 |
The training model for the UW-Madison doctoral program in clinical psychology is that of a scientist-practitioner. Based on our endorsement of a scientist-practitioner model, the educational plan focuses on two major and interrelated goals that integrate science and practice: 1) to produce graduates who have the requisite knowledge, skills, and experience to create and disseminate new knowledge about the processes and mechanisms underlying psychopathology; and 2) to produce graduates who have the requisite knowledge and skills for entry into the practice of professional clinical psychology and who understand and appreciate the importance of an empirical basis to clinical practice.
Our program utilizes a mentor model for research training; applicants are admitted to the program based in part on how closely their research interests are aligned with that of the current faculty. The close working relationship between the faculty mentor and the graduate student is one of the mechanisms that serves to integrate theory and research with the applied training. Students’ coursework and practicum experiences comprise the other mechanisms that foster the integration of science and practice.
The interests of and methods utilized by our faculty vary widely but all share the common goal of pursuing innovative, cutting edge analyses of major forms of psychopathology. Our program also offers excellent clinical training and in the course of their tenure in the program, graduate students in clinical psychology develop expertise in both assessment and treatment of psychopathology. However the student who is not deeply committed to research and scholarship will, in all likelihood not be satisfied with the Wisconsin Clinical Program.
During their stay, clinical graduate students complete courses in
assessment, clinical research methods, and a sequence of clinical
core courses covering the etiology and treatment of psychopathology,
in addition to statistics/methodology courses and coursework in
nonclinical areas both in and outside of the department (see Degree
Requirements). The required curriculum may take more than five years
to complete. Our clinical program is situated in a world-class
Psychology Department that includes area groups in Cognitive, Biological,
Developmental and Social Psychology. In addition, there is a new Emotion
Training Program within the Department that cuts across all other area
groups and is supported by an NIMH training grant. Many clinical
students and faculty are involved in various aspects of the Emotion
Training Program. Many clinical students avail themselves of the
extensive range of opportunities available through collaborations
with other units on campus including the Waisman Center, an
interdisciplinary research institute for developmental research,
the Institute on Aging, the Waisman Laboratory for
Brain Imaging and Behavior, the Department of Psychiatry and other
Departments in the Medical School, College of Letters and Science
and the School of Education. Our aim is to train scholars who are
well-versed in modern, interdisciplinary research in psychopathology.
A major goal of our program is to integrate students' clinical and
research activities. Students begin their clinical practicum in the
Psychology Department Research and Training Clinic during their
third year in the program and typically continue such practicum
training throughout the remainder of their graduate careers. An
important component of clinical training is the "Small Group Practicum"
in which various clinical professors supervise practicum activities on
topics related to their own areas of interest. In the summer following
the third academic year, the student is appointed to a clerkship in one
of the several agencies that cooperate with the department in providing
practicum training. Finally, all clinical students obtain at least one
full year of full-time clinical experience in an approved internship
facility. Whereas many of our students obtain internships at various of
the better-known training centers around the country, other students
complete their internships at one of the excellent local sites.
Virtually all Clinical graduate students have received financial
support while in residence in the graduate program.
Applicants for Clinical Psychology are urged to have their application
completed by January 5 (See Application and Admission). This will make
it possible for the Clinical faculty to consider inviting you for an
interview in early January. Students who apply after this date will,
in all likelihood, not be eligible to receive fellowship support.
Admission into the Clinical program is highly competitive (See Table 1).
Please consider carefully our criteria for admission (See Application and Admission).
Faculty: Professors Abramson,Davidson, Goldsmith, Gooding, Li, Newman, Curtin, Pollak.
Affiliated Faculty: Professors Abercrombie, Kalin, Kolden,
Nitschke.
All of the Clinical training is overseen by the Director of Training (Diane C. Gooding, Ph.D.) and the Clinical Area Group faculty to ensure compliance with APA standards.
Related Links:
|
|
