The clinical psychology training program at Brigham Young University confers two degrees combined into a single program; the MS in Psychology and the PhD in Clinical Psychology. Importantly, we do not offer a stand-alone master’s degree. All students are admitted to the program with the understanding that they will complete both the MS and PhD and completion of the MS is a requirement to obtain the PhD.

The training program is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation. (Information on accreditation can be obtained from the Commission on Accreditation, 202-336-5979, or the Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, American Psychological Association, 750 First Street, NE Washington, DC 20002-4242, or at www.apa.org/ed/accreditation/.)

This program is designed to be completed in five years, including a year-long full-time clinical internship. Candidates with varied backgrounds who have strong academic and clinical promise are encouraged to apply.

The program emphasizes evidence-based practice of health service psychology. All students receive training in adult clinical psychology. They may also elect to complete a Major Area of Study in (1) Clinical Child, Adolescent, and Family Psychology; (2) Clinical Neuropsychology; or (3) Clinical Health Psychology. The philosophy of the clinical training program adheres to the scientist-practitioner model. Training focuses on academic and research competence as well as practical experience necessary to develop strong clinical skills.

Requirements for the MS Degree

• Credit hours (33 hour minimum; B grade or better in each class)
• Research data and analysis requirement:  9 hours of statistics and research methodology (Psych 501, 502, and 504)
• Clinical theory requirement:  3 hours of ethics and professional issues (Psych 609); 3 hours of psychopathology (Psych 611); 6 hours of assessment (Psych 622 and 623); and 6 hours of psychotherapy (Psych 651 and Psych 652).
• Master's thesis:  Students will complete a master's thesis that includes no fewer than 6 thesis credit hours (Psych 699R).  Students have three years to complete the MS degree requirements, including the thesis, and are not allowed to enroll in doctoral level courses during their fourth year if these requirements have not been met.

Requirements for the PhD Degree

• Completion of the Psychology MS degree  (including all coursework and the MS thesis) is a requirement to attain the Clinical Psychology PhD.
• The program requires the development of broad competencies described in the Clinical Psychology PhD Program Handbook and the Practicum Handbook. Thus, the program is not merely a series of courses and experiences. In addition to the requirements listed below, the student must demonstrate competence in clinical work, research, academics, and professionalism to advance through the various phases of the degree program, including the year-long predoctoral internship and clearance for graduation. 
• Credit hours (100 minimum including MS coursework; B grade or better in each class).
• Research requirements: 18 hours of dissertation (Psych 799R).
• General core courses: 3 hours of biological bases of behavior (Psych 585); 6 hours of social-cultural bases of behavior (Psych 550, 645); 3 hours of cognitive-affective bases of behavior (Psych 575); 3 hours of human development (Psych 520); 3 hours of history and systems (Psych 510).
• Clinical core courses: 3 additional hours of psychotherapy (one of the following: 653, 654, 656).
• Clinical practica: 20 hours of clinic practica (Psych 741R); 2 hours of externships/clerkships (Psych 688R); 3 hours of case conference (Psych 740R); 3 hours of pre-doctoral internship (Psych 745)
• Dissertation (including a manuscript in a form suitable for submission for publication appended to the dissertation).
• Internship: One-year pre-doctoral internship in a setting approved by the clinical director. 
• Examinations: (a) comprehensive examinations in first, second, and third years; (b) oral defense of master's thesis; (c) oral defense of dissertation prospectus; and (d) oral defense of dissertation.

Major Areas of Study: A sequence of elective courses and clinical/research experiences may be taken in the following Major Areas of Study: Clinical Child, Adolescent, and Family Psychology; Clinical Neuropsychology; Clinical Health Psychology.

For additional information about the program, please contact Jill Turner, Clinical Psychology PhD Program Manager at jill_turner@byu.edu or (801-422-9140.