Our program prepares students to deliver evidence-based psychological services in both clinical and school settings. We blend training in clinical and school psychology to equip graduates for a wide variety of professional roles.
Accepted Students Receive A $30,000 Scholarship
Graduates from Roberts Wesleyan University with a Doctor of Clinical/School Psychology (PsyD) degree are trained to address today’s mental health challenges by utilizing skills in assessment, diagnosis, counseling and therapy, consultation, and supervision. Graduates from the PsyD program are working in a variety of settings, including hospitals, schools, outpatient mental health clinics, private practice, and universities/colleges.
Our Doctor of Clinical/School Psychology program is unique in that each student is equipped to work in a wide variety of careers in psychology. The program meets educational requirements for licensure as a Psychologist and provisional certification as a School Psychologist in New York State.
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Doctoral Program in Psychology In Rochester, NY
What will you learn?
The Doctoral Program in Clinical/School Psychology follows a practitioner-scholar training model that prepares students for the professional practice of psychology across a wide range of settings, populations, and clinical and educational issues. The program specializes in preparing students to work with children, adolescents, and young adults, but provides training opportunities across the lifespan. Faculty teach from a developmental curriculum that fosters the acquisition of foundational knowledge and professional competencies, including:
Knowledge in Scientific Psychology
Students will attain scientific knowledge that provides a foundation for professional practice, including the affective, biological, cognitive, developmental, and social aspects of behavior, history and systems of psychology, research methods, statistical analysis, and psychometrics.
Additionally, each student learns systems of psychology, psychological measurement, research, and statistical methods. Our graduates will develop the skills necessary to conduct their own psychological research.
Professional Competencies
Students will attain the necessary profession-wide competencies for the practice of psychology, including competencies in ethical and legal standards, individual and cultural diversity, professional values and attitudes, communication and interpersonal skills, assessment, intervention, supervision, consultation, and interprofessional/interdisciplinary skills.
Research Competency
Students will complete a dissertation in which they conduct an original research project related to the applied practice of clinical or school psychology. Applied research projects have pragmatic goals of addressing practical problems with insights drawn from psychological science. The focus on using research to inform and improve services to vulnerable populations is consistent with the mission of our PsyD program.
Evidence-Based Practice
Faculty members are trained in a variety of theoretical approaches, including cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, family systems, and person-centered approaches. Our curriculum provides instruction in these modalities and promotes an attitude of respect and value for empirically-supported treatments from all orientations. From this foundation, students are encouraged to develop their own approach that integrates the best available research with their clinical expertise in the context of client characteristics, culture, and preferences.
Practicum and Internship Experiences
Students spend a significant portion of time in practicum and internship settings where they utilize and develop the knowledge and competencies introduced in coursework. The program has a full-time Field Director who works with students to plan, organize, and support these important professional experiences in an extensive network of practicum partners. Settings include hospitals, mental health clinics, schools, forensic settings, neuropsychological institutes, college counseling centers, children’s residential centers, VA centers, and more.
Flexible Career Options
The program utilizes a combined-integrated model, as delineated by the Council of Directors of Combined-Integrated Doctoral Programs in Psychology. A unique feature of this curriculum is that the disciplines of school psychology and clinical psychology are integrated throughout the coursework, and students have practicum experiences in both clinical and school settings. In addition to providing a more holistic understanding of the clinical and educational needs of individuals and families, this training provides graduates with great flexibility in potential career paths.
Additionally, students from Roberts Wesleyan University benefit from highlights in the PsyD program, including:
Residency + Internship: 4 years of residency at Roberts Wesleyan University, followed by one year of internship.
American Psychological Association (APA) Fully Accredited through November 26, 2033.
Collaborative, Supportive Relationships Among Faculty and Students.
Cost of Doctor of School/Clinical Psychology (PsyD)
Total Program
Sticker Price:
$127,500
$30,000
Scholarship for Every Student
Coursework
Interested in seeing what courses you can take? Check out our course catalog!
I have accepted a job [as] an Elementary School Psychologist. I will be responsible for students in kindergarten through 5th grade. After achieving licensure, I’d like to do some private practice work on the side. This is where the dual program really was appealing to me as I can use both sides of my degree.
There is a lot I’m thankful for for choosing the PsyD program at Roberts. The smaller size of the program means I built more wholesome (not competitive) relationships with professors, peers, and mentors. The flexibility in career options from training in a combined school/clinical program is so worth it.
I had amazing supervisors during my practicums. I was able to learn from a variety of different professions, including psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and licensed clinical social workers. I learned so much that equips me to be a better psychologist.
Admissions Requirements
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Psychology major preferred, but students from a liberal arts background with coursework in statistics, research methods, and 15-18 hours in Psychological Studies will also be considered
- Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.00 on a scale of 4.00
- Competitive GRE scores (no established cut-offs) - Roberts Institution Code is 2759
- Evidence of professional and personal dispositions necessary for success in the program
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the focus of the PsyD in Clinical/School Psychology program at Roberts?
What's the difference between a PhD and PsyD?
A PsyD is a Doctor of Psychology, whereas a PhD is a Doctor of Philosophy. Both degrees prepare students for a wide variety of careers in the field of psychology.
PsyD programs focus on preparing students for the professional practice of psychology, and thus have a greater emphasis on clinical and professional training.
PhD programs focus on preparing students for academic and research careers in psychology, and thus have a greater emphasis on research training.
What is a combined clinical/school program?
We are a combined program that integrates training in both school and clinical psychology. We have no tracks, but rather all students cross-train in both clinical settings and school settings. Children and adolescents who have mental health concerns also have educational needs, and the school and medical systems work very differently.
Regardless of whether students end up working in schools or medical/clinical settings, it is very helpful for practitioners to understand both systems in order to be able to work effectively with families and address children and adolescents holistically. This is a unique strength of our program.
Will I receive training to work with adults?
Yes, our coursework spans the entire lifespan, and we have practicum sites that focus on people of all ages.
Because we are a school/clinical program, all students will work with children or adolescents at some point in their training, and we include significant instruction regarding children and adolescents, as this is our specialty. Therefore, students should have at least some interest in children/adolescents.
However, many of our students choose to focus their training mostly on working with adults and secured employment working with adults.
Yes, the program is full accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) through November of 2033, as well as the National Association of School Psychologist (NASP) through August 2030.
What GRE scores and GPA are you looking for?
We evaluate candidates holistically, and do not use cut-off scores.
All pieces of the application are considered for every student, including GPA, GRE scores, experience, recommendations, and statement of student’s interests. We are looking for students who have promise of success and who fit with our program’s focus.
Can I work full-time while I’m in the program?
Students may work part-time, but it is not possible to work full-time while in the program. Students carry a full course load in addition to 1-3 days per week in a practicum setting (depending on the program year).
Are there graduate assistantships available?
All students who are accepted into the program will receive a $30,000 scholarship, to be distributed over the first two years of the program.
In exchange, students serve as graduate assistants in their second year, mentoring first-year students in assessment.
Are practicum and internships paid?
Practicum experiences are not paid.
We have developed partnerships with some local school districts that provide paid school psychology internships during the third year of the program, which are available on a competitive basis.
The pre-doctoral internship in the fourth year is fully paid if students apply and attain an internship through the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC).
Can a PsyD prescribe medication?
New York State does not allow psychologists (PsyD or PhD) to prescribe medications.
Because of their medical training, psychiatrists can prescribe medications, which is one of the distinctions between these fields. A few states do allow psychologists to prescribe a limited number of psychiatric medications if they complete additional coursework in psychopharmacology.
Questions?
Meet Your Enrollment Representative!
Jim Sheets
Director of GPS Recruiting and Strategic Initiatives