Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
The Department of Psychology offers a doctorate (Ph.D.) in clinical psychology, with specialization in working with deaf and hard of hearing populations. The program is based on a "scholar-practitioner" training model, with a life-span development philosophy and offers courses and opportunities for supervised practice with deaf people, with both early- and late-onset hearing loss. Students also develop general clinical skills through work with hearing populations.
The clinical program trains psychologists in both clinical and research skills. It prepares them to contribute to the field both by providing clinical services to deaf and hard of hearing individuals and by expanding the knowledge base in areas of psychology important for working effectively with these populations. The doctoral program typically requires a minimum of five years for completion, one year of which is a full-time clinical internship. Students may apply to be awarded an M.A. in Psychology after completion of their predissertation research project and the comprehensive examination. This is usually awarded after the third year of study and is not a terminal degree.
The Clinical Psychology Program is accredited by the American Psychological Association. Information, comments, or questions about our accreditation can be directed to the Commission on Accreditation at the Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, American Psychological Association, 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002. Their phone number is (202) 336-5500 and their web address is http://www.apa.org/ed/accreditation/index.aspx for the Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation.
Admissions Procedures
Applicants for the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology must complete the application procedures and meet the requirements for graduate study at Gallaudet University. Visit the Graduate Admissions website for more information and a checklist of application requirements.
| DEADLINE |
DATE |
| First Date for Consideration of Application: |
December 15 |
| Last Date for Completed Application: |
January 1 |
Program Specific Requirements
Three Letters of Reference
Narrative Statements/Essays
Writing Sample
Resume
On-campus Interview by invitation in February-March
Prior Degrees Required
Undergraduate Psychology Major or Minor, or Related Field
Prerequisite Coursework
Statistics
Child Development
Abnormal Psychology
Experimental Psychology
18 hours of Undergraduate Psychology courses preferred
Prior Professional Experience
Preferred
Program of Study
Students complete approximately 100 hours of academic credit, including the following areas: biological bases of behavior, social bases of behavior, cognitive and affective bases of behavior, human development, research and analytic methods, ethics, psychological assessment, and psychological interventions. The program includes supervised practicum experiences and a research-based dissertation.
Sign Language Requirements
Students must attain prescribed levels of sign language competency to enter their first practicum and to be permitted to apply for an internship. Students are required to score 2+ or above on the GU-ASLPI (Gallaudet University American Sign Language Proficiency Interview) before beginning their practicum, and a 3 or above before beginning their internship.
Practicum Opportunities
Students from this program may participate in practicum activities with the Gallaudet University Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Students who undertake or intend to undertake a practicum experience with the CAPS may not also receive clinical services from the center. Such students need to seek practitioners not associated with the CAPS and would be responsible for the costs of such services. The CAPS maintains a listing of outside service providers, many of whom have reduced fees for Gallaudet students. We recommend that students applying to this program carry health insurance with sufficient mental health benefits to cover the cost of such outside services.
Accreditation
The Department of Psychology offers a doctorate (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation (CoA) of the American Psychological Association (APA). The CoA is part of the APA Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation (OPCA) in the education directorate. Information, comments, or questions about accreditation can be directed to the commission on accreditation: 750 First Street NE Washington D.C 20002-4242 Telephone: (202) 336-5979 TDD: (202) 336-6123 Fax: (202) 336-5978.
Plan of Study
First Year Fall Semester
| PSY 710 | Introduction to Applied Statistics in the Social Sciences | 3 |
| PSY 712 | Research Methods in Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 749 | Intellectual Assessment: Measurement Principles and Applications | 4 |
| PSY 781 | Clinical Psychology Ethics and Professional Issues | 3 |
| PSY 834 | Adult Psychopathology | 3 |
| ASL | Class as needed | |
First Year Spring Semester
First Year Summer
| PSY 704 | Research Seminar | 1 |
| PSY 722 | History and Systems of Psychology | 2 |
| | Predissertation Proposal Lit Review | |
Second Year Fall Semester
| PSY 723 | Psychology and Deafness | 3 |
| PSY 784 | Clinical Psychology Practicum I: Therapy (Fall) | 3 |
| PSY 785 | Clinical Psychology Practicum I: Assessment (Fall) | 3 |
| PSY 800 | Pre-Dissertation Research | 1-3 |
| PSY 840 | Neuroanatomical & Neurophysiological Foundations of Neuropsychology | 3 |
Second Year Spring Semester
| PSY 733 | Lifespan Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 762 | Cognition and Emotion | 3 |
| PSY 786 | Clinical Psychology Practicum I: Therapy (Spring) | 3 |
| PSY 787 | Clinical Psychology Practicum I: Assessment (Spring) | 3 |
| PSY 800 | Pre-Dissertation Research | 1-3 |
Second Year Summer
| | Complete Predissertation Project | |
| PSY 800 | Pre-Dissertation Research | 1-3 |
Third Year Fall Semester
| PSY 800 | Pre-Dissertation Research | 1-3 |
| PSY 809 | Social Psychology and Human Diversity | 3 |
| | | |
| | One elective 800-level PSY course on psychological intervention | 3 |
| | Or | |
| PSY 862 | Multicultural and Urban Issues in Clinical Practice | 3 |
| | | |
| PSY 885 | Clinical Psychology Practicum II | 3 |
| PSY 900 | Dissertation Research | 1-3 |
Third Year Spring Semester
| PSY 800 | Pre-Dissertation Research | 1-3 |
| | | |
| | One elective 800-level PSY course on psychological intervention | 3 |
| | Or | |
| PSY 862 | Multicultural and Urban Issues in Clinical Practice | 3 |
| | | |
| PSY 886 | Clinical Psychology Practicum III | 3 |
| PSY 900 | Dissertation Research | 1-3 |
Optional:
| PSY 887 | Clinical Psychology Practicum IV | 1-3 |
| PSY 900 | Dissertation Research | 1-3 |
Fourth Year Fall Semester
| | One elective 800-level PSY course on psychological intervention | 3 |
| PSY 900 | Dissertation Research | 1-3 |
| PSY 985 | Advanced Clinical Psychology Practicum I | 1-3 |
Fourth Year Spring Semester
| | One elective 800-level PSY course on psychological intervention | 3 |
| PSY 900 | Dissertation Research | 1-3 |
| PSY 986 | Advanced Clinical Psychology Practicum II | 1-3 |
Optional:
| PSY 900 | Dissertation Research | 1-3 |
| PSY 987 | Advanced Clinical Psychology Practicum III | 1-3 |
Fifth Year Fall-Spring-Summer
| PSY 900 | Dissertation Research | 1-3 |
| PSY 999 | Clinical Psychology Internship | 1-6 |
| | Complete and defend dissertation | |
| | Degree awarded in August | |
Program Outcomes
In line with APA accreditation standards and our program mission, the following are the expected student learning outcomes upon completion of the program:
- Graduates will conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the values and attitudes of psychology; demonstrate awareness and sensitivity in working professionally with diverse individuals, groups, and communities; apply ethical and legal concepts in professional activities; and practice personal and professional self-awareness.
- Graduates will relate effectively and meaningfully with individuals, groups, and/or communities.
- Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of the science of psychology and of research/analytic methods.
- Graduates will demonstrate integration and application of research, theory, and methods of practice in clinical psychology.
- Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of professional consultation and clinical supervision.
- Graduates will demonstrate competence to work with deaf and hard of hearing people across the lifespan.