Psychological Clinical Science
This is an archived copy of the 2019-20 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://bulletin.ndsu.edu.
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.
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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Evaluation and Intervention | 13 | |
| 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 | ||
or PSYC 899 | Doctoral Dissertation | |
| Three courses on research methods | ||
| Experimental Methods | ||
| Applied Research Methods | ||
| Advanced Research Methods and Analysis | ||
| Graduate Seminar (8 total credits) | ||
| Teaching Requirement | 4 | |
| One course and seminar in college teaching. | ||
| Introduction to College Teaching in the Humanities and Social Sciences | ||
| Temporary/Trial Topics | ||
| Practicum/Internship | ||
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
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