Students trained at the University of Virginia Curry Programs in Clinical and School Psychology are prepared to assume leadership roles in their professional careers, such as supervisory positions in schools, medical centers, and mental health agencies, as well as teaching and research positions in academic settings. All students receive extensive training in psychological assessment and intensive one-on-one supervision of clinical casework from psychodynamic, family systems, and cognitive behavioral perspectives. Students participate in clinical practica throughout their training.
Program Life
Our program considers research and clinical skills equally vital to the success of psychologists in the profession today. Our students are exposed to a diversity of clinical orientations through course work and supervision experience. Approximately 40% of our core faculty work from a Cognitive-Behavioral perspective, 24% from Psychodynamic, and 12% from Family Systems. Experience with additional clinical orientations (such as Interpersonal and Attachment based perspectives) are available on practicum through supervision with community practitioners.
Instruction focuses on the traditional skills of diagnosis and assessment, and various modes of intervention. The program of instruction for each student includes a foundation of basic science in psychology and significant involvement in research, primarily through the predissertation research project and dissertation requirements. Although the majority of our graduates seek careers in settings such as schools, medical centers, and mental health agencies, others choose academic research careers. Students with academic career interests are encouraged to specify that interest. Students whose exclusive interest is in the private practice of clinical or school psychology are not encouraged to apply.
In addition to integrated coursework in clinical and school psychology, students may elect to include additional specialized training, or concentrations. Specific concentration areas include: Family Therapy, Psychological Assessment, Child Psychotherapy, Neuropsychology, and Forensic Clinical Psychology. Each concentration area includes coursework, clinical practice, and research. Coursework ordinarily consists of three or more specialized courses pertinent to the concentration area. Clinical practice includes at least one placement in a clinical setting that provides appropriate specialized training. The student’s concentration area research, under the guidance of a faculty mentor, leads to an identifiable product that is submitted for publication.
Our program attracts a competitive and highly skilled pool of students, with diverse background experiences. We typically accept five to seven students each year. For the 2010-2011 academic year the program consists of 30 students, six of which are currently on internship. Over the last five years, the entering average GRE score was a combined score of 1300 (Verbal = 620; Quantitative = 680). Fifteen percent enter the program with a Master’s degree. All of our students are admitted into the Ph.D. program regardless of whether or not they have a master’s degree. After the first year of course work, our students are awarded a M.Ed. degree. For a in-depth summary of admission statistics and program outcomes over the past five years please visit our program Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data page.
Prospective students often ask what aspects of the application are given most weight when considered for acceptance into the program. Each application is looked at as a whole; relatively weak GRE scores, for instance, might be balanced by strongly positive recommendation letters. One factor that is consistently important is the Statement of Professional Goals. This reflection is the best way to get a feel for who you are and how you would fit into the program.
Applicants also inquire about the differences between our program and the clinical psychology program offered by UVA’s department of Psychology. Both our program and the psychology department’s program are APA-accredited doctoral programs designed to train clinical psychologists who can combine scientific inquiry with clinical practice. We encourage you to learn about the clinical psychology program in the Department of Psychology directly from their website and admissions materials. Generally speaking, our program provides many opportunities for research and practice related to children and families, and we have special interests in work with schools. We also offer training for work with adult and forensic populations. Most (62%) of our graduates seek leadership careers in a diverse set of mental health service organizations including schools, hospitals, medical centers, and primary health care practices, working with children, adolescents, and adults. While applying to both programs is possible, prospective students are encouraged to carefully consider career goals and interests when choosing a program to attend.
For more information on student experience and to contact program doctoral students directly please visit our Current Students page.
Prerequisites and Admission Requirements
• Application form *
• Official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate work
• Graduate Record Examination Scores
• Two letters of recommendation
• A nonrefundable $60 application fee
Selected candidates will be interviewed in Charlottesville on Friday, February 17 and Friday February 24, 2012. Note: Invitations for interviews are issued via email in January. In recent years between 150-200 applications have been processed and approximately 40 students are invited to interview each year.
*On the application form select “Clinical and School Psychology” from the list of Ph.D. application options. All of our students in clinical and school psychology are admitted into the Ph.D. degree programs regardless of whether or not they have a master’s degree. After the first year of study students will be awarded a M.Ed.
Do not send materials directly to the Curry Programs in Clinical and School Psychology. All applications are assembled and processed by the Curry School of Education Office of Admissions and only forwarded to us when they are certified to be complete, sending items to us directly may actually delay your application.
GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATION (GRE)
The Curry School of Education requires the GRE Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing tests for admission to all graduate programs (no exceptions). The psychology subject test is encouraged but not required. All GRE scores must be current (within five years of the date of application). Examinations should be taken as early as possible so that scores will be received prior to the application deadline.
Information on GREs may be obtained directly from the Educational Testing Service.
Institution code: 5820
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
All international students for whom English is not their native tongue must take and submit TOEFL scores. A score of 600 is generally considered minimal in the Curry School of Education.
Application Due Date
Applications must be postmarked no later than December 15 for admission to the fall semester.
Degree Requirements
Formal Coursework
Clinical Core (21 semester hours)
Basic Science of Psychology (27 semester hours)
Developmental, Psychopathology (3 semesters)
Open Electives (6 semester hours)
*In Family Theory and Therapy, students are required to write a three-generation family autobiography of their family that includes a genogram and interactional analysis of the family’s structure and processes.
Practica
Students are involved in clinical practica each semester of the four years of residency in Charlottesville and the surrounding area.
Clinical Psychology Internship
All students are required to complete a one-year internship in clinical psychology, typically in a major medical setting. Despite increasing national competition for a limited number of placements, for the past four years 80% of our students have received their first choice. In their annual evaluations, Directors of Internship Training consistently place our students in the top 15% compared to interns from other programs. The following is a sample of the internship sites of our students in the past five years.
• Children’s Hospital, Boston
• Yale Child Study Center, New Haven
• Rush University Medical Center, Chicago
• Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH
• Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
• NYU-Bellevue Hospital Center, New York
• Virginia Treatment Center for Children, Richmond
• Children’s Hospital, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
• Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans
• William S. Hall Psychiatric Institute, Columbia, South Carolina
• Mailman Center for Child Development, Miami
• Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, D.C.
• Saint John’s Child & Family Development Center, Santa Monica
• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
School Psychology Internship
Students in the clinical-school track must complete an internship of at least 1,500 hours, at least one-half of which must be in a school setting. We require that students in the clinical-school track complete a ½-time internship for 39 weeks in a local school system during their third or fourth year (780 hours). In addition, students complete a 12 month full time internship in an APA approved setting working extensively with children/adolescents. Alternately, a student may undertake a full-time internship in an APA-approved school psychology setting (e.g., the Virginia Beach City Schools, or the Memphis Consortium in the Schools). In this case the student is not required to complete the half-time school psychology internship prior to the APA-approved internship.
While on internship in the schools, interns will work under the supervision of an experienced, credentialed (i.e., licensed by Virginia Department of Education) school psychologist. All written work will be approved and co-signed by the supervisor. An average of two hours per week of supervision is required. The school division is expected to provide interns with office space, equipment and supplies, clerical support, and access to ongoing professional development opportunities consistent with those provided for full-time professional staff of the division. Interns are expected to become familiar with and to abide by school-division policies and procedures. They also are to be knowledgeable about and to conduct themselves in accordance with the standards of the National Association of School Psychologists and the APA. Ongoing interaction among the school division, the Curry Programs in Clinical and School Psychology, and the intern will ensure that students receive high-quality training experiences. Formal written evaluations of the intern’s performance will be submitted by the supervisor to Dr. Reeve at least twice during the academic year. A written contract detailing rights and responsibilities of the parties will be signed by the intern, the program director (Dr. Reeve), and the responsible official from the school division.
During the school psychology internship year, students will have the opportunity to work with a broad and diverse range of students in both regular and special-education settings. Activities will include assessment, counseling, parent and teacher consultation, and behavior management.
Funding Opportunities
All program students receive a competitive financial aid package that includes tuition (both in-state and out of state) for the academic year, medical insurance, and a stipend to defray living expenses. Assuming satisfactory progress, students will receive this level of support for the four years spent on Grounds in Charlottesville. For the 5th year, APA-approved internship, the host agency provides financial support. The specifics of financial aid offers are indicated when admission to the program is attained.
Some students are able to acquire additional monies through special Curry School and university awards, teaching assistantships, work on funded grant projects, and/or pay for clinical work beyond that required by the program.
Typical Length of Study
The typical length of study is five years, including a one-year clinical psychology internship.
Semester of Entry:
Fall. Students are not permitted to enter the Clinical and School Psychology program in the spring or summer semesters.
Full or Part Time:
Full-time. Students are not permitted to enroll part-time.
Course Overview
Clinical Core (21 semester hours)
• Seminar in Clinical Psychology
• Cognitive Assessment
• Personality Assessment (2 semesters)
• Individual Psychotherapy (2 semesters)
• Family Therapy*
• Psychological Intervention and Consultation in Schools
Basic Science of Psychology (27 semester hours)
• Statistics and Research Methods (3 semesters)
• Educational Research Methods
• Physiological/Biological /Neurological Basis of Behavior
• Cognitive-Affective Basis of Behavior
• Individual Basis of Behavior: Personality,
Developmental, Psychopathology (3 semesters)
• Social Basis of Behavior: Social, Community
School Psychology (9 semester hours)
(Note: This coursework is not required for students electing the general clinical psychology track of study)
• Human Exceptionalities
• Curriculum/Teaching Methods
• Psychological Intervention and Consultation in Schools
Open Electives (6 semester hours)
*In Family Theory and Therapy, students are required to write a three-generation family autobiography of their family that includes a genogram and interactional analysis of the family’s structure and processes.
Practica
Students are involved in clinical practica each semester of the four years of residency in Charlottesville and the surrounding area.
• First year, fall semester: First-year practicum seminar. Students live-observe clinical cases through a one-way mirror, review videotapes of clinical sessions, and receive training in basic professional skills.
• First year, spring semester: Placement in a school setting. Students observe a practicing school psychologist, conduct cognitive and educational evaluations, and participate in counseling individuals and groups.
• Year 2: Placement at the Center for Clinical Psychology Services, our on-site training facility. Students conduct several comprehensive psychological evaluations, see individuals or families for therapy, and participate in weekly Center training sessions.
• Years 3 and 4: Placement at a regional mental health facility or school. Students serve as psychologists and undertake a wide range of responsibilities, including casework, assessment, group work, and consultation.
Clinical Psychology Internship
All students are required to complete a one-year internship in clinical psychology, typically in a major medical setting. Despite increasing national competition for a limited number of placements, for the past four years 80% of our students have received their first choice. In their annual evaluations, Directors of Internship Training consistently place our students in the top 15% compared to interns from other programs.
The following is a sample of the internship sites of our students in the past five years.
• Children’s Hospital, Harvard University, Boston
• Yale Child Study Center, New Haven
• Rush University Medical Center, Chicago
• Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH
• Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
• NYU-Bellevue Hospital Center, New York
• Virginia Treatment Center for Children, Richmond
• Children’s Hospital, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
• Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans
• William S. Hall Psychiatric Institute, Columbia, South Carolina
• Mailman Center for Child Development, Miami
• Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, D.C.
• Saint John’s Child & Family Development Center, Santa Monica
• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
• Emory University School of Medicine/Grady Hospital, Atlanta
• Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents, Rockville, MD
School Psychology Internship
Students in the clinical-school track must complete an internship of at least 1,500 hours, at least one-half of which must be in a school setting. We require that students in the clinical-school track complete a half-time internship for 39 weeks in a local school system during their third or fourth year (780 hours). In addition, students complete a 12 month full time internship in an APA approved setting working extensively with children/adolescents. Alternately, a student may undertake a full-time internship in an APA-approved school psychology setting (e.g., the Virginia Beach City Schools, or the Memphis Consortium in the Schools). In this case the student is not required to complete the half-time school psychology internship prior to the APA-approved internship.
Sample Jobs After Graduation
• Assessment, Forensic Evaluation
• Assistant professor Dept. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Wake Forest University
• Attending psychologist in the Psychiatric ER/Crisis Clinic, Bellevue Hospital Center, New York City
• School Psychologist, Judy Hoyer Family Learning Center
• Staff psychologist, Pediatric psychology, Children’s Memorial Hospital, Chicago
• Associate Director, Curriculum development and program evaluation, School-Connect, Bethesda, MD
• Therapist, Office of Counseling and Human Development, Dartmouth College
• Postdoctoral fellow in Pediatric psychology, Children’s National Medical Center, Dept. of Psychology, Washington, D.C.
• NRSA Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Suicide research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642
• Clinical psychology postdoctoral fellow, Child behavioral health, Baystate Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, West Springfield, MA
• Postdoctoral scholar, Multisystemic therapy (MST), Family Services Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
• Postdoctoral fellow, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, UCLA-Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior
• Adjunct Professor, Curry Programs in School and Clinical Psychology, University of Virginia. MA.
• Therapist, Augusta Correctional Center, Virginia.
• Clinical Fellow, Learning and Emotional Assessment Program (LEAP), Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Massachusetts General Hospital Children and Law Fellowship, Boston, MA.
• Fellow in Clinical Psychology, Children’s Hospital Neighborhood Partnerships, Boston, MA.
• Director, Child Psychology Training, Boston Medical Center/Boston University School of Medicine
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Outpatient Treatment Center, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago
• Dr. John J.B. Morgan Clinical Research Fellow, Marital and family therapy, The Family Institute at Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
• Assistant Professor, School psychology, child neuropsychology, Psychology Department, Radford University, VA
• A portion of our graduates also enter into private practice providing psychotherapy and assessment services for children, families, adults, couples and area schools.
Contacts
