The clinical psychology training program at Brigham Young University leads to the PhD degree and is fully accredited by the 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 one-year, full-time internship at an approved agency. Candidates with varied backgrounds who have strong academic and clinical promise are encouraged to apply.

The philosophy of the clinical training program adheres to the scientist-practitioner model. Training focuses on academic and research competence as well as theory and practicum experience necessary to develop strong clinical skills.

The program at Brigham Young University is eclectic in its theoretical approach, drawing from a wide range of theories and orientations in an attempt to give broad exposure to a diversity of traditional and innovative, empirically-supported approaches. Cognitive-behavioral and behavioral approaches are well-represented, in addition to interpersonal (including psychodynamic and objects relations), family systems, emotion-focused, mindfulness-based and compassion-focused orientations. All students receive a basic core of 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.
 

Requirements for Degree.

• 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 to advance through the various phases of the degree program, including the year-long predoctoral internship and clearance for graduation. 
• Credit hours (100 minimum; B grade or better in each class).
• Research requirements: 6 hours of graduate data analysis (Psych 501, 502); 3 hours of research methods (Psych 504); 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 hours of ethics and professional issues (Psych 609); 6 hours of assessment (Psych 622, 623); 9 hours of psychotherapy (Psych 651, 652, and one of the following: 653, 654, 656; 3 hours of psychopathology (Psych 611).
• Clinical practica: 20 hours of clinic practica (Psych 741R); 2 hours of externships/clerkships (Psych 688R); 3 hours of case conferences (Psych 740R); 3 hours of pre-doctoral internship (Psych 745, 746, 747, and 748).
• Major Areas of Study: a sequence of elective courses may be taken in the following Major Areas of Study: Clinical Child, Adolescent, and Family Psychology; Clinical Neuropsychology; Clinical Health Psychology.
• Master's thesis (Psych 699R; 6 hours).
• 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.

For additional information about the program, please contact Rachelle Gunderson, Graduate Program Manager, at Rachelle.Gunderson@byu.edu or (801) 422-4050.