The Clinical Psychology PhD curriculum has been updated as of Fall 2026. The new program requirements are reflected below. Students who were admitted to the program prior to Fall 2026 will follow the degree requirements available on the 2025 Clinical Psychology PhD Degree Program page.
Program of Study and Research (66 credits, minimum)
The general aim of the doctoral program is the preparation of students to become productive scholars in the psychological sciences through coursework and research experience leading to the doctoral dissertation. It is the aim of this graduate program to provide a course of study that provides a foundation in psychology and to meet individual objectives in an area of specialization.
Departmental Requirements
In the first year of doctoral studies, students take the two-semester sequence of statistics courses, APSY 510 and 511. A student who receives a grade lower than B in APSY 510 or 511 must repeat the course. (Students who earn less than a B in 510 cannot enroll in 511.) First-year students are expected to take at least 12 credit hours per semester.
Outside-of-Area Courses
Students are expected to gain knowledge of psychological research by taking courses in more than one of the department's specializations. Breadth of knowledge in these areas is accomplished with courses recommended by the student's advisor. Each student is required to take a minimum of two courses outside their own specialization. The two courses must be selected from two different areas of specialization within the psychology Ph.D. programs. Exceptions to this department-specific course requirement may be granted based on approval from the program head and the graduate program director. Each area of specialization may identify particular courses for its students to take. Note that this is a department-wide degree requirement and is separate from additional accreditation-based coursework requirements.
All students must maintain a B average among the two courses outside their own specialization. If a student earns less than a C in one of these courses, and is still retained in the program, the student will repeat the course regardless of the student's overall average.
Initial Research Project
Students will demonstrate basic research competency in their subfield of psychology by generating a novel hypothesis, statistically analyzing appropriate data to test the hypothesis, and submitting a manuscript for approval by a committee consisting of the faculty advisor and a second reader (typically a psychology faculty member) prior to the beginning of the fall semester of the student’s third year. Failure to complete this milestone on a timely basis constitutes grounds for dismissal from the program.
Research Tool Requirement
Every student must present evidence of the satisfactory completion of the research tool requirement. Only one tool is required. The department defines the following as appropriate for completion of the Research Tool.
- Pass a foreign language test. Various tests are offered each semester. In accordance with the university rules, foreign students may take the language test in their native language.
- Take a course. In accordance with the psychology guidelines, students may take courses in computer programming, mathematics, electronics, biochemistry, histological techniques, foreign language, pharmacology, or advanced statistics. A student must earn at least a B in a course intended to satisfy the research tool requirement. Course credits taken in conjunction with completing the Research Tool Requirement do not count toward the overall credit hours required for the degree. Furthermore, any course used toward the Research Tool requirement may not be used to satisfy the out-of-area course requirement.
- Master a technique, statistical or otherwise, in the process of conducting the Initial Research Project or another research project. Structured and supervised projects or experiences are possible (e.g., specific interventions, or assessment technologies). This technique can be self-taught, taught by a faculty member, or taught in a course. However, the research project cannot be part of a course (otherwise, the course cannot be counted toward the overall credit hours required for the degree – see above). The technique should be advanced. Thus, statistical skills taught in the mandatory first year statistics sequence cannot be used to fulfill the Research Tool requirement.
Optional Master's Degree (M.A.)
Students who wish to formally obtain a Master's Degre en route to a Ph.D. must solicit a committee of at least two members of the Psychology department faculty, including at least one member of the clinical program, to review the thesis (which is typically based on the Initial Research Project) and sign the transmittal form authorizing the university to grant the degree. A formal defense is required. Students must give an oral presentation of the M.A. thesis research to their committee.
Qualifying Examinations
The department qualifying examination consists of a demonstration by students that they are prepared and qualified to perform independently and professionally within their area of specialization.
The doctoral qualifying examination must be completed before the end of the fourth year of study. Students are required to complete the Initial Research Project before they may take the qualifying examination. It is the student's responsibility to consult with their advisor about the format of the qualyfing examination, committee membership, and timeline. The qualifying examination committee will consist of three faculty members in the clinical program, with the research advisor typically serving as the chair. Students must pass the qualifying examination to be granted formal admission to doctoral candidacy. If a student fails the qualifying examination, they may take it once more. Failure on the second occasion constitutes a basis for dismissal from the program.
The clinical qualifying exam follows a "portfolio" model consisting of multiple components. Please review the most up-to-date version of the clinical program handbook for additional information.
The qualifying exam consists of two broad components: (a) a clinical case report and oral examination, and (b) a research portfolio. The core component of the research portfolio is an integrative research review paper. Additional components include evidence of a first-author empirical presentation, CV review, and a statement of research. Students failing to meet expectations on either the case paper or oral presentation of a case or the research paper (the primary components of the overall exam) on the first attempt can pursue an agreed upon remediation plan. Specifically, a remediation plan will be developed by their committee, and meeting the requirements/expectations stated in the remediation plan will results in passing the qualifying exam. However, a second failure constitutes grounds for dismissal from the program.
Dissertation
Students must submit an acceptable dissertation that demonstrates that they are capable of doing independent scholarly work and are able to formulate conclusions that modify or extend previous knowledge. Students must be formally admitted to candidacy before the dissertation proposal can be accepted and approved.
Full Time Study in Residence
Each student in the doctoral program must engage in full-time study at the University in at least two sessions after admission to the advanced program. This requirement is designed to ensure each doctoral student experiences a sustained period of intensive intellectual growth. For this purpose, a student will enroll in full-time study (consisting of at least 9 credits of approved course work) in any two sessions, not necessarily consecutive, which must be completed satisfactorily.
Students must also maintain continuous registration for each fall and spring semester (except for periods of official leave of absence prior to candidacy) until they complete all program requirements.
Minimum registration consists of 3 credits of approved course work, registration for dissertation load (899 courses only), or registration for other field work courses that have been approved as full-time by the Dean of the Graduate School or the Graduate Academic Council.
More information about these University-level degree requirements can be found in the Graduate Bulletin.
Admission to Candidacy
A clinical student is admitted to candidacy for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy upon the following:
- Satisfactory completion of the Initial Research Project;
- Satisfactory record in course and seminar study;
- Satisfactory completion of the research tool requirement;
- Completion of university residence requirements;
- Completion of mandatory reporter training;
- Satisfactory completion of the doctoral qualifying examination.
Statute of Limitations
All courses used to satisfy degree requirements (other than APSY 899) must have been completed no more than eight years prior to the semester in which the degree is officially granted by the University.
Additional Requirements Specific to Clinical Psychology
Students in the clinical program are required to take the following specific courses (or equivalent, after receiving permission from the program head and department chair): APSY 601, APSY 602 or APSY 603, APSY 605, and APSY 780 (specifically, Topics: Cultural Diversity in Mental Health).
In addition to meeting department and university requirements for the Ph.D., students enrolled in the clinical program are required to complete the clinical core. The clinical core consists of the following courses:
- APSY 610 History of Psychology (3 credits);
- APSY 640 Survey of Psychopathology (3 credits);
- APSY 670 Clinical Methods I: Assessment (3 credits);
- APSY 671 Clinical Methods II: Psychotherapy and Behavior Change (3 credits);
- APSY 672 Clinical Methods III: Psychotherapy and Behavior Change (3 credits);
- APSY 673 Clinical Methods IV: Child Psychology (3 credits);
- APSY 675A Introduction to Clinical Psychology: The Scientist-Practitioner (2 credits);
- APSY 675B Practicum in Clinical Assessment (2 credits);
- APSY 676A,B Practicum in Assessment Intervention (3,3 credits);
- APSY 677A,B Professional Issues and Current Directions in Clinical Psychology (3,3 credits)
Mandatory Reporter Training
Based on New York State requirements, all clinical doctoral students must complete an online mandatory
reporter training and submit their completion certificate to the department. Most online trainings are free of charge and must be completed before advancement to doctoral candidacy.
Internship
A predoctoral internship is required of all students in the clinical program. This internship typically takes the form of a full calendar year spent in an external clinical setting.
Please note: This program requires an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience requirement. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. If you have concerns about this matter, please contact the Dean’s Office of your intended academic program.
Federal Licensure/Certification Disclosure
Effective July 1, 2024, federal regulation requires institutions of higher education to make a determination whether a Title IV eligible academic program that leads to professional licensure or certification meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the U.S. State where the institution is located and the U.S. States where “distance education” students are located at the time of initial enrollment in the program, as well as U.S. States where the program is advertised as meeting such requirements, and if applicable, the U.S. State where students attest they intend to be licensed/certified.
The Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at the University at Albany is registered by the New York State Education Department and thus meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification for New York State. Through a good faith effort, and for the purpose of complying with the federal regulation, we have determined that the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at the University at Albany meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the additional following U.S. States: none.
It is important to note that the University at Albany is not the licensure/certification authority in other U.S. States and cannot assess whether an individual candidate will be issued a license/certificate in other U.S. States and instead it is incumbent on each individual candidate to contact the licensure/certification authority in the applicable U.S. State for any further guidance on the requirements for licensure/certification requirements and application processes.