UT Tyler Psychology and Counseling

Ph.D. Clinical Psychology (Underserved Populations)

IMPORTANT UPDATE:  All admissions materials are due by December 1st, 2024 for the Fall 2025 cohort.

Program Brochure

Program Objectives and Goals

The Ph.D. program in clinical psychology at the University of Texas at Tyler is a scientist-practitioner based program which provides high quality academic, research, and clinical training with under-served populations. Our focus is on training students to work with veterans, in rural mental health settings, and in geropsychology. Students will receive additional courses and clinical training in their chosen emphasis area during their time in the program. Students are mentored by clinical faculty in research and provide supervision of their clinical work along the way. A thesis and dissertation are required. Clinical training is provided in our on-campus clinic and in a number of agencies in the East Texas area. Students receive a stipend /financial aid package that allows them to focus on their academic and professional goals and involve research and teaching activities. Upon completion of our program, students will be able to become licensed psychologists and work in a variety of academic, medical, or clinical settings. Our program is accredited, on contingency from the American Psychological Association (APA). Our program objectives are as follows: 

1. Program graduates are trained as scientist-practitioners who have a diverse knowledge of the scientific and behavioral foundations of psychology.
2. Program graduates are capable of developing, conducting, and reporting research knowledge through their own program of independent research.
3. Program graduates are competent to assess, diagnose, and treat psychological disorders using evidence based practices.
4. Program graduates are trained in ethics, cultural competence and professional issues related to clinical practice and research.
5. Program graduates have additional clinical and research training in underserved populations such as with military veterans, older adults, and persons in rural settings.

Our program welcomes students from all backgrounds and experiences

Questions can be directed to Ceselie Tobin graduate admissions advisor, or Dr. Dennis Combs, director.

 

Faculty members accepting new students for Fall 2025: Dr. Adam McGuire, Dr. Olga Berkout, and Dr. Sarah Sass

Admission Requirements

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Residency Requirement

The UT Tyler Clinical Psychology PhD program is designed as a full-time, five-year program, including four years on campus and an off-site, doctoral internship year.  It may take students an average of between 5-6 years to complete our program to allow for additional clinical training experiences and to make progress on dissertation requirements prior to the doctoral internship.   The program requires a minimum of 3 full-time academic years of graduate study, at least 2 of which is completed in this program, and requires 1 year in full-time in residence.  The PhD degree is awarded after all program requirements are completed and conferred after completion of the doctoral internship.

Program Format 

The PhD program in Clinical Psychology is designed to be an in-person, face to face program.  We are not a fully on-line program and students must attend the program and classes in person.  In our program, the format for classes can vary by instructor which includes face to face, hybrid, and online formats.  We value in person learning as it provides for enhanced training and mentorship and results in a better student community.  Faculty can teach classes in different formats based on their needs and availability.   Practicum training is done in person with some provision for telesupervision and telehealth methods.  Teaching involves lectures, clinical and case examples, discussions, and electronically delivered methods to enhance learning.