Clinical Psychology

The Clinical Psychology program at Northwestern University is a comprehensive and rigorous academic track designed to prepare students for advanced careers in research, clinical practice, and academic settings. Rooted in a strong foundation of psychological science, the program emphasizes the integration of empirical research with clinical applications to foster the development of evidence-based assessment and intervention skills. Students in the program are offered a diverse curriculum that covers core areas such as psychopathology, psychological assessment, psychotherapy, neuropsychology, and research methodologies. The curriculum is continually updated to incorporate the latest advances in clinical psychology, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped to address complex mental health issues across diverse populations.

The program features a blend of coursework, supervised clinical training, and research projects, enabling students to develop competencies in both empirical investigation and practical treatment modalities. Hands-on training is provided through partnerships with university-affiliated clinics, hospital settings, and community mental health agencies. Integral to the program is a strong mentorship component, with faculty members who are leading experts in areas such as clinical neuropsychology, health psychology, and developmental psychopathology. This mentorship supports students in designing individualized training plans and pursuing research that aligns with their career interests.

Graduates of the Clinical Psychology program are well-prepared for licensure and certification requirements, with many pursuing careers in clinical practice, academic research, or clinical supervision. Northwestern University’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is reflected in the program’s focus on culturally competent assessment and treatment strategies. The program also encourages students to engage in scholarly activities, present at national conferences, and publish their research findings. By fostering a collaborative and innovative environment, Northwestern’s Clinical Psychology program aims to cultivate skilled professionals who can contribute significantly to the understanding and treatment of mental health disorders, advancing both scientific knowledge and clinical practice.

The following courses are routinely made available to students. Additional courses, including Special Topics, may also be made available to students. Courses are categorized as Foundational Courses, Courses in the Bases of Behavior, Required Clinical Courses, Required Research Courses, and Elective and Emphasis-Specific Courses.

Required Foundational Courses:

• Professional Issues in Clinical Psychology (Ethics)
• Diversity in Psychological Science and Practice
• Life-Span Developmental Psychology

Required Courses in the Bases of Behavior:

• Behavioral Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Advanced Social Psychology

Required Clinical Courses:

• Psychological Assessment I, II, III
• Psychopathology
• Introduction to Psychotherapy
• Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Required Research Courses:

• Research Methods (Statistics) I, II, II
• Advanced Research Methodology

Emphasis-Specific Elective Courses:

• Behavioral Neuroanatomy (Neuropsychology & Behavioral Neuroscience
• Behavioral Neurology for Neuropsychologists (Neuropsychology & Behavioral Neuroscience
• Brain and Behavior: Introduction to Neuropsychology
• Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy (Child Emphasis
• Child Psychological Assessment (Child Emphasis
• Child Psychopathology (Child Emphasis
• Cognitive and Behavioral Treatments for Depression (Psychopathology & Treatment
• Cognitive Models of Psychopathology and Psychotherapy (Psychopathology & Treatment
• Family Therapy (Child Emphasis
• Forensic Psychology & Neuropsychology (Neuropsychology & Behavioral Neuroscience; Psychopathology & Treatment
• Health Psychology (Behavioral Medicine
• Introduction to Psychopharmacology (Psychopathology & Treatment
• Marital and Sex Therapy (Psychopathology & Treatment
• Mental Health Services Sequence (Policy
• Mental Health Policy (Policy
• Motivation for Health Behavioral Change (Behavioral Medicine
• Neuropsychological Assessment (Neuropsychology & Behavioral Neuroscience
• Primary Care Psychology (Behavioral Medicine
• Psychodynamic Traditions (Psychopathology & Treatment)

Requirements

• An undergraduate grade point average in your major field of 3.2 or above on a 4.0 scale
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) verbal, quantitative, and analytical scores above the 70th percentile (Psychology Subject Test is required before admission, not necessarily for the application)
• Undergraduate and/or Master’s level course work consistent with a major in psychology, including experimental psychology, abnormal psychology, statistics, and research design
• Prior experience (paid or voluntary) with clinical populations, including direct-service or clinical research
• For international students, Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores
• Interested in intensive training using a scientist-practitioner model and a career as a clinical psychologist doing research and/or clinical work in an academic medical center or other health care settings

Scholarships

All students admitted to the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences receive a graduate scholarship that provides 50% tuition remission for the first three years of residency. Students also receive fully subsidized University health insurance for the first three (3) years of residency.

Specific research labs may provide additional funding to students in their lab, depending on the availability of grant funding. The highest level of support research labs with funding may provide is a Research Assistant Scholarship (RAS), which provides full (100%) coverage of tuition and a monthly stipend (at least $2,566 per month for the 2016-2017 academic year). Students and faculty are also encouraged to apply for external funding, such as NIH training grants. Students from underrepresented minority groups may be eligible for additional scholarships and tuition remission, depending on availability.

Travel Grants

All students in the Clinical Psychology PhD Program qualify for a limited number of travel grants to present research at academic conferences. These travels grants are provided by the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and The Graduate School.

The Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology at Northwestern University is a highly regarded training ground for students aspiring to become clinical psychologists and researchers in the field of mental health. The program emphasizes a scientist-practitioner model, integrating rigorous scientific training with practical clinical experience. Students are exposed to a comprehensive curriculum that covers psychopathology, assessment, intervention, and research methodology, enabling them to develop a deep understanding of psychological disorders and the best practices for their treatment. The program typically spans five to seven years, culminating in the Ph.D. degree, with a strong emphasis on both scholarly research and supervised clinical practice.

Northwestern University’s Clinical Psychology program is affiliated with the Feinberg School of Medicine, which provides access to diverse clinical settings and cutting-edge research initiatives. Students have opportunities to work with a varied population, including underserved communities, and to engage in interdisciplinary research collaborations. The faculty comprises distinguished scholars recognized nationally and internationally for their contributions to clinical psychology, neuropsychology, and mental health research. Student training includes participation in small-group seminars, individual mentorship, and practica at university-affiliated clinics and hospitals.

The program adheres to the standards mandated by the American Psychological Association (APA), ensuring graduates are eligible for licensure and board certification. Research areas of focus include health psychology, neuropsychology, childhood and adolescent psychology, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and other empirically supported treatment approaches. The program fosters a collaborative learning environment, encouraging innovation and critical thinking. Graduates of the program have successfully secured academic positions, research roles, and licensed clinical practice opportunities across various settings.

Admission into the program is highly competitive, requiring a strong academic record, relevant research experience, and a clear professional goal aligned with clinical psychology. Financial support is available in the form of fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships, which help students fund their training and research activities. Graduates of the Northwestern Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program are well-prepared to contribute to the advancement of psychological science and to provide effective clinical care across diverse populations.