Sunrises over the East side of Fraser Hall

Clinical Psychology Program

The Clinical Psychological Science program at the University of Kansas offers a Clinical Science approach to graduate training, and provides in-depth training in the application of scientific principles to all aspects of clinical psychology.

APA Accreditation

The program has been continuously accredited by the American Psychological Association since 1949, and in line with our clinical science training philosophy, the Program is a member of the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science. We aim to produce professional Clinical Scientists who demonstrate mastery of knowledge in the field of scientific psychology and who will have (1) the ability to generate new scientific knowledge and theory related to the field of psychology, and (2) can make independent contributions to the evolving base of skills and scientific knowledge required for effective clinical practice.

 

KU Medical Center & Clinical Health Track

The Clinical Science program has strong connections with the University of Kansas Medical Center, and offers a track in Clinical Health Psychology. We are a member of the Council of Clinical Health Psychology Training Programs, which defines Clinical Health Psychology as the application of scientific knowledge to understanding the interrelations among behavioral, emotional, cognitive, social, and biological components of health and disease. The distinct focus of Clinical Health Psychology within our program is on physical health problems, and more specifically emphasizes the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of illness and disability, the promotion and maintenance of health, and the improvement of the health care system.

Explore the Program

 

We have a long and proud tradition of training leaders in the field of psychology. Our first class entered in 1946, a few years before KU participated at the original Boulder Conference that defined the Scientist-Practitioner training model. Although we have moved to a more focused clinical science approach, our history is strongly rooted in the Boulder Model. Training in the program starts broadly with foundational courses and experiences in research, data analysis, psychological assessment, and theory and methods of psychotherapy, and narrows in subsequent years to allow for more specialization within student’s area of interest. Coursework and requirements are designed to be completed in 4-5 years, followed by a yearlong internship. Our students obtain excellent internships, and over the last 10 years, all of our graduates are employed, with many in university psychology departments, medical schools, and Veterans Administration hospitals. Our licensure rate is continuously over 90%.

 

Meet our Faculty and learn more about their research interests:

Clinical Faculty

Meet our Graduate Students:

Clinical Graduate Students

Meet our Department Staff:

Department of Psychology Staff

The Clinical Science Program meets the educational requirements for licensure in the state of Kansas. If you plan to obtain a license or certification in a state other than Kansas or a US territory after completion of your program, it is highly recommended you first seek guidance from the appropriate licensing agency BEFORE beginning the academic program to ensure you can obtain a license or certification in your home state or territory. The NC-SARA Professional Licensure Directory provides resources for licensure and certification boards outside of Kansas.

Clinical health psychology is concerned with the contributions that psychologists can make to understanding health and illness, frequently in collaboration with other health professionals, including physicians, nurses among others. It involves the development of theory, research, and intervention directed toward prevention, treatment, and management of physical disease and disability, as well as the promotion of health.

Discover more about this program by visiting our Clinical Health page.

For General Information and to Apply to our program, please visit our Departments Graduate Program page.

Admissions Philosophy:

Because we believe that students' professional goals are best served if there is a reasonably close match between the student's interests and the areas of expertise available in our program, we typically recruit students to work with specific faculty members. To learn more about our faculty and their research interests, please visit our Clinical Faculty Directory.


Clinical Psychology Quicklinks

KU Psychological Clinic

Our training clinic is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our community. Consistent with this principle, clinic policy requires that all trainers and trainees do not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or socioeconomic status in in services provided at our training clinic.

APA Accreditation

For more information related to program accreditation please contact:

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, American Psychological Association,
750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242.

Phone: 202-336-5979
E-Mail: apaaccred@apa.org

Diversity

Diverse backgrounds provide for different perspectives and experiences that enhance education and training and serve our ever-increasing multicultural society. We are committed to welcoming any and all forms of diversity and to creating a climate of mutual respect that values our differences as well as our similarities.

Support Clinical Psychology

Learn more about how to support the Clinical Psychology Program and its dedication to developing its students.