Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Clinical Psychology
Clinical Psychology at Dalhousie is a fast-track program in which students accelerate from the MSc to the Clinical PhD program without writing a Master’s thesis or obtaining a Master’s degree. Candidates for the Clinical Psychology program must have an Honours degree or equivalent in Psychology. Students accepted to study Clinical Psychology are initially registered in an MSc program and then fast-tracked to the Clinical PhD program before the end of their first year. Students accepted into the Clinical program with a Master’s degree in Psychology (or a closely-related field) are eligible for direct entry to the PhD and may be eligible for advanced standing within the program. Note that fast-tracking into the Clinical PhD requires that a student has been admitted to study Clinical Psychology.
The PhD program in Clinical Psychology is a CPA accredited, structured, five-year program which follows the “scientist-practitioner” model. It considers clinical psychology as part of the science of psychology and therefore emphasizes research.
Upon admission, students are assigned to a faculty member who will supervise their thesis and other research projects. During the first four years of the Clinical PhD program, students complete required and elective courses, conduct supervised and thesis research, and gain clinical experience through field placements (PSYO 8333X/Y.06, a minimum of 600 hours are required). Students are involved in research from the outset, and are expected to conduct research leading to empirical, methodological and/or theoretical advances in their field of study, some or all of which will be included in their dissertation and defended publicly. In the fifth year, students complete a full-year clinical internship (PSYO 9100.00). The Department does not offer a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology.
The following courses are required:
- PSYO 5000.06: Research Assignment (= Comprehensive No. 1)
- PSYO 6001.03: Fundamentals of Statistics and Experimental Design
- PSYO 6003.03: Multivariate Methods
- PSYO 6102.03: Child Assessment: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives and Practical Applications
- PSYO 6103.03: Adult Assessment: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives and Practical Applications
- PSYO 6104.03: Psychopathology: A Lifespan Perspective
- PSYO 6105.03: Ethics and Professional Decision Making
- PSYO 6106.03: Foundational Practice Skills for Clinical Psychology
- PSYO 6107.03: Mental Health and Psychoeducational Assessment Practicum: Child
- PSYO 6108.03: Mental Health and Psychoeducational Assessment Practicum: Adult
- PSYO 6204.03: Cognitive, Affective and Behavioural Bases of Intervention: A Lifespan Perspective
- PSYO 6208.03: Advanced Clinical Neuropsychology OR PSYO 6804.03: Topics in Neuropsychology
- PSYO 6209.03: Research Seminar
- PSYO 6213.03: Culture and Identity: Diversity Issues in Clinical Psychology
- PSYO 6214.03: Professional Practice in Intervention
- PSYO 6301.03: Advanced Clinical Intervention: Child OR PSYO 6302.03: Advanced Clinical Intervention: Adult
- PSYO 6303.03: Advanced Clinical Practice Skills in Supervision, Consultation and Program Evaluation
- PSYO 6304X/Y.06: Clinical Rounds/Case Conference
- PSYO 7100.03: Seminar in Teaching Effectiveness
- PSYO 7501.03: Proseminar: Methods of Psychological Inquiry I
- PSYO 7502.03: Proseminar: Methods of Psychological Inquiry II
- PSYO 8011.03: Psychology Colloquium MSC (whole year)
- PSYO 8012.03: Psychology Colloquium first year of PhD I (whole year)
- PSYO 8013.03: Psychology Colloquium second year of PhD II (whole year)
- PSYO 8333X/Y.06: Field Placements
- PSYO 9100.00: Pre-doctoral Internship
- At least three credit hours of elective seminars must also be completed.