Welcome from the Director

Welcome to the Michigan State University Clinical Psychology webpage! We hope that you find our website comprehensive and you are able to find the information that you are seeking about our program.

The clinical psychology program has been continuously accredited by the American Psychological Association* since March 2, 1948. It was accredited most recently in 2008 for seven years. Our program is designed to educate and train students to be active researchers as well as competent practitioners. Our curriculum reflects the faculty's commitment to research, scholarship, and applied training.

The curriculum emphasizes two years of core course work to prepare the student to integrate academic, applied, and research training across the lifespan. Students also design an area of specialty, called a cognate. Examples of cognates include neuropsychology, child clinical psychology, or statistics/methodology. However it can be in any area agreed on by the student and the doctoral guidance committee.

We provide a lifespan, developmental perspective, so that students engage in clinical experiences and coursework that expose them to issues and populations in childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and later life. In addition, our program trains students to work with a wide variety of populations and to be sensitive to issues of individual and cultural diversity.

At all year levels, students work closely with their chairperson and guidance committee to develop an individualized program that capitalizes on their past experiences and future goals.

We have specific training objectives that underpin the graduate education we offer our students. These include the following knowledge and skill areas:

•a broad foundation in the field of clinical psychology

•psychopathology in children and adults across the lifespan

•intervention and psychotherapy

•assessment and evaluation

•research methodology and expertise in your research area

•cultural and individual diversity and its influence on behavior

•ethical and professional issues in research and practice

•appreciation of the value of life-long learning

Alytia A. Levendosky, Ph.D. Professor and Director of Clinical Training

-----------------------------------------------------------------
*American Psychological Association Committee on Accreditation
750 First Street, NE; Washington, DC 20002-4242; (202) 336-5979