Thank you for your interest in the Clinical Psychology Graduate Program at Washington State University (WSU). WSU is located in Pullman, a rural community in southeastern Washington, 8 miles west of the Moscow, ID (University of Idaho), 80 miles south of Spokane, WA, and 290 miles southeast of Seattle, WA. There are approximately 17,000 undergraduate students and 2,000 graduate students at the Pullman campus.  In addition to the main campus in Pullman, the Department of Psychology also has clinical faculty at three regional campuses located in Spokane, Tri-Cities (Richland, WA—approximately 150 miles south), and Vancouver, WA (approximately 360 miles southwest).  The Clinical Psychology Graduate Program is located on the WSU-Pullman campus.

PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY AND MISSION

The Clinical Psychology Program at Washington State University is based on the scientist-practitioner model of training.  The Program is designed to integrate theory, research, and clinical practice in the training of students.  Students are thus involved in research activities each semester in the Program and clinical practica beginning in the third semester until the start of the 12-month internship.  The goal of the program is to train highly competent clinical psychologists who will obtain high quality APA-approved internships and, with graduation, make positive contributions to the field of clinical psychology. Given that our graduates can potentially make contributions to clinical psychology in academic, research, medical, clinical, or community settings dependent on their interests and goals, the Program provides broad, general clinical training during the four years that students are at the University. The Program is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association [750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC  20002; (202) 336-5979].

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

The Clinical Psychology Program has seven basic objectives.  These objectives are to graduate clinical psychologists who will have: (1) outstanding knowledge of the field of scientific psychology; (2) outstanding knowledge of the scientific foundations for the practice of clinical psychology; (3) outstanding knowledge and skills in the assessment and diagnosis of dysfunctional behavior; (4) outstanding knowledge and skills in the design, implementation, and evaluation of psychological interventions for dysfunctional behavior; (5) sensitivity, knowledge, and skills in regard to the role of human diversity in the practice of clinical psychology; (6) an awareness that the field of clinical psychology involves a constantly evolving scientific and professional knowledge base and, as a result of this awareness, the motivation and skills to remain in contact with the evolving knowledge base across their professional careers; and (7) the theoretical and methodological skills to conduct and evaluate research.

RESEARCH TRAINING

The Clinical Program operates on the proposition that research training is an integral part of the education of clinical psychologists.  Although the program admits only persons who expect to receive a Ph.D., each student who enters at the bachelor's degree level is expected to complete an empirical master’s project while in progress toward the doctoral dissertation. In addition to the master’s project and dissertation, clinical students are expected to be involved in research activity under the direction of a faculty member during each semester in residence. Most clinical students present their research at scientific meetings as well as publish their research.  These research endeavors are considered to be an important part of graduate training and professional development.

CLINICAL TRAINING

Assessment and psychotherapy with clients begins in the fall semester of the second year of graduate training and continues through the completion of the clinical internship.  To provide broad clinical training for students, the Department of Psychology offers a variety of different clinical experiences.  The Psychology Clinic in the Department of Psychology is staffed by faculty and clinical graduate students and provides assessment, diagnostic, and psychotherapy services for a fee to the University and surrounding communities.  The University Counseling Services is staffed by clinical and counseling psychology graduate students and faculty psychologists, and provides ongoing counseling and emergency services to students.  The University Health and Wellness Services provide assistance to students through the Behavior Medicine Service, which is staffed by clinical graduate students, physicians, and a psychiatrist.  The University of Idaho Child and Adolescent Study Center provides assessment and therapy to children and adolescents.

STUDENT SELECTION

The Clinical Psychology Graduate Program enrolls 6 to 8 students each year from approximately 180 applications.  In choosing students for admission, we look for individuals whose interests match our training objectives and whose research interests match those of our faculty.  The Clinical Psychology Graduate Program utilizes a mentorship model in the selection and training of students. The degree of fit between the applicant’s research interests and the research interests of their potential faculty mentor(s) is an important consideration in admissions.  Therefore it is to your advantage to articulate clearly how your research interests coincide with the research interests of your potential mentor(s).  The Full Disclosure Section provides more specific information on the characteristics of students admitted to the program and their progress through the program.

STUDENT SUPPORT

All of our clinical graduate students are fully funded during their first year of study. This includes a complete tuition waiver; partial fee waiver; a half-time assistantship for the academic (9-month) year, which provides a monthly salary in exchange for 20 hours of work per week within the department, under the supervision of a faculty member, or in an instructional capacity; and basic health insurance for a 12-month period. In subsequent years, full support is provided contingent upon sufficient progress toward completion of the degree as judged by the Clinical faculty and continued availability of funding to the department. It is the policy of the department to attempt to provide complete support to students who are in good standing for four years of study.  All graduate students in the department are eligible for summer support as a summer session instructor.

The clinical program also awards two fellowships to incoming graduate students, to supplement the assistantship stipend:

The Laura Asbell Graduate Fellowship, awarded to one incoming student, provides $2500 in summer funding for each of the first four years of training. The guidelines for awarding the fellowship state: “Recipients are to be chosen on the basis of commitment to the profession and to serving others, and not simply on the basis of scholarship achievement. Financial need should also be a consideration.  Recipients are encouraged to return the benefit they receive through this scholarship, once their career is established, by contributing to the fund or the psychology program to help others enter the field or to make a difference through community service or the offer of counseling to those who otherwise could not afford it.”

The Alan W. London Memorial Graduate Fellowship, awarded to one incoming student, provides $2500 in summer funding for the first year of training. The guidelines for awarding the fellowship state a “… strong preference for mature students, those individuals who have had significant life experiences before making the commitment to be a clinical psychologist. Recipients will be chosen on the basis of their qualities of intellectual curiosity, personal integrity, and dedication to serving others. Financial need will also be an important consideration.”

Students are invited to apply for these two fellowships when they are invited to campus for interview day during February.

APPLYING TO OUR CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAM

The various links (i.e., Clinical Psychology Program Faculty and Interests; Clinical Curriculum; Full Disclosure Information; Clinical Internship Outcomes; Diversity Interests of the Clinical Faculty; Clinical Practica) should answer many of your questions about the Program.  I also encourage you to contact the individual clinical faculty if you have questions about their research. Because our Clinical Psychology Program follows a mentorship model, it is important for you to identify the faculty whose research program matches your research interests. Please also feel free to contact me if you have additional questions about the Clinical Psychology Program.

Sincerely,

G. Leonard Burns, Ph.D.

Professor and Director of Clinical Training

glburns@wsu.edu