phd clinical psychology michigan

Ph.D. in Psychology: Clinical

Wayne State's Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology offers intensive training in clinical neuropsychology and child/adolescent clinical psychology, with additional opportunities in clinical health psychology, clinical/community psychology, substance abuse/dependence and trauma psychology. Our extensive network of affiliated faculty and facilities provides research and clinical training in many other areas, including infant mental health, gerontology, rehabilitation, forensics and primary care.

View program faculty

View curriculum

Request info

Our students are prepared first as psychologists, second as clinical psychologists and third as clinical psychologists with specific expertise. Thus, all students receive a) discipline-specific knowledge in the broad areas of psychology, b) didactic and clinical training in psychopathology, ethics, assessment and intervention across the age range and with diverse populations and c) focused training in a specific minor area or concentration.

Our clinical psychology graduates routinely take positions of leadership and innovation in dealing with clinical problems within the context of the individual, family and community. Our urban setting and commitment to addressing the needs of the underserved allow us to offer clinical training and research opportunities in numerous clinical settings with a wide variety of health problems across a broad spectrum of socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural populations.

Ever since its initial accreditation by the APA in 1960, the Wayne State University Ph.D. program in clinical psychology has been widely recognized as a leader in the scientist-practitioner tradition. We proudly follow that model, as we educate highly skilled psychologists who competently provide a broad range of professional services, contribute to scientific development by conducting research and disseminate knowledge effectively by educating and training others.

View student admissions, outcomes and other data

Fall 2024 incoming class

We expect to recruit seven or eight new students into the clinical psychology program for fall 2024. These core clinical psychology faculty are open to recruiting new graduate students:

• Christopher Trentacosta
• Emily Grekin
• Mark Lumley
• Valerie Simon

In addition, these faculty in other areas of the Department of Psychology are open to mentoring the research of graduate students who are in the clinical psychology program. Students working with one of these faculty have a clinical area faculty member on their mentoring team to serve as a clinical area advisor:

• Olivenne Skinner
• Ty Partridge

These clinical psychology faculty are not recruiting students:

• Douglas Barnett
• John Woodard
• Lisa Rapport

Note that the GRE General Test and psychology subtest will be accepted as optional or supplementary material to your application for fall 2024 admission. You may submit one or both sets of scores for consideration if you wish. We will review all applications, with or without GRE scores.

Our admissions interviews will be scheduled for mid to late February 2024. We have not yet decided whether interviews will be held in person or remotely. If interviews are remote, applicants who are offered admission will be able to visit the campus prior to making their decision if they wish.

View graduate admissions info

Concentrations in clinical psychology

Our program has long been a national leader in clinical neuropsychology training. We are affiliated with APA Division 40 (neuropsychology) and provide education that is consistent with the Houston conference guidelines for training in clinical neuropsychology. Our program collaborates with Wayne State's Institute of Gerontology and is a member of the Council of Professional Gerontology Training Programs.

Students interested in this concentration are expected to complete courses in the biological basis of behavior, clinical neuropsychology, neuropsychological assessment and may take other courses such as neuroscience and neuroanatomy. These students receive clinical neuropsychology training at various placements in the Detroit area, such as the Rehabilitation Institute of Medicine, Ann Arbor VA, the University of Michigan Medical Center, Beaumont Hospital, Henry Ford Hospital and Children's Hospital, where they are supervised by neuropsychologists. Research related to neuropsychology is usually mentored by Drs. Lisa Rapport or John Woodard (and occasionally by Peter Lichtenberg ) and for those interested in child/pediatric neuropsychology, by Dr. Sarah Raz .

Our program is a member of the Clinical Child and Pediatric Psychology Training Council (CCaPPTC) . Students who wish to pursue a career working with children or adolescents typically complete advanced courses in child psychopathology and various courses related to developmental psychology.

A dual-title Ph.D. in Infant Mental Health is also available. Students receive clinical training at the Children's Center, General Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine (GPAM), Project Challenge at Children's Hospital, Hawthorn Center, The Guidance Center and several private or group practices run by our alumni. Student research in child clinical psychology is usually mentored by Drs. Douglas Barnett , Christopher Trentacosta or Valerie Simon , as well as developmental psychologist, Marjorie Beeghly .

Other training foci

Our program is a member of the Council of Clinical Health Psychology Training Programs (CCHPTP). Students who wish to pursue careers in medically-oriented settings or health-related problems typically will take Health Psychology I and II and Biological Bases of Health Psychology. These students receive clinical training (and often conduct outside research) at Beaumont Family Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, Beaumont Pain Clinic and Wayne State Life Stress Center. Student research in health psychology is usually mentored by Dr. Mark Lumley as well as social health psychologist, Dr. Samuele Zilioli .

Students wishing to focus on community-based problems such as homelessness, poverty, serious mental illness and related issues will usually complete Community Psychology or Theories and Methods of Program Evaluation, as well as courses outside the department (e.g., public health). These students receive clinical training in setting such as the Michigan Forensic Center, the Wayne State Counseling and Psychological Services center and local community mental health organizations. Student research is usually mentored by Dr. Paul Toro .

Students interested in this topic usually conduct research with Dr. Emily Grekin and possibly with other departmental faculty such as social psychologists Antonia Abbey , Catalina Kopetz , or Tim Bogg . Clinical training is typically conducted at Wayne State's Tolan Park Substance Abuse Program , which usually includes clinical research opportunities. Coursework in addictions can be taken in the psychiatry department.

Dr. Mark Lumley studies the health effects of stress and trauma. Clinical training opportunities include the Life Stress Center at Detroit Receiving Hospital and the Trauma service at Henry Ford Hospital.

General info

Majoring in clinical psychology encompasses:

• Discipline-specific knowledge about the biological, social, cognitive, affective and developmental bases of behavior, along with the history of psychology.
• Profession-wide competencies, including professional ethics, psychopathology, psychological assessment, psychological interventions, supervision and consultation and research methods and statistics.
• Clinical training at our in-house Psychology Clinic , external placements and an accredited predoctoral internship
• Research training in faculty laboratories and sometimes at external training sites.

All of the above are conducted with substantial exposure to and training in individual and cultural diversity, ethical and legal standards and communication and interpersonal skills.

Admission to our clinical psychology Ph.D. program is competitive. Each year, we receive about 200 to 250 applications, interview about 35 applicants and admit about 10 to 14 applicants to obtain an incoming class of seven or eight students. Admitted applicants' undergraduate (or master's program) GPAs are always above 3.0 (and usually much higher) and they show evidence of strong language and writing skills as well as quantitative abilities (e.g., good grades in statistics or other math courses or evidence or statistical skill in their research).

Although we are a scientist-practitioner program, we are more research-oriented than many programs that follow this model; thus, experience in conducting research and interest in continuing to do so are vital and weighed heavily in admissions . Student match with our program's philosophy and with specific faculty research areas are also very important considerations. Potential applicants should consider the interests and expertise of our faculty, compare them to their own educational goals and discuss this in their personal statement as well as identify potential mentors of interest on the application portal .

Three letters of recommendation should provide us with valuable information about applicants' past level of achievement, their potential for excellence in academic, research, clinical settings and their emotional and interpersonal maturity to become a clinician.

It's important to note that we review applicants' entire portfolio to obtain a holistic picture of their backgrounds and unique characteristics . We seek applicants who demonstrate not only strong academic, research and clinical potential, but also initiative, resilience and leadership characteristics. We seek applicants who are committed to improving the lives of urban populations, including ethnic/racial minorities and the socioeconomically disadvantaged.  We also encourage applications from individuals whose backgrounds are under-represented in clinical psychology .

The program is year-round, intensive and full-time ; students often spend 60+ hours per week in program-related activities. Most of our students spend five years in residence before conducting a year-long internship in their sixth year, at the end of which they graduate. Students entering with a master's degree in psychology may spend one year less in the program (i.e., four years in residence and one year on internship). The department strives to ensure that all students who are making good progress are funded (a stipend plus almost all of their tuition) for the first four years and students are routinely funded in their fifth year as well.

The Clinical Psychology Graduate Student Handbook provides extensive information about our program. We invite you to review this to learn more about our program. Applicants who are made an offer of admission to our program are expected to read this handbook and endorse its content (including ethics policies) as a condition of admission.

As a member of the Council of University Directors of Clinical Training (CUDCP), our program adheres to CUDCP's policies and guidelines for graduate school admissions, offers and acceptance. For additional information about these policies, see the summary of CUDCP policy . More information about clinical psychology and application tips also can be found at clinicalpsychgradschool.org , offered by CUDCP.

The Ph.D. program in clinical psychology at Wayne State University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association through 2028. Questions related to the program's accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:

American Psychological Association Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation 750 First Street, NE Washington, DC 20002-4242 202-336-5979, [email protected]

Alia Allen , academic services officer III [email protected] ,  313-577-2823

Career insights

This tool provides a broad overview of how major selection can lead to careers and is provided without any implied promise of employment. Some careers will require further education, skills, or competencies. Actual salaries may vary significantly between similar employers and could change by graduation, as could employment opportunities and job titles.

Graduate College

Psychology: clinical psychology (ph.d.),   application deadlines.

  For Fall semester: December 1.

  Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV)

A resume or curriculum vitae (CV) is required; please submit within the online application system.

  Graduate test

The GRE is currently being waived until further notice.

Note: International applicants may have to provide evidence of English language proficiency. More information can be found within the online application.

  Recommendations

This program requires three recommendations letters.

Please send emails requests for such letters from within the online system, and specifically request that your recommenders complete both the ratings checklist AND attach a letter of recommendation.

  Written statement

Please prepare a statement which covers the following information, and attach it within the online application:

Summarize your experiences in academic, professional, research, creative, or scholarly activities, and indicate how these experiences make you an ideal candidate for graduate study in your selected program. Also address how these activities align with the strengths of your chosen program and faculty, and with your professional goals, including future job positions. This statement (double-spaced and between 500 – 1500 words) should demonstrate your communication skills and writing competence.

  Previous written work

Please attach a writing sample within the online application, with this sample being a maximum of 20 pages (e.g., publication, portion of honor’s thesis, presentation, class paper).

  Other program materials

Complete the supplemental questions asked in the online application.

  Transcript requirement

An official transcript from the institution from which you received your bachelor degree is required, as well as a transcript from the institution(s) where any additional graduate level courses or degrees have been taken/completed. Applicants are not required to submit an official transcript of courses taken/completed at WMU.

  Additional information

If you have any questions, please review the website below for program and contact information.

Department of Psychology — College of Arts and Sciences

Start my application now

Return to All Program Summaries

Clinical Health Psychology

Master of science: specialization in clinical health psychology.

This two-year, 48-credit program trains mental health care providers to work with a variety of medical populations, as well as in more traditional clinical psychology settings. The curriculum of the program, in conjunction with 1 year of supervised postgraduate experience in an organized health care setting, is designed to fulfill the course requirements for the Michigan Limited License.

The Program

The 48-credit program consists of 11 required courses (36 credits) in core areas of Clinical Health Psychology. Six credit hours will be devoted to practicum in a community setting. Students will take either two elective courses or complete a master’s thesis under the supervision of program faculty.

Admission and Prerequisites

Admission decisions are based upon applicants’ records of academic achievement, Graduate Record Examination (general test) scores, letters of recommendation, and personal statements of education and career goals. More specifically a BA or BS in Psychology or a related major with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and a minimum GRE score (general test) of approximately 300 are required for admission. Students without undergraduate psychology degrees are welcome to apply but will need Introductory Psychology, Statistics, and Abnormal Psychology; undergraduate Health Psychology and Research Methods are strongly recommended.

Application instructions can be found at:  umdearborn.edu/gradapplynow

Each applicant should submit the following:

• Official transcripts from all universities attended.
• A 600-word statement of purpose describing the applicant’s personal history, educational and professional goals and personal objectives in pursuing the program. An additional 300-word statement describing the applicant’s potential effectiveness as a mental health professional are required for students applying to the Clinical Health Psychology program.
• Three letters of recommendation. (at least 2 from academic sources).
•  GRE Test Results (general test).
• Students whose native language is not English are also required to satisfy the English Language Requirements for Admission which can be found in the General Information section of this catalog.

For more information, call 313-583-6321 or visit the clinical health psychology website.

Plan of Work

Students will be required to complete a Plan of Work during their first semester in the MS in Psychology: Specialization in Clinical Health Psychology program. The plan of work requires discussion between students and their program advisers. Copies will be retained by the student and the program director or program advisor.

Degree Requirements

To complete the degree program a minimum of 48 credits are required in the Behavioral Sciences. The following schedule provides the sequence of courses that students in the MS in Psychology: Specialization in Clinical Health Psychology program are expected to take. Although it is possible to take some of the courses out of sequence, many build on previous courses and all course schedules will need to be approved by the program director or your appointed program advisor.

Students are required to have 6 credits in approved elective courses if they do not elect to complete a master’s thesis. Information about specific elective courses that will fulfill these requirements should be discussed with your program advisor or the program director each semester.

Students in the MS in Psychology: Specialization in Clinical Health Psychology who choose to do so can elect to complete a 6 credit hour master’s thesis during their second year of the program. Students selecting this option will not be required to take any elective credits.

Grade Requirements

The graduate grading system is intended to reflect higher standards of critical and creative scholarship than those applied at the undergraduate level. To receive a graduate grade in courses open to both undergraduate and graduate students, the graduate student is expected to do work of superior quality and is required to do additional work specified by the instructor. Graduate students are required to earn a B (3.0) average or higher to satisfy degree requirements.

Grades of C+ and below are unsatisfactory for graduate level work and constitute valid cause for dropping a student from the graduate program. To be awarded a MS in Clinical Health Psychology, a student must have achieved at least a 3.0 grade point average (a B average). C+ grades in the core classes, PSYC 545 , PSYC 547 , PSYC 548 , PSYC 549 , PSYC 565 , PSYC 593 , and PSYC 698 will not be applied toward the MS in Psychology: Specialization in Clinical Health Psychology degree. A grade of B- or higher is required in each of these classes. Students may re-take the class one time to raise the grade to an acceptable level. Furthermore, no more than two grades of C in other courses may be applied toward the MS in Psychology: Specialization in Clinical Health Psychology degree; grades of C- or lower will not be applied toward the MS in Psychology: Specialization in Clinical Health Psychology degree. Students who fail to maintain a 3.0 average or have more than two C or lower grades will be placed on academic probation for the term following the lapse. Upon the recommendation of the program director, a student may be granted an opportunity to correct the scholastic and/or academic deficiency. Students who fail to meet program requirements may be denied permission to register or may be required to withdraw from the program.

PSYC 505     Gender Roles     3 Credit Hours

This course will investigate the development of gender roles in childhood and adolescence due to either innate physiological differences or sociological patterning, the effect of gender roles upon male-female relationships within our society, and the possibility of transcending sociological gender roles in alternate modes of living. Additional reading assignments or projects will distinguish this course from its undergraduate version SOC 443 . Students cannot receive credit for both SOC 443 and SOC 543 . (YR).

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 170 or PSYC 171 or SOC 200 or SOC 201

Restriction(s): Can enroll if Class is Graduate

PSYC 507     Psychology of Adolescence     3 Credit Hours

Considers adolescence as an interaction of rapid biological and social change. Examines the theoretical and empirical literature in some detail. Additional reading assignments or projects will distinguish this course from its undergraduate version PSYC 407 . Students cannot receive credit for both PSYC 407 and PSYC 507 . (YR).

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 170 or PSYC 171 or PSYC 101

PSYC 512     Psychology of Aging     3 Credit Hours

This course examines development of the individual from middle adulthood through old age. Special emphasis is given to the understanding of developmental theories and issues in adulthood. Topics include biological basis, socialization, family relationships, personality, and intellectual development in the aging individual. (F,W)

Restriction(s): Can enroll if Level is Graduate

PSYC 523     Multicultural Counseling     3 Credit Hours

This course will explore multicultural issues in counseling and clinical psychology. The central focus for this course will be ethnic and racial diversity, although attention will be given to gender, sexual orientation, age and socio-economic status as they relate to issues of diversity in counseling. Students will gain an appreciation of the complexities of the influence of culture on social, emotional, behavioral and cognitive development, and the major issues involved in assessment and treatment of diverse clients and their families. (F)

PSYC 530     Psychology in the Workplace     3 Credit Hours

This course introduces students to some of the core content areas of Industrial/Organizational (I/O) psychology. These content areas include: selection, training, performance appraisal, work teams, job design, motivation, leadership, union-management relations, and stress and health in the workplace. Additional reading assignments or projects will distinguish this course from its undergraduate version PSYC 4305 . Students cannot receive credit for both PSYC 4305 and PSYC 530 . (YR).

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 170 or PSYC 171 or OB 354 or PSYC 101

PSYC 531     Organizational Entry     3 Credit Hours

An in-depth consideration of the psychological aspects of the organizational entry process. Topics include recruitment, selection, orientation, socialization, and training. Additional reading assignments or projects will distinguish this course from its undergraduate version. Students cannot receive credit for both PSYC 431 and PSYC 531 . (OC).

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 170 * or HRM 405* or PSYC 171 *

PSYC 540     Abnormal Psychology     3 Credit Hours

An introduction to the field of psychopathology, the study of mental disorders. Includes exposure to a number of historical and theoretical perspectives, each with their own theories, methodologies, and treatment approaches. Disorders covered will include: anxiety and mood disorders, personality disorders, schizophrenia, sexual disorders, and psychosomatic disorders. Additional reading assignments or projects will distinguish this course from its undergraduate version PSYC 440 . Students cannot receive credit for both PSYC 440 and PSYC 540 . (YR).

PSYC 542     Child Psychopathology     3 Credit Hours

A review of the major psychological disorders of children from birth to adolescence. These disorders are considered from a clinical and theoretical point of view. In addition to an examination of causes, approaches to treatment and behavior modifications are considered. Additional reading assignments or projects will distinguish this course from its undergraduate version PSYC 442 . Students cannot receive credit for both PSYC 442 and PSYC 542 . (YR).

PSYC 544     Personality Assessment     4 Credit Hours

This is a course in methods of assessing personality. The theory and methods of observation, interviewing, and psychological testing are discussed and then employed in brief, individually-designed studies. Additional reading assignments or projects will distinguish this course from its undergraduate version PSYC 4445 . Students cannot receive credit for both PSYC 4445 and PSYC 544 . (AY).

PSYC 545     Advanced Psychopathology     3 Credit Hours

This course is designed for graduate students who require an advanced knowledge of psychological disorders and their diagnosis. Course content includes an overview of the symptoms, etiology, and treatment alternatives for major psychological disorders. The emphasis includes both an overview of research based knowledge and practical application of the current diagnostic system.

Restriction(s): Can enroll if Class is Graduate Can enroll if Level is Graduate Can enroll if College is Arts, Sciences, and Letters Can enroll if Program is MS-Psychology

PSYC 546     Human Sexual Behavior     3 Credit Hours

A comprehensive review of facts about human sexuality. The emphasis is on psychological aspects of sex, but there is also a consideration of genetic, physiological, and anatomical aspects of sex, and contemporary issues. Additional reading assignments or projects will distinguish this course from its undergraduate version PSYC 446 . Students cannot receive credit for both PSYC 446 and PSYC 546 . (AY).

PSYC 547     Therapeutic Intervention     4 Credit Hours

This course provides an introduction to the theories, practice, and ethical issues in clinical psychology. The emphasis is on the application of psychotherapeutic processes. Topics include ethical practices, formation of a therapeutic relationship, use of basic counseling skills, differing clinical orientations, and a review of relevant research. (W)

Restriction(s): Can enroll if Class is Graduate Can enroll if Program is MS-Psychology

PSYC 548     Psychological Assessment I     4 Credit Hours

This course is the first of a two-course sequence for graduate students who require an advanced knowledge of psychological assessment. Course content includes an overview of interviewing, behavioral observations, and personality tests used in clinical practice. The emphasis includes both an overview of research-based knowledge and practical application of assessment techniques through supervised lab experience. Only individuals admitted to the Clinical Health Psychology program can enroll. (S,YR)

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 545

Restriction(s): Can enroll if Program is MS-Psychology

PSYC 549     Psychological Assessment II     4 Credit Hours

This course is the second of a two-course sequence designed for graduate students who require an advanced knowledge of psychological assessment. Course content includes an overview of tests and measures used in clinical practice, particularly those used in the assessment of intelligence, achievement, adaptive behavior, and child evaluation. The emphasis includes both an overview of research-based knowledge and practical application of assessment techniques through supervised lab experience. (F)

PSYC 550     Personality Theory     3 Credit Hours

A comparative review and examination of leading theories of personality, their basic concepts, similarities and differences, applications in clinical psychology, in education, social planning and in research. Additional reading assignments or projects will distinguish this course from its undergraduate version PSYC 450 . Students cannot receive credit for both PSYC 450 and PSYC 550 . (YR).

PSYC 552     Adv Tech in Therapeutic Inter     3 Credit Hours

This course introduces clinical health psychology graduate students to the theory and application of cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness therapies. The course is aimed at providing students with a thorough understanding of the theory behind these modalities, as well as the experiential application of the associated therapy techniques in a clinical setting.

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 547

PSYC 555     Health Psychology     3 Credit Hours

A discussion of the research on health promotion, psychological factors in the development of illness, cognitive representations of health and illness, stress and coping, social support, nutrition and exercise. Focus will be on the factors related to the development and maintenance of optimal health. (YR).

PSYC 557     Advanced Health Psychology     3 Credit Hours

This course will examine the research on psychological factors associated with the development and/or progression of illness, as well as psychological and social factors in health promotion. Topics include cognitive and social representation of health and illness, stress and coping, factors and interventions for behavioral change and the development of healthy lifestyles, and the treatment of psychological and behavioral risk factors for illness.

Restriction(s): Can enroll if Level is Graduate Can enroll if Program is MS-Psychology

PSYC 561     Learning and Memory     3 Credit Hours

A consideration of major theories and research results related to learning and memory. Additional reading assignments or projects will distinguish this course from its undergraduate version PSYC 461 . Students cannot receive credit for both PSYC 461 and PSYC 561 . (YR).

PSYC 563     Sensation and Perception     3 Credit Hours

Analysis of basic sensory and perceptual phenomena with a review of relevant behavioral and physiological literature. Additional reading assignments or projects will distinguish this course from its undergraduate version PSYC 463 . Students cannot receive credit for both PSYC 463 and PSYC 563 . (YR).

PSYC 564     Applied Cognitive Psych     3 Credit Hours

The focus will be on the application of principles of cognitive psychology (defined broadly to include sensation and perception) to benefit the student in real-life settings. Specific areas might include human factors, retention, recall, attention, reasoning, problem-solving, decision making, reading, comprehension, learning, and language. (S,YR)

PSYC 565     Ind&Grp Tech in Cln Hlth Psyc     3 Credit Hours

An introduction to the variety of assessment and intervention procedures used by health psychologists in medical settings; issues in medical consultation and liaison. Techniques discussed fall in areas such as stress management, smoking cessation, weight management, and the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and HIV/AIDS. The theoretical, conceptual, and empirical bases of intervention will be stressed. Prerequisites required or permission of instructor. Preference will be given to students enrolled in the Master of Science in Health Psychology Program. (YR).

PSYC 570     Advanced Physiological Psych     3 Credit Hours

Further study of the subject matter of PSYC 431 . Advanced study of topics in the area of psychology. Additional reading assignments or projects will distinguish this course from its undergraduate version PSYC 470 . Students cannot receive credit for both PSYC 470 and PSYC 570 . (YR).

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 370

PSYC 574     Animal Learning and Cognition     3 Credit Hours

Animal Intelligence involves the study of human and non-human animal behavior and cognition in an evolutionary and comparative framework. As an introduction to human and non-human animal cognition and though processes this course will examine topics such as problem-solving, spatial cognition, categorization, memory, number concepts, tool-use and tool-production, insight, imitation, social cognition, self-recognition and language(-like) behavior. In addition to discussing basic experimental findings about cognition in animals, an emphasis is placed on the logic and evidence used to justify theoretical conclusions. The course requires reading and critiquing original journal articles in addition to textbook chapters for foundational concepts.

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 372 or PSYC 363 or PSYC 461 or BIOL 419 or BIOL 456 or ANTH 336

PSYC 575     Bio Foundations of Health Psyc     3 Credit Hours

Advanced study of the anatomical, physiological, and chemical correlates of behavior and mental processes, including the relationships among brain and body function/structure (neurochemistry, histology, anatomy), psychological variables (motor behavior, motivation, emotion, perception, learning, memory), health, and mental and physical illness. Integrates experimental and clinical research methodologies. Prerequisites or permission of instructor. Preference will be given to students enrolled in the Master of Science in Health Psychology Program. (YR).

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 555 or PSYC 455 or PSYC 557

Restriction(s): Can enroll if Class is Junior or Senior or Graduate

PSYC 579     Psychopharmacology     3 Credit Hours

This course will provide students with an introduction to the use of psychotropic medications for the treatment of various mental health conditions. The course is designed to give students history and current knowledge of pharmacodynamics, therapeutic indication, side effects, and efficacy treatment. The course will also examine the ethical and societal factors that are involved in the use of psychotropic medications. (W, OC)

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 545 or PSYC 575

PSYC 5825     Basic Methods Health Psych     3 Credit Hours

This course assumes a basic background in statistics and methodology and builds from there, with special emphasis on methodological issues and statistical techniques appropriate to Health Psychology. Computer skills related to statistical packages, databases, etc. will be stressed. Specific methods and analyses include multiple regression, ANOVA, ANCOVA, MANOVA, factor analysis, power, validity, experimental design, placebo effects, and random sampling. Preference will be given to students enrolled in the Master of Science in Health Psychology Program. (F).

Restriction(s): Can enroll if Class is Senior or Graduate

PSYC 5835     Adv Methods Health Psych     3 Credit Hours

As a continuation of PSYC 5825 , this course assumes a more advanced background in statistics and methodology. The course focuses on methodological issues and statistical techniques appropriate to Health Psychology. Computer skills related to statistical packages, databases, etc. will be stressed. Specific methods and analyses include survey research, program evaluation, epidemiological research, qualitative research, MANCOVA, multiple regression, logistic regression, cluster analysis, and meta-analysis. Preference will be given to students enrolled in the Master of Science in Health Psychology Program. (F).

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 5825

PSYC 584     Research Methods in Beh Med     3 Credit Hours

This course introduces graduate health psychology students to laboratory based research methods typically used in behavioral medicine. The focus is on laboratory methods of cardiovascular and pain research, specifically cardiovascular reactivity, heart rate variability, acute and chronic pain responses. The class also includes several special topics related to health psychology research (e.g., skin conductance, cortisol sampling, etc.). Students are responsible for physical implementation of research protocols, data analysis, and presentation of research findings. (W, YR).

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 557

Restriction(s): Can enroll if Program is

PSYC 585     Psychology Internship     3 Credit Hours

The psychology internship offers experience in a wide variety of placements dealing with human services. These include programs related to child abuse, crisis intervention, developmental disabilities, geriatrics, human resources/staff development, probation departments, teenage runaways, substance abuse, and women's issues. The program involves training in listening and helping skills. Written permission of instructor is required. Additional reading assignments or projects will distinguish this course from its undergraduate version PSYC 485 . (F,W).

PSYC 588     Primatology Field Course     3 Credit Hours

This Primatology Field course will take students through an exploration of the scientific approach and methodology to the study of animal behavior. Students will gain experience in creating research projects and collecting data on free-ranging animals in a naturalistic environment. Preparation in lectures and activities on the campus of The University of Michigan-Dearborn will include learning about observational methods in detail, practicing developing ethograms and operational definitions, pilot data collection to modify the ethograms at the Detroit or Toledo Zoo, and use of GPS for data collection. Lecture materials will also cover topics of primate behavior and ecology. Students will spend a week observing a primate species (for example, one possible site for this field course may be to observe free-ranging lemurs at a reserve in Florida). Student’s data collection at the field site will be for five continuous days. This field course provides a unique opportunity to study rare and endangered primates species in a safe and accessible environment. Short day trips to other facilities are possible, such as a visit to an ape sanctuary. Topics covered in this field course include advanced observational methods stemming from the field of Ethology, practical development of ethograms (checksheets) and research design, best practices in GPS data collection methods, and collating and summarizing data on animal behavior into a research paper. Lecture topics will address ethological methods and research design and also how to conduct research with free-ranging nonhuman primates. In addition there will be a strong focus on health and safety precautions in the field for human and nonhuman primates, acclimation to the field site, and practicalities of data collection. For graduate credit on this course, extra journal articles and longer written papers required than for the undergraduate requirements.

Restriction(s): Cannot enroll if Class is Freshman

PSYC 590     Adv Topics in Psychology     1 to 3 Credit Hours

This course provides an introduction to the field of psychoneuroimmunology. This area of study is concerned with the multidirectional communication between psychological processes such as stress or depression and central/peripheral nervous system, endocrine system, and immune system functioning. Ultimately, this field seeks to understand the relative contribution of psychological processes to traditional disease states (cardiovascular disease, pregnancy complications, etc). Students will learn the basic functioning of the immune system, and pathways via endocrine and nervous system functioning by which psychological processes influence immune functioning. Finally, students will learn the current state of research examining the relationship between psychological processes and disease outcomes. Students cannot receive credit for both PSYC 590 and PSYC 490 .

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 455 or PSYC 555

PSYC 590E     Advanced Topics in Psychology     2 Credit Hours

topic: Research and Clinical Ethics. Provides graduate psychology students with extended examination of current inforrmation and decision making strategies on professional and ethical issues associated with service delivery, research, and teaching.

PSYC 592     Individual Research     1 to 3 Credit Hours

No more than 6 hours may be counted for concentration. Arrangements will be made for adequately prepared students to undertake individual research under the direction of a member of the staff. The students, in electing, should indicate the staff member with whom the work has been arranged. Additional reading assignments or projects will distinguish this course from its undergraduate verion PSYC 492 . Students cannot receive credit for both PSYC 492 and PSYC 592 . (YR).

PSYC 593     Ethical Issues     3 Credit Hours

Provides graduate psychology students with current information and decision making strategies on professional and ethical issues associated with service delivery, research, and teaching. (F,YR)

PSYC 697     Health Psych Thesis Research     3 to 6 Credit Hours

Students electing the Thesis option in the last stage of the Master of Science in Health Psychology program will work under the general supervision of a member of the graduate faculty in the Behavioral Sciences Department but will plan and carry out the work independently. A prospectus for the thesis must be approved by the Master of Science in Health Psychology program director before the student registers for the course. The student will submit a report on the thesis and give an oral presentation to a panel of faculty members when the thesis is completed. (YR)

PSYC 698     Pract. Clinical Health Psyc     3 to 6 Credit Hours

The Practicum in Clinical Health Psychology offers students supervised clinical experience in a variety of clinical health and human service settings. The practicum is designed for students in the MS in Clinical Health Psychology program who have completed all coursework related to clinical diagnoses, assessment and therapy. Written permission of instructor or Program Director required.

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 545 and PSYC 547 and PSYC 548 and PSYC 549 and PSYC 565 and PSYC 593

*An asterisk denotes that a course may be taken concurrently.

Frequency of Offering

The following abbreviations are used to denote the frequency of offering: (F) fall term; (W) winter term; (S) summer term; (F, W) fall and winter terms; (YR) once a year; (AY) alternating years; (OC) offered occasionally

Current Students Alumni Donate News Events

• Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis
• Doctoral Degree
• Master of Arts
• Admissions FAQs
• Admissions Requirements
• Application & Interview Process
• Choosing Your Degree
• Contact Admissions
• International Applicants
• MSP Open House RSVP
• Student Ambassador Program

Accreditation

• Annual Report

Board of Trustees

Consumer Information

• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement

Explore MSP

Meet our Faculty

Our Founders

• Academic Writing Support
• Career Services
• COVID Information & Resources
• Financial Aid
• Office of the Registrar
• Student Engagement

Home // Academics // Doctoral Degree

• PsyD Admission Criteria
• PsyD Clinical Training
• PsyD Degree Requirements
• PsyD Licensure
• PsyD Program Curriculum

The Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) is a post-master’s professional degree for those pursuing the highest level of practice in clinical psychology. Utilizing the practitioner-scholar model, the doctoral program provides discipline-specific knowledge and profession-wide competencies to ground curriculum, clinical training, dissertation research, and scholarship. The program fosters an educational environment that values cooperative and collaborative learning and promotes professional development and personal growth.

The program is supported by the institutional mission which is to educate psychologists today who will transform our world tomorrow. Dynamic relationships and strong academic rigor foster the development of psychologists who make significant contributions to their communities and the mental health profession by delivering expert clinical services with integrity and respect for diverse populations.

Doctoral program faculty have responsibility for the integrity of the academic program. Faculty continually assess and enhance the program’s content and requirements to meet the needs of the field of psychology.

PsyD Program Aims

MSP’s PsyD program in clinical psychology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA).

*Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation: Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association 750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002 Phone: 202.336.5979 Email: [email protected] Website: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

DISCOVER MSP

Want more information about our programs? Have a question you need answered? Click here to have our team answer your questions.

Apply To MSP

Your future is just a click away. Start the application process to join the MSP family!

Newsletter Signup

• Comments This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Student Spotlight

MA with ABA Spotlight

Student Services

• Contact Information Systems
• Contact Media/ Events Relations
• Request Information

Social Media

Accreditation // Employment // Faculty Resources // Sitemap

© 2019 Michigan School of Psychology. All Rights Reserved.

26811 Orchard Lake Rd. Farmington Hills, MI 48334-4512

The doctoral program aims to graduate license-eligible clinical psychologists with state-of-the-art knowledge relating to the psychological practice of assessment, therapy, research, and program development and evaluation.

A primary program objective is the preparation of clinical psychologists who will effectively supervise and manage therapists in multidisciplinary mental health care delivery systems in a diverse society.

The curriculum is designed to qualify all students for state licensure in Michigan. The doctoral program is a full-time, full residency program designed to be completed in five years, although most students complete the program in six years. No part-time students will be accepted.  

Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation* (next site visit expected in 2027).

*Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association 750 1st Street NE Washington, DC 20002-4242 202.336.5979 [email protected] Website  

CUDCP Website

Eastern Michigan University and the Psychology Department reserve the right to change any statement in this program concerning, but not limited to, rules, policies, tuition, fees, curricula, and courses.

Program Admission

Admit Terms and Deadlines

Students will start the program in the  Fall .

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

For full admission, applicants must have 1) Earned a four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an equivalent degree from a non-U.S. institution, 2) a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale, or 3.0 in the last half of the undergraduate program. Conditional admission may be available to applicants not meeting minimum admission requirements.

Admission to the program is based on the following criteria:

• Academic ability as measured by Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing scores on the GRE. In keeping with other Ph.D. programs in the State and with national criteria, admission typically includes a minimum score around the 50th percentile for each section. However, successful applicants may present much higher scores, given the highly competitive nature of clinical doctoral programs. Applicants are not required to take the GRE Advanced Psychology Test. GRE scores are submitted directly to PSYCAS
• Achievement in undergraduate or graduate work. Admission typically includes a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. Again, successful applicants typically present with higher GPAs. Students may be admitted with either a bachelor’s or a master’s degree. Transfer credits will be determined on a case-by-case basis upon matriculation.
• Academic background in psychology. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 20 undergraduate semester hours in psychology, including a course in statistics and a laboratory course in research methods/experimental psychology.
• Personal qualities that predict success in graduate study and professional placement after graduation. To evaluate these, each applicant must submit three letters of recommendation. Personal qualities will also be evaluated in the context of an interview for those who pass the initial file review and are invited to the interview day(s).
• Fit between applicant and faculty interests. A personal statement is required describing the applicant’s interests. We will be particularly interested in students with research and/or clinical experiences that are a good fit with faculty areas of expertise.

Application

Your application will be submitted using PSYCAS, a Centralized Application Service (CAS) hosted by Liaison.  After reviewing the admission requirements, please review the application instructions and use the PSYCAS Portal link on the Psychology Department’s Graduate Admissions Information page .

Application materials submitted to PSYCAS include:

• Personal statement (instructions available within PSYCAS) – 500 words.
• Essay related to fit with the program (instructions available within PSYCAS) – 500 words.
• Diversity essay (instructions available within PSYCAS) – 500 words.
• Writing sample (typically a research paper).
• Curriculum vitae or résumé
• Three letters of recommendation

Transcripts

Applicants must submit official transcripts from all institutions they attended beyond high school.  Transcripts must be submitted directly to PSYCAS. Transcripts sent to EMU will not be accepted as official, and the application will not be considered complete. (Applicants should allow 2-6 weeks for PSYCAS to process transcripts.) For additional information regarding transcript submission, please see the PSYCAS website .

International Applicants Before applying, applicants must review the international application/process deadlines at emich.edu/international as they may differ from general program requirements.

For additional information regarding the application process, please see  Graduate Admissions or International Admissions .

Doctoral Program Associate

Community Behavioral Health Clinic, 1075 N. Huron River Dr. Ypsilanti, MI 48197, [email protected] , 734.487.4987

Department Information

Psychology   341 Science Complex, 734.487.1155

Natalie Dove, PhD ,   Department Head

Advisor Information

Tamara Loverich, PhD , Director of Clinical Training, 341H Science Complex, 734.487.3228

Program Information

The doctoral program aims to graduate fully licensable clinical psychologists with state-of-the-art knowledge relating to the psychological practice of assessment, therapy, and research within a scientist-practitioner model training. A primary program objective is the preparation of clinical psychologists who will effectively supervise and manage therapists in multidisciplinary mental health care delivery systems in a diverse society. To meet these objectives, the program emphasizes fundamental scientist-practitioner skills such as practical clinical skills in assessment and treatment and scholarly skills in designing, conducting, analyzing, and disseminating research that contributes to the field of psychology. Students can also focus their training on one or more of five areas of emphasis (adult, applied behavior analysis, assessment, developmental psychopathology, or health).

To meet these objectives, students will be provided with opportunities to:

• Practice assessment and treatment skills in a highly supervised environment.
• Work with and be supervised by faculty with expertise in various assessment and treatment modalities.
• Use state-of-the-art equipment and technology employed in the field today.
• Propose and conduct research.
• Participate in a collegial atmosphere that is open to diverse opinions and viewpoints and prepares students to analyze the current literature critically

Curriculum Design

The doctoral program is a full-time, full-residency program designed to be completed within five years, but typically students complete it within six years. No part-time students will be accepted. The curriculum is designed to meet or exceed state and national guidelines for licensing and accreditation.

APA Accreditation

The program is APA accredited, with the next site visit expected in 2027. Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association 750 1st Street NE Washington, DC 20002 Phone: (202) 336-5979 / E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

Integration of M.S. and Ph.D. Curricula

The doctoral program builds on our M.S. programs. The Clinical Behavioral (CB) M.S.    program provides training in state-of-the-art behavioral assessment and empirically validated treatment techniques, encompassing applied behavior analysis, behavior therapy, cognitive-behavior therapy, and third-wave behavior therapy. The General Clinical (GC) M.S.     program provides a multitheoretical view of psychological disorders, emphasizing assessment, diagnosis, and treatment from various perspectives, including neuroscience.  A unique feature of our doctoral program is the opportunity for students to acquire specialization in applied behavior analysis and behavior therapy and/or assessment or to sample from a menu of courses from multitheoretical orientations.

Competent M.S. and Ph.D. clinicians must learn complex, specialized assessment and treatment strategies. Our two M.S. programs concentrate on training effective therapists. Well-prepared Ph.D. clinicians need this skill-based training and broad knowledge of the profession’s empirical, theoretical, and philosophical underpinnings. Therefore, our doctoral program includes a Ph.D. seminar that links concurrently taught M.S. level courses, the Ph.D. knowledge base, and practicum training.  Initial practicum work will require three to five hours per week of client contact at the on-site clinic and 8 hours monthly in group and individual supervision. After mastering M.S. level skills, Ph.D. students learn to train and supervise masters-level clinicians and teach psychology.

Doctoral Fellowship

To help ensure the success of our students in the program, every student accepted will be eligible for a full-time doctoral fellowship for the first three to four years of the program. Students will be assigned to a faculty mentor in their area of research interest. Students spend 10 to 12 hours weekly with that faculty member, assisting with research and teaching activities. Fellows may be asked to help with class preparations and assist in data collection, preparation, and analysis. The faculty members will mentor their students, training and guiding them by doing collaborative research and developing and conducting their research plans for a master’s thesis, qualifying examination, and dissertation. Students request a specific faculty person as their mentor and may request a change in mentor as they matriculate through the program. Every effort will be made to accommodate student requests within reason.

Students also complete supervised training hours in the psychology clinic during their first year and for the remainder of their fellowship hours (not to exceed an average of 20 hours per week). Doctoral fellowships include a tuition fee waiver (up to 90 credits) and a stipend ($16,500 per year). Students are responsible for the registration fee (approximately $50 per semester). As part of the doctoral fellowship, students teach undergraduate courses and/or provide counseling services and/or grant-supported research.

Master of Science in Clinical Psychology (Pre-Doctorate)

Students in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program are allowed to apply for the pre-doctoral Master of Science in Clinical Psychology en route to the Ph.D.

The ability of doctoral students to apply for their pre-doctoral master’s is essential for Michigan licensure, which is required for many predoctoral practicum placements; specifically, once a student has received a master’s degree, they can apply for a Temporary Limited License as a Psychologist (TLLP) in Michigan. External practicum placements (two are required as part of the doctoral program) in hospital settings (i.e., UM, Henry Ford, Beaumont, etc.) and some other settings require students to have their TLLP before completing two to three years of external practicum training,

The Pre-Doctoral Master of Science in Clinical Psychology program of study includes courses required for the doctoral program (see below). In addition, students complete a pre-master’s practicum (in the Community Behavioral Health Clinic) and master’s thesis as part of this Program of Study. Students admitted to the doctoral program do not apply, become admitted, or graduate from the  Psychology - Clinical Behavioral [M.S.]    or  Psychology - General Clinical [M.S.]    programs since both class and thesis requirements differ from those in the doctoral program.

Only students admitted to the Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology program are eligible for the Pre-Doctoral MS degree. A student can apply for this MS degree or continue in the Ph.D. program without receiving the MS degree en route.

To earn the pre-doctorate Master of Science degree, students must complete 45 credit hours from the following:

• Assessment (4-hour minimum): ​ PSY 762    
• Treatment (6-hour minimum): PSY 751    and ( PSY 627    or  PSY 720   )
• Individual Differences (9-hour minimum): PSY 640   , PSY 743   , PSY 888    
• Research: PSY 600   , PSY 601   , PSY 605   , and PSY 690    
• Professional Practice: PSY 670    
• Doctoral Seminars:   PSY 883    
• Other Core: PSY 554   , PSY 636   , PSY 703  

Degree Requirements: 90 hours

The Clinical Doctoral program requires the completion of 90 graduate credit hours. The master’s degree is earned en route to the doctoral degree, and students must complete a master’s thesis. Students must obtain a B or better in all courses.  Students may choose courses required for Board Certification in Behavior Analysis (BCBA) .

Required Courses: 56 hours

Core courses: 47 hours.

• PSY 554 Graduate History and Systems of Psychology 3 hrs
• PSY 600 Psychological Statistics I 3 hrs
• PSY 601 Psychological Statistics II 3 hrs
• PSY 605 Research Design 3 hrs
• PSY 636 Social, Cognitive, and Affective Processes of Behavior 3 hrs
• PSY 640 Developmental Psychology 3 hrs
• PSY 670 Scientific and Professional Ethics 3 hrs
• PSY 683 Field Practicum with Seminar 2 hrs
• PSY 684 Field Practicum with Seminar 2 hrs
• PSY 703 Clinical Organizational Management 3 hrs
• PSY 743 Psychopathology 3 hrs
• PSY 751 Interpersonal Processes in Psychotherapy 3 hrs
• PSY 762 Cognitive Assessment 4 hrs
• PSY 807 Methods of Teaching in Psychology 2 hrs
• PSY 883 Doctoral Seminar III: Issues in Professional Behavior 2 hrs
• PSY 885 Models and Methods of Service Delivery and Supervision 2 hrs
• PSY 888 Diversity Issues in Clinical Populations 3 hrs

Research and Internship Coursework: 9 hours

Students will complete a minimum of nine credit hours from the following.

Thesis A minimum of one credit hour is required from the following:

• PSY 690 Thesis 1 hr

Internship A minimum of two credit hours are required from the following:

• PSY 894 Doctoral Clinical Internship 1 hr

Dissertation Coursework A minimum of six credit hours are required from the following:

• PSY 896 Dissertation 1 hr
• PSY 897 Dissertation 2 hrs
• PSY 898 Dissertation 4 hrs

Additional Coursework: 34 hours

Assessment and intervention competencies 15-17 hours, individual differences: 3 hours.

Choose one course from the following.

• PSY 623 Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis 3 hrs
• PSY 646 Personality: Theory and Research 3 hrs
• PSY 744 Child and Adolescent Psychopathology 3 hrs

Biological Bases of Behavior: 3 hours

• PSY 633 Cognitive Neuroscience 3 hrs

Evidence-Based Therapy: 3 hours

• PSY 627 Behavioral and Other Evidence-Based Psychotherapies 3 hrs
• PSY 720 Evidence-Based Therapies for Children and Adolescents 3 hrs

Assessment: 3-4 hours

Choose one course from the following.

• PSY 619 Behavioral Assessment 3 hrs
• PSY 710 Neuropsychological Assessment 4 hrs
• PSY 763 Advanced Child Assessment 4 hrs
• PSY 770 Self-Report Assessment of Personality 4 hrs
• PSY 771 Performance-Based Assessment of Personality 4 hrs

Additional Assessment or Treatment Courses: 3-4 hours

One additional assessment or treatment course is required; students are to choose a course from the following other than those taken to satisfy the above requirements:

Treatment Electives

• PSY 625 Clinical Behavior Analysis 3 hrs
• PSY 672 Modern Behavior Therapies: Theory, Research and Practice 3 hrs
• PSY 752 Evidence-Based Psychodynamic Therapy 3 hrs

Assessment Electives

Other Elective Courses: 17-19 hours

Choose 17-19 additional credit hours.  Courses can be chosen from below or any course above not fulfilling another requirement.

• PSY 610 Clinical Neuropsychology 3 hrs
• PSY 620 Theoretical Foundations of Behavioral Science 3 hrs
• PSY 723 Psychopharmacology 3 hrs
• PSY 788 Advanced Clinical Practicum I 1 hr
• PSY 801 Program Evaluation in Clinical Psychology 3 hrs

Other Program Requirements

• Doctoral Pre-practicum: 120-150 hours the first year (onsite; approximately five hours per week for one year; students do intakes and observe clinical practice and therapy video in the clinic. The doctoral pre-practicum is part of 20 hours per week doctoral fellowship).
• Internal Practicum: 500 hours for one year and 150-200 per year for the next 1-2 years (onsite). Students provide assessment and/or therapy for 3-5 clients during their second year and serve 1-2 clients in subsequent years based on their training needs. External Practicum: up to twelve months for two to three years offsite (externship). Ph.D. students typically complete 16-20 hours per week.
• Qualifying paper
• Tiered clinical supervision and undergraduate teaching Clinical Pre-doctoral Internship (2,000 hours).

Critical Graduation Information

Each graduate student is responsible for fulfilling the requirements or their equivalents of the Eastern Michigan University catalog in force at the time of their initial registration or a subsequent catalog, including the one in effect at the time of their graduation.

Students have seven (7) years to complete the requirements for the doctoral degree from the date of first enrollment in the doctoral program at EMU. 

In the event a student does not complete the degree requirements within seven years of the date of their original registration, the student may be required to have their credits re-evaluated by the academic department(s) of their degree in keeping with catalog requirements in force during the year of their graduation.

The following are minimum requirements for all doctoral degrees awarded by Eastern Michigan University. Some programs require more than the minimum in one or more areas below.

• A Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree must require a minimum of 90 credit hours post bachelor’s degree.
• A Ph.D. degree in a program that requires a master’s degree for admission must require a minimum of 60 credit hours post-master’s.
• A Ph.D. degree in a program that allows a specialist’s degree for admission must require a minimum of 36 credit hours post-specialist’s.
• Doctoral degrees in clinical or practitioner programs must require a minimum of 75 hours if admitting students post-bachelor’s degree. If admitting students post-master’s degree, a minimum of 41 new hours are required.
• Doctoral programs must require a minimum of 15 total credit hours of research and research support coursework.
• No more than six credits of independent study courses, and no more than 12 credit hours of special topics and independent study courses combined, may be applied to a graduate degree.  
• Residency Requirement - See Academic Policies and Processes—Graduate School for residency requirements. 
• Students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA in all graduate-level courses taken at EMU and in their program of study to remain in good academic standing and be eligible for graduation. Students do not need to be registered for classes during the semester of graduation.
• The Graduate School does not permit the use of undergraduate courses (499 and below) to meet degree requirements on graduate programs of study.
• Some doctoral programs require a dissertation. See the Graduate School website for Thesis and Dissertation Manuals, all forms, and information about research and human subject approval. Every completed thesis or dissertation must be submitted to Digital Commons. Any form of graduate student work submitted to Digital Commons must first be approved by a faculty advisor and the Graduate School.

• Announcements
• Eastern Magazine
• Eastern Experts
• Media Highlights
• Subscribe to EMU Today
• Submit an Event
• Submit an Announcement

Eastern Michigan University doctoral program in clinical psychology paves the way for students entering mental health careers

YPSILANTI — According to a recent survey by the American Psychological Association, psychologists have reported a significant increase in demand for treatment due to the impact the pandemic had on mental health over the years. As more people seek treatment for mental health conditions, the demands on psychological practitioners have increased. Eastern Michigan University has contributed to the field by increasing the number of skilled professionals thanks to its doctoral program's success and internship placements across the country. 

With a 100% placement rate this year, the program’s student applicants have entered into highly competitive internships leading them to rewarding mental health careers. 

“The program is one of the top doctoral programs in clinical psychology in the country,” said Tamara Loverich, director of clinical training. “It is highly competitive and prepares students selectively chosen from all over the United States and worldwide to become outstanding researchers, clinicians, teachers, and managers in universities, hospitals, veterans administrations, and other health service facilities.”

Eastern’s doctoral program in clinical psychology launched in 2001. As a competitive program, approximately eight students who excelled in undergraduate coursework, research, and early human service and social justice endeavors are admitted annually. The program is a full-time, full residency for students, designed to take up to five to six years to complete. As a program requirement, students must participate in a full-time internship in their final year. Then students are trained by clinical psychologists in interdisciplinary settings nationwide. 

In their final year, students complete their full-time internship in various industries, including academia, health care, and college counseling centers, among others. The highly competitive positions lead to postdoctoral training opportunities that foster specialization and careers that benefit the community and the students. 

“Training in the full-time internships is a way for students to begin venturing out into clinical settings beyond EMU where they can begin putting their skills into action and be more independent in determining how to aid clients, especially in mental health work and awareness,” said Natalie Dove, interim department head of psychology and biology.

“My experience at EMU helped me immensely in preparation for my current position,” said Jennifer Battles, clinical psychologist for the VA St. Louis Healthcare System. “I learned the basic skills of a good psychologist in assessing, diagnosing, and treating behavioral health concerns. Also, I gained invaluable skills as a scientist that have helped me acquire and maintain administrative and teaching opportunities within my organization.”

Ted Barrios, a clinical psychology doctoral program student, completed his internship in clinical neuropsychology at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit, Michigan.  “I received excellent training at this American Psychological Association accredited internship site and had the opportunity to work with national leaders in the field of clinical neuropsychology,” said Barrios. “Eastern’s clinical psychology doctoral program offers an ideal balance of research and clinical training, the latter of which is somewhat rare for a funded clinical psychology doctoral program.” 

Barrios is entering his second year of a two-year accredited fellowship with the Association of Postdoctoral Program in Clinical Neuropsychology in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Michigan. He hopes to join an academic medical institute and remain involved in clinical work, teaching, and scientific research.

“Internship training is a way for students to continue venturing out into clinical settings where they can continue to put their skills into action and be more independent in determining how to aid clients as part of an often interdisciplinary, multilevel care team,” said Dove. 

For more information about EMU’s doctoral program in clinical psychology, contact Tamara Loverich at  [email protected] or Natalie Dove at  [email protected] . 

About Eastern Michigan University Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 14,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website . To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today .

September 06, 2023

Written by: Nina Scarpelli

Media Contact: Melissa Thrasher [email protected] 734-487-4401

More Stories

Eight Honors students publish in the 2023 EMU McNair Scholars Research Journal.

Eastern Michigan University’s Fashion Marketing Innovation Program hosts annual Portfolio Show.

Eastern Michigan University to begin taping for Amazon Prime’s “The College Tour.”

Find Information

Eastern Michigan University’s College in Prison program partners with Writing Center to expand support for incarcerated students.

Eastern Michigan University partners with Detroit Historical Society to host event exploring “Black Heroes of Detroit’s Eastside” – April 7.

Department of Psychology College of Social Science

Prospective phd students.

Interested in our graduate programs?

Watch a recording of a virtual information session to find out more about our areas of focus. Sessions were held for each area of interest.

Click here to watch:

Behavioral Neuroscience Recording Clinical Science Recording Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience Recording Ecological and Community Recording Organizational Psychology Recording Social / Personality Recording

Admissions Information

Students may obtain a PhD in Psychology from Michigan State University by focusing their scholarship within one of the six on campus graduate programs.  Admission decisions are made by each of our six Areas separately although the application process is same across our department.  We recommend learning about the programs  here,  and  contacting individual faculty members  whose research interests match your own.

• we do not offer terminal masters degrees, Students enter the program with the intent of earning their PhD, and earn a Masters degree while working towards the PhD.
• we do not offer an online PhD program. 

Take some time to review the pages below that describe the application process.  If you have questions after you review those, please feel free to contact our graduate program administrator  Brooke Rosek  for more information.

Applications for AY204-2025 are now closed.

Our department uses a holistic decision- making process – we make our decisions based on considering all the information you provide as we want to consider the whole person and all you would bring to our program. Admissions decisions are made by the faculty in each Area, based on the pool of applicants in a given year and available openings.  Because we offer an outstanding package of financial assistance to all admitted students- covering tuition and providing an assistantship stipend -- we admit only a small number of students in any given year. The following serve as general guidelines based on the past history of applicants who were admitted. Applicants are admitted to the program only if judged to be qualified to complete the doctoral degree.

General Standards:

• A bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university.
• A grade-point average of 3.20 or better during the last two full years of undergraduate study in courses other than military science, physical education, and skills courses (e.g., typing).
• A major in psychology or at least 12 credit hours in psychology (semester system) with grades of B or better, including courses in experimental psychology and statistics.
• Favorable evaluations of the applicant by at least three former instructors, preferably in the applicant's undergraduate major. If this major was not psychology, an evaluation from one or two psychology instructors who know the applicant would be highly desirable.
• Satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination.
• A reasonably diversified background of undergraduate education in the liberal arts and sciences, including such subjects as english, history, philosophy, mathematics, foreign language, physical and biological sciences.
• Minimum TOEFL score of 575 for international students.

Admission at the doctoral level for students with a master's degree earned elsewhere:

There are three important issues that pertain to students who come to MSU with an MA or MS degree from another institution.

Will the MA/MS degree count as meeting the Master’s Program requirements at MSU?

It is rare that an MA/MS degree from another institution is considered a sufficient substitute for an MA at MSU, given the specific requirements of our program. Importantly, students with a non-thesis-basedMA/MS, and/or a degree in an unrelated area (e.g., English literature), will be required to complete the Master’s Program at MSU. Waiver of the entire MA degree requirement may occur in rare instances when the committee feels that both the thesis and the coursework completed (see immediately below) provide a sufficient substitute for the MA requirements here at MSU. Students who enter the program with a MA or MS degree from another institution who do receive this waiver for the Master’s Program are automatically admitted into the PhD program.

Will the thesis completed elsewhere count as meeting the requirements for an MA thesis at MSU?

If you completed a data-based MA/MS thesis in psychology or a related field, and you would like to waive the thesis requirement at MSU, you must receive prior approval. The departmental policy regarding whether an existing MA/MS thesis will be counted is that 1) the thesis must be data-based, 2) in psychology or a related field, and 3) it should demonstrate research competency. More information on specific steps for getting this waiver are provided after an admission decision is made.

Can required MSU Psychology Department courses be waived if the same material was covered in a  Course in a master’s program at another institution?

There are opportunities for some course waivers in your area of interest, and rarely in quantitative methods.  Processes for doing so will be explained if you are admitted to the program. You can also request that credits from graduate-level courses taken at other institutions be counted towards your degree. MSU limits this to 9-credit hours at the Master’s level (unlimited at the PhD level),but only if they were NOT counted toward another degree program at MSU.

Checklist for Application

• Write your statement of purpose/intent. 
• Ask three individuals to prepare letters of recommendation for you.  They will be sent links directly by MSU.  You just need to make sure you have their consent, names and email addresses.
• With a holistic process, GRE scores are considered along with other information. We do not grant waivers of providing GRE scores.
• Taking the GRE by computer makes scheduling easy.  However, if you are in a location which only offers standard paper exams, we recommend you take the test no later than October.
• There is a discount offered by ETS here . There is also a fee reduction request from ETS here .
• Send GRE test scores to MSU using the Institution Code 1465 and the Department Code 2001.
• Click here for important notes on filling out the graduate application in MSU's system.
• For eligibility for an application fee waiver, please click here .
• Upload Statement of Intent/Purpose to University Application
• Electronic transcripts are preferred and can be sent to Brooke Rosek at [email protected] . If you need to send a paper copy, please send it to Brooke Rosek, Psychology Building, 316 Physics Rd., Room 240E, East Lansing, MI 48824.
• Initially, you may upload an unofficial copy of your transcript so your application can move forward for review, but an official university copy is required before final decisions are made. It must be an official copy sent from the university. Emailed copies from a student are not an official transcript.
• If you are an international student, we recognize that the process of sending an official transcript might be more delayed and we encourage you to upload an unofficial copy to facilitate reviewing your file.

Applications opened August 1, 2023. The application deadline is December 1, 2023.

The Department of Psychology welcomes graduate students from around the globe.  Our department embraces the cross-cultural learnings that come with having students from many countries, and the university provides a supportive environment for international students. 

Please visit the Graduate School website, specifically   The Graduate School International Applicants Information Page  for information regarding the following:

General Visa Resource: http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov

Office for International Students and Scholars Michigan State University International Center 427 N. Shaw Lane, Room 105 East Lansing, MI 48824 Phone: 517-353-1720 Fax: 517-355-4657 [email protected]

FINANCIAL PROOF:

Our department supports our students with research or teaching assistantships, so financial proof is not required when applying to our department. Any student admitted to our program receives guaranteed funding with a Graduate Assistantship for 4 years. So you do not need to provide any proof in your application.

TRANSCRIPTS and DEGREES:

Admission to a program leading to a master’s or doctoral degree requires completion of a level of education comparable to a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree. High scholastic standing and suitable preparation for the intended field of study are also considered. Normally, Michigan State University does not accept three-year bachelor’s degrees, diplomas or certificates as comparable to a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree.

Information by Program Area

Overview of the behavioral neuroscience program:.

The Behavioral Neuroscience program focuses on the neuronal, hormonal, and genetic control of behavior. This research provides insights into human behavior and disease. Students will benefit from our highly collaborative research environment as our program prepares them for careers in academia, higher education, and biomedical research.

How many students are in the program?

Each year, there are approximately 10-15 students working in the labs of the Behavioral Neuroscience faculty. Some new students are admitted each year through the Behavioral Neuroscience graduate program within Psychology. Others are admitted through a variety of units, including the Neuroscience Program, Department of Integrative Biology.

All members of the Behavioral Neuroscience interest group in the Psychology Department are members of the interdepartmental Neuroscience Program. These two PhD-granting programs are separate, which one should I apply to?

It depends on what is best for you as an individual, and it is a good idea to discuss this issue with the person you are most interested in working with before you apply. However, the following list may help you in making your decision:

In either Psychology or Neuroscience, you can conduct your research in any of the following labs - Agruello, Lonstein, Smale, Veenema, or Yan, and the project you do could be identical regardless of the program.

• The coursework in Psychology and Neuroscienceis differ with respect to the number that are elective vs. required. In Psychology, there is somewhat more flexibility with respect to which courses each student takes and when they are taken. All students in the Neuroscience Program take a series of required courses during their first two years. In practice, however, Psychology students often elect to take many of the same courses as Neuroscience students. All of the courses are open to graduate students in both programs.
• The Neuroscience Program requires that students rotate in two labs during their first year; the Psychology Department does not.
• The format of the comprehensive exam differs. Behavioral Neuroscience students in Psychology develop an upper-level course in their discipline (this course is not taught, just planned), typically in their third year. Neuroscience students take a sit-down exam at the end of their second year.

What types of courses will I take?

Students typically take two 3-credit classes each semester prior to beginning their dissertation work. This allows ample time for involvement in research. Students take required courses including statistics and Advanced Behavioral Neuroscience, and can choose from options such as Sensation & Perception, Developmental Psychobiology, Systems Neuroscience, and others. Students may also take courses offered in other departments.

What types of research will I be involved in? 

Broadly, our research focuses on the neuronal, hormonal, and genetic control of behavior. Here is a brief list of each faculty member's specific research interests:

Amy Arguello : Is accepting new graduate students for fall 2024.

• Brain mechanisms underlying drug addiction
• Drug intake and relapse in adolescents and adults

Alexander Johnson : Is not accepting new graduate students for fall 2024.

• Neurobiology of learning and motivation
• Focus on obesity, addiction, and neuropsychiatric illness

Joe Lonstein : Is accepting new graduate students for fall 2024.

• Brain control of motherhood
• Neurochemistry of postpartum caregiving and mental health

Alexa Veenema : Is accepting new graduate students for fall 2024.

• Neuropeptide regulation of social behavior
• Modulation by sex, age, and early-life stress

Lily Yan : Is accepting new graduate students for fall 2024.

• Daylight effects on mental health and cognition
• Neurobiology of daily rhythms and sleep

Will I be assigned to work with a particular professor, or will I get to choose whom to work with?

First-year students often begin working with a particular faculty member by communicating directly with them when applying to the program. Our application form encourages prospective students to indicate which faculty member’s research is of particular interest to them. Students may sometimes choose to work in more than one laboratory during their first year while deciding which faculty member’s research best suits their interests. We are a highly collaborative group, and all graduate students (not only first-year students) are encouraged to work with more than one faculty member or on more than one research project to gain experience in different areas of Behavioral Neuroscience or to obtain new skills.

What type of financial support is available?

Most students are supported through teaching or research assistantships. Some receive University Fellowships. Students with these types of funding receive tuition waivers and health care benefits. Funding for four academic years is guaranteed for all students in good standing, and it is commonly available for students who need a fifth year to complete their degree. Behavioral Neuroscience faculty commonly support students during summers. As the become prepared, students are encouraged to apply for external funding, and many have been successful in obtaining fellowships from the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation.

Where are graduates employed?

Many of the graduates that obtain their Ph.D.s in the labs of Behavioral Neuroscience faculty go on to become post-doctoral researchers at a variety of institutions, and from there onto faculty positions. Others have opted to find employment teaching at small colleges or conducting research in industry. We encourage students to pursue their passions.

Do students attend or present research at professional conferences?

Most students attend the annual Society for Neuroscience conference , as well as other conferences more focused on their particular research area (such as the meeting of the Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology. Funding for these activities is available from a variety of sources on campus, and is commonly provided by students' major professors.

Do students publish research in professional and scientific journals?

It is expected that students will publish research articles in top-tier scientific journals based on their masters thesis and dissertation work.

Do I need to have my own computer?

Behavioral Neuroscience laboratories all have computers that graduate students can use for some applications. Software typically includes Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and statistical packages. All computers provide access to the Internet. However, most students do choose to purchase their own computer for use at home and/or in their offices.

Technical Resources

Within the behavioral neuroscience program.

It is common for students, postdocs and staff to learn procedures and use equipment across the Behavioral Neuroscience labs. Expertise is available in numerous areas, including:

• immunohistochemistry (including the use of multiple fluorescent markers)
• radioimmunoassay
• stereotaxic surgery
• up- and down-regulation of gene expression
• neuroanatomical tracing
• neural lesioning
• neuropharmalogical manipulation
• behavioral analysis across diverse functions (including learning/memory, affective, and motivated behaviors)
• telemetric quantification of biological rhythms
• Northern, Southern, and Western blot analyses
• in situ hybridization
• primary cell culture

Elsewhere on Campus

• confocal microscopy
• electron microscopy
• DNA and protein sequencing
• High performance computing

The Clinical Science Area will be accepting students for 2024/2025 academic year and admissions cycle . For information on the Clinical Science graduate program, including faculty members accepting new graduate students and information about admissions interviews, see the prospective students section of the Clinical Science page.

Overview of the Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience Program:

The Cognition & Cognitive Neuroscience graduate program provides training in the scientific study of cognition and its underlying neural mechanisms. Key areas of research include perception, attention, memory, executive processes, and skill acquisition. We are a research-focused program that promotes cutting-edge research with sophisticated and rigorous methodology. Here are several reasons why you should apply to our program:

• Students engage in original research from the very start of the program.
• The program is well-structured with clear guidance and feedback to students.
• Students have access to diverse methodologies and resources
• The inter-departmental Cognitive Science Program provides further exposure to a wide variety of research topics on campus

We offer a variety of courses both in content areas (e.g., perception, cognition, cognitive neuroscience) and in methodologies (e.g., advanced statistics, programming, modeling, fMRI). In addition, students have the opportunity to take relevant courses from the vast course offerings elsewhere at MSU. Our course requirement is low, but comprehensive, and students typically complete the required courses within the first two years.

What types of research will I be involved with?

Students are guided by their advisors to work on their own projects and to gradually develop a more independent research program. We highly value innovative and interdisciplinary research with rigorous methodologies. Students are expected to present their research at scientific conferences and publish their findings in peer-reviewed journals. The vast majority of our students complete the program with a solid track of publications in well-respected journals. Our program has expertise in all of the key areas of cognition. Here is a brief description of each individual faculty member’s research interests:

Erik Altmann :   Dr. Altmann is not accepting new graduate students for fall 2024.

• procedural error, effects of task interruption, and individual differences in performance

Mark Becker :  Dr. Becker is accepting new graduate students for fall 2023. 

• visual attention, visual search, eye movement, and applied cognitive research 

Jan Brascamp :   Dr. Brascamp is accepting new graduate students for fall 2024. 

• visual perception, consciousness, pupillometry, and cognitive neuroscience

Kimberly Fenn :   Dr. Fenn is accepting new graduate students for fall 2024. 

• memory consolidation, sleep and memory, sleep deprivation, learning, and forensic memory

Zach Hambrick :   Dr. Hambrick is accepting new graduate students for fall 2024. 

• skill acquisition, expertise, and individual differences in cognition

Karl Healy : Dr. Healy is accepting new graduate students for fall 2024. 

• episodic memory, cognitive aging, computational modeling, and EEG

Taosheng Liu :   Dr. Liu is accepting new graduate students for fall 2024. 

• attention, working memory, decision making, and cognitive neuroscience 

Devin McAuley :   Dr. McAuley is accepting new graduate students for fall 2024. 

• timing and rhythm, attention, music cognition, speech and language, and cognitive neuroscience

Susan Ravizza :   Dr. Ravizza is accepting new graduate students for fall 2024. 

• executive control, working memory, technology and learning, neuropsychology, and cognitive neuroscience. 

What co-curricular activities are available?

Students attend and present at our weekly seminar (Cognitive Science Forum), which features both MSU-based and outside speakers. There are also several other talk series on campus (e.g., Neuroscience Program seminar, Cognitive Science Distinguished Speaker Series) which students may attend to enhance their scientific training and to network with fellow researchers. Students have the opportunity to attend regional, national, and international conferences to present their research to a wide scientific audience. Funding for conference travel is available from the department and graduate school.

Will I be assigned to work with a particular professor or will I get to choose whom to work with?

Each student chooses a primary advisor during admission. However, students have the opportunity to work with more than one faculty member in pursuing their research. We strongly value and encourage collaborative research and many students work with multiple faculty members during their tenure in our program.

Where are graduates of the program employed?

Most graduates of the program pursue academic careers, although some have also pursued careers in industry or the government. The most typical career path following completion of the program is an initial job in a post-doctoral position, followed by a faculty position. A partial list of institutions where our recent PhDs were employed in post-doctoral or faculty positions includes Georgia Tech, University of Kentucky, Baylor College of Medicine, Aston University (UK), Florida State University, Pennsylvania State University, and Emory University.

What resources are available to me?

A variety of tools are available for your research. In addition to standard behavioral research tools (e.g., computers and software), eye tracking, EEG, and TMS technologies are available to students within our program. Our students also utilize fMRI facilities in the MSU Department of Radiology for their research. Each lab in our program has dedicated lab space and equipment, and many labs have grant support to facilitate research activities. For computing-intensive research, students can utilize MSU's state-of-the-art High Performance Computing Center in the College of Engineering. 

How can I learn more?

Additional information can be found on our website here . 

Frequently Asked Questions

The Ecological-Community Psychology program welcomes applications for graduate study from all individuals interested in pursuing a research-based PhD in Community Psychology. We are committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive environment for community-based research and action, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically under-represented and marginalized groups. Our past graduates have gone on to diverse careers as academic faculty, consultants, practitioners, and evaluators.

What makes the MSU Ecological-Community Psychology program unique?

There are many great Community Psychology graduate programs around the country, but there are a few things that we think really sets our program apart:

• We are the oldest continuously operating community psychology program in the country, with a long-standing commitment to our community partners.
• Our faculty have won many awards, and are routinely recognized as among the best in community psychology and in their respective specialty areas.
• Our students get involved in the community early, through the first year Practicum Experience.
• Our alumni have had an excellent track record securing employment in both academic and practice settings.

What do students do in the program?

All students begin the program with a temporary advisor. During the first year, students select a more permanent advisor from the core Ecological-Community faculty, usually based on intellectual and personal fit. In some cases the same person will advise a student through the whole program, while in other cases a student may change advisors when transitioning from one project or program milestone to the next.

Incoming PhD students usually follow a standard course sequence:

• Year 1, Fall: Community psychology theory (PSY871), Practicum (PSY873), Statistics (PSY815)
• Year 1, Spring: Field research design (PSY870), Practicum (PSY874), Elective/Thesis
• Year 2, Fall: Qualitative methods (PSY872), Elective/Thesis, Elective/Thesis
• Year 2, Spring: Psychometrics (PSY818), Elective/Thesis, Elective/Thesis
• Year 3+ students select additional courses in consultation with their faculty advisor(s)

All students complete the same basic program milestones:

• MA Thesis – A research paper developed in collaboration with a faculty advisor, evaluated by a three-person committee and often completed in Year 2 or 3. Applicants who have completed an MA in a related field can apply for a waiver.
• Comprehensive Exam – This can take multiple forms, including a written exam, writing a literature review or grant proposal, or developing a new course.
• PhD Dissertation – An independent research project, evaluated by a four-person committee.

Along the way, our students participate in a wide range of other experiences:

• Teaching – Many students serve as a TA in a course led by a faculty instructor, and some students teach their own course, often in the summer.
• Research – In addition to their MA and PhD projects, all of our students work in close collaboration on faculty-led research projects.
• Community Engagement – Starting with the Practicum Experience, and continuing throughout their time in the program, our students are directly engaged in the communities they aim to serve through their research.
• Conferences & Publications – Students regularly attend regional, national, and international conferences to present their own work and work conducted in collaboration with faculty. Students also regularly publish their work in top-tier research journals.

For a detailed description of all the program's course and degree requirements, please take a look at the current program handbook .

What do you consider in admissions decisions?

The admissions committee, in consultation with the full faculty of the program, consider a wide range of factors when making admissions decisions, including:

• Commitment to research, particularly community-based research
• Commitment to advancing a diverse, inclusive, & intellectually engaging environment
• Intellectual fit with the program and current faculty research interests
• Program's ability to provide funding
• Recent GPA and GRE scores

How are students funded?

Depending on the availability of funding, students often receive funding by working as research assistants on faculty-led projects or as teaching assistants in psychology courses. In addition, a number of competitive fellowship opportunities are also available through Michigan State University. Fellowships provide a monthly stipend, tuition waiver, and health care, but do not require service as a Teaching or Research Assistant. You can find additional information about fellowships here . Some of our students have also secured funding from external sources including the National Institutes of Health.

How do I apply?

Application to the Ecological / Community Psychology graduate program requires an online application to Michigan State University . You can find a link to the online applications here .

Which faculty members are accepting graduate students for fall 2024?

Dr. Ignacio Acevedo  

Dr. Amy Drahota  

More Frequently Asked Questions

Where do graduate students live? Most graduate students rent apartments or homes in Lansing within biking distance of campus. Real estate is affordable in the area, so some graduate students have also bought homes.

How long does the program take? It depends on a lot of factors. Students entering without an MA often complete their MA by year 2 or 3, their comprehensive exam by year 4, and their PhD by year 5 or 6.

Click here for additional information about being a graduate student in our program.

Program Highlights

The aim of the graduate program in Organizational Psychology at Michigan State University is to provide Ph.D. level training to students who intend to obtain faculty positions in universities or research-oriented positions in major corporations, government, or other organizations. The program provides a strong background in psychology and quantitative methods, as well as the content of Organizational psychology.

In addition, there is an excellent working relationship with the Department of Management, Eli Broad College of Business, and with the School of Labor and Industrial Relations. Such a strong link is unique among most Organizational psychology programs. Students and faculty from these programs frequently are involved in joint projects.

 Frequently Asked Questions

Usually there are around 15-20 students in the program at any one time. Some incoming cohorts have had only 2 or 3 students, others have had as many as 7 students. The number of students admitted each year depends on several factors, including how many returning students there will be and what sources of funding will be available. Maintaining a low student- faculty ratio is important to allow students frequent interaction with all faculty and to provide for close mentoring relationships.

How many classes do students typically take?

Students typically take two (3-credit) classes each semester, prior to their dissertation work. This allows for ample time for involvement in multiple research projects. In fall and spring semesters, students who have assistantships are typically waived tuition for nine credit hours; during summer session, five credit hours of tuition are typically waived. While a few summer courses are offered in related departments, most students take thesis or dissertation credits during the summer.

What are the classes students typically take?

Each class is usually one three-hour seminar each week. First-year students take a standard set of courses, including two courses that provide an introduction to the Organizational field, one statistics course, and one course in psychometric theory and test construction. Although students take a majority of their classes within Organizational psychology, students are allowed to participate in seminars in other areas that fit with their interests. In past semesters, students have taken courses in social psychology, management, cognitive psychology, communications, math, human development, and education.

How long does the graduate program take?

The graduate program is typically completed in five years. This offers students time to develop the skills it takes to be successful and to become involved in research and applied projects that are outside of their required assistantship work or coursework. Students begin working toward their master’s degree by completing a thesis sometime in their second and third years in the program. After the thesis, the student is admitted to the doctoral level of the program. In the third or fourth year, students complete comprehensive exams. When the student has passed this phase, work begins on the dissertation. After completion of a dissertation, the student receives the Ph.D. degree.

Will I be assigned to work with a particular professor, or will I get to choose whom to work with? 

First-year students are assigned a “temporary advisor” to ensure that their transition is smooth.  They are also  assigned to work as a teaching or research assistant with a particular professor for their first year in the program. Students are required during their first semester to work on an additional project with a faculty member (a first year project). Students are then free to choose a more permanent advisor for thesis and dissertation work, and students are always encouraged to work with more than one faculty member on more than one research project throughout their time in the program, to gain more and varied experience in Organizational Psychology.

What is the mentoring approach at MSU?

Whereas many psychology programs use a direct mentoring approach, which assigns each graduate student to a single advisor, MSU’s Organizational students are selected into the program by the entire faculty. Students are not brought in to work with a single faculty member, but instead, gain a broad base of knowledge early in their graduate career by working with different faculty and eventually specialize over time. Students participate in different types of projects through their graduate careers: some involve one student with one faculty member, other projects involve collaborations of multiple students and/or multiple faculty members.

Will I receive a teaching or research assistantship? 

Generally, all students who are admitted to MSU’s Organizational program receive either a teaching or research assistantship.  MSU’s Organizational program has established a practice of only admitting the number of students that can be supported on a graduate assistantship through available funding. Specific information about funding offers is included in admission letters sent in the spring.

What is onboarding of new students like?

In addition to orientation sessions designed to familiarize students with the Psychology Department, program requirements, and getting to know more people at MSU, the Organizational Psychology program has some extended socialization experiences in the first year.  New students are paired with an advanced student prior to arrival to ensure a smooth transition and a peer resource for answering questions.  During the first year, new students participate in first year research projects that faculty members have developed to get involvement in research from Day One, as well as to engage students immediately in the research process.  Those projects are connected to a weekly proseminar which provides one-on-one time with each faculty member in Organizational Psychology, Management, and HRLR to discuss career issues, research programs, and other general topics.

Are professors actively involved in research? How involved are the students in research? 

The faculty members in MSU’s Organizational program are all actively involved in research. Some faculty members pursue more laboratory-oriented research, others are more focused on field research projects, and some are involved in both. All students are encouraged to work on research projects with the faculty members. Usually the role the student plays in the research depends on their interest and level of expertise. Student activity ranges from collecting laboratory data to participating in research plan development, and students are often encouraged to "take the lead" on various research projects.

What kind of applied work is done? 

Professors regularly do work with outside organizations. Examples of recent applied projects include: selection system design, training program development, employee surveys, and evaluations of interventions to enhance productivity and satisfaction. In addition to gaining hands-on experience, the project teams often build some research questions into the project design, which enables them to produce research articles as well as technical reports. Often students’ research assistantships will involve an applied project.

Will I be required to do an internship? 

While internships are not a required part of the doctoral program, students who are considering careers in applied settings are encouraged to seek an internship. Students who do intern usually take a position sometime during their fourth year, after completing comprehensive exams. Internships are not arranged by the faculty; students must actively and individually pursue internship positions with organizations and/or consulting firms. (see here for information on recent student internship experiences.

Where are recent graduates employed? 

Graduates of MSU’s Organizational Ph.D. program are employed at a variety of organizations, consulting firms, and universities.  See here for information on alums.

Do students attend or present research at professional conferences? 

Each year students attend the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) annual conference. Most students present one or more academic research papers, or contribute to a symposium presentation of their research.  See here for information on recent presentations.  Some students also attend and present research at the Academy of Management annual conference. 

Do students publish research in professional and scientific journals? 

MSU students regularly submit research articles to top-tier scientific journals and are often published. While many publications are generated by a group working together on a research project, students also have authored articles based on their dissertation, thesis, or class research papers. Student publications can be found in such journals as the Journal of Applied Psychology, Personnel Psychology, and Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes. See the site directory  for more information on student research activity.

Learn more about being a graduate student in our program here .

Overview of the Social / Personality Program:

The graduate program in social/personality psychology provides students with doctoral level training with the goal of preparing students to assume positions as faculty members in universities or as research associates in the private or public sector. The program is research intensive and provides students with expertise in theoretical and methodological aspects of both social and personality psychology. 

Unique characteristics of the Social/Personality program include:

• Strong and diverse methodological and data analytic training
• Expertise in secondary/existing data analysis
• Emphasis on replication, reproducibility, and open science practices
• Certificate programs in quantitative methods/evaluation science, infancy and early childhood, and cognitive science, and college teaching/instruction
• One-on-one mentoring opportunities
• Collaborative work with peers and faculty
• Collegial atmosphere
• Opportunities to mentor undergraduates
• Teaching assistantship opportunities

What types of courses will I be taking?

Students take a range of courses, including three courses in statistics, a research methods course, general overviews of social and personality psychology, and topical seminars in interpersonal, group and intergroup behavior, close relationships, attitudes and social cognition. A variety of other special topic seminars are also offered including seminars in emotions, social identity, the self, personality and development, stereotyping and prejudice, law and psychology, and evolutionary psychology. Students can also take courses in other areas of psychology as well as other departments at the university.

Core interests of the Social/Personality program include lifespan development, social cognition, evolutionary psychology, social relationships/networks, community-engaged research and processes, individual differences, health and well-being, political psychology, and group disparities in health and well-being. Here is a brief description of each individual faculty member’s research interests:

Kaston Anderson-Carpenter : Dr. Anderson-Carpenter is not accepting graduate students for fall 2024.

• Social determinants of health
• Substance use and addiction
• Marginalized and underserved populations

Mark Brandt : Dr. Brandt is not accepting graduate students for fall 2024.

• Political psychology and Moral psychology,
• Intergroup Relationships, Ideology, and Prejudice

Joeseph Cesario : Dr. Cesario is not accepting graduate students for fall 2024.

• Social Cognition
• Stereotyping and automaticity

William Chopik : Dr. Chopik is accepting graduate students for fall 2024.

• Close relationships and individual differences
• lifespan development

Richard Lucas : Dr. Lucas is not accepting graduate students for fall 2024. 

• subjective well-being
• personality
• measurement

Carlos Navarrete : Dr. Navarrete is not accepting graduate students for fall 2024.

• Evolutionary psychology
• Prejudice and discrimination

Jennifer Watling Neal : Dr. Neal is not accepting graduate students for fall 2024.

• Social Networks
• Child Development

Zachary Neal : Dr. Neal is not accepting graduate students for fall 2024.

• cities and neighborhoods
• computational social science
• social networks

Ted Schwaba : Dr. Schwaba is accepting graduate students for fall 2024.

• personality genomics
• openness to experience

What co-curricular activities are available? 

Students in the Social/Personality program attend a weekly brownbag seminar, where students, faculty, and guests from other universities present their research. The Social/Personality program also offers an informal weekly reading group where students and faculty read and discuss current research. Students will have opportunities to present their research within the area/department, region, nationally, and internationally at conferences, and have many networking opportunities.

Students typically have one primary faculty mentor, though they are encouraged to and often do work with multiple faculty members during their training.

Where are graduates employed? 

Former graduates have positions as faculty members in universities and as research associates in the private or public sector.

Most graduate students are supported for the first four years through either teaching or research assistantships and university fellowships. After their fourth year, students often receive support by teaching their own classes. In addition to the stipend, financial support covers tuition and health care. Students are encouraged to apply for funding from external sources such as the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Health, and the Ford Foundation. More information about financial support can be found on the Graduate School webpage.

Psychology Graduate Student Life

The Department of Psychology at Michigan State University is committed to advancing a diverse and intellectually engaging environment. We embrace the differences among our colleagues, and believe that our success as scholars, educators, and citizens relies on learning from the experiences and perspectives we all bring. We strive to maintain an inclusive, respectful community that fosters collaboration and shared responsibility.

Our faculty and students believe that an enhanced understanding of all types of diversity is critical for the development of our individual students and faculty as psychologists, researchers, and professionals in the field. Our department subscribes to an inclusive definition of diversity which includes race, age, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion, disability, geographic region, and other significant identity groups.

While all faculty strive for inclusive approaches in their research, several of the department’s faculty members and  graduate students conduct research focusing more directly on diversity, equity, and inclusion. You can read more about this research by clicking on the following links: 

https://psychology.msu.edu/programs/clinical/diversity.html

https://psychology.msu.edu/programs/ecological-community/research-comm.html

https://psychology.msu.edu/programs/organizational/research-org.html

https://psychology.msu.edu/programs/social-personality/research-sp.html

To promote an inclusive environment in the department, we have a Psychology Department DEI Committee led by Dr. Ignacio Acevedo-Popovich which engages in planning, programming, and evaluation and DEI.

MSU as a university also has a comprehensive DEI plan that discuss the university’s strategic goals regarding diversity, equity, inclusion, and outreach.  Learn about DEI Initiatives at MSU here .

There are also numerous resources on campus specifically for graduate students, including the  including   Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP)   learning community.  The graduate school also has funding and fellowships to support DEI goals (see https://grad.msu.edu/diversity ). 

Other MSU resources and support can be found here:

Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives

Gender and Sexuality Campus Center

Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities

Office for International Students and Scholars

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program

Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions (OCAT)

Do students live on or off MSU's campus? What is a typical monthly rent payment in the East Lansing area?

Almost all students choose to live off-campus. There are plenty of reasonably priced apartments and townhouses in either walking or short-driving distance from campus. Prices range from approximately $815 to 1200, depending on size and location. There is also graduate housing available on campus. Click here for more information on graduate housing on campus and off campus.

When do students make living arrangements?

Students generally come to the East Lansing area to look for an apartment and sign a lease during the early summer.

Do I need to have a car?

While you may decide you don’t want to have a car if you live very close to campus, many of the current students do have cars. There are a few small stores and restaurants close to campus, but most of the supermarkets, other stores, and restaurants are not a reasonable walking distance. There is a bus line that runs through the East Lansing area. However, having a car is recommended. Parking permits are available for purchase for students who have assistantships. Parking permits are available here .  

What is the weather like in winter in mid-Michigan?

The first snowfall is usually in early November, and winter weather usually lasts until early May. Temperatures are coldest in January and February, usually ranging from mid-30s to the single digits. Snowfalls are not particularly heavy, and we have a number of students from southern states that have successfully learned to drive in the snow! 

Will I need to take out student loans, or can I afford to live off the assistantship?

The assistantship stipend is designed so that one student can afford to live modestly. Whether you need a loan will depend on your lifestyle, and if you have any other factors involved, such as a spouse or dependent children, high moving expenses, plan on purchasing a computer, etc. Many current students do have loans; however, there are a few who are managing the process loan-free. 

Do I have to pay tuition? Do I pay the out-of-state resident tuition rates?

in fall and spring semesters, students with assistantships are waived tuition for nine credit hours; during summer session, four credit hours of tuition are waived. Students who take more than nine (or four) credits are required to pay for those additional credits, but pay at an in-state student rate. The out-of-state portion of the tuition is waived for graduate assistants. Students are responsible for paying fees each semester. 

Do I receive any health care coverage?

All graduate students on an assistantship receive student medical insurance coverage free of charge. This includes major medical coverage, sick/injury visits to the campus health clinic, and many lab test are covered. Prescriptions have a modest co-pay.

Graduate students at MSU typically are awarded funding at the time of acceptance.  Funding is typically granted via a fellowship or an assistantship.  Most students will receive this funding including tuition coverage and health insurance. A fellowship is an award you are given to support you as you take classes and do research. An assistantship is employment (typically as a teaching assistant or research assistant).  Note that both fellowships and assistantships are considered taxable income. See  https://grad.msu.edu/taxinfo  for more information.

​Assistantships

Graduate assistantships are an additional educational opportunity for graduate students to improve their skills in teaching and research among other activities while pursuing graduate education. Michigan State University offers teaching assistant, research assistant and teaching exempt positions.

MSU HR - Graduate Assistant Info  

Fellowships

The University provides fellowships to select students at the time of admission.  Nominations for fellowships are made by departments and colleges.

https://grad.msu.edu/universityfellowships

Students also often apply for and receive fellowships from outside entities (e.g., the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health). See  https://grad.msu.edu/external-funding   for more information.

Additional Funding Opportunities

Graduate School Travel Funding  

Graduate School Research Enhancement Award  

• Psychology Graduate Student Handbook Psychology Graduate Student Handbook 2023-2024

Schedule:  While graduate students will need to be on campus when working in a lab, teaching a class, or working in the clinic, they generally have autonomy in determining the time and place where they work. Although all PhD students have their own desk, some students prefer to work at home, in coffee shops, or in one of the university’s libraries. Students' schedules also differ based on program area. For instance, in Clinical Psychology and Organizational Psychology, it is common for students to work on internships that have different scheduling requirements. 

Classes: Certain statistics classes and psychology classes in your program area are required, but for the most part, students can shape their class schedule to fit their unique interests. One can also take classes within other areas of psychology and outside of the department altogether. Most classes are reading and discussion based, and meet once a week for about 3 hours. Class papers are often written with the intention of converting them into future research projects. Students typically take only two classes per semester to leave time for working on research projects.

Research: Research projects can be initiated by both faculty and students and range across a wide spectrum of interests. Students can work one-on-one with professors, on larger research teams, with one another, or on their own. Michigan State has the advantage of a large subject pool to facilitate lab-based and survey research.

Conferences: Conferences are a popular outlet for students to present their work. Students regularly present their research at the annual conferences for the American Psychological Association, and the Association for Psychological Science, as well as conferences pertaining to their program area. Students may apply for funding to travel to conferences

Intramural teams and sports:  Many students play on  intramural teams  throughout the year. Psychology students team up with one another and other graduate students, which is a great way to meet new people and have fun.

Other activities:  Many students also pursue activities outside of the program, including MSU sports teams, recreational classes, clubs, and associations. Both the East Lansing Hannah Community Center and the  MSU Graduate School  offer affordable or free exercise classes.  Students can also get involved in volunteering activities, or join the  Council of Graduate Students . There are opportunities to get involved with the community both through MSU and the surrounding area.

Social life:  Many students also like to just spend time together outside of the office. Going to  football games , movies (tickets are very affordable!),  theater performances , and concerts are some of the things to do for fun.  

Students take trips to neighboring cities like Detroit, Grand Rapids,  Ann Arbor, Grand Haven, and Royal Oak to experience all that Michigan has to offer. Michigan is also a natural beauty, and is home to destinations like Sleepy Hollow State Park, Mackinac Island, and Sleeping Bear Dunes where students can go to hike, camp, kayak, etc. 

A lot of students travel home during the holidays. During the summer and spring breaks, many go home for several weeks and easily continue working with team members and faculty remotely.

"Manage your time and energy. Pursue work you are interested in and it will help you in your future career or help you decide what path may be best for you." "Every grad student looks at the successes of their peers and thinks in the back of their mind that they are the worst grad student in the department. If everyone is a failure, then no one is. Just go at your own pace and you will find success." "Be sure to take time for yourself. Graduate school is a big time commitment, but it's important to ensure you're taking the necessary time off and focusing on your mental and physical health." "Work hard, ask questions, and have fun!"

Evaluating evidence to create knowledge and make decisions is necessary in research careers in and outside of academia. The Quantitative Methods and Evaluation Science (QMES) certificate is a series of courses and projects that teach you highly sought after skills in quantitative and qualitative methods above and beyond the required training. This gives you additional skills to answer your research questions and make contributions in your career. The QMES Concentration is an option for students in all areas of the department and can be completed at any stage during your graduate training.

• Best Online Programs
• Best Campus Programs
• Behavior Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Counseling & Mental Health
• Developmental Psychology
• Educational Psychology
• Forensic Psychology
• General Psychology
• Health Psychology
• Industrial/Organizational
• Marriage Family Therapy
• Social Psychology
• Social Work
• Educational Psychologist
• Forensic Psychologist
• Clinical Psychologist
• Family Psychologists
• Marriage Family Therapist
• School Psychologist
• Social Psychologist
• School Counselors
• Neuropsychologist
• I/O Psychologist
• Sports Psychologist
• Addiction Counselor
• Mental Health Psychologist
• Counseling Psychologist
• Occupational Psychologist
• Child Psychiatrist
• Connecticut
• Massachusetts
• Mississippi
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• West Virginia
• PsyD vs PhD

Michigan Psychology Doctorate Programs

Increasing acceptance of the need for mental health treatment has led to a huge increase in enrollment in educational programs in psychology. For those who want to practice professionally as licensed psychologists, they must first complete a rigorous, multi-year doctoral program, such as a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) or a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.).

The good news for prospective psychologists in Michigan is that many educational institutions in the state offer a range of degree types and focus areas. Let’s take a look at what students here in Michigan need to know about Psy.D. and similar degrees in our state and what’s required to earn licensure.

What’s On This Page

Quick facts.

• Michigan PsyD Programs
• Other Psychology Doctorates
• Michigan Psychologist Requirements
• Michigan Doctorate Salary Outlook
• Michigan is home to forty seven schools offering psychology degree programs, including both not-for-profit colleges and universities.
• Eleven schools in Michigan offer associate’s degrees, thirty eight offer bachelor’s degree programs, and sixteen offer master’s or other advanced degree programs.
• Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges, 2017, ranks Michigan State University at #38 in-state and #73 out-of-state. The same list ranks University of Michiigan considerably higher at #5 in-state and #13 out-of-state.
• Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Psychology Majors, 2018, includes Albion College, and University of Michigan – Ann Arbor.
• University of Michiigan – Ann Arbor has the highest graduation rate, at 91%, while Wayne State University holds the highest transfer-out rate in the state, at 38%.
• The highest net price school goes to Kalamaoo College at $27,958, while the lowest goes to Lake Superior State College, at $11,030.

List of PsyD Degree Programs in Michigan

Several Michigan schools are home to APA-accredited doctoral degrees in the field of psychology. Earning one of these degrees is a critical step to earning professional licensure in the state, which is a legal requirement for practicing professionally in many cases.

SEE ALSO:   5+ Online PsyD Accredited Degree Programs

Michigan School of Psychology

The Michigan School of Psychology offers the state’s only Psy.D. degree, and the unique program has been accredited by the APA since 2016. Applicants must first complete a master’s degree before seeking admission. A total of 132 students have completed the program since the 2009-10 school year, and 92% have earned licensure in mental health.

• Institution type: Private
• Campus: Farmington Hills
• Annual tuition: $39,852
• Degrees offered: PsyD
• Accreditation: APA
• Visit school: Click here

Other Psychology Doctorates in Michigan

University of michigan.

One of the first schools to earn APA accreditation, the University of Michigan’s psychology department admits only about 2% of applicants to the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program each year. A total of 55 students have earned their degrees over the past 10 academic years for which data is available, and just over half have earned professional licensure.

• Institution type: Public
• Campus: Ann Arbor
• Annual tuition: Most admitted students will qualify for free tuition and annual research or teaching stipends
• Degrees offered: PhD in Clinical Psychology

Wayne State University

Wayne State University has offered an APA-accredited Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology since 1960, and today’s students have the option of adding a concentration area to their doctorate, including clinical neuropsychology, child clinical, health, community, trauma and substance abuse. A total of 92 students have completed the program over the past 10 years, and all of those who have sought state licensure have received it.

• Campus: Detroit
• Annual tuition: All incoming students receive full tuition and annual stipends

University of Detroit Mercy

The University of Detroit Mercy, a Jesuit Catholic university, has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology that was first accredited in 1988. Over the past decade, nearly 75 students have earned their degrees from the program, and 87% have become professionally licensed.

• Institution type: Private, not-for-profit
• Annual tuition: $97,560; most students receive 50% tuition remission in exchange for teaching or assistantship positions

Central Michigan University

CMU offers a pair of APA-accredited psychology doctorates — Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology (1990) and Ph.D. in School Psychology (2001) — as well as two non-APA-accredited Ph.D. degrees in experimental and industrial-organizational psychology. Nearly 100 students have completed either the clinical or school psychology program over the past 10 years, and they’re licensed at an average rate of 83%.

• Campus: Mount Pleasant
• Annual tuition: Clinical psychology students receive free tuition and annual stipend; annual tuition for school psychology is $20,328, including for out-of-state students
• Degrees offered: PhD in Clinical Psychology (APA-accredited), PhD in School Psychology (APA-accredited), PhD in Experimental Psychology, PhD in Industrial-Organizational Psychology

Western Michigan University

Western Michigan offers two APA-accredited psychology doctorates (clinical and counseling) and a third Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis that’s not APA-accredited but is approved by the Association for Behavior Analysis International. WMU’s Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology first earned APA accreditation in 1991, followed two years later by the Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology. The two APA-accredited programs have graduated more than 120 students combined over the past 10 years, and their licensure rate averages 87%.

• Campus: Kalamazoo
• Annual tuition: Most students receive full tuition and annual stipends
• Degrees offered: PhD in Clinical Psychology (APA-accredited), PhD in Counseling Psychology, PhD in Behavior Analysis (Association for Behavior Analysis International-accredited)
• Accreditation: APA and ABAI

Michigan State University

Michigan State’s Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology earned APA accreditation in 1948, making the program one of the first accredited by the organization. The university has also offered an APA-accredited Ph.D. in School Psychology since 1985. Between the two programs, 85 students have completed their degrees over the past 10 years, and all clinical students who sought professional licensure received it.

• Campus: East Lansing
• Annual tuition: Most students will qualify for full or partial tuition and annual stipends
• Degrees offered: PhD in Clinical Psychology, PhD in School Psychology

Eastern Michigan University

Eastern Michigan has offered an APA-accredited Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology since 2005. Today’s students can choose from a few possible academic tracks, including adult, applied behavior analysis, assessment, health and developmental psychopathology. Nearly 75 students have completed their degrees in the past 10 years, and 82% have earned professional licensure.

• Campus: Ypsilanti
• Annual tuition: All students receive tuition remission and annual stipends

Andrews University

Andrews University, which is affiliated with the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, offers a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology that recently received APA accreditation (2017). The university offers two other psychology doctorates (educational and school), but neither of those degrees are APA-accredited. A dozen students have completed their counseling degrees from Andrews since their first year of accreditation, and 42% have become professionally licensed so far.

• Campus: Berrien Springs
• Annual tuition: $19,740, including 50% scholarship awarded to all students
• Degrees offered: PhD in Counseling Psychology (APA-accredited), PhD in Educational Psychology, PhD in School Psychology

How to Become a Psychologist in Michigan

Let’s take a closer look at all the steps involved in becoming a licensed psychologist in Michigan, including educational and legal requirements.

• Complete a bachelor’s degree program, ideally in psychology. For the most part, psychology doctoral program admissions officers will be looking for people with psychology degrees, but many applicants have been accepted with a degree in a related field, such as social work or biology. But many programs require a lower-level degree in psychology, so for those without a bachelor’s degree in the field, a master’s degree may be necessary before moving to the next step.
• Earn a Psy.D. or Ph.D. in Psychology. Psychology doctoral degrees are required for psychologist licensure in Michigan, and the state mandates that programs be accredited by the APA.
• Meet state requirements. Once they complete their doctorate program, applicants must then obtain 2,000 hours of post-degree training, after which they will be eligible to take the necessary examination for licensure. Applicants must score at least 500 on the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology.
• Renew your license on time. After being granted their psychologist license, professionals in Michigan will need to complete at least 30 hours of continuing education credits every two years as well as submit renewal forms on time.

Michigan Clinical Psychologist Salary and Job Outlook

Clinical, counseling and school psychologists in Michigan have the 11th-highest average annual salary among these professionals in the United States, according to estimates reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics . Their average wage here is $90,700, considerably higher than the overall average for all workers in Michigan, which is about $51,000.

Over the next several years, psychologist jobs in Michigan are projected to expand by nearly 14%, almost three times higher than the growth rate expected for all jobs in the U.S. (5%).

FellowshipBard

Fully Funded PhD in Clinical Science at University of Michigan

Join our telegram channel, never miss an opportunity.

The University of Michigan, located in Ann Arbor, MI, provides an exceptional opportunity for aspiring scholars through its fully funded PhD program in Clinical Science.

This program is dedicated to the comprehensive training of clinical psychologists who aspire to forge impactful careers that advance translational knowledge in the pursuit of enhanced well-being and the mitigation of mental illness.

PhD Program Requirements

Prospective candidates seeking admission to the PhD program in Clinical Science at the University of Michigan should possess a strong academic background and a genuine commitment to clinical psychology research.

A bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field is typically required. Additionally, competitive applicants will demonstrate relevant research experience and a clear alignment with the program’s research goals.

PhD Funding Coverage

The University of Michigan’s PhD program in Clinical Science offers a comprehensive financial support package to admitted students. This package is designed to cover the entirety of a student’s five-year journey through the graduate program. Financial support primarily consists of:

Research Fellowships: These fellowships provide financial support and often include a stipend or salary to assist students in meeting their living expenses.

Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) Positions: GSI positions offer valuable teaching experience and a salary. GSIs are typically responsible for assisting faculty members in undergraduate courses.

Tuition Coverage: The financial package includes tuition coverage for both the Fall and Winter terms, relieving students of the burden of tuition expenses.

Health Insurance: Students are provided with health insurance coverage, ensuring their well-being and peace of mind during their academic journey.

Application Requirement

To apply for admission to the PhD program in Clinical Science, applicants must assemble a comprehensive application package that typically includes:

Online Application: Complete the university’s online application form, which can be found on the official admissions website.

Transcripts: Submit official transcripts from all previous academic institutions attended.

Letters of Recommendation: Secure letters of recommendation from academic or professional references who can speak to your qualifications and potential for success in the program.

Statement of Purpose: Craft a compelling statement outlining your research interests, career goals, and alignment with the program’s mission.

Resume/CV: Provide a detailed resume or curriculum vitae highlighting relevant academic and research experiences.

Standardized Test Scores: If required, submit scores from standardized tests, such as the GRE. Check the program’s specific requirements for the latest information.

Application Deadline

December 1, 2024

Application Fee

U.S. citizens and permanent residents: $75 International applicants: $90.

This might interest you

Recently Viewed

Similar programs.

Never Miss Any Research Opportunity! Join Our Telegram Channel

Jump to navigation

Search form

The Graduate School

• Faculty/Staff Resources
• Programs of Study Browse the list of MSU Colleges, Departments, and Programs
• Graduate Degree List Graduate degrees offered by Michigan State University
• Research Integrity Guidelines that recognize the rights and responsibilities of researchers
• Online Programs Find all relevant pre-application information for all of MSU’s online and hybrid degree and certificate programs
• Graduate Specializations A subdivision of a major for specialized study which is indicated after the major on official transcripts
• Graduate Certificates Non-degree-granting programs to expand student knowledge and understanding about a key topic
• Interdisciplinary Graduate Study Curricular and co-curricular opportunities for advanced study that crosses disciplinary boundaries
• Theses and Dissertations Doctoral and Plan A document submission process
• Policies and Procedures important documents relating to graduate students, mentoring, research, and teaching
• Academic Programs Catalog Listing of academic programs, policies and related information
• Traveling Scholar Doctoral students pursue studies at other BTAA institutions
• Apply Now Graduate Departments review applicants based on their criteria and recommends admission to the Office of Admissions
• International Applicants Application information specific to international students
• PhD Public Data Ph.D. Program Admissions, Enrollments, Completions, Time to Degree, and Placement Data
• Costs of Graduate School Tools to estimate costs involved with graduate education
• Recruitment Awards Opportunities for departments to utilize recruitment funding
• Readmission When enrollment is interrupted for three or more consecutive terms
• Assistantships More than 3,000 assistantships are available to qualified graduate students
• Fellowships Financial support to pursue graduate studies
• Research Support Find funding for your research
• Travel Funding Find funding to travel and present your research
• External Funding Find funding outside of MSU sources
• Workshops/Events Find opportunities provided by The Graduate School and others
• Research Opportunities and programs for Research at MSU
• Career Development Programs to help you get the career you want
• Teaching Development Resources, workshops, and development opportunities to advance your preparation in teaching
• Cohort Fellowship Programs Spartans are stronger together!
• The Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society (BGHS) A national network society for students who have traditionally been underrepresented
• Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) A gateway to graduate education at Big Ten Academic Alliance universities
• Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) A community that supports retention, and graduation of underrepresented doctoral students
• Recruitment and Outreach Ongoing outreach activities by The Graduate School
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Funding Funding resources to recruit diverse students
• Graduate Student Organizations MSU has over 900 registered student organizations
• Grad School Office of Well-Being Collaborates with graduate students in their pursuit of their advanced degree and a well-balanced life
• Housing and Living in MI MSU has an on and off-campus housing site to help find the perfect place to stay
• Mental Health Support MSU has several offices and systems to provide students with the mental health support that they need
• Spouse and Family Resources MSU recognizes that students with families have responsibilities that present challenges unique to this population
• Health Insurance Health insurance info for graduate student assistants and students in general at MSU
• Safety and Security MSU is committed to cultivating a safe and inclusive campus community characterized by a culture of safety and respect
• Why Mentoring Matters To Promote Inclusive Excellence in Graduate Education at MSU
• Guidelines Guidelines and tools intended to foster faculty-graduate student relationships
• Toolkit A set of resources for support units, faculty and graduate students
• Workshops Workshops covering important topics related to mentor professional development
• About the Graduate School We support graduate students in every program at MSU
• Strategic Plan Our Vision, Values, Mission, and Goals
• Social Media Connect with the Graduate School!
• History Advancing Graduate Education at MSU for over 25 years
• Staff Directory
• Driving Directions

2024-25 COGS Diversity Equity and Inclusion Award Recipients

Alexandra Vazquez

Alexandra Vazquez is currently a sixth-year graduate student in the clinical psychology doctoral program. Alexandra is very passionate about engaging in work that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Through her role as a co-chair of the clinical science area’s diversity committee, she has collaborated with a local shelter for unhoused families (facilitating staff training on mental health and running an annual holiday drive) and spearheaded several initiatives within her program to promote DEI. For instance, this semester, they successfully proposed the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Excellence Recognition Award for clinical students at the master's and doctoral levels and are currently planning a DEI-focused brown bag series for the fall. In addition, she has been involved in the Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate and have made efforts to actively mentor undergraduate and graduate students in statistics, clinical work, and research. Moreover, her research focused on youth resilience to adversity also emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion. she is hopeful that this line of research will ultimately inform policy reform and interventions that promotes resilience to adversity. Finally, as a clinician in the MSU psychological clinic, she has been able to provide interventions to diverse and under-resourced members of our community. Alexandra is committed to continuing to promote DEI throughout my academic pursuits.

School of Packaging

Corinne (Zimmerman) Hobbs is a second year doctoral student in the Department of Kinesiology, studying the psychosocial aspects of sport and physical activity. Corinne is currently serving as the chairperson for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee for the Kinesiology Graduate Student Organization (KGSO). During this time, she and her peers have been able to host podcast club a few times a semester, creating space fellow graduate students to engage with topics of DEI within the context of American higher education. Additionally, KGSO students were able to view the an art exhibition at the Broad Art Museum centered on civil rights and gender equality in the context of sport. Corinne is incredibly proud of how her peers in the department have embraced these opportunities thoughtfully with the intent to connect these spaces to their own experiences as graduate students, classroom instructors, researchers, and practitioners.

Rachel Roca (she/they) is a third year PhD student in the department of Computational Mathematics, Science and Engineering (CMSE), where she researches topological data analysis, computing education, and quantitative justice while serving as the Co-Chair of the graduate student CMSE DEI Committee. Through their role as Co-Chair, Rachel facilitates the Peer Mentorship Program, founded a Computing x DEI seminar series, and more. Rachel's teaching emphasizes DEI issues, and she has contributed to curriculum development leading to explicit content of ethics, justice, and data feminism into computing courses. Along with a wonderful group of collaborators, they also produce scholarship on social justice and inequities in the mathematics community. Rachel is honored to receive this award, and would like to especially thank Dr. Elizabeth Munch, Dr. Danny Caballero, Dr. Rachel Frisbie, and Emily Bolger for their steadfast support; she would not be here without them.

• Call us: (517) 353-3220
• Contact Information
• Privacy Statement
• Site Accessibility
• Call MSU: (517) 355-1855
• Visit: msu.edu
• MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer.
• Notice of Nondiscrimination
• Spartans Will.
• © Michigan State University

• Departments and Units
• Majors and Minors
• LSA Course Guide
• LSA Gateway

Search: {{$root.lsaSearchQuery.q}}, Page {{$root.page}}

• Program Areas
• Undergraduates
• Alumni & Friends
• Prospective Students

• Accelerated Master's Degree Program
• Career/Internship Exploration
• Major in Psychology or BCN
• Registration and Grades
• STAR Scholars Program
• Study Abroad
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Photos & Videos
• Student Organizations
• Subject Pool
• Honors Program
• Preparing for Graduate School
• Service Learning Opportunities
• Student Resources
• Transfer Credit
• Alumni Directory
• Stay Connected
• UM Resources
• Giving Opportunities
• Alumni Profile - Send Us Your News
• Donor Impact
• Department Newsletters
• Undergraduate
• Transfer (Undergraduate)

Recent News

Announcing our graduate student award recipients: march 2024.

Congratulations, everyone!

Ann Arbor Public Schools is short $25 million. How did we get here? | Op-Ed

A $25 million budget shortfall. A $14 million clerical error. Largescale layoffs. These are the problems suddenly facing Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS), one of the richest districts in Michigan.

We strive to support our students and faculty on the front lines of learning and research and to steward our planet, our community, our campus. To do this, the Department of Psychology needs your support.

Undergraduate Quick Links

University of Michigan Psychology

• Information For
• Current Students
• Faculty and Staff
• Alumni and Friends
• More about LSA
• How Do I Apply?
• LSA Opportunity Hub
• LSA Magazine
• Academic Advising
• Global Studies
• Social Media
• Update Contact Info
• Privacy Statement
• Report Feedback