Doctoral Program Mission Statement

The American Psychological Association (APA) accredited Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at Southern Methodist University (SMU) follows a clinical scientist model and is a member of the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science (APCS). As such, the primary goal of the program is to train psychological clinical scientists, and the single most important component of the doctoral training is research. To that end, we expect our students to be actively engaged in research throughout their training with SMU faculty members through collaborative, faculty-directed studies as well as studies in which students take a lead role. Students are expected to participate substantially in scientific publications, conference presentations, grant applications, and make other meaningful contributions to research. The clinical science model recognizes the reciprocal relationship between research and clinical application. Students should apply scientific knowledge to their clinical work as well as use their clinical work to inform their research. State-of-the-science training will be provided in evidence-based assessment, diagnosis, and intervention.

Consistent with the mission statement of the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science, SMU faculty members who serve as the primary mentors for doctoral students (faculty research mentors) conduct research designed to advance clinical science. In this context, clinical science is defined as “a psychological science directed at the promotion of adaptive functioning; at the assessment, understanding, amelioration, and prevention of human problems in behavior, affect, cognition or health; and at the application of knowledge in ways consistent with scientific evidence.” Faculty research mentors are all actively involved in conducting research. In addition, faculty research mentors are also actively involved in SMU’s mission to provide students with high-quality instruction, and many teach courses for doctoral students.