clinical psychology phd programs tennessee

The Clinical Psychology PhD program at East Tennessee State University is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation. APA accreditation is recognized in all 50 states as providing required education for psychologist license eligibility.

Individual State Boards of Psychology determine training requirements for licensure, which typically include post-doctoral training as well as examinations beyond educational requirements.   Thus, a doctoral degree from East Tennessee State University alone is not sufficient to meet licensure requirements in most states.   Students should confirm state licensing requirements directly with the state in which they are interested in becoming licensed.   The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards provides a compendium called PsyBook ( https://www.asppb.net/page/psybook ), which summarizes requirements for each state and may be a helpful resource.

Generally, the way licensure works in clinical psychology is as follows:

• Complete an approved doctoral education program – APA-accredited programs are recognized in all states, although some states impose additional education and training requirements;
• Complete an APPIC (Association of Psychology and Postdoctoral Internship Centers) accredited full-time one year internship – internship is a requirement for the degree if you are in an APA-accredited program like ours at ETSU, and APPIC coordinates a nationwide internship match for students each year;
• Complete a one-year post-doctoral fellowship with supervised clinical experience under the appropriate license or registration for the state you are located in (some states do not require a post-doc);
• Take the national Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology and state examinations as required; and
• Complete any additional requirements for the state in which you are seeking licensure (typically background checks and credential verifications, but some states have specific training requirements as well).

ETSU produces graduates who are successfully licensed in many states.   No ETSU graduate from the Clinical Psychology PhD program has been turned down for licensure due to insufficiencies in the education and training we have provided, but as noted above, some states do have additional training and education requirements, and most states have post-doctoral clinical supervision requirements as well. The ETSU Clinical Psychology PhD program makes every effort to ensure state licensure or certification information is current; however, state requirements may change. If you are planning to pursue professional licensure or certification, it is strongly recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing entity in that state to seek information and guidance regarding licensure or certification requirements before beginning an academic program.

For more information about each state’s requirements, review this link . Licensing Boards, by state Professional Associations:   APA   /   ABPP   /   NASP

General Information

Julia Dodd, Ph.D., Graduate Coordinator 417 Rogers-Stout Hall Box 70649 (423) 439-4847 e-mail:  [email protected]

Main Psychology Department Phone : (423) 439-4424, Fax: (423) 439-5695

Web Address : https://www.etsu.edu/cas/psychology/

Carol Jensen, Clinical Psychology Executive Aide, (423) 439-4461; Fax: (423) 439 4472

The clinical psychology program is guided by the scientist-practitioner model and places a strong emphasis on research and interdisciplinary clinical training. Though diverse in respect to methods of inquiry and areas of study, the faculty is of one mind in promoting scientific inquiry as the foundation of clinical psychology. The program’s philosophy also emphasizes the respect for and understanding of cultural and individual diversity in policies for recruitment, retention, the development of faculty and students, and in the curriculum and filed placements.  The program has nondiscriminatory policies and operating procedures, and it avoids any actions that would restrict program access or completion on grounds that are irrelevant to success in graduate training or the profession.

The primary mission of the articulated master’s/doctoral program in the Clinical Concentration in Psychology at ETSU is to provide training in clinical psychology emphasizing rural behavioral health and practice in the context of integrated primary health care. ETSU has a uniquely cooperative relationship with its surrounding community and region. Because of this relationship the program is unique in what it can offer students in the field of health services psychology.          

All students receive a curriculum of general clinical training as well as training in the basic science of psychology. Thus, the first two years of the program are highly structured. Due to the emphasis in primary care and rural health practice as well as adherence to the generalist model of training, the advanced coursework is more structured than some programs in clinical psychology, but students are afforded the opportunity for individualization through electives, research emphasis, and externship placements.

The program is designed for full-time study only as a 5-year post-baccalaureate articulated M.A./Ph.D. program, with the fifth year being an off-campus full-time internship that is in keeping with APA/APPIC requirements.  Students seeking a terminal master’s degree will not be considered for admission. The clinical concentration is accredited by the American Psychological Association.

Admission Requirements

To be accepted into the M.A./Ph.D. in psychology clinical concentration students must apply for, and engage in, full-time study. Applicants to the MA/PhD degree program are evaluated only once each year, for admission in the fall semester; applicants are not considered for spring admission. Complete applications must be submitted to the ETSU Graduate School by December 1st for admission to the following fall semester ( https://www.etsu.edu/gradschool/applynow.php ). 

• Students holding a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution will be considered for the M.A./Ph.D. program. Students admitted to the Clinical Concentration in Psychology Ph.D. program complete the requirements for an M.A. in Psychology, Clinical Psychology Concentration (47 hour program of study with thesis) as part of their Ph.D. requirements.
• Students already holding the M.A. or M.S. in psychology from a regionally accredited institution may also apply to the M.A./Ph.D. program. The master’s degree must be commensurate with the M.A. program in Psychology at ETSU and involve the successful completion of an empirically based thesis project. Students possessing a master’s degree without an empirically based thesis will be required to complete an empirically based thesis before being admitted to doctoral candidacy. All students, regardless of entry level, must complete the curriculum requirements reflective of the broad and general science of psychology, as well as those reflective of the scientific, methodological, and theoretical foundations of the clinical practice of psychology

Students seeking admission to M.A./Ph.D. program in psychology degree program must meet the requirements established by the Graduate School  (see  https://www.etsu.edu/gradschool/admissionsrequirements.php  for details). They must also meet the following superseding minimum program requirements. 

• Completed application
• A grade point average of at least 3.00 (based on a 4.00 scale) in undergraduate and/or graduate level work overall and in psychology courses;
• Either a baccalaureate degree or master’s degree in psychology or a minimum of 18 semester hours in undergraduate psychology, including courses in statistics, experimental design, personality, history and systems, and abnormal psychology. Students lacking some of these prerequisite courses, but presenting an exceptional undergraduate record, may be granted graduate admission, but they will be expected to remove all undergraduate deficiencies during their first academic year;
• Three (3) recommendations persons familiar with the applicant’s academic background, aptitude for graduate study, and future performance as a psychologist;
• A personal statement of 500-750 words indicating the applicant’s academic experiences, research interests, and career goals. Prior undergraduate research interests and involvement are weighted heavily as is an interest and commitment to working in a rural and/or primary care setting;
• A Curriculum Vitae (CV);
• An interview wiht the admissions committee.  After an initial screening, selected applicatns will be invited for an interview.

GRE scores are not considered as part of the application process and should not be submitted.

International Applicants

WES evaluation is required for international applicants and Certification of English proficiency is required for students whose native language is not English. See  https://www.etsu.edu/gradschool/internationaladmissions.php  for further information about international admission requirements.

Offers and Acceptances

First-round offers are made in writing prior to April 1 st . A response is not required until April 15 th . After being made, offers cannot be withdrawn by the university until after the decision date and then can be withdrawn only if the student fails to respond to the offer by the decision date. After the April 15 th  decision date, if there are more open slots, offers may be made. If an offer is made after the decision date, the length of time to make a decision on the offer will be clearly stated. The length of time may vary, but students will have at least a week in which they may visit the university before making a decision.

Transfer of Credit

Students with graduate credit earned at another institution, upon matriculation at ETSU, may petition to have these credits applied toward their degree requirements at ETSU. While such credits are not automatically transferred and must be approved by the Director of Clinical Training and the School of Graduate Studies, a maximum of 9 semester hours earned elsewhere could be applied. Though students holding a master’s degree may not be required to complete a second master’s degree, they should expect to have to complete substantial components within the master’s, in that all required courses have to be accepted as equivalents or taken within the program. See the Clinical Psychology Program Student’s Handbook for full details.

Changing Concentrations

Students must designate either the Experimental or the Clinical concentration of the PhD Program in Psychology upon application, and be admitted into a specific concentration.  A student desiring to change concentrations must formally reapply to the program and concentration.  Changing concentrations within the PhD Psychology program CANNOT be accomplished by filing a Change of Program of Study form with the School of Graduate Studies.

Waiving Core Course Requirements

Students may petition to waive specific courses through examination. The designated course instructor, along with the DCT will review petitions. Students must present evidence of completion of a similar course to that in the petition: transcript evidence and a course syllabus constitute the required documentation. Upon approval to sit for a waiver examination, students will be provided an opportunity for examination by the designated course instructor, and the course instructor will determine pass or failure of the examination. If the examination is passed, the instructor will recommend a course waiver to the DCT. The total number of degree hours will not be reduced, but an alternate course may then be substituted for degree credit

Student Support

On average, six students are admitted per year, with all students receiving University support through a 9-month, part-time graduate assistantship for at least the first two years. This includes a $13,000 stipend plus tuition waivers for the academic year (fall and spring terms). Graduate assistantship support in the remaining two years pre-internship is provided through community training grants and contracts for a 12-month training period, ranging in stipend amount from $10,200 - $25,000. Students also receive tuition waivers for the academic year while on funded community placements. To date, 100% of enrolled students have been offered at least 4 years of financial and tuition support.

Student Handbook for the ETSU Psychology (Clinical Psychology Concentration) Graduate Program

Matriculating students are responsible for adherence to procedures and policies outlined in this catalog as well as those contained in the Student Handbook for the ETSU Psychology (Clinical Concentration) Graduate Program. Refer to that document for critical departmental guidelines and policies concerning Clinical and Professional Learning Experiences, Documentation of Clinical Experience and Supervision, Annual Student Evaluations, additional Ph.D. requirements, Thesis and Dissertation Guidelines, Comprehensive Examination, Oral Defenses, Academic Performance requirements, Academic Probation, Dismissal, and Appeal, Clinic Responsibilities, Graduate Assistantships, and Professional Development.

Matriculation Requirements

The School of Graduate Studies, among other criteria, specifies that students must maintain at least a 3.00 average to remain in good academic standing.

Specific departmental requirements also apply. All students in the M.A./Ph.D. program are expected to be enrolled as full-time students and to devote themselves full-time to their graduate pursuits during their enrollment in degree-related activities. Students are expected to be active in research collaboratively with members of the department faculty each semester they are enrolled.  In addition to coursework and research, students are required to participate in clinic and field experiences commensurate with their level of training and type of graduate assistantship.

Students are required to complete the Masters Comprehensive Case Presentation and the Preliminary Project.  Details of these requirements are included in the Clinical Psychology Program Student Handbook , which is available at the program’s website.  Also available on the website are the program’s policies and procedures including, but not limited to student evaluations and progressive remediation.

Total credits for the M.A. in the Clinical Psychology Concentration within the MA/PhD Psychology Program equal 47 while the total credits for the Ph.D. equal 51-58 making the total credits required for the degree equal 98-105.

Psychology, M.A./Ph.D. Degree Requirements: 96-108 credits

Students entering with a baccalaureate degree will complete both M.A. and Ph.D. requirements.          

Psychology, M.A. Degree Requirements: 48 credits

Psychology, m.a. core requirements: 15 credits.

• PSYC 5210 - Statistical Methods (3 credits)
• PSYC 5410 - Correlation and Multiple Regression (3 credits)
• PSYC 5707 - Advanced Behavioral Neuroscience (3 credits)
• PSYC 5825 - Psychopathology (3 credits)
• PSYC 5950 - Methods of Psychological Research (3 credits)

Clinical Psychology, M.A. Concentration: 27 credits

• PSYC 5000 - Broad and General Foundations in Psychology (3 credits)
• PSYC 5010 - Advanced History and Systems of Psychology (3 credits)
• PSYC 5100 - Legal and Ethical Issues in Psychology (3 credits)
• PSYC 5220 - Personality and Psychotherapy Models (3 credits)
• PSYC 5810 - Vertical Team (1 credit)
• PSYC 5817 - Psychological Measurement (3 credits)
• PSYC 5830 - Psychological Assessment I: Adults (3 credits)
• PSYC 5850 - Psychological Assessment II: Children (3 credits)
• PSYC 5870 - Clinical Interviewing Techniques (3 credits)
• PSYC 5910 - Clinical Psychology Clerkship (1 credit, repeatable) (Take 2 times for 2 credits)

M.A. Culminating Experience: 6 credits

• PSYC 5960 - Thesis (1-6 credits) (Take for 6 credits)
• Successful completion of the Clinical Capstone Project

Psychology, Ph.D. Degree Requirements: 48-60 credits

Students entering with a master’s degree in psychology will complete the Ph.D. requirements.   

Psychology, Ph.D. Core Requirements: 3 credits

• PSYC 7500 - Cultural Anthropological Applications to Rural Practice (3 credits)
• PSYC 7770 - Diversity in the Psychological Sciences (3 credits)

Clinical Psychology, Ph.D. Concentration: 27 credits

• PSYC 5407 - Psychopharmacology (3 credits)
• PSYC 6600 - Rural Case-Oriented Learning & Preceptorship (3 credits)
• PSYC 6870 - Evidence-based Interventions (3 credits)
• PSYC 7000 - Doctoral Preliminary Project (3 credits)
• PSYC 7010 - Clinical Psychology Practicum and Seminar (1 credit, repeatable) (Take 5 times for 5 credits)
• PSYC 7020 - Models of Clinical Supervision (1 credit)
• PSYC 7100 - Primary Care Psychology I (3 credits)
• PSYC 7110 - Primary Care Psychology II (3 credits)
• PSYC 7910 - Clinical Externship (1 credit) (Take 1 credit per term for 4 credits)

Advisor Approved Electives: 6 credits

 Determined by student in consultation with faculty advisor or committee.

Ph.D. Culminating Experience: 12-24 credits

• PSYC 7960 - Doctoral Dissertation in Psychology (1-12 credits) (must be taken for a minimum of 12 and the maximum allowed is 24 credits)
• Successful completion of a one year full-time or two year part-time internship (APA-accredited internship preferred), obtained through the APPIC match