Fielding Graduate University's PhD Online Program

Clinical Psychology, PhD Program Overview

Fielding Graduate University's PhD Program in Clinical Psychology is the only distributed learning doctoral program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). The program offers a PhD degree in Clinical Psychology with elective concentrations in:

Forensic Psychology
Health Psychology
Neuropsychology
Parent-Infant Mental Health
The Prevention and Control of Violence

Please note that, unlike our other programs, the Clinical Psychology Program accepts applications only from individuals residing in the contiguous states of the United States (except Oregon and Oklahoma), and in Canada. Thus the program is not offered in Hawaii, Alaska or overseas. This is primarily because clinical training placements require Fielding approval as well as on-site supervision which we are unable to provide outside the contiguous United States and Canada.

Fielding Graduate University has provided distributed learning for over 25 years. Socialization into the field of clinical psychology is provided by intensive faculty-student face-to-face contact at local cluster meetings, national sessions, clinical and research sessions. Structured learning activities that take place over the Fielding's Education Link & Information eXchange network (FELIX) deepen interactions between faculty and students.

The Clinical Psychology PhD program provides students with a breadth of theoretical perspectives, clinical training experiences and research methodologies; students are encouraged to take a broad view of clinical psychology - to integrate human behavior theory, practice and research at the individual, group and societal level. As future psychologists, students prepare to work with individuals, groups and systems - to apply theoretically grounded and research-based interventions that promote growth and change toward healthy and productive living. The program is designed to support individual strengths and initiative.

• Students have flexibility in program planning and are supported in acquiring knowledge and experience that best suit their learning styles.
• Student progress is monitored according to program policies and standards; however, students are expected to choose a route which addresses their individual preferences, strengths and weaknesses.
• Students develop individualized learning plans that accommodate the heterogeneity in their levels of prior education and training.
• Attention to differences in preparation and background is reflected in a competency-based learning environment that values close collegial relationships between students and faculty.

Commitment to Diversity

In accordance with Fielding's commitment to diversity, School of Psychology faculty and consultants represent a wide spectrum of current theories, research, and derivative practices. A student's development within his or her own social and cultural context is respected and encouraged. Students' attention and sensitivity to differences and similarities in race, class, gender, and ethnicity are developed in relation to psychological theory, research and practice.

Scholar-Practitioner Model

The School of Psychology endorses a Scholar-Practioner Model of education and training. This model expresses an ideal of professional excellence grounded in theory and research and informed by experiential knowledge and ethical conduct. Scholar-practitioners are committed to learning new avenuew of effectiveness in their work and in conceptualizing that work in relation to the broader scholarly context. They explicitly reflect upon and assess the impact of their work. Their professional activities and the knowledge they develop are centered on an active exchange within the communities of practice and scholarship (McClintock, 2004). The Scholar-Practitioner Model typically utilizes methods of scholarship that employ empirical research designs and methods of sampling; empirical methods for gathering data, and quantitative and qualitative methods for analyzing data and substantiating interpretations and conclusions.

Outcome Data

In accordance with requirements of the American Psychological Association (APA), Fielding Graduate University provides outcome data pertaining to the education of our graduate students. To review these data, download the outcome data sheet (PDF).

Source: For more information, please visit http://www.fielding.edu/psy/