Graduate Study and Career
Options in Clinical Psychology
Bryan R. Loney, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology
Florida State University
What is Clinical Psychology?
The field of clinical psychology
integrates science, theory, and practice
to understand, predict, and alleviate
maladjustment, disability, and
discomfort as well as to promote human
adaptation, adjustment, and personal
development.
What is Clinical Psychology?
Clinical Psychology focuses on the
cognitive, emotional, social, behavioral,
and biological contributors to human
functioning across the life span, in
varying cultures, and at all
socioeconomic levels.
Increasing interdisciplinary and
collaborative nature to the science
What Do Clinical Psychologists Do?
Therapy
Assessment
Research
Teaching and Supervision
Program Development and Evaluation
Administration
Consultation
Public Policy
Where Do Clinical Psychologists Work?
Private Practice and Counseling Centers
Individual and/or group therapy
Colleges and universities
Hospitals
Industries / Business
Legal & Governmental Agencies
Military
Managed Healthcare Organizations
Doctorate Degrees
Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Scientist-Practitioner (or Clinical Science)
Psy.D.
Doctor of Clinical Psychology
Practitioner-Scientist
History of degree
Other options?
Alternatives to PhD Program in
Clinical Psychology
Other PhD options
Counseling vs. Clinical
Educational, School, Experimental, Combined…
Developmental
Neuroscience, Social, Cognitive, etc.
Masters Programs
• Clinical • Combined School-Counseling
• Counseling • Social Work
• Mental Health Counseling • Marriage and Family Therapy
• School • Art Therapy
• Experimental • Etc.
Getting Started
Basic questions
Do I want to do therapy?
Do I want to conduct assessments?
Do I want to do research?
Do I want to teach?
Where do I want to work?
As demonstrated by what?
Overarching importance of faculty
advising and mentoring
Masters versus Doctorate?
Trap of seeking letters rather than
appropriate amount of training
Breadth of training and issues of
flexibility and autonomy
Terminal versus non-terminal masters?
Back to initial questions
Desire to teach? Where?
Investment analogy: Careful planning,
preparation, and diversification
Top 5 Tips for Getting into a
Ph.D. Clinical Program
Focus on coursework and GPA
Faculty mentoring
Research experience
Volunteer clinical experience
Research Experience
Thoughtful program selection and
preparation for standardized testing
Research Experience
Alternatives cont.
Overwhelmed?
Mentoring, the internet, and other resources
A word about application criteria…
Terminal masters degree in psychology
Where do graduates work?
Can they be licensed (state/national)?
Third party reimbursement?
Research requirements?
Don’t lose sight of basic questions…
Books of Interest
American Psychological Association (2006).
Graduate study in psychology. Washington, DC:
Author.
Sayette, M. A., Mayne, T. J., & Norcross, J. C.
(2004/2005). Insider’s guide to graduate
programs in clinical and counseling psychology.
New York: The Guilford Press.
American Psychological Association (1993).
Getting in: A step-by-step plan for gaining
admission to graduate school in psychology.
Washington, DC: Author.
Web Sites of Interest
American Psychological Association
www.apa.org/students
Careers web site
http://www.psychwww.com
Center for Civic Education and Service
http://www.fsu.edu/~service/
FSU Department of Psychology
www.psy.fsu.edu