Health Service Psychology, (Clinical Psychology/School Psychology), Psy.D

The Psy.D. in Health Service Psychology (Clinical Psychology/School Psychology) provides broad practitioner-scientist training with an emphasis on clinical practice. The aim of the program is to prepare students for careers as health professionals in clinical and school settings. The overarching model of the program is the provision of health services with particular emphasis on cognitive-behavioral psychology. Graduates from this program will be competent to function as licensed professional psychologists in a variety of roles across a variety of settings. The Doctor of Psychology in Health Service Psychology has been awarded accreditation on contingency by the American Psychological Association.

As a practitioner-scientist program, the Psy.D. program in Health Service Psychology’s primary goal is to train practitioners, scholars, and applied researchers in the area of health service psychology. The program develops graduates who use scientific methods in the professional practice of psychology with the aim of improving health and behavioral-health outcomes. The program emphasizes the importance of the scientific method as the primary basis to advance knowledge and inform practice. Graduates will be competent in evidence-based practice (assessment, intervention, and consultation). This model emphasizes the reciprocal relationship between psychological, biological, and social aspects of both personal and community health.

Admission

Admission to the graduate program in Health Service Psychology is limited and is offered only to the most qualified applicants. The typical minimum standards for admission include:

1. Earned Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Specialist degree in psychology, clinical psychology, school psychology, or a closely related discipline;
2. GPA or 3.3 or higher for those entering with an undergraduate degree only or GPA of 3.5 or higher for those entering with graduate credit or an earned graduate degree;
3. Score of 300 of higher on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with at least 3.5 in Analytical Writing; and
4. Evidence of research potential (publication, thesis, formal research project, participation in research).

Applying to the Health Service Psychology Psy.D. Program

Applying to program admission requires submitting the documents described below. Applicants must complete a university Application for Admission and submit it and all required fees and documents to the university’s Admission Office at the same time they are applying to the program. There is an application fee for university admissions which is in addition to the program application fee. International students are advised to consult the relevant webpages and/or contact International Admissions in the Admissions Office as early as possible for information.

The Psy.D. program requires an application fee of $50 in addition to the university’s regular application fee. This fee is payable to the “University of Houston-Clear Lake Psy.D. program.”

Applicants submit GRE scores to the university following the standard reporting procedure and also enter those scores on the program application form.

The application to the program is online. Through ApplyTexas, applicants will apply to the Health Service Psychology program. Through the online system, applicants will upload all components to their applications except for the recommendation letters. Recommendation writers should send recommendation forms and letters via email to psyd@uhcl.edu.

The Psy.D. application includes the following components:

1. An application form
2. A Curriculum Vitae
3. A 2-page single-spaced Statement of Purpose stating reasons for seeking this training and explaining how the training complements the applicant’s career goals. The Statement of Purpose may include the following:
   • Research and clinical/school psychology experience and interests
   • Practicum experience
   • Other relevant experiences (i.e., volunteering)
   • Post-graduation professional goals
   • A list of faculty in the Psy.D. program with whom the applicant would like to work with and why
4. Three (3) Recommendations for Applicant Admission (form found on the program website). Each recommender must complete the recommendation form and submit a separate letter.
5. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended (except University of Houston-Clear Lake transcripts which will be generated internally). These transcripts are submitted to the program in addition to the transcripts sent directly to the university’s Office of Admissions.
6. Scores on the general test of the GRE. Official scores are reported to the university through the standard GRE process. The applicant also enters GRE scores on the program application form as indicated.
7. A $50.00 check or money order made payable to the UHCL Psy.D. program.

Note: Admission to graduate status at the university is not equivalent to admission to the Psy.D. program. Admission to the university should not be confused with acceptance into the Psy.D. program. Applicants will be notified about admission into the Psy.D. directly by the program director. Applicants are admitted into a professional psychology program only by way of formal notification from the program director. For international applicants, admission to the university requires admission through both the academic program and the Office of International Admissions and Programs.

Timeframe for Program Application and the Admission Process

Applications are accepted once a year. Applicants have the responsibility to ensure that their applications, GRE scores, supporting transcripts, and recommendations are received by the program by the application deadline of December 15. Review of applications will begin in January. After initial review of the application materials, the admissions committee will invite applicants under active consideration to campus. Students will be notified of interviews by the end of January. Interviews will occur in late January or early February. Once interviews have been completed, the PsyD admissions committee will notify applicants of admission decisions by early March. Acceptances must be finalized on or before April 15.

Review of Progress

Continuation in the Psy.D. program requires satisfactory academic performance and the acquisition of appropriate clinical and professional skills and personal attributes. Students admitted to the program will be evaluated annually for academic progress and appropriate professional behavior and development. An unsatisfactory evaluation may lead to probation or termination from the program. All students are required to adhere to the policies and procedures outlined in the Doctoral Student Handbook for the Doctorate in Psychology.

Grade Requirements

Only courses with a grade of “B-” or better will be applied toward the Psy.D. program requirements. Further grade requirements are outlined in the Doctoral Student Handbook for the Doctorate in Psychology.

Accreditation

The Psy.D. in Health Service Psychology was accredited on contingency from the American Psychological Association in April 2019.