Clinical Psychology (new)

Overview

Back to top ↑

Students in the Clinical Psychology graduate program learn to formulate, conduct, and publish empirical research about clinical psychological phenomena and to conceptualize, assess, treat, and prevent psychological dysfunction. They follow one of three tracks: adult clinical psychology, health psychology, or clinical neuropsychology. 

The program focuses on cultivating the highest levels of research competence and uses a mentorship model in research training. Among other topics, students study research methods and statistics, psychometrics, psychopathology, psychological assessment, empirically supported intervention, multicultural perspectives, and ethics of research and clinical services. Because effective clinical research requires first-hand experience with the phenomenology and treatment of psychological dysfunction, the program also has a strong experiential component with extensive clinical practica experiences. Diversity and inclusion—including awareness of cultural biases and use of empirically supported techniques for inclusive recruitment, assessment, and treatment—are a focus of all aspects of the program.

The Clinical Psychology program's guiding principle is to train critical thinkers. Graduates are regularly recruited for positions at universities, colleges, and medical schools, where they embark on careers as scholars and educators. 

 



Accreditation

Back to top ↑

The Clinical Psychology program has been American Psychological Association (APA) accredited since 1948 and gained Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS) accreditation in 2015. 
 

View student admissions, outcomes and other data →

 



Qualifications

Back to top ↑

Applicants to the program should have completed an undergraduate major in psychology or demonstrate comparable evidence of mastering foundational principles of psychological science. Also desirable are coursework in basic science and math, competitive GPA and GRE scores, research experience, and strong letters of recommendation. Applicants should clearly indicate their interests in a particular specialty and describe their specific research and career interests in clinical psychology. Faculty interview and select students whose interests are congruent with theirs.

 



Program of study

Back to top ↑

The Clinical Psychology program is designed to be completed in six years. The first two years focus on core coursework and initial research, and students are expected to complete their Master's thesis. Following completion of the candidacy exam in their third year, students focus on courses, research, and practica that align with their individual career goals. They propose a dissertation in their fourth year and complete their defense by the end of their fifth year. In the sixth and final year of the program, students complete an off-campus, APA-accredited internship. 

Coursework

The Clinical Psychology core curriculum integrates broad substantive training in psychology with advanced research and professional training in clinical science, including psychopathology and health psychology. Required courses include Psych 6863: Psychometrics, Psych 6810 and 6811: Statistical Methods in Psychology, Psych 6853: Lifespan Developmental Psychopathology, and Psych 6866: Empirically Supported Treatments, among others.

In order to meet the guidelines of APA and PCSAS accreditation, the program also requires students to receive training in affective, biological, cognitive, developmental, and social aspects of behavior, as well as in the history and systems of psychology. Additionally, each of the Clinical Psychology program's three tracks (adult clinical psychology, health psychology, and clinical neuropsychology) has specific curricular requirements that students must fulfill.

Research

Clinical Psychology students engage in research from the very start of their graduate program. At the end of their first year, they present initial research at an event attended by program faculty and students. In students' remaining years in the program, the master’s thesis, candidacy exam, and dissertation are integral parts of research training.

Throughout their time in the Clinical Psychology program, students are expected to present empirical research projects at regional and national meetings. They are also required to engage in scholarly writing and publishing, and publication in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals is strongly encouraged. Additionally, the program encourages students to apply for their own grant funding, which can provide more time for research.

Clinical training

The Clinical Psychology program requires students to complete clinical practica experiences. In their second year, students take Psych 7188: Practicum in Clinical Psychology, a one-year training experience in the Psychological Services Center (PSC). The PSC is a departmental clinic that offers free services to Ohio adults experiencing a wide range of issues including anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, OCD, and trauma-related disorders, among others. Clinical supervision focuses on improving competence in treating clients of diverse backgrounds.

Most students pursue additional clinical experiences. In their third year and beyond, they can participate in practica with sites including Eating and Behavioral Associates, the Ohio State University Department of Psychiatry, VA Ambulatory Care Center, and Twin Valley Behavioral Healthcare, among others. Additionally, students may participate in specialty clinics offered by core faculty, such as the Buckeye Brain Aging Clinic, the Mindfulness Clinic, and the Advanced Practicum in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Not all clinics are available each year.

Facilities and Equipment

The Clinical Psychology program offers rooms for data collection for observational and coding studies, as well as computer, audio, video, and psychophysiological equipment. Core faculty and graduate student offices are housed near laboratories in the Psychology Building, located centrally on the Ohio State Columbus campus.

 



Faculty

Back to top ↑

Barbara Andersen

Barbara Andersen 

Admitting for AU25

Faculty Profile →
Lab →

Jennifer Cheavens

Jennifer Cheavens 

Not admitting

Faculty Profile →
Lab →

Jeremy Grant

Jeremy Grant 

Not admitting

Faculty Profile →
Lab →

Jasmeet Hayes

Jasmeet Hayes 

Admitting for AU25

Faculty Profile →
Lab →

Scott Hayes

Scott Hayes

Admitting for AU25

Faculty Profile →
Lab →

Ruchika Prakash

Ruchika Prakash

Admitting for AU24

Faculty Profile →
Lab →

Joshua Smyth

Joshua Smyth 

Admitting for AU24

Faculty Profile →
Lab →

Matt Southward

Matt Southward

Admitting for AU25

Faculty Profile →
 

Daniel Strunk

Daniel Strunk

Admitting for AU25

Faculty Profile →
Lab →



Affiliated Faculty

Back to top ↑

Lisa M. Christian

Lisa M. Christian

Faculty Profile →

Jay Fournier
Anthony King
Theodore Wagener

Theodore Wagener

Faculty Profile →



Area contacts

Back to top ↑

Clinical Psychology Area Coordinator: Dr. Scott Hayes (hayes.1074@osu.edu)
Director of Clinical Training: Dr. Jennifer Cheavens (cheavens.1@osu.edu)
Director of Psychological Services Center: Dr. Leslie Rudy (rudy.4@osu.edu)