||
| PSYC 610 & PSYC 611 | Advanced Statistics I Advanced Statistics II | 6 |
| Minimum Total General Core Hours | 21 | |
Clinical Core
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 656 | Professional and Ethical Issues in Clinical Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 679 & PSYC 680 | Introduction to Assessment and Clinical Skills Intellectual and Cognitive Assessment | 6 |
| PSYC 683 | Advanced Research Methods in Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 684 | Psychological Interventions | 3 |
| PSYC 685 | Clinical Psychology Practicum (multiple semesters) 1 | 6 |
| PSYC 686 | Assessment Practicum | 1 |
| PSYC 689 | Clinical Psychopathology | 3 |
| PSYC 693 | Interviewing Skills Practicum | 3 |
| PSYC 694 | Supervision Practicum | 1 |
| Minimum Total Clinical Core Hours | 29 | |
Other Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 601 | History of Modern Psychology | 3 |
| Culture & Diversity | 3 | |
Students are required to complete one graduate course in culture and diversity. This course is typically taken in the department but can be taken in another department with consent of the Director of Clinical Training. | ||
| Seminar | 3 | |
Students are required to complete a minimum of one graduate seminar offered within the department. A seminar/course offered in other departments may be considered to fulfill this requirement with the consent of the Director of Clinical Training. | ||
| Research | 6 | |
| Clinical Internship | 0 | |
Students will complete a one-year approved internship (PSYC 795 - Fall, Spring, Summer) | ||
| Minimum Total Other Hours | 20 | |
| MINIMUM TOTAL HOURS | 70 | |
- 1
A minimum of six (6) cumulative credit hours are required for the PhD; students are expected to have an annual minimum of 160 direct contact hours in order to fulfill this requirement. Students get additional contact hours when they do external practicum placements (PSYC 785).
The Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology program prepares students to meet the requirements for certification and/or licensure. If you plan to pursue professional licensure or certification you should first determine your state’s criteria for examination and licensure to see how/if our program meets those requirements prior to enrollment. We recommend that you also contact your state’s licensing board directly to verify that the requirements have not changed recently and to answer any questions especially those regarding additional requirements beyond the degree.
More information about certification or licensure is available at the following website: https://louisville.edu/oapa/licensure-information (you may search by school or by the name of the program then click on 'View Details' to display the information).
