Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology with Specialization in Clinical Psychology: Rehabilitation Track

96 credit hours minimum
Comprehensive exam
Dissertation and oral defense
Internship (one year, full-time)

The Ph.D. program with specialization in clinical psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association. Completion typically requires six to seven years of study beyond the bachelor’s degree, including a one year full-time internship. Students with prior graduate work may receive advanced credit. The program follows the scientist-practitioner model and emphasizes an integration of clinical practice and applied clinical research. Working with a faculty mentor, students begin research work their first year. Students complete three years of 15-20 hour/week practicum training that includes a wide variety of assessment and treatment experiences with a broad range of clients, including minority and underserved populations. Training sites include medical centers, community mental health centers, and clinics throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. All students complete an APA-accredited internship. The program prepares students to be license-eligible in the state of Illinois and most other states. Graduates typically function as practitioners and researchers in medical centers and multi-disciplinary clinical settings.

Students with specific interest in working with persons with disabilities and/or chronic illness may seek specialization within the rehabilitation track. The rehabilitation track requires practica in a rehabilitation-related setting. In addition, students complete three seminars (9 credit hours) in the rehabilitation program curriculum and their research with rehabilitation program faculty. The specialization in the rehabilitation track occurs along with the standard program of the clinical specialization, but grounds students in a rehabilitation philosophy. This philosophy includes a strengths-based, person-centered approach to treatment with an emphasis on advocacy and the empowerment of individuals to achieve their highest level of independence possible.

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology Common Requirements

The four-course core psychology sequence (PSYC 501,  PSYC 502,  PSYC 503, and PSYC 504) constitutes the Ph.D. qualifying exam. All Ph.D. in Psychology students must complete these four courses within the first two years in the program with a minimum of “B” average and no more than one “C” in these four courses.

All students are expected to show competency in methodology and research design, as well as in the specific content of their program areas. Before beginning dissertation research, a student must present a dissertation proposal for approval by a committee of the faculty. The final requirement of the Ph.D. program is an oral examination restricted to defense of the dissertation and conducted by a committee nominated by the department and appointed by the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Specialization in Clinical Psychology: Rehabilitation Track Requirements

¹

Students entering the program with a prior earned Masters of Science degree in psychology with an empirically-based thesis may qualify for a waiver of the PSYC 591 thesis requirement (six credit hours). Please contact your academic advisor for more details. 

²

Up to three PSYC 600 credits can be substituted for PSYC 691 credits. 

Minimum degree credits required: 96