Clinical Psychology (PhD)
The Clinical Psychology PhD program at Loyola University Chicago adheres to the scientist-practitioner model of clinical training and is designed to develop skilled, creative professionals prepared to succeed in a variety of settings (e.g., clinical, research, academic). The program strives to provide a balance of training and experience in research, clinical work, and teaching. The mission of the program is to provide students with a strong foundation in general psychology along with training focused on the integration of research and practice of clinical psychology. Students are exposed to a range of clinical training and research, with an orientation toward social justice applications of both research and practice. Located in Chicago, Illinois, students have access to a variety of community-based research and clinical externship opportunities. Formal specialization is available in the area of clinical child psychology and/or neuropsychology.
APA Accredited
The clinical psychology program at Loyola University Chicago has been fully accredited by the American Psychological Association since 1959.
APA, Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
750 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
202.336.5979
Curriculum
The PhD in Clinical Psychology requires 72 credit hours of coursework, a comprehensive examination, supervised clinical and research experiences (including a yearlong APA-Accredited internship), and a dissertation. Students may select a sub-specialty in Child Clinical Psychology, or to elect to undertake a Neuropsychology module.
Coursework Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology Core | 9 | |
| Area A (Choose One) | ||
| Seminar in Cognitive Neuroscience | ||
| Psychopharmacology | ||
| Neuropsychology | ||
| Area B (Choose One) | ||
| Social Psychological Theory | ||
| Attitude and Attitude Change | ||
| Cognitive Social Psychology | ||
| Research in Group Dynamics | ||
| School Psychology Special Topics | ||
| Area C (Choose One) | ||
| Psychopathology | ||
| Developmental Psychology | ||
| Social Development | ||
| Cognitive Development | ||
| Research and Quantitative Methods | ||
| PSYC 401 | History & Systems of Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 420 | Research Methods in Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 491 | Multivariate Analysis | 3 |
| One Advanced Statitics Course | 3 | |
| Structural Equation Modeling | ||
| Hierarchical Linear Models | ||
| Statistical Design | ||
| Clinical Psychology Course Requirements | ||
| PSYC 412 | Introduction to the Profession of Clinical Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 432 | Intellectual & Personality Assessment | 3 |
| PSYC 446 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| PSYC 464 | Practicum in Psychotherapy I (Taken Twice) | 6 |
| PSYC 510 | Ethics & Professional Practice | 3 |
| PSYC 560 | Human Diversity | 3 |
| PSYC 568 | Evidence-Based Practice in Clinical Psychology | 3 |
| One Advanced Therapy Course | 3 | |
| One Advanced Assessment Course | 3 | |
| Six Elective Courses 1 | 18 | |
| APA Distribution Requirements (See Table Below for Details) | 3 | |
| PSYC 600 | Dissertation Supervision | 0 |
| Total Hours | 72 | |
- 1
Electives are selected by the student in consultation with their advisor and should provide the student with grater depth in their special interest area as well as a richer contextual framework for their clinical interests. Electives may be chosen from graduate level psychology courses or other graduate level courses in the university with approval.
All PhD students and students in thesis-based Master's degree programs must successfully complete UNIV 370 Responsible Conduct in Research and Scholarship or other approved coursework in responsible conduct of research as part of the degree requirements. It is strongly recommended that students complete this two-day training before beginning the dissertation/thesis stage of the program.
APA Course Requirements
To acquire a broad background in primary content areas designated by APA ("discipline-specific knowledge"), clinical students are required to complete courses the Biological, Cognitive, Affective, Social, and Developmental Aspects of Behavior, as well as Psychometrics and Advanced Integrative Knowledge in Scientific Psychology. In order to effectively plan coursework to meet all distribution requirements, students should consult their advisor and Graduate Program Director frequently.
The APA requires that students in all accredited clinical programs acquire basic knowledge in each of seven areas described as "broad theoretical and scientific foundations of the field of psychology.” Note that the Department and APA requirements overlap in several respects. One class can simultaneously satisfy both Departmental and APA requirements.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Aspects of Behavior (Choose One) | ||
| PSYC 552 | Neuropsychology | 3 |
| Cognitive Aspects of Behavior (Choose One) | ||
| PSYC 435 | Seminar in Cognitive Neuroscience | 3 |
| PSYC 475 | Cognitive Development | 3 |
| Affective Aspects of Behavior (Take Two) | ||
| PSYC 552 | Neuropsychology | 3 |
| PSYC 473 | Social Development | 3 |
| or PSYC 475 | Cognitive Development | |
| Social Aspects of Behavior (Choose One) | ||
| PSYC 460 | Social Psychological Theory | 3 |
| PSYC 461 | Attitude and Attitude Change | 3 |
| PSYC 462 | Cognitive Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 474 | Research in Group Dynamics | 3 |
| CIEP 466 | School Psychology Special Topics | 3 |
| Developmental Aspects of Behavior (Choose One) | ||
| PSYC 473 | Social Development | 3 |
| PSYC 475 | Cognitive Development | 3 |
| Psychometrics | ||
| PSYC 420 | Research Methods in Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 432 | Intellectual & Personality Assessment | 3 |
| Advanced Integrative Knowledge in Scientific Psychology (Choose One) | ||
| PSYC 435 | Seminar in Cognitive Neuroscience | 3 |
| PSYC 462 | Cognitive Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 473 | Social Development | 3 |
| PSYC 475 | Cognitive Development | 3 |
Supervised Clinical Experience and Internship
Supervised clinical experience is an integral part of the overall program. All clinical students must complete a minimum of 800 hours of pre-internship, or practicum/externship training, experience. This begins during the second year when students complete a two-semester psychotherapy practicum based in the University's Wellness Center.
After the second year, students progress to advanced-level externship placements where they continue to receive supervised experience, generally with a wider range of assessment and intervention techniques and more diverse clinical populations. The Clinical Program maintains a close working relationship with many hospitals, medical centers, clinics, and mental health facilities in the Chicago metropolitan area.
Clinical Internship: The 12-month full-time internship is typically taken in the 6th year of study and may be completed at any APA-accredited site within the Chicago area or anywhere in the United States.
Comprehensive Examinations
In addition to the oral examinations associated with the master's thesis and doctoral dissertation, all clinical students are required to complete the Clinical Qualifying Examination. This exam is designed to provide a comprehensive assessment of professional and scientific competency in clinical psychology. Students typically take this exam after their third year of study. This exam covers three major areas: assessment, intervention, and psychopathology. An oral exam, the Clinical Competency Examination, is also required. In this exam, students are required to discuss clinical material related to a case that is given to the student by the examination committee. Students typically take this exam at the end of their fourth year of study.
Research, Thesis, and Dissertation
All clinical students are required to complete an empirical master's thesis and a doctoral dissertation. As such, students will complete a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology en route to the PhD. The program emphasizes research on clinical problems in applied clinical settings and strongly encourages such research. Because of the close working relationships between the clinical program at Loyola and Chicago-area mental health facilities, opportunities for clinical research are available at a variety of locations.
In addition to the required research and related courses, other elective opportunities exist for students to participate in research activity. Within the Department, faculty lead research teams that provide active forums for generating research ideas. Such research covers areas such as family and marital issues, depression, ethics, adolescence, psychotherapy research, exposure to violence, children's mental health services, and pediatric psychology. Finally, our faculty encourage students to present papers and posters at professional meetings and to publish their research.
The master's thesis and dissertation will be subject to oral defense and the final approved manuscript must be deposited in a publicly accessible database in accordance with Graduate School policy.
Child Clinical Sub-specialty
The child sub-specialty allows students to develop special expertise in psychological approaches to understanding and treating children, adolescents, and families. Many of the clinical faculty teach courses and conduct research on issues related to children, adolescents, and families. In addition, clinical students and faculty interact closely with students and faculty of the developmental division through program meetings and research collaborations.
Students who enroll in this "track" complete the core courses required of all clinical students. In addition, they complete a series of advanced coursework in the child clinical sub-specialty and acquire clinical and research experience relevant to this sub-specialty as described below. It is important to note that all clinical students may take child clinical courses and acquire child related experiences. However, students can only report that they have been trained as child clinical psychologists if they complete the following requirements:
- In addition to the basic program course requirements, students in this track must take the following courses within their psychology core or electives: PSYC 473 Social Development, PSYC 475 Cognitive Development, PSYC 451 Psychopathology of Childhood & Adolescents, PSYC 438 Principles of Psychological Assessment Child & Adult, PSYC 451 Psychopathology of Childhood & Adolescents.
- Students must complete a dissertation directly related to child, adolescent, or family issues. Also, at least one faculty member from the child track must serve on each student's Thesis and Dissertation Committees.
- Following the second year psychotherapy practicum, students must complete an advanced externship focusing primarily on work with children, adolescents, and/or families.
- Students are required to complete an internship where at least 33% of one's time is spent working with child, adolescent, or family clients
Neuropsychology Module
The neuropsychology module allows students to develop special expertise in clinical neuropsychological assessment. Students who wish to pursue completion of this "module" enroll in the core courses required of all clinical students. In addition, they complete advanced coursework in clinical neuropsychology and acquire clinical experience relevant to clinical neuropsychology as described below. It is important to note that all clinical students may take neuropsychology and acquire neuropsychology-related experiences. However, students can only report that they have focused their training in clinical neuropsychology if they complete the following requirements:
- In addition to the basic program course requirements, students in this track must take the following courses as part of their psychology core or electives: PSYC 552 Neuropsychology, PSYC 553 Neuropsychological Assessment, and PSYC 436 Psychopharmacology.
- Following the second year psychotherapy practicum, students must complete an advanced externship focusing primarily on clinical neuropsychological assessment of adults and/or children.
- Students are required to complete an internship where a significant portion of one's training is in the practice of clinical neuropsychology.
Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations
Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supercede school policies.
Learning Outcomes
- Knowledge of the substantive content in the field of clinical psychology
- Knowledge of theories and methodological approaches in psychology
- Design and implementation of psychological research
- Specialized knowledge of clinical assessment, treatment, and psychopathology, including integration of research and practice
- Effective communication of psychological information across contexts
- Knowledge of and adherence to the ethical standards of the profession
- Awareness and integration of intersectional dimensions of diversity and individual differences in the application of psychological principles and approaches