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Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)

Student Studying Clinical PsychologyThe Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program (Psy.D.) at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University trains students who want to practice as clinical psychologists with a strong interest in traditionally underserved populations. In addition to mastering a rigorous core curriculum, Psy.D. students gain special competencies in one of three areas: Applied Child, Family Violence, or Serious and Persistent Mental Illness. Our highly experienced faculty provides clinical and theoretical training in the two major orientations in the field today: cognitive behavioral and psychoanalytic. As a result, our graduates are prepared to practice with one or both models, affording considerable flexibility in a professional world of constantly changing demands and opportunities.

After the first year, students balance course work with clinical training as externs in approved patient-care institutions. Second-year students train at the C.W. Post Psychological Services Center, which offers low-cost preventative and clinical mental health services to community members. Third- and fourth-year students complete closely supervised externships at one of more than 50 training sites in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area, including inpatient, outpatient and community mental health facilities.

The Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association. In 2009, the APA awarded the Program with accreditation until 2016, the longest possible period of accreditation. Approximately 20 students from across the United States are admitted each year; most have an undergraduate degree in psychology and some clinical experience. The program requires a full-time, year-round commitment in each of the four years of residency. The fifth year is spent in a full-time clinical internship at an American Psychological Association-approved facility. As a culminating experience, students design and conduct a significant research project, and write a doctoral dissertation under the direction of the Program faculty. The program is 115 credits, including the clinical practicum.

Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data

Click here for student admissions, externships and internships, and graduation and licensure data.

Important Dates

  • Applications Accepted Beginning November 15, 2011
  • Deadline for Fall online or paper application, must be submitted by January 2, 2012
  • All other credentials must be received by January 15, 2012
  • Final Decision Deadline: April 16, 2012
  • Classes Begin September 2012

Program Highlights

  • The Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program at C.W. Post is one of a select few programs in the nation to train psychologists in serious and persistent mental illness, applied child psychology, and family violence.
  • The program is also one of the few that trains its students in both Cognitive-Behavioral psychotherapy and Psychodynamic psychotherapy.
  • The program is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association, receiving the longest possible accreditation of seven years during the last site visit in 2009.
  • Community-based Psychological Services Center provides clinical services to the public and serves as a training facility for doctoral candidates.