Launch Your Career As a Clinical Psychologist with a Psy.D. from WCU
Mental health issues are increasing worldwide, compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to reports from the World Health Organization and the American Psychological Association:
- 20% of the world’s children and adolescents are suffering from mental health conditions.
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death for 15-29 year-olds.
- Mental health and substance use disorders have increased by more than 13%.
If you've been looking to make a tangible difference in the world around you, the Doctor of Psychology program at West Chester University may be for you!
The PsyD degree program at WCU will give you the coursework and clinical training hands-on training needed to pursue licensure - and start your career as a licensed clinical psychologist.
The Doctor of Clinical Psychology (PsyD) at WCU is an APA accredited doctoral program. The full-time, 5-year program (in-person courses in Fall, Spring and Summer) follows a scholar-practitioner model, preparing students for leadership roles as culturally responsive psychologists. Students are trained in evidence-based assessment and therapeutic interventions through coursework and supervised clinical training experiences beginning in the first year of the program.
Specializations in the Doctor of Clinical Psychology Program
Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Students seeking this specialization will focus their mentored research, practica placements, and elective courses on child and adolescent mental health. Several of our faculty direct research labs that focus specifically on youth development, and the University has placements in several high-profile organizations including Nemours A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Centreville School. Elective courses (12 credits) and advanced practicum training experiences in Years 3 and 4 provide training and expertise in this specialized area.
Trauma
Students seeking to work with trauma-exposed populations can do so through mentored research, practica placements, and through our elective courses. Several of our faculty direct research labs that focus specifically on work with trauma-exposed populations, and the University has placements in several high-profile organizations including the Philadelphia VA Hospital. Elective courses (12 credits) and advanced practicum training experiences in Years 3 and 4 provide training and expertise in this specialized area.
Benefits of Earning Your Doctoral Degree at West Chester University
Accredited by the APA
WCU’s Psy.D. program is accredited by the American Psychological Association. Graduating from an APA accredited program signals to potential employers and licensing boards that you have the educational and scientific foundation to succeed in your field. APA has granted the PsyD program full accreditation with its next site visit scheduled to be held in 2033. Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 336-5979 / E-mail: apaaccred@apa.org
Web: accreditation.apa.org/
Clinical Training
You’ll be immersed in clinical training from your first year in the program and continue hands-on placements through your fifth year. Clinical training begins with our state-of-the art, in-house clinic in your first and second years. In your third and fourth years, you’ll select practicum placements that will provide training in your area of specialization. Your final year of the program is dedicated exclusively to a full-time, predoctoral clinical internship. Our practitioner-scholar model will prepare you for leadership roles in the field.
On Campus, In-House Clinic
You won’t have to travel far to begin your clinical training. At WCU, we have our own in-house mental health clinic that serves our campus community as well as the broader West Chester community. This state-of-the-art training facility offers a range of assessment and therapy services for a diverse socio-economic population. You’ll be supervised by licensed clinical psychologists as you get experience providing clinical services to children, families, and adults in the community.
Exceptional Faculty
Our faculty members bring their diverse experiences into each and every class to help you excel in your chosen specialization. At WCU, you’ll find approachable faculty who teach and follow the practitioner-scholar model. You’ll have opportunities for research in areas such as: improving outcomes for children in foster care, racial/ethnic disparities in mental health, community-based interventions, the science of training, the role of family relationships in children's social and emotional development, mindfulness-based stress reduction, impact of aging and emotion on cognition, and the utility of art for children living in poverty to name just a few.
Funding Opportunities
WCU’s Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology offers multiple funding options: graduate assistantships (GA), teaching associates (TA), and grant-funded hourly work. The graduate assistantship, typically awarded to first and second year students, covers a portion of tuition in exchange for working in the research lab of your research mentor or another campus location. Several faculty members have research grants that fund hourly positions for students who are paid as clinicians, or research assistants. Teaching associate positions (offered only to students with a master’s degree) provide a stipend for mentored teaching of undergraduate classes in Psychology. All positions are based on a competitive application process and the availability of funds. Full-time graduate students are also eligible to file the FAFSA for state and/or federal grants, financial aid, and loans.
What Can You Do with a Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median salary of $94,310 for clinical psychologists in the U.S. Salary varies depending on factors such as location, industry, and experience.
With your doctorate, you can start your own practice, go into research, work as part of a patient care team, work in schools, or even teach at the collegiate level. The field of clinical psychology is anticipated to grow by 7% (faster than average) through 2033.
What Will You Study as a Doctoral Student in Clinical Psychology
Your specific courses depend on your specialization but may include:
- Biological Bases for Behavior
- Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy
- Advanced Health Psychology
- Community Interventions
- Trauma and Treatment
For more detail about doctor of clinical psychology program courses, see the catalog page.
Get Started on YourPsyD
If you’re interested in making a difference in the world by working with diverse populations who have been affected by mental health issues and past traumas, the doctor of clinical psychology is the place to start. Apply today and start changing the world.
Apply Now
