Clinical and School Psychology: About Our Program
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Interested In Applying? Click here to apply online or download application materials. |
PROGRAM GOALS
The primary goal of the clinical and school psychology training program is to produce psychologists who will make substantial contributions to the field in a variety of roles as mental health practitioners, researchers, scholars, teachers, and supervisors. The program emphasizes the need for clinicians to have knowledge of systems theory and individual functioning--especially in schools and families--in addition to a grounding in many areas of psychological development. Our approach emphasizes that clinical and school psychologists function in a pluralistic society, and that students and faculty must be sensitive to ethnic, cultural, individual, and socioeconomic differences.
Instruction focuses on the traditional skills of diagnosis and assessment, and various modes of intervention. The program of instruction for each student includes a foundation of basic science in psychology and significant involvement in research, primarily through the predissertation research project and dissertation requirements. Although the majority of our graduates seek careers in settings such as schools, medical centers, and mental health agencies, others choose academic research careers. Students with academic career interests are encouraged to specify that interest. Students whose exclusive interest is in the private practice of clinical or school psychology are not encouraged to apply.DEGREES OFFERED
The program awards the Ph.D. degree in Clinical Psychology, and is accredited by APA. The clinical-school track prepares individuals who can meet licensing/certification requirements in both clinical and school psychology. The clinical track leads to licensure as a clinical psychologist. It also is approved by NASP/NCATE as a school psychology training program.
A separate school psychology program leading to the Ed.D. degree also is administered by the Curry Programs. This program admits a limited number of experienced, certified school psychologists who wish to pursue doctoral study. The purpose is to prepare leadership personnel for the practice of School Psychology in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Questions about this program should be directed to: Dr. Antoinette Thomas, Curry Programs in Clinical and School Psychology, Box 400270, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4270 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
CONCENTRATION AREAS
In addition to integrated coursework in clinical and school psychology, students may elect to include additional specialized training, or concentrations. Specific concentration areas include: Family Therapy, Psychological Assessment, Child Psychotherapy, Neuropsychology, and Forensic Clinical Psychology.
Each concentration area includes coursework, clinical practice, and research. Coursework ordinarily consists of three or more specialized courses pertinent to the concentration area. Clinical practice includes at least one placement in a clinical setting that provides appropriate specialized training. The student’s concentration area research, under the guidance of a faculty mentor, leads to an identifiable product that is submitted for publication.
HOW TO APPLY
Click here to apply online or download application materials.
Official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate work, Graduate Record Examination Scores, and at least two letters of recommendation and the application form must be provided in addition to the application. There is a nonrefundable $60 application fee that must accompany the application.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Applications must be postmarked no later than January 5 for admission to the fall semester. Students are not permitted to enter the Clinical and School Psychology program in the spring or summer semesters.
GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATION (GRE)
The Curry School of Education requires the GRE Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing tests for admission to all graduate programs (no exceptions). The psychology subject test is encouraged but not required. All GRE scores must be current (within five years of the date of application). Examinations should be taken as early as possible so that scores will be received prior to the application deadline.
Information on GREs may be obtained directly from the Educational Testing Service.
Institution code: 5820
Program code: 3999
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
All international students for whom English is not their native tongue must take and submit TOEFL scores. A score of 600 is generally considered minimal in the Curry School of Education.