Doctor of Philosophy: Psychology - Clinical Psychology Option

Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from this program will:

  • Critically evaluate literature relevant to the science and practice of health service psychology.
  • Conduct empirically sound research, including research design, implementation, and statistical analysis.
  • Select, administer, and interpret assessment and diagnostic tools in the context of heath service psychology.
  • Select, administer, and evaluate evidence-based psychological health interventions.
  • Identify and appropriately respond to ethical issues in professional contexts.
  • Effectively work with diverse groups of individuals in the delivery of psychological health services.
  • Identify the nature and impact of individual and cultural diversity in the conduct and dissemination of research.

The PhD in Clinical Psychology is a full-time program of graduate study designed to train health service psychologists who are competent scientist-practitioners, with a life-long commitment to multiculturalism and individual and cultural diversity and to the ethical practice of health service psychology. The program Faculty are committed to preparing health service psychologists to improve the welfare of individuals and communities, broadly defined, through: incorporating respect for equity, human diversity, and the cultural and environmental contexts that contribute to human diversity in all our activities (human mission), rigorous training in the science and applied practice of clinical psychology (education mission); engaging in our communities through advocacy, prevention and the provision of health services (service mission); developing knowledge and enhancing human health, development, resilience, and functioning through contributions to empirical literature on practice and theory (research and evaluation mission). Based on a scientist-practitioner model, the program’s training and services are grounded in a commitment to the integration of science and practice and the conduct of evidence-based practice, defined as the integration of scientific evidence and clinical judgement within the context of culture and values. Students and graduates are bound to the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, as well as the APA Professional Practice Guidelines addressing multiple aspects of human diversity. Graduates of the program are anticipated to enter employment in a variety of settings including but not limited to: VA or other medical centers, counseling and community centers, private practice, and academic settings. Consistent with the mission of our University to lead in the life and health sciences and to engage our community, our program faculty and students are actively involved in research, communities, and health service systems to promote a high quality of life for all.

Admission Criteria

Our doctorate is designed for applicants with a prior bachelor's or master's level degree. New students are admitted in the fall semester only. Because we receive applications from many more qualified individuals than can be admitted, admission is highly competitive. A disclosure of relevant data for students recently admitted is available on our web page. Our program follows the Council of University Directors of Clinical Psychology’s Guidelines for Graduate School Offers and Acceptances.

The following are minimum criteria recommended for admission:

  1. A bachelor's degree in Psychology, Counseling, or related disciplines, or satisfactory completion of prior coursework in Introductory/General Psychology, Experimental Methods/Research Design, and Statistics/Quantitative Methods. Satisfactory completion of prior coursework in at least two of the following areas is also strongly recommended: Psychological Disorders, Personality, Biopsychology, Sensation and Perception, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Motivation, and Social Psychology.
  2. Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or graduate GPA of 3.5. Alternative criteria may be accepted at the discretion of the admissions committee if there is good reason to believe the regular criteria do not adequately portray the student’s potential to do quality work in the doctoral degree. Applicants may provide explanations for circumstances of not meeting the GPA criteria in the online application system.
  3. Demonstrated evidence of interest in psychology research. Our training follows a mentorship model. Therefore, applicants whose research interests are similar to those of our faculty will be given higher consideration. Faculty interests can be accessed through the Department of Psychology and Counseling web page.
  4. History of personal conduct consistent with the ability to adhere to high standards of student conduct, as outlined in the UMKC Standard for Student Conduct, and professional conduct as outlined by the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct and state licensure boards.

Because clinical psychology is an empirically-based discipline, our training emphasizes continuous involvement in research and practice. For this reason, students primarily interested in psychotherapy and clinical or counseling practice without a strong interest in the scientific aspect of the scientist/practitioner model would be better served by other programs.

Typically, six students are accepted each year. Applicants are evaluated based on the following dimensions:

  1. Academic potential
  2. Research potential
  3. Interpersonal skills and other indications of potential for clinical work
  4. Professional identity and involvement
  5. Appreciation for individual and cultural diversity
  6. Fit with the program and designated lab

Program Requirements

Clinical Emphasis28
Psychopathology: Diagnoses And Classification
Assessment 1: Intellectual And Cognitive Assessment
Assessment Methods In Professional Counseling
Special Topics (Evidence-Based Clinical Practice)
Special Topics (Clinical Interventions)
Development And Evaluation Of Assessment Tools
Theory, Research And Practice Of Consultation
Counseling in a Pluralistic Society
Special Topics (First Year Seminar)
One approved 3 hour elective
Psychology Core15
Advanced Social Psychology
Cognitive Psychology
Advanced Biopsychology
Advanced Systems And History Of Psychology
Advanced Developmental Science Across the Lifespan
Research/Statistics Coursework12
Quant Analysis 1: Regression And Analysis Of Variance
Quantitative Analysis II: Advanced Topics In Regression And Mda
Experimental Methods In Design And Analysis I
Structural Equation Modeling
Hierarchical Linear Models
Qualitative Research Theory & Design Educational Setting. Part 1
Practicum/Internship12
Clinical Practicum 1
Clinical Health Psychology Internship 2
Supervised Research16
Directed Research 3
Research And Thesis
Pre-Dissertation 4
Research And Dissertation 5
Total Credits83