Training will occur through coursework, supervised clinical experiences, and mentored research experiences. As standard for Clinical Psychology PhD programs nationwide, the first 4 years of study will occur at OHSU. For many students, the 5th year (the doctoral internship) will include a full time clinical position, often at a different university, VA health care system, or clinical/medical setting. In some instances, a 5th year in residence will precede the internship. In general, the program is designed for students to be able to complete all requirements plus an internship in 5 years (OHSU policy mandates Ph.D. completion within 7 years). All training occurs in person, with the exception of several electronically mediated training experiences that may be required by OHSU.

Practicum experiences

Multiple practicum placements are in place, as many of our core and affiliated faculty currently supervise graduate students from other programs in the region. Some of the practicum slots will be available through our primary and affiliated faculty members at OHSU and at OHSU's satellite clinics. These placements will consist of supervised hospital, community, and/or rural positions to gain clinical skills, such as psychotherapy or neuropsychological assessment. Most practicum placements will require 1-2 days of effort per week. Practicum placements will be assigned based on student interests and training needs, along with slots available. Students will begin supervised clinical practicum experiences at the start of their 2nd year.

During the 2nd and 3rd year, students will also enroll in a supervision seminar each term. The seminar will provide group supervision with a faculty member. Standard practice within Clinical Psychology PhD programs is for students to receive training and supervision from different clinical supervisors throughout their training; we view this as a strength of our program. The 4th year of the program will consist of gaining additional clinical practicum hours.

Internship

In line with APA requirements, a full-time doctoral internship is required to complete the PhD in Clinical Psychology. Internship placements are full time, and are completed through a national match process, much like other medical match processes. The internship consists of a full time clinical experience, frequently occurring off-site at a university, VA health care system, or other clinical/medical setting where the student has matched. For students interested in staying locally, there are three APA-accredited internships in western Oregon. Qualified students will be evaluated and granted permission by the Director of Clinical Training to apply for internship as part of the national match process in their 4th year. Transition to the clinical internship is intended to occur during the student's 5th year, although students may delay it until the 6th year if necessary to ensure sufficient progress on their dissertation.

Because students are still in training and have not yet graduated with the PhD at this point, they must enroll in internship course credits at OHSU during the internship year to maintain their academic standing. Evaluation of each student during the internship year will occur through their internship site, and the evaluation will be shared with the OHSU program's Director of Clinical Training, who will provide pass/no pass grades, in final determination for their conferral of a PhD.

Research requirements

Consistent with other Clinical Psychology PhD programs, students will apply to, and be accepted within, a particular faculty member's (mentor's) lab prior to starting the program. Students will begin work in that faculty member's lab at the start of their training program. Research credits will be taken continuously upon admittance to the program. This takes into account the time that students are working on research within their mentor's labs as well as for their own projects.

Educational and training outcomes

Students who complete the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program will receive a science-focused psychology training that prepares them to conduct clinical and/or scientific efforts in behavioral health settings. Students will be able to identify important scientific and clinical issues that warrant psychological study, and conduct independent, scholarly research that advances knowledge about the antecedents, characteristics, structure, development, mechanisms, prevention, and behavioral treatment of psychopathology and mental health problems. Trainees who have successfully completed the program will be prepared to take the next steps to obtain a professional license to practice psychology, to enable evaluation and intervention with mental health conditions. Students will be able to lead innovative clinical intervention and programmatic efforts and evaluate best practices.

It is expected that students of this program will conduct and publish independent research (in addition to submitting grant proposals), master advanced research skills, and many graduates will go on to scholarly and scientific careers that can build new knowledge for the state, the profession, and the nation. Students will be inculcated with values of culturally competent research and practice. 

The first year comprises primarily didactic coursework (9-12 credits per term). In collaboration with their academic mentor, students will complete a first-year project by the beginning of their second year.

A qualifying exam will be required prior to advancing to candidacy for the doctoral degree. Once they have successfully passed their qualifying exam, students will propose their dissertation to their dissertation committee.

The 4th year of the program will consist of gaining additional clinical practicum hours and completing data collection/analysis for their dissertation. Dissertation defense must occur before obtaining the PhD, but is not mandatory prior to departing for the internship.

For most students, the 5th year will be the clinical internship. The internship must be completed in good standing prior to awarding of the PhD.

Course descriptions and assignments

• CPSY 607 Psychology Practicum Seminar: Group supervision and clinical forum to discuss practice central to clinical care, professional development, and individual differences.
• CPSY 610 Abnormal Psychology &Psychopathology I: Models and theory of psychopathology, history of abnormal psychology, and psychological disorders including the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) and other classification approaches.
• CPSY 611 Psychological Intervention I-Clinical Interview: Topics to be discussed include clinical interviewing, principles of psychotherapy, models of psychotherapy, and methods of evaluating outcomes in clinical contexts.
• CPSY 613 Psychological Assessment I –Adult: The course examines methods used to assess domains of psychological functions in adults. This includes assessment of cognition, behavior, emotions, and personality, with focus on diagnostic assessment.
• CPSY 614 Ethical and Legal Consideration in Psychology: Ethical and legal principles in psychology and their application to clinical and research practices.
• CPSY 615 Cultural Considerations and Diversity: Focuses on the sociocultural contexts and cultural practices that impact and reflect the human experience, with a focus on equity in the practice of psychology with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• CPSY 616 Advanced Integrative Knowledge in Psychology-I: Integration of neuroscience, biological bases of behavior, and cognitive psychology topics of biological bases of behavior will be covered. 
• CPSY 620 Abnormal Psychology &Psychopathology II- Advanced Issues: Complex differential diagnosis, personality, and theory of psychopathology development. 
• CPSY 621 Psychological Intervention EBT-II- Adult: This course will cover therapeutic interventions and prepare students to utilize evidence based and empirically supported treatments to identify, implement, and maintain effective interventions with adults. 
• CPSY 623 Psychological Assessment II –Child: Focus on assessment of domains of psychological functions in children, including evaluation of cognition, behavior, emotions, and personality. The course focuses on diagnostic assessment.
• CPSY 626 Advanced Integrative Knowledge in Psychology-II: Understanding how psychological, biological, behavioral, social, developmental, and cultural factors contribute to health and illness. Social and developmental psychological perspectives are applied to health psychology and issues surrounding wellness, pain, illness, and medical care.
• CPSY 630 (NURS 630) Advanced Measurement: Selected advanced topics in quantitative methods in psychology including psychometrics, research methods and design.
• CPSY 631 Psychological Intervention EBT-III- Child: This course focuses on specific evidence-based strategies for child and adolescent disorders. The course will prepare students to utilize empirically based treatments to identify, implement, and maintain effective interventions in children and families. 
• CPSY 632 Research Design and Scientific Writing: Applied work related to the design, execution, and analysis of psychology experiments and writing.
• CPSY 640 Psychology Supervision and Consultation: Theories and methods regarding the provision of supervision and consultation, including a focus on consultation within interprofessional teams. 
• CPSY 641 (NURS 641) Applied Health Statistics I: Descriptive, Associative and Comparative Statistics Includes work on research methods and design. The focus is on the application and interpretation of basic statistics.
• CPSY 642 (NURS 642) Applied Health Statistics II: Generalized Linear Modeling Students will develop skills in the performance and interpretation of techniques such as multivariate linear, logistic, gamma and negative binomial regression, and develop an understanding of when particular approaches should be employed. 

• CPSY 643 History and Systems of Psychology: This course provides an overview of the historical, societal, scientific and theoretical factors that led to the development of the science of Psychology. Historical milestones are reviewed as well as the intersection of theory, practice and social trends and how they helped shape modern Psychology.

Research:

1.     Critically evaluate, independently formulate, conduct and disseminate research or other scholarly activities that are of sufficient quality and rigor to have the potential to contribute to the scientific, psychological, or professional knowledge base.

Ethics:

2.     Apply ethical decision-making processes in accordance with relevant laws, regulations, rules, and policies;and relevant professional standards and guidelines.

Individual and Cultural Diversity:

3.     Work effectively and respectfully with diverse individuals and groups including an understanding of how their own personal/cultural history, attitudes, and biases may affect how they understand and interact with people different from themselves.

4.     The ability to integrate awareness and knowledge of individual and cultural differences in the conduct of professional roles (e.g., research, services, and other professional activities).

Professional values and attitudes:

5.     Respond and behave professionally and ethically in ways that reflect the values and attitudes of psychology, including integrity, deportment, behavior, professional identity, accountability, lifelong learning, and concern for the welfare of others.

6.     Engage in self-reflection regarding one's personal and professional functioning and engage in activities to maintain and improve performance, well-being, and professional effectiveness.

Communication and interpersonal skills:

7.     Develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of individuals through oral, written and nonverbal means in an accurate and effective manner that is sensitive to a range of audiences.

Assessment:

8.     Select, apply and interpret appropriate and evidenced-based assessment tools and methods to measure and gather relevant data using multiple sources to gain an understanding of human behavior within its context (e.g., family, social, societal and cultural).

Intervention:

9.     Implement evidence-based interventions informed by the current scientific literature, assessment findings, diversity characteristics, and contextual variables by modifying and adapting evidence-based approaches, intervention goals and methods consistent with ongoing evaluation.

Supervision:

10. Demonstrate knowledge of supervision models and practices.

Consultation and interprofessional/interdisciplinary skills:

11. Demonstrates knowledge of consultation models and practices and respect for the roles and perspectives of other professions.

Based upon APA and COA considerations for the doctoral level training

Standards of Accreditation for Health Service Psychology and Accreditation Operating Procedures