The mission of SMU’s doctoral program in clinical psychology is to train graduate students based on the best scientific knowledge and methods. The aim of the program is to prepare our graduates for careers in academia, research or clinical practice. Toward these ends, the program integrates rigorous research training with training in the application of evidence-based assessment and intervention strategies.

Program Goals

The Ph.D. Program in Clinical Psychology at SMU embraces a scientist-practitioner model, and its training of students is guided by four chief goals:

1. Proficiency in understanding, evaluating, and conducting psychological research.
Students will design and conduct high-quality research studies, develop competencies in applying data analytic techniques to their research questions, learn to perform informative literature reviews, and learn skills related to quality dissemination (writing and presentation) of their findings.

2. Competence in implementing theory-based and evidence-based clinical assessments and interventions.
Students will learn state-of-the-art assessment procedures, including cognitive, achievement, personality, and family instruments; they will learn psychometric bases for standardized test use and development; they will learn clinical dimensions of differential diagnosis; they will have a working knowledge of psychological disorders and differential symptoms; and they will have the basis for case planning and designing interventions.

3. Development of professional and ethical behavior.
Students will learn and appreciate standards for competent professional conduct; they will learn and apply ethical principles to research and clinical settings; they will learn to implement proposals for research with the protection of human subjects; they will learn the mechanics of grant writing and proposal meetings.

4. An appreciation for individual and cultural diversity.
Students will develop competence in working with individuals and families of different cultures, both in clinical and research settings; they will be able to evaluate and conduct research with diverse individuals of various ethnic, cultural, and personal differences.