Graduate Program

Clinical Psychology

Program Description

The University of Rochester doctoral training program in clinical psychology is patterned after the clinical-scientist model. The program provides students with thorough grounding in both general and clinical psychology and has been continually accredited by the American Psychological Association since 1948 (Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, American Psychological Association, 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002; phone: (202) 336-5979; website: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation/).

In addition to APA accreditation, our program has been accredited by Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS) since 2024. For questions regarding our PCSAS accreditation status, please contact: Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS) Joseph E. Steinmetz, PCSAS Executive Director, 1101 E 10th Street, Bloomington, IN 47401, jsteinmetz@pcsas.org, Phone: (479) 301-8008.

We are also members of the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science, which is an alliance of leading, scientifically oriented programs with a strong commitment to clinical science training.

Why do we have two accreditations? PCSAS is an independent, non-profit organization that accredits clinical psychology PhD programs that adhere to the clinical scientist model of training—that is, programs that “support and expand the scientific foundation for mental and behavioral health care and increases the quality and quantity of clinical scientists contributing to all aspects of public health for all people.” Our program philosophy aligns closely with that of PCSAS. We also intend to renew APA accreditation in 2027. At this time, dual accreditation ensures that our alumni have full access to professional opportunities.

The program is built around a four-year curriculum. The Department of Psychology offers MA to PhD track* training; graduates earn both an MA and PhD, we do not offer a terminal Masters. Students complete 90 credit hours, up to one third of which may be credited for research. To learn more the program’s mission, see the program aims page.

Interested in applying?

See our application page, admission criteria page, student productivity and success page for more information.

Faculty

The core clinical faculty is composed of:

• Loisa Bennetto
• David Dodell-Feder
• Liz Handley
• Christie Petrenko
• Ron Rogge
• Chad Shenk
• Lisa Starr
• Sheree Toth

In addition, the following affiliated faculty members from other departments/areas also mentor clinical psychology doctoral students:

• Jody Todd Manly, PhD, Mt. Hope Family Center
• Thomas O'Connor, PhD, URMC Department of Psychiatry
• Steve Silverstein, PhD, URMC Department of Psychiatry
• Benjamin Suarez-Jimenez, PhD, URMC Department of Neuroscience

For a complete list of department faculty, see our directory.

Program Requirements

For a detailed description of all program requirements, see the Psychology Graduate Handbook (PDF).

Department Requirements

All psychology PhD students are required to take quantitative methods, complete one course in the other two disciplines, and act as a teaching assistant for at least one semester. For more details see the Psychology Graduate Handbook (PDF).

Core Courses

Clinical students are required to complete 14 core courses as outlined in the Psychology Graduate Handbook (PDF).

Students may also enroll for additional credit in graduate courses offered by the psychology department or other departments.

Research and Examination Requirements

Clinical students are required to complete a two-year research project in the first two years of residence, culminating in a research report by the end of the second year. Students must also complete a doctoral dissertation, as outlined in the Psychology Graduate Handbook (PDF).

Students are also required to complete the major comprehensive examination as outlined on page 21 of the Psychology Graduate Handbook (PDF).

Pre-Internship and Internship Requirements

In preparation for internship, clinical students are expected to complete an organized, sequential series of practicum experiences. Practicum experiences are defined as supervised training in the use of evidence-based assessments and therapies by clinical psychologists and other qualified professionals. Examples include practicum experiences at our new in-house training clinic, The Psychological Services Center, as well as the Mt. Hope Family Center, and at other faculty-approved sites.

The program’s recommendation for formal internship training is contingent on positive reviews of performance and professional ethics and demeanor in these pre-internship experiences.

Students must complete a clinical internship with a minimum of 1,750 hours in an approved agency. During the internship the student’s training should span a variety of clinical approaches and populations. Students are strongly encouraged to complete their internship training in an APA-accredited agency.

For more information about pre-internship and internship requirements see the Psychology Graduate Handbook (PDF).

State Licensure Eligibility

We expect our graduates to obtain licensure as clinical psychologists after they receive their doctoral degree. Doing so allows these professionals to contribute science-based training and practice as part of their roles as faculty, supervisors, and health service psychologists. Per U.S. Federal Regulations, §668.14 and §668.43, and in compliance with the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) Policy Manual, the University of Rochester discloses that it has designed its APA and PCSAS-accredited training curriculum in clinical psychology to meet the educational requirements for licensure in the State of New York as well as many other states and territories throughout the United States. Additional information on obtaining a license to practice psychology in the State of New York is available on the New York State Education Department - Office of the Professions website.

Being APA and PCSAS accredited provides a foundation for the University of Rochester’s doctoral training program in clinical psychology to meet the educational requirements for licensure across the U.S. However, additional requirements generally exist to obtain licensure in a given jurisdiction. Examples of such additional requirements include, accruing postdoctoral hours, passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), passing a state jurisprudence exam, passing a criminal background check, and completing additional state-specific trainings in various areas relevant to the practice of psychology. Given that licensure is controlled by individual governmental bodies in U.S. states and territories, and that every jurisdiction may impose their own unique requirements, we cannot guarantee that the doctoral training in clinical psychology that the University of Rochester provides will meet the criteria for licensure in every jurisdiction.

Below is a table, created December 2025, indicating whether our training program currently meets or does not meet the educational requirements for licensure in all U.S. states and territories. Because educational and state licensure requirements change over time, the information provided here may be subject to change. The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) offers a helpful resource for knowing licensure requirements in the U.S. Applicants and students are also strongly encouraged to visit the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NS-SARA) website for information on licensure requirements provided by licensure boards in U.S. states and territories.