Introduction

The clinical psychology program is a doctoral program in the Department of Psychology. The program is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association (since 1980) and is a member of the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science Programs.

The major aim of the program is to develop clinical scientists who will improve our nation's mental and physical health. Graduates will achieve this mission through research careers directed toward the enhancement of mental and physical health and the prevention and treatment of mental and physical health problems. Program graduates will pursue careers in a variety of professional settings including universities, medical schools, health care delivery systems, and businesses and industries.

Statistics

Applicant Data

Applicants Accepted for Admission

Internship Data

Graduation Data

Time to Completion

Mean = 5.40 years
Median = 6.00 years

Entering with B.S.

• Mean = 5.77 years
• Median = 6.00 years

Entering with M.S.

• Mean = 4.25 years
• Mean = 4.00

Percentages for Entering with B.S.

• 5 years (41%)
• 6 years (22%)
• >6 years (37%)

Percentages for Entering with M.S. 4 years or less (75%)

Attrition

9 of 61 students (15%)

Costs per Semester

Tuition $4302

Fees $950

Funding

All students in good standing receive full or partial funding. Full funding equals 20 hours perweek as a graduate teaching or research assistant. The monthly stipend in the department for full-time funding ranges from $1524 per month to $1755 per month. All or part of tuition is waived by the department. Student fees are not waived.

Recent Internships

Graduates of our program typically attend prestigious internships around the country. The following list is a sample of the programs our graduates have been accepted to in the past five years.

• Boston Consortium VA
• Brown University Clinical Psychology Training Consortium
• Duke University Medical Center
• Harvard Medical School
• Kennedy Krieger Institute at Johns Hopkins Medical School
• Malcolm Grow USAF Medical Center
• Medical University of South Carolina
• Mississippi Medical Center/Jackson Veterans Affairs Medical Center
• Salem Veterans Adminstration Center
• UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute
• University of California at San Francisco, Department of Psychiatry
• University of Chicago Hospitals
• University of Maryland School of Medicine
• University of Virginia School of Medicine
• Yale University, Department of Psychiatry

Program Evolution

At its inception, the program followed a scientist-practitioner model with considerable focus on research. Beginning in the mid 1990's, the program more strongly emphasized the goal of producing clinical researchers who can work effectively in a variety of settings. About seven years ago, we were reviewed and then admitted into the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science Programs. As a result of our program's evolution, we have set explicit research standards and milestones for students as they progress through the program. These standards and milestones have become part of the annual Student Activity Report (SAR) that serves as the basis for evaluating students' performance.

The evolution of our program is consistent with the faculty's strength and the goal of the university. A recent study found that the clinical psychology program compared to all other programs in the United States and Canada ranked 7^th in research productivity and 19^th overall in research citations. An overall goal of Virginia Tech is to reach the top 30 ranking for research universities.

Support and Costs

It is the policy of the clinical psychology program and the psychology department based on the availability of sufficient funds to fully support students in good standing and making academic progress for at least four years. Fully supported generally means that students receive 20 hour assistantships and tuition is remitted.