University of South Florida College of Arts and Sciences

About the School

Introduction The Department of Psychology at the University of South Florida is committed to furthering our understanding of behavior and mental processes by utilizing the methods of science in both basic and applied research. We seek to train graduate students as independent scholars as they affiliate with one or more of the broad spectrum of research programs carried out by our faculty. By emphasizing the importance of research, teaching, and other scholarly endeavors, we hope to instill in our graduates a firm commitment to the pursuit of knowledge as well as a strong determination to find solutions for pressing human problems. Programs Given the large variety of research that is conducted here in the department, we have organized our graduate program into three areas of study: Clinical, CNS (Cognition, Neuroscience, and Social Psychology), or Industrial Organizational. You can find more information about each program by clicking on the links above or by reviewing the information on our Admission page. Application Information Students are admitted to one of the three Ph.D. programs. We do not offer a terminal masters degree as we expect each of our graduate students to work toward the Ph.D. For more information and application materials, please visit our Admission page.

Curriculum

Coursework
Clinical Core: Fundamental

Psychopathology and its Development (3 credits--Fall of 1st year)

Psych Assessment: Either Adult OR Child— includes behavioral, IQ, cognitive, clinical assessment (3 credits)

Clinical Psychology Interventions: Either Specific Disorders OR General/Nonspecific Factors (3 credits)
Clinical Core:Specialization/Advanced

Four additional courses either from list of Fundamental Clinical Core above, or from list of Advanced Seminars and Specialization Topics Related to Psychological Assessment, Intervention, and Psychopathology/ Dysfunctional Behavior (At least 3 of the 4 must be within the clinical area).

Clinical brown bag attendance for 30 hours and a 1-hour presentation can count as one of the advanced courses.
Clinical Core: Other

Introduction to clinical psychology: Includes cultural diversity, history and systems, human development, professional development, and the thesis process (1 credit in Fall, 2 credits in Spring)

Ethics and Professional Problems (2 credits:Spring of 1st year)
Clinical Practicum and Skills Training

Summer of First Year: Assessment Skills Training Series "Boot Camp" (no registration for credit necessary).

Fall of Second Year: Intervention Skills class (2 credits)

Clinical Practicum:Assessment and psychotherapy in the Psychological Services Center (PSC); Case-load of two clients during years 2-5. For every year that students are in the PSC, they must register for one credit of PSY 6946 in Fall and in Spring with every supervision group that they attend. PSY 6946 is now Pass/Fail.
Research Methods

Regression & Lab (4 credits)
Multivariate Stats (4 credits)
Psychometrics (3 credits)
One Additional Methods Course (3 credits)
Breadth/Core Courses (Courses can not be double counted)

Biological aspects of behavior (3 credits)
Social aspects of behavior (3 credits)
Cognitive/affective aspects of behavior (3 credits)
Other Requirements

Research product in spring of first year (present at poster session at end of spring semester)

Comprehensive exams (General/Integrative and Research Area/Specific) or Major Area Paper
Thesis (6 thesis credits, 2 of which are during semester degree is granted)

Dissertation (12 dissertation credits, 2 of which are during semester degree is granted)

Internship (One year, APA accredited; or in unusual circumstances, a student in good standing can petition to the clinical faculty to be allowed to apply to an internship that is accredited by APPIC (but not accredited by APA).

Facilities