What Will I Learn When I Earn My PhD in Clinical Psychology?

Enrolling in a clinical psychology doctoral program can open doors to an expansive world where you can deepen knowledge and develop new skills. What you learn along the way can help prepare you for a career as a licensed clinical psychologist, professor, or researcher.

There are several educational components to PhD in Clinical Psychology programs. There are learning opportunities in psychology courses, research, and dissertation writing. There are hands-on learning experiences through doctoral residencies, a supervised practicum, and an internship. And then there’s the capstone of a clinical psychology PhD program: a dissertation on a topic unique to each student.

Let’s look at some of the different learning experiences in Walden University’s PhD in Clinical Psychology degree program.

Clinical Psychology Coursework

You’ll broaden your understanding of psychology in core courses like History and Systems of Psychology. In this course, you’ll explore the roots of psychology and therapy as well as current viewpoints. The course highlights diversity and multiculturalism in psychology and counseling.

Other core courses include Lifespan Development and Cognitive and Affective Bases of Behavior. And in preparation for your dissertation, you’ll build and sharpen research skills in courses like Research Theory, Design, and Methods and Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis.

Hands-On Experience

Walden’s clinical psychology PhD program blends online learning and real-world experience. You’ll build skills and knowledge as you interact with faculty and peers at residencies during your Blended Academic Year in Residence (BAYR). Plus, you’ll get valuable hands-on experience through a supervised clinical practicum and internship requirements.

New Skills Through Dissertation Writing

Completing a doctoral dissertation is a crowning educational achievement. You’ll build knowledge and expertise throughout the process. You’ll use the research skills you’ve learned to explore a specific area of interest. Then you’ll use the doctoral writing skills you’ve gained to create your scholarly dissertation.

PhD Learning Outcomes

As you consider earning a PhD, you should take time to review each program’s learning outcomes to make sure they mesh with your psychology career goals.

Here are five learning outcomes for graduates of Walden’s PhD in Clinical Psychology degree program. (Read about additional outcomes.) At the end of the PhD program, graduates will be able to:

• Evaluate the origins and development of major ideas in the discipline of psychology, as well as major theories of psychology.
• Critique the basic content areas of scientific psychology, including the breadth, range, and depth of the affective, biological, cognitive, developmental, and social aspects of behavior.
• Integrate advanced knowledge and applied skills in psychometrics, research, quantitative, and qualitative methods.
• Critique and apply relevant research in the development and implementation of evidence-based interventions in clinical decision-making, as well as evaluate treatment effectiveness, goals, and methods consistent with ongoing evaluation.
• Demonstrate competence in the profession-specific clinical competencies, including diagnosis, assessment, and psychotherapeutic interventions.

Choose a Clinical Psychology PhD Program

If you’re ready to become a psychology professor, take your clinical psychology practice to the next level, or conduct important research, it may be time to earn a PhD. Walden’s PhD program can help prepare you to positively impact mental health in a variety of clinical psychology career roles.

Earning a terminal degree is a commitment, and Walden designs its PhD programs with features that can help working professionals complete the journey. For example, online coursework lets doctoral candidates log in and study on their own schedule, wherever there’s an internet connection.

The accredited university also offers comprehensive student support services. For PhD candidates, there’s the Doctoral Degree Coach^®, an interactive planning and progress-tracking tool. PhD candidates have up to nine years to complete their doctoral degree requirements.

With the foundation you build while earning a PhD in Clinical Psychology, can help meet the growing need for psychologists in the United States.¹ Earn your degree in a program that helps you use your knowledge and skills to improve the quality of mental health care in your community.

Walden University is an accredited institution offering an online PhD in Clinical Psychology degree program. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.

¹Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm#tab-1

Note on Licensure: The PhD in Clinical Psychology program is designed to prepare graduates to qualify to sit for psychology licensing exams. This program is designed to meet the academic licensure requirements of some state psychology boards. However, Walden University’s PhD in Clinical Psychology program is not accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and has not received designation by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards/National Register (ASPPB/NR), which are requirements for licensure in some states. Learn more about professional licensure.

Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.