The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) offers a premier Clinical Psychology program, designed to cultivate future leaders and innovators in the field. This highly selective and esteemed program, a Clinical Psychology Doctorate, is dedicated to advancing psychological well-being and alleviating the burden of mental illness through rigorous scientific inquiry and impactful clinical practice. At UCLA, you will join a community committed to critical thinking, groundbreaking discovery, and leadership in research, clinical application, policy, and education. Our core values of collaboration, respect, fairness, and diversity, underpinned by the highest ethical standards, guide our pursuit of excellence.
Embarking on a Journey in Clinical Science
UCLA’s Clinical Psychology program stands out as one of the nation’s most competitive and respected, specifically structured to nurture the next generation of faculty, researchers, and thought leaders in clinical science. Our mission is clear: to empower graduates to shape research, influence policy, and transform clinical practice.
Clinical science, the bedrock of our program, is a dynamic field within psychology focused on generating and disseminating knowledge to enhance public health and wellness, and crucially, to reduce suffering. We reject the artificial separation of research and intervention, embracing them as interconnected facets of comprehensive expertise and action. As a student in our Clinical Psychology Doctorate, you will be immersed in an empirical, research-driven approach to clinical training. This unique integration ensures that your research is deeply informed by a robust understanding of psychological phenomena in real-world contexts. The UCLA Clinical Science Training Program is committed to utilizing rigorous methodologies and diverse theoretical perspectives, all within the essential context of human diversity. Our overarching aim is to develop clinical scientists equipped to expand and share knowledge concerning the origins, progression, assessment, treatment, and prevention of mental health challenges.
Admissions: Seeking Future Clinical Scientists
Admission to our Clinical Psychology Doctorate program is highly competitive and based on a holistic review of each applicant. We seek individuals with a strong foundation in psychology and related disciplines, demonstrated through coursework and academic excellence. Crucially, we evaluate applicants based on their research interests and experiences, letters of recommendation that speak to their potential, and a clear dedication to a career as a clinical scientist. Program fit and the applicant’s potential to enrich our diverse academic environment are also key considerations.
Once admitted to our Clinical Psychology Doctorate, you will collaborate closely with faculty on research initiatives addressing critical issues in mental health. Our faculty utilize a broad spectrum of methodologies and levels of analysis, ensuring a rich and varied research experience. Integrated training is significantly enhanced by UCLA’s extensive on-campus resources, including the renowned departmental Psychology Clinic, the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, and the David Geffen School of Medicine. These resources provide unparalleled opportunities for research and clinical training within a leading academic medical center.
Curriculum and Training: Shaping Future Leaders
Our program’s philosophy is rooted in a series of carefully designed training activities that progressively prepare students for increasingly complex and independent roles as clinical scientists. Our Clinical Psychology Doctorate curriculum is structured to expose students to the vital reciprocal relationship between scientific research and the delivery of clinical services. You will gain experience with diverse systems and methods of intervention, assessment, and other essential clinical services, working with demographically and clinically varied populations.
The curriculum is specifically designed to produce scholars who are not only adept researchers but also highly skilled practitioners. Graduates will be equipped to utilize data to continuously refine the knowledge base of the field and to bring a reasoned, evidence-based perspective to leadership roles in both research and service delivery settings. The individualized supervision within our Clinical Psychology Doctorate program ensures considerable flexibility, allowing for tailored learning experiences within the broad scope of faculty expertise and practicum resources.
Specializations and Areas of Focus
Within the Clinical Psychology Doctorate program, students can pursue specialized training in various areas, reflecting the diverse expertise of our faculty. These specializations include:
- Child Psychopathology and Treatment
- Cognitive-Behavior Therapy
- Clinical Assessment
- Adult Psychopathology and Treatment
- Family Processes
- Assessment and Intervention with Distressed Couples
- Community Psychology
- Stress and Coping
- Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience
- Minority Mental Health
- Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine
The breadth of faculty expertise and research resources within the Department enables students to achieve a focused concentration in their chosen area of clinical psychology while simultaneously ensuring a comprehensive and broad-based training experience.
Program Structure and Accreditation
The Clinical Psychology Doctorate at UCLA is a six-year, full-time program, including a year-long internship. At least four years of study must be completed in residence at UCLA, following a twelve-month academic year. The program integrates coursework, clinical practicum training, teaching opportunities, and continuous engagement in research throughout. Clinical supervision is provided by our dedicated clinical area faculty, as well as numerous clinical psychologists from other UCLA departments, community clinics, and hospital settings, ensuring diverse perspectives and robust training.
Clinical training within the Clinical Psychology Doctorate typically includes four and a half years of part-time practicum placements in the Psychology Clinic and various local agencies, providing rich and varied clinical experiences. The required one-year full-time internship is undertaken after successfully completing clinical qualifying examinations and dissertation preliminary orals. The Ph.D. degree is awarded upon completion of both the dissertation and an approved internship, signifying readiness for independent practice and research.
Accreditation: A Mark of Excellence
The UCLA Clinical Psychology Doctorate program holds accreditation from two prestigious bodies:
Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS): Accredited since 2012, PCSAS champions science-centered education in clinical psychology, aiming to elevate the quality and number of clinical scientists contributing to public health. UCLA is a proud member of the PCSAS Founder’s Circle, underscoring our commitment to rigorous, science-based training.
American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (APA CoA): UCLA’s program has maintained APA accreditation since 1949, reflecting a long-standing commitment to high standards in psychological training.
Future Accreditation Focus
UCLA’s Clinical Psychology Doctorate program is proactively adapting to the evolving landscape of mental health needs. While recognizing the value of APA accreditation, we are increasingly aligning our program with the standards of the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS). We believe PCSAS better supports our mission to advance scientifically-based training and allows for greater flexibility in adapting our program to new scientific findings, student needs, and global mental health trends. As such, we are unlikely to seek renewal of our APA accreditation when it expires in 2028, prioritizing our commitment to science-driven clinical psychology. We are carefully monitoring the implications of this decision for our students’ career prospects, particularly concerning predoctoral internships and licensure eligibility.
Professional Licensure and Certification: Guidance for Students
While the UCLA Clinical Psychology Doctorate program is meticulously designed, it is important for prospective students to understand information regarding professional licensure and certification. University of California programs are structured to meet California requirements. However, licensure and certification requirements vary by state and are determined by external agencies. Students intending to pursue licensure outside of California are responsible for verifying specific state requirements. It is important to note that while our program is not specifically designed for licensure, the majority of our graduates successfully pursue professional licensure.
Diversity and Inclusion: Core Values in Training
Our Clinical Psychology Doctorate program is deeply committed to the values of collaboration, respect, and fairness. Diversity-related training is a mandatory component of our curriculum. All trainees are required to develop a comprehensive understanding of cultural and individual diversity as it relates to both the science and practice of psychology. Furthermore, they must demonstrate competence in providing ethical and effective services to diverse populations. Our primary commitment is to client welfare. Any potential conflicts between a trainee’s beliefs and the program’s diversity training requirements are addressed with a developmental approach, ensuring both client needs and trainee growth are prioritized.
Grievance Policies and Procedures: Ensuring a Supportive Environment
UCLA’s Clinical Psychology Doctorate program is committed to providing a supportive and respectful learning environment. Grievance policies and procedures are in place to address any conflicts that may arise between students and faculty or peers. The program encourages students to first consult with their academic advisor to resolve concerns. If further assistance is needed, the Director of Clinical Training and the Department’s Vice Chair for Graduate Studies are available resources. The campus Office of Ombuds Services and the Office of the Dean of Students also provide support. It is expected that program-related conflicts are addressed internally within the program and department before seeking external resolution.
Explore Further: Your Future in Clinical Psychology
The Clinical Psychology Doctorate program at UCLA offers an unparalleled opportunity to become a leading clinical scientist, equipped to make significant contributions to research, practice, and policy. We encourage you to explore our program further and consider joining our vibrant community of scholars and practitioners dedicated to advancing mental health and well-being.
