Apply
College of Arts and Sciences

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology

At a Glance

The PsyD in Clinical Psychology prepares students to become competent, self-aware, and compassionate clinical psychologists who are able to function effectively in multiple roles.

Full Time

Degrees Offered

Total Credits

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology

96 Credits

Overview

UHart prepares students to become competent, self-aware, and compassionate clinical psychologists who are able to function effectively in multiple roles.

The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology is offered by the University of Hartford’s Graduate Institute of Professional Psychology (GIPP) within the College of Arts and Sciences.

Quick Facts

About the Program

Student in psychology class.

The goals of UHart’s PsyD program are to develop competent, compassionate and self-aware clinical psychologists who are:

  • Skilled in the delivery of direct services
  • Respected in consultation to human service agencies
  • Knowledgeable about current empirical and theoretical developments
  • Capable of designing and critically evaluating clinical services
  • Able to assume leadership positions in clinical settings

The program is committed to affirming diversity in all its aspects. As a member of the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology (NCSPP) the doctoral program endorses and subscribes to NCSPP's resolutions and guidelines concerning standards, curriculum, and diversity in the preparation of professional psychologists and attempts to incorporate them in our program.

We are located in an ethnically diverse area of Greater Hartford, which is characterized by cultural vitality and includes numerous parks, theaters, movies, cultural events, festivals, and many fine restaurants. The University’s 320-acre main campus is in the residential, suburban area of West Hartford and is about four miles from downtown Hartford.

Want to Learn More?

Diversity Statement

The Graduate Institute of Professional Psychology is committed to affirmative diversity, defined as upholding the fundamental value of human differences and the belief that positive acceptance of and respect for individual and cultural differences in all forms serves to enhance the quality of educational and interpersonal experiences. 

Read the full statement.

  • Questions?  Contact the PsyD Admissions Assistants at psydadm@great-seal.com.
     
  • Interested in learning more about the PsyD program? Schedule a time to chat with a current PsyD student about their experience in the program.

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 96 credits is required for the doctoral degree, 12 of which are earned in practica and 3 of which are earned by completion of a PsyD dissertation seminar.

For more information, and to see a complete list of degree requirements, visit the Course Catalog.

Child and Adolescent Proficiency Track

The Graduate Institute of Professional Psychology offers a child and adolescent proficiency track within the program's current curriculum and structure. In addition to a core curriculum, which includes courses in clinical child development, child psychotherapy, and advanced issues in child assessment intervention, the track allows students to have specific practicum experience in child and adolescent work. The goal of the track is to provide students with an opportunity to develop not only a broad theoretical foundation but also strong therapeutic, assessment, and program development skills in working with this specialized population.

Matriculation

Only students formally admitted to the doctoral program will be considered to be matriculated students eligible to enroll in all the necessary courses. Only matriculated students will be eligible to take the Qualifying Examination. All work must be completed within nine years after admission to the program.

The PsyD program consists of three years of full-time study, plus internship and dissertation. Full-time study includes both the academic year and a six-week summer term that runs from mid-May until the end of June or early July. A minimum of two years (64 semester hours) of full-time study (or the equivalent) must be completed at the University, with one of these years while in full-time residence (or the equivalent).

Transfer Credits

For students entering the program in or after fall 2024:

Students with a master’s degree or higher in clinical psychology or a related field may apply for transfer credits for the following courses if 1) courses were taken within the past five years, and 2) student received a grade of A- or higher in the course:  

  • Theories of Personality 
  • Experimental Design
  • Advanced Research Design in Clinical Psychology
  • Clinical Lifespan Development* (can only transfer if course included full lifespan development) 
  • Physiological Psychology
  • Advanced Seminar in Systems Theory and Family Therapy
  • Cognitive/Affective Bases of Behavior
  • Community Psychology
  • History and Systems
  • Social Psychology 

Students may transfer up to 21 credits. In addition, in the above circumstances, students must still have at least two years in residence at the Graduate Institute of Professional Psychology. 

Questions about these policies should be directed to Psychology Graduate Programs Specialist John Strand at strand@great-seal.com

Qualifying Examination

Inclusion of a qualifying examination is standard procedure among clinical psychology doctoral programs. The Qualifying Examination constitutes a marker event and is designed to assess attainment of psychological attitudes, knowledge, and skills related to professional practice, achievement of doctoral-level scholarship, and readiness to assume additional clinical responsibility.

The Qualifying Examination follows a treatment case model, similar to that used by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) for examining advanced doctoral-level practitioners applying for the diplomate. The student prepares a clinical work sample for evaluation by two faculty readers.

The Qualifying Examination includes three components

  • Theoretical Essay Component, based on the assessment or treatment case
  • Clinical Component, which is a case study based on an assessment or treatment case, and which includes a video or audio tape, a transcript of the taped session, and an introductory memo
  • Oral Examination

For the Theoretical Component, the student writes a theoretical essay of relevance to the Clinical Component of the Qualifying Examination.

For the Clinical Component, the student writes a paper describing the piece of clinical work selected for presentation, its theoretical rationale, outcomes, and reflections on the experience of working on the case.

The Qualifying Examination is taken during the second year of course work. Students who fail any part of the Qualifying Examination have an opportunity to retake that part of the examination. A second failure will result in termination from the program.

Doctoral Dissertation

The Doctoral Dissertation is the capstone of the scholar component of the program. Students are prepared for the dissertation by the program's research sequence in the first year and by the Dissertation Seminar in the fall of the second year.

The dissertation provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate doctoral-level scholarship in clinical psychology. The dissertation may take a variety of forms, including an empirical study (quantitative or qualitative), a theoretical contribution/critique, a program evaluation, an analysis of a public policy issue as related to professional practice, a program development project, or a careful case analysis of a clinical problem. The primary criteria are that the form, design, and methodology of the project be creative, germane to the question under consideration, informed by the psychological literature and that the final product yield conclusions that are logically consistent with this plan.

Students are encouraged to select topics that flow from their personal and professional interests, and for which they can find appropriate dissertation advisement from among the faculty or psychologists within the region.

Students who plan to apply for an internship must have an approved (i.e. successfully defended) dissertation proposal prior to submitting an internship application. Without a defended proposal, an applicant will be deemed as not ready to apply for an internship by the program's faculty.

Learning Outcomes

The students in the PsyD in Clinical Psychology Program will:

  • Achieve an understanding of the fundamental areas of psychology, including cognitive and affective aspects of behavior, social aspects of behavior, history and systems of psychology, and individual differences.
  • Achieve an understanding of the scientific, methodological, and statistical methods of psychological inquiry.
  • Achieve competence in the assessment of personality, psychopathology, and cognitive functioning.
  • Achieve competence in the delivery of psychological interventions.
  • Achieve an understanding of issues of diversity and individual differences and appreciate the importance of these issues in their clinical work.
  • Become familiar with the Ethical Principles for Psychologists (2002) and apply them competently in their professional work.
  • Acquire the ability to work with diverse professionals and diverse clients.
  • Develop beginning abilities to work at an organizational or systems level.
  • Develop the ability to utilize feedback in a productive manner.
  • Become members of professional societies that provide opportunities for continued learning.
  • Participate in educational opportunities beyond required classes.

Practitioner Training

This program follows the practitioner/scholar training model and places primary emphasis on generalist training, which prepares students for productive careers as professionals in clinical and community settings. Our integrated and sequenced curriculum consists of foundational courses, clinically focused didactic seminars, supervised practica, and integrative professional practice and case conference seminars. This curriculum is designed to facilitate the acquisition by students of requisite attitudes, knowledge, and skills in the key areas of relationship, assessment, intervention; research and program evaluation, management and supervision, and consultation and education.

Competence in assessment of behavior, personality, and intellectual functioning is one key focus of our training. The acquisition of intervention and consultation skills with a variety of clients and client systems, ranging from the individual to couples, groups, and families, and from a variety of theoretical perspectives, is another.

The practitioner aspects of the program are also designed to facilitate the process of professional socialization by integrating supervised clinical experience with exploration of ethical issues, professional affairs, and interprofessional relations, as well as by training in self-awareness and use of self as a professional. Students are also expected to maintain membership and active participation with faculty members in national and local professional organizations.

The Graduate Institute of Professional Psychology began offering a Child & Adolescent Proficiency Track in the fall of 2003. In addition to a core curriculum-which includes courses in clinical child development, child psychotherapy, programmatic interventions with children, and clinical aspects of adolescence-the track also allows students to have specific practicum experience in child and adolescent work. The goal of the track is to ensure that students develop not only a broad theoretical foundation but also strong therapeutic, assessment, and program development skills in working with this special population.

Scholarly Training

While the practitioner component of this practitioner/scholar program is emphasized, it is complemented by the development of the ability to evaluate critically the efficacy of one's clinical skills, the impact of clinical programs on target populations, the validity of various assessment tools, and the contemporary clinical literature in general. The scholar component of the practitioner/scholar training is intended to support productive careers as clinicians in clinical and community settings rather than to train researchers for careers in academic settings.

The scholar aspect of the program includes didactic instruction and practical experience in applied research issues, and encourages "students to consider themselves as local clinical scientists practitioners who engage the challenge of the human condition directly, starting with the needs of each client and bringing the best available theoretical conceptions, the most useful available research, along with individual and collective professional experience, to bear in studying and improving the functional condition of the client" (Peterson et al., Professional Psychology: Research and Practice 28 [1997], 376).

Career Outcomes

PsyD students in class.

Course work and supervised practical experiences provide skills in assessment of behavior, personality, and intellectual functioning and in intervention with children, adults, couples, families, and groups to enhance their functioning and satisfaction. Our graduates are working in a wide range of fields associated with mental health, including: 

  • private practice
  • community clinics
  • private and public hospitals
  • school psychologists
  • social service agencies
  • non-profit agencies
  • teaching at universities

Admission Requirements

Approximately 20-25 full-time students are admitted to the PsyD program each year. A completed application for consideration for admission consists of the following information. Applicants are restricted from applying to the PsyD program for more than three admission cycles.

1. Official transcripts of all previous coursework showing:

  • Concentration in psychology, including courses in statistics, research methods, developmental psychology, physiological psychology, cognitive psychology, abnormal psychology, and personality psychology.
  • Degrees received. A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education is required.

2. As part of the University’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity, application to the PsyD program does not require either the GRE General Test or the GRE Psychology subject test. Applicants who have not majored in psychology at the undergraduate or master’s level may submit the subject test as evidence of their preparation for doctoral study. 

3. A CV or résumé summarizing the applicant's credentials.

4. A statement of the applicant's professional goals and academic objectives.

5. A personal statement describing life experiences that have helped shape the applicant's personality.

6, An essay to discuss how your skills, experience, and/or education, as well as your own cultural background, have prepared you to serve and meet the needs of diverse populations.

7. At least three letters of reference, preferably written by psychologists, evaluating the applicant's academic performance, clinical or field experience, and research experience.

Admission to the program also requires a personal interview. After the review of completed application forms, roughly 90 candidates are invited to attend a four-hour process that involves both group and individual interviews. These interview sessions are held in February and early March. Applicants are notified of the Admissions Committee decision on or about April 1.

All interviews will be conducted virtually.

Applications and all supporting materials must be received by December 1. The completed application and all materials should be sent to:

Center for Graduate Services
Computer Center, Room 231
University of Hartford
200 Bloomfield Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06117
860.768-5102
Fax: 860.768-5160
GradStudy@great-seal.com

Apply now

Contact Information

Transcripts and other materials that were not downloaded with your application should be sent to:

Center for Graduate Services
Computer Center, Room 231
University of Hartford
200 Bloomfield Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06117

For general questions regarding the application contact:

Center for Graduate and Adult Academic Services
Phone: 860.768.4371
Toll-Free: 800.945.0712
Fax: 860.768.5160
GradStudy@great-seal.com

For specific questions about the PsyD program contact:

The University of Hartford PsyD Admissions Office
psydadm@great-seal.com
 
 
 
  • Send licensure form requests to John Strand, M.A.I.R., Psychology Graduate Program Specialist, strand@great-seal.com 
  • Send ASPPB credentials bank verification requests to Jennifer Petro, PsyD, Associate Director, interim Director of Clinical Training, petro@great-seal.com 
  • If your name has changed since you graduated, please remember to send an email informing John Strand (strand@great-seal.com). Otherwise, we cannot process your request.

 

Meet the PsyD Faculty and Staff

Marlene Angeles Baldizon
Clinical/Applied Assistant Professor GIPP
Psychology

View Full Profile
Carlene Davidson
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Psychology

View Full Profile
Carlita Elias
Clinical/Applied Assistant Professor of Psychology (GIPP)
Psychology

View Full Profile
David Finitsis
Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology
Psychology

View Full Profile
Kristine Kennen
Associate Director, GIPP
Psychology

View Full Profile
Smith Kidkarndee
Associate Director, GIPP PsyD Program
Psychology

View Full Profile
Kathy McCloskey
Professor of Psychology
Psychology

View Full Profile
Jennifer Petro
Director, GIPP PsyD Program
Psychology

View Full Profile
John Strand
Psychology Graduate Programs Specialist
Psychology

View Full Profile
Kelly Weber
Associate Professor of Psychology
Psychology

View Full Profile

2024-2025 Tuition Rates

Summer 2024, fall 2024 and spring 2025 tuition rates for the Clinical Psychology, PsyD program are below:

Tuition Rates for years 1–3 of the program* Per Credit Rate Per Term Rate Flat Rate - Per Year
Tuition Rates for years 1–3 of the program Clinical Psychology, PsyD - less than 9 credits Per Credit Rate $1,346.00 Fall & Spring - Per Term Rate   Flat Rate - Per Year  
Tuition Rates for years 1–3 of the program Clinical Psychology, PsyD - Fall & Spring 9-14 credits/term Per Credit Rate   Per Term Rate $13,033.00 Flat Rate - Per Year  
Tuition Rates for years 1–3 of the program Clinical Psychology, PsyD - Summer* 6+ credits
Per Credit Rate   Per Term Rate $6,516.00 Flat Rate - Per Year
Tuition Rates for years 1–3 of the program Clinical Psychology, PsyD - 14+ credits Per Credit Rate   Per Term Rate   Flat Rate - Per Year $32,582.00
Additional Tuition Rates for years 4+ of the program**1 Fall & Spring - Per Term Rate Summer - Per Term Rate
Additional Tuition Rates for years 4+ of the program1 Tuition Fee while on Predoctoral Internship Fall & Spring - Per Term Rate $540 Summer - Per Term Rate $135
Additional Tuition Rates for years 4+ of the program1 Tuition Fee while on (optional) Externship Fall & Spring - Per Term Rate $270 Summer - Per Term Rate $270
Additional Tuition Rates for years 4+ of the program1 Tuition Fee for Dissertation Continuance*** Fall & Spring - Per Term Rate $1,700 Summer - Per Term Rate $850
Additional Tuition Rates for years 4+ of the program1 Tuition Fee for Post-Dissertation Continuance Fall & Spring - Per Term Rate $540 Summer - Per Term Rate $270

Accreditation

The University of Hartford is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. The University of Hartford's doctoral program in clinical psychology (PsyD) in the Graduate Institute of Professional Psychology is accredited by the Connecticut Board of Governors for Higher Education, and by the American Psychological Association (APA). Questions related to the program's accredited status should be directed to:

Commission on Accreditation
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20002-4242
202.336.5979
apaaccred@apa.org
apa.org/ed/accreditation

Frequently Asked Questions

The deadline is December 1 each year for the class entering the next Fall semester.

Only online applications are accepted. The link to apply online is: available here.

  1. On-line Application: Application fee of $50.00 to be paid online.
  2. Letter of Intent: Write one or two pages (double spaced) describing your professional and career goals and how you expect graduate studies to help you accomplish them.
  3. Personal Statement: Describes life experiences that helped shape your personality and your interest in professional psychology.
  4. Diversity Essay: Discuss how your skills, experience, and/or education, as well as your own cultural background, have prepared you to serve and meet the needs of diverse populations. What are you hoping to get out of your training to help you improve your competency in working with diverse populations?
  5. List of Psychology courses with grades
  6. Official transcripts from all accredited colleges and universities
  7. Three recommendations from academic sources/supervisory personnel with whom you have worked
  8. Curriculum vitae (CV)
  9. GRE General Test (requirement waived for the fall 2023 application)
  10. GRE Subject Test in Psychology (requirement waived for the fall 2023 application)
  11. Request for an assistantship (optional)

The Immunization Form is not necessary for an admission decision but is mandatory for fall registration if attending the University of Hartford.

Interview is required after review of applicants’ completed application forms. We have nearly 400 applicants per year and invite approximately 90 candidates to attend a four-hour interview session that provides information about the program and includes both group and individual interviews. These interview sessions are held on Fridays in February.

The University of Hartford is not able to support F-1 student visas for international students pursuing the PsyD program. International students who do not require a F-1 visa are able to apply and are required to supply the following items in addition to the standard application:

  1. If you are from a country where English is not the official language you need to provide the results of an English Proficiency Examination. The official score from the TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is to be submitted. If you have earned an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited university in the United States the English Proficiency Examination will be waived.
  2. Transcript Evaluation: International transcripts must be evaluated by the World Evaluation Services (WES) Visit: www.wes.org. You will incur an expense for the WES Evaluation; therefore, the University of Hartford’s $50.00 application fee will be waived.

All requirements are to be uploaded online in your application EXCEPT your official transcripts.

Mail transcripts to:

Graduate Admissions
University of Hartford
200 Bloomfield Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06117

  • Electronic transcripts from the registrar of the issuing institution are accepted to GradStudy@Hartford.edu (escript)
  • Recommendations may be emailed/scanned to GradStudy@Hartford.edu or faxed to 860.768.5160. Please let your recommenders know that they should not only fill out the recommendation form but also attach a detailed supporting letter of recommendation, if possible in pdf format.

The forms are sent automatically to the email address you provide within 24 hours after you finish your on-line application and hit “submit”. Please follow-up with your recommender to ensure that the form did not get “caught” in SPAM.

All recommendations may be scanned/emailed to GradStudy@Hartford.edu or faxed at 860.768.5160 or mailed to:

Graduate Admissions
University of Hartford
200 Bloomfield Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06117
USA

As part of the University’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity, application to the PsyD program does not require either the GRE General Test or the GRE Psychology subject test. Applicants who have not majored in psychology at the undergraduate or master’s level may submit the subject test as evidence of their preparation for doctoral study. 
As part of the University’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity, application to the PsyD program does not require either the GRE General Test or the GRE Psychology subject test. Applicants who have not majored in psychology at the undergraduate or master’s level may submit the subject test as evidence of their preparation for doctoral study. 

All official transcripts must be mailed to Graduate Admissions. Study Abroad classes and courses transferred into your institution need not be sent separately IF they are posted on your official transcript from the institution that issued your degree.

Graduate Admissions
University of Hartford
200 Bloomfield Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06117
USA

Electronic transcripts from the registrar of the issuing institution are accepted to GradStudy@Hartford.edu (escript)

Submit three recommendations from academic sources/supervisory personnel with whom you have worked. You may submit more than three letters of recommendation. At least one letter needs to be from an academic source.

Additional information, such as research papers, recommendations and professional publications, may also be submitted.

You may go back and edit/complete your application at your leisure; however, once you hit “submit” you cannot alter your application.

You may check the status of your application by logging back in here.

Once your application is complete, it will be sent to the Graduate Institute of Professional Psychology (GIPP) for review. You may email questions to: strand@great-seal.com.

  • December 1; all applications are due
  • Mid to end of January Review of Applications
  • Invitations for interviews
  • All Fridays in February Interviews
  • March to April Acceptance decisions made
  • April 15; deposits due
  • April to beginning of May Acceptance decisions from the waiting list made
  • Late August First-Year Doctoral Student Orientation

Similar Programs

Workers Meeting in Conference Room.

Organizational Psychology

Our program addresses both theory and application of key organizational topics spanning industrial-organizational psychology, leadership, management, and organizational behavior. This program has a STEM designation

Happy Students

School Psychology - MS and 6th Year Certificate

The School Psychology program is an integrated full-time program, with a three-year sequence of course work and practicum experiences, leading to the both a Master of Science Degree and a Sixth-Year Certificate.

Ready to learn beyond the classroom with the College of Arts and Sciences?