Syracuse University's doctoral program in clinical psychology trains outstanding students to become responsible, innovative, and scholarly psychologists. The program embraces the scientist-practitioner model, providing balanced training in the science and practice of clinical psychology. Faculty emphasize the importance of scholarly empirical research as the foundation of clinical psychology and consequently seek to train students eager to embrace the research mission of the program. An important aspect of the training at Syracuse is the integration of research and clinical work that is performed on many clinically applied research projects that include intervention with diverse populations throughout the Syracuse area. We as faculty are committed to quality training and consider mentoring of graduate students an integral part of our professional endeavors. An apprenticeship model of student-faculty collaboration is encouraged to facilitate the student's development as a clinical psychologist. Daily involvement in the science and practice of clinical psychology prepares our graduates to pursue a variety of careers including academic appointments, clinical administration, clinical research, and the provision of direct clinical services. The program is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).

To read a statement of the program's goals and objectives click here

The program admits students in the spring to begin study in the fall semester and only for the doctoral degree. During their academic training students usually take three courses in both the fall and spring semesters and two during the summer term. A typical sequence of courses is shown below. Several courses (e.g. Assessment I, Psychopathology, Psychotherapy, Developmental Psychopathology) are offered every other year. Consequently, depending on when the student enters the program these courses may be offered in either the first or second year.

As can be seen, course work during the first two years in statistics, experimental design, and research methods prepares students to conduct their master's research, which is typically completed by the end of the second year. Similarly, the assessment, developmental psychopathology, psychopathology, and psychotherapy courses are taken by students during their first two years so that students are prepared to serve as clinic assistants in the third year. This provides the students with a balanced beginning to their training and prepares them for both their research and clinical experiences to follow. Most students find the first two years to be demanding but rewarding. They develop close working relationships with both their research and clinical advisors.

The third and fourth years of study bring greater opportunity to pursue topics of individual interest. Thus, some students may take courses in developmental or social psychology to pursue research interests, while others may seek training in neuropsychological assessment or other areas. Many take an additional year of practicum and seek out other clinical training opportunities.

Official program requirements include at least 90 credit hours (i.e., 30 courses), including a 6-credit master's thesis and an 18-credit dissertation (begun in the third year). Prior to beginning the dissertation, students must pass a doctoral qualifying exam, which currently consists of preparation of a critical review of a substantive area in clinical psychology. Thus, the qualifying exam is designed to facilitate the prompt and early completion of the dissertation. Students must attend the university on a full-time basis and remain in residence until the 90 credits are completed. A full-time, one-year internship is also required before the Ph.D. is awarded. It is usually completed in the fifth year of the program. The internship provides a stipend and must be completed at an APA-accredited institution in the United States or Canada

Students are actively involved in research during their first semester of study at Syracuse. The program strongly encourages a "goodness of fit" between faculty and student research interests. In most cases, students work with the same research advisor for their master's thesis and dissertation. However, students are free to work with faculty in other programs in the Department of Psychology if they find that these professors better match their interests. The Department has equally outstanding faculty within its graduate programs in experimental, social, and school psychology.

The clinical psychology faculty have a wide range of interests, as can be seen from reviewing the biographical sketches provided on the accompanying pages. The faculty research interests are focused in the areas of health psychology, substance abuse, psychophysiology, sexual health, intervention research, and family systems. Members of the clinical faculty collaborate with each other and with colleagues within the Syracuse areas and across the country. There are ongoing collaborative research projects at the Syracuse V.A. Medical Center and the State University of New York Upstate Medical University. Both of these institutions are within easy walking distance of the Department and provide valuable research and clinical experiences for Syracuse students.

 Psychological Services Center

Students begin their formal clinical training by taking the year-long practicum course in the second year, and they spend the third year by working as clinic assistants in the Department's Psychological Services Center (PSC). The PSC, which is directed by Dr. Mark Ginsberg, provides psychotherapy and assessment services to university students and to members of the greater Syracuse community.

During the year, students receive individual supervision from licensed clinical psychology faculty. Supervisors vary in their conceptual approaches to understanding and modifying behavior which provides a rich perspective and lively discussion of clinical topics. Supervision is complemented by seminars in assessment and psychopathology, as well as by regular case conferences.

Many, perhaps most, students are also actively involved in applied clinical research. Often an important part of this work is the provision of direct clinical services under the supervision of a core member of the clinical faculty. In this manner faculty serve as both research and clinical supervisors and thereby provide a direct demonstration of the scientist-practitioner in practice.

Additionally, the majority of students take either a second year-long practicum in the PSC, or an advanced practicum offered by full-time clinical faculty. Recent offerings have included training in (a) substance abuse prevention and treatment and (b) primary care consultation.

Many students also obtain teaching experience to help prepare them for academic careers. They may work as a teaching assistant, usually during the first year. In later years they may serve as an instructor, in which they have full responsibility for an undergraduate course. Students frequently rank teaching among the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their graduate training.

Students are strongly encouraged to attend research colloquia sponsored by the department and to participate on one of the research teams which meet regularly to discuss ongoing projects. The faculty encourage students to attend local and national professional conferences. Many clinical students present their research at meetings organized by APA, EPA, SBM, ABCT, RSA, APS, SRCD and other professional societies.

New students start in the Fall only. Only students seeking the doctoral degree are admitted. Applicants to the clinical psychology program must have completed a minimum of 18 credit hours in psychology, including a laboratory course and a course in statistics. A course in research methods is helpful, although not required. Research experience is desirable. Successful applicants usually have 3.5 GPA or better plus combined (verbal + quantitative) GRE scores of 1150 or better. Profiles of recently admitted classes can be found here.

Applicants for admission to the clinical psychology program must complete a formal application form, available at http://gradsch.syr.edu/howtoapply.htm. The application provides instructions for sending three letters of recommendation, two copies of all academic records, and results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), including the advanced test in psychology, to Graduate Admissions (at 303 Bowne Hall, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, Website: http://gradsch.syr.edu/, Email: grad@gwmail.syr.edu, Telephone: 315-443-4492, Fax: 315-443-3423). We recommend that students take the GRE no later than October. January 1 is the deadline for receipt of the completed application (i.e., all transcripts, letters, etc.). The applicant is responsible for ensuring that all materials are received by the deadline.

Apply Online

Applications are reviewed when all of the above information is received by Graduate Admissions Processing, and then forwarded to the Psychology Department. The program receives approximately 115 applications a year for a class of 4 to 6 persons. The admissions committee bases its decisions on the overall strength of the application; this includes consideration of the applicant's grades, GRE scores, personal statement, match with faculty research interests, letters of recommendation, and evidence of the hard work and motivation that is critical to success in graduate school. No single credential rules an applicant in or out of consideration. Applicants are matched with faculty mentors at time of admission, so applicants should identify a potential research mentor (or mentors) in their application. For answers to frequently asked questions about admissions, see FAQs.

The program does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, ethnicity, religion, or physical handicap.

Promising applicants will be invited for personal interviews; telephone interviews are conducted if travel to Syracuse is not possible. Applicants will be notified of their status by April 15th or earlier if possible. We encourage all admitted applicants to visit campus and meet clinical faculty and students before making a decision to accept an offer.

The Department of Psychology makes a determined effort to provide four years of financial support for all graduate students in good standing. Support is obtained from a variety of sources, including teaching and clinic assistantships, as well as graduate fellowships. In addition, students are regularly funded as research assistants on faculty grants. Assistantships for the 08-09 academic year will carry a stipend of approximately $12,333 plus 24 hours of remitted tuition per year (which includes 6 credit hours to be used during the summer).

An academic profile of students accepted into the clinical program over the past 7 years can be found here. Outcomes of clinical students who have applied to internship in the last 7 years as well as additional information pertaining to relevant student data such as program costs, time to completion, internships, attrition, and licensure can be found here.

Current Clinical Graduate Students

Here are the names of our full-time faculty in the Clinical Psychology Program.
Dr. Kate Carey
Dr. Michael Carey
Dr. Craig Ewart
Dr. Randall Jorgensen
Dr. Stephen Maisto
Dr. Kevin Masters
Dr. Aesoon Park
Dr. Peter Vanable

Here are the names of our full-time cross affiliated faculty in the Clinical Psychology Program.
Dr. Joshua Smyth

The adjunct faculty extend the breadth of the program in their clinical supervision of graduate students. The therapeutic orientation of the adjunct faculty include cognitive-behavioral, object relations, family systems, and play therapy. Following is a list of current Adjunct Faculty members:

Mark Ginsberg, Ph.D.
Judy Gorovitz, Ph.D.
Roger Greenberg, Ph.D.
John Harkulich, Ph.D.
Joseph Himmelsbach, Ph.D.
Mary Jeannotte, Ph.D.
Thomas J. Krisher, Ph.D.
Robert H. Kuehnel, Ph.D.
Larry Lantinga, Ph.D.
Dennis McKillop, Ph.D.
Richard O'Neill, Ph.D.
Paige Ouimette, Ph.D.
Theresa Senn, Ph.D.
Douglas Scaturo, Ph.D.
Jennifer Schum, Ph.D.
Robert Sprafkin, Ph.D.

• Thesis Format Guidelines

• Steps: Defense Procedures

• Request for Examination

• Clinical Student Manual, Fall 2007

Syracuse University was founded in 1870 by the Methodist Church, in a single building in downtown Syracuse. The fledgling institution had 8 faculty members and 41 students. Today, approximately 15,000 students (11,000 undergraduate and 4,000 graduate) attend the University's 14 schools and colleges. Students come from all 50 states and 101 foreign countries.

The University is located in a metropolitan area of approximately 600,000 people. The city is home to an excellent symphony orchestra, an active theater group, and dozens of restaurants and clubs, all of which are affordable because of the modest cost of living. The University's football, basketball, and lacrosse teams are a source of pride and entertainment for all of Central New York, as are the beautiful lakes and wooded areas which provide recreational activities throughout the year. New York City, Philadelphia, Toronto, and Ottawa are all within a four- to five-hour drive. Central New York offers an ideal setting for a high quality of life while undertaking graduate study.

Survey of Syracuse University Clinical Training Program Graduates (in .Pdf format)

The APA Committee on Accreditation may be contacted via:
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
Phone: 202-336-5979
TDD/TTY: 202-336-6123
Fax: 202-336-5978
Email: apaaccred@apa.org

For more information about the program please direct requests to: Sue Bova