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Psychological Clinical Science

Program and Application Information
Department Chair:Dr. James Council
Department Location:232 B2 Minard Hall
Department Phone:(701) 231-7065
Department Web Site:www.ndsu.edu/psychology/graduate_programs/psychological_clinical_science/
Application Deadline:January 15
Degrees Offered:Ph.D.
Test Requirement:GRE
English Proficiency Requirements:TOEFL ibT 100; IELTS 7

Program Description

The primary purpose of this program is to prepare students for careers in academic or research settings. Thus, a major emphasis is on research training. We hope to train researchers who will contribute to psychological knowledge through the investigation of clinically relevant issues, including basic research on the nature, etiology, and course of health related problems or psychological disorders, as well as applied research which investigates the prevention and treatment of health and mental health problems.

Admissions Criteria

When making admission decisions, grades, GRE scores, research experience, letters of recommendation (preferably from faculty who can comment on your research skills and academic potential), and the personal statement are considered. To the extent that an applicant has a strong background in psychology, including course work in statistics, research methods, abnormal psychology, and personality, and good research experience, this will be an advantage.

Applicants who already have a master’s degree will be judged by the same criteria. For applicants with a master’s degree, credit towards the doctorate will depend on how well previous course work matches with the program requirements.

Campus visits or interviews are not required, although the department may arrange for a visit via phone or internet video with top candidates.

Applications are due by January 15 in order to receive full consideration for admission in the upcoming academic year. Admission decisions will be made by mid-March. Applications are reviewed once a year and students are admitted for fall semester only.

Students are required to gain a breadth of knowledge in the foundations of psychology through courses in biological, cognitive, and social bases of behavior. Course work in research methods and statistics, assessment, psychopathology, health, and interventions comprise the clinical portion of the curriculum.

Practicums at local hospitals, clinics, and mental health agencies provide supervised experience in service delivery and applied research. This is a full-time program and will take five years, including internship, to complete.

Evaluation and Intervention13
Four courses cover content related to the history of clinical psychology, ethics, psychopathology, and current empirically supported approaches to assessment and treatment.
Empirically Supported Interventions I
Empirically Supported Interventions II
Testing and Assessment
Choose one course on current theories and research on psychopathology with a focus either on adulthood or childhood.
Advanced Psychopathology
Child Psychopathology and Therapy
Diversity in Clinical Psychology
Field Experience (Clinical Training)
Practicum/Internship
Fundamentals of Psychology and Breadth 9
One course from each of three core categories to include an option for the biological basis of behavior, the cognitive basis of behavior, and the social basis of behavior. These courses are for breadth. Students may choose the particular courses and may take additional elective courses to supplement their knowledge and research skills in Health, Social, Cognition, or Vision.
Biological Basis of Behavior
Sensation & Perception
Psychobiology
Neuropsychology
Visual Neuroscience
Cognitive Basis of Behavior
Memory and Knowledge
Attention & Thinking
Advanced Topics in Cognitive Neuroscience
Social Basis of Behavior
Organizational Psychology
Experimental Social Psychology
Social/Health Psychology Research
Advanced Social Psychology and Health
Research Traning
Individual Study/Tutorial
Master's Thesis
Doctoral Dissertation
Three courses on research methods
Experimental Methods
Applied Research Methods
Advanced Research Methods and Analysis
Graduate Seminar (8 total credits)
Teaching Requirement4
One course and seminar in college teaching.
Introduction to College Teaching in the Humanities and Social Sciences
Temporary/Trial Topics
Practicum/Internship

James R. Council, Ph.D.
University of Connecticut, 1984
Field: Clinical; Personality, Assessment, Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis

Keith Donohue, Ph.D.
Florida State University, 2011
Field: Clinical; Substance Abuse, Research Methods, and Teaching

Robert Dvorak, Ph.D.
University of South Dakota, 2012
Field: Clinical; Self-Regulation, Health, and Addiction

Kathryn Gordon, Ph.D.
Florida State University, 2008
Field: Clinical; Disordered Eating, Suicidal Behavior

Wendy P. Gordon, Ph.D.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2002
Field: Child Development, Social Development and Peer Relations

Clayton Hilmert, Ph.D.
University of California at San Diego, 2003
Field: Health/Social; Stress, Psychophysiology, and Health

Leah Irish, Ph.D.
Kent State University, 2011
Field: Health/Social; Health Behaviors, Sleep, Stress

Michael D. Robinson, Ph.D.
University of California Davis, 1996
Field: Social/Personality Affective Processes

Paul D. Rokke, Ph.D.
University of Houston, 1985
Field: Clinical; Psychopathology