harvard clinical psychology phd program

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Questions about these requirements? See the contact info at the bottom of the page. 

The psychology PhD program has two tracks: the common curriculum for students in the developmental, social, and cognition, brain, and behavior (CBB) areas, and clinical psychology for students in the clinical area.

Departmental Requirements for the PhD in Psychology

Section i. common curriculum requirements.

All students in developmental, social, and CBB must complete the following requirements. Course requirements are completed by achieving a grade of B+ or better. Statistics and proseminar courses should be completed by the end of the second year. All other required courses should be completed by the end of the fourth year.

• PSY 2010, Contemporary Topics in Psychological Research
• PSY 1950, Intermediate Statistical Analysis in Psychology  
• PSY 1952, Multivariate Analysis in Psychology 
• two out of the following three survey courses: PSY 2020, Cognition, Brain, and Behavior Proseminar; PSY 2500, Proseminar in Social Psychology; or PSY 2170, Developmental Proseminar 
• two elective courses from a list of courses approved by the Committee on Higher Degrees (CHD). 

Master of Arts (AM)

Students may be recommended for the non-terminal degree of master of arts upon completion of the relevant Harvard Griffin GSAS residence requirements, course requirements listed above, and first- and second-year projects described below under Section III.

Section II. Clinical Psychology Requirements

All clinical students must complete the following requirements. Course requirements are completed by achieving a grade of B+ or better:

• PSY 2010, Contemporary Topics in Psychological Research 
• PSY 3200, Research Seminar in Clinical Science (years 1–3) 
• PSY 2040, Contemporary Topics in Psychopathology 
• PSY 2050, History of Psychology 
• Traditional Option: A six-hour  General Examination  covering in considerable depth the literature in the area of psychopathology and clinical psychology.
• Major Area Paper Option: This can take the form of a comprehensive review paper, a meta-analysis, or an extended grant proposal. The topic of the MAP must be approved by the Clinical Area Faculty in advance. The MAP must be submitted by February 1 of the G3 year. 

Students must take the additional courses mandated by the American Psychological Association:

• PSY 3900 Professional Ethics
• PSY 2445 Psychological Treatment Research 
• PSY 2070 Psychometric Theory and Methods
• PSY 2430 Cultural and Individual Diversity
• PSY 3250 Psychological Testing
• PSY 2460 Diagnostic Interviewing
• PSY 2420 Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Psychological Disorders.

Clinical students must also take one course in each of the following substantive areas: biological bases of behavior (e.g., PSY 1202 Modern Neuroanatomy; PSY 1702 The Emotional Mind); social bases of behavior (e.g., PSY 2500 Proseminar Social Psychology); PSY 3515 Graduate Seminar in Social Psychology); cognitive-affective bases of behavior (e.g., PSY 2400 Cognitive Psychology and Emotional Disorders); and individual differences (required course PSY 2040 Contemporary Topics in Psychopathology fulfills the individual differences requirement for Massachusetts licensure).

In accordance with American Psychological Association guidelines for the accreditation of clinical psychology programs, clinical students also receive consultation and supervision within the context of clinical practicum in psychological assessment and treatment beginning in their second semester of their first year and running through their third year (PSY 3050). Students also attend the twice-monthly clinical science “brown bag” speaker series.

Students are responsible for making sure that they take courses in all the relevant and required areas listed above. Students wishing to substitute one required course for another should seek advice from their advisor and from the director of clinical training prior to registering.

• Students must complete a  one-year clinical internship . Students must complete all of the above requirements described in section II before beginning the internship. In addition, students must meet the course requirements and the practicum placement requirements of the APA and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts licensing board before beginning the internship.
• Finally, students must meet or exceed the  standards for professional conduct and responsibility  that are described in the clinical program handbook. Failure to meet these standards can be grounds for termination from the clinical program, even if a student is in good academic standing.

Students may be recommended for the non-terminal degree of master of arts upon completion of the relevant Harvard Griffin GSAS residence requirements, course requirements listed above, and first- and second-year projects described below under Section III.

Section III: Requirements for All Students

First year project.

Students must complete a  first-year project . Students must write a satisfactory proposal for an original research project (not a review) that is approved by their faculty advisor(s) by the end of the fall semester of their first year. Students must complete the proposed project and submit a satisfactory written report to their faculty advisor by the end of the spring semester of the first year. 

Second Year Project

Students must complete a  second-year project . Students must write a satisfactory report of an original research project (not a review) that is approved by their faculty advisor(s) by the end of the spring semester of their second year. Students must also make a satisfactory oral presentation of this work to the department in May of the second year. 

Dissertation Prospectus 

By the end of the spring semester of their penultimate year, students must complete a  dissertation prospectus  for an original project that is meant to culminate in the dissertation. 

The prospectus committee will comprise three members, at least two of whom must be faculty members in the psychology department. The prospectus committee members are to be nominated by the student and their advisor and approved by the CHD. (Members who are tenured or tenure-track faculty members in the psychology department are automatically approved). The student must supply the CV of any proposed members who are not tenured or tenure-track faculty members in the psychology department. 

The department requires that the prospectus be approved by the end of the spring semester of the penultimate year. (Note that students who wish to apply for the guaranteed Dissertation Completion Fellowship must observe the Harvard Griffin GSAS deadline, which requires that the prospectus be approved by the prospectus committee by early February of the student’s penultimate year. Harvard Griffin GSAS also requires the submission of two draft chapters or one of three articles to the advisor before applying for a completion fellowship). 

Students whose prospectuses have not been approved by the prospectus committee by the end of the spring semester of the penultimate year will be considered to be making unsatisfactory progress and will have to petition the CHD for an extension.

Dissertation and Defense 

In the ultimate year, students must submit a PhD dissertation in one of two formats.

• The  traditional format  is described in detail here. 
• Three articles describing original empirical research that the dissertation committee deems “of publishable quality.”  The student must be the first author on each paper. At least one of the three papers must be under review, in press, or published in a peer-reviewed journal.
• An introductory chapter that thoroughly reviews the literature relevant to the three papers 
• A concluding chapter that describes what was learned from the three papers 

The dissertation must be submitted to the dissertation committee which will comprise the members of the prospectus committee and an additional outside examiner. The outside examiner must be approved by the CHD. The outside examiner is typically a tenured or tenure-track faculty member at Harvard University, though other qualified individuals may be approved by the CHD. The outside examiner should be someone whose primary expertise is in a topic area other than the one covered by the dissertation.

Once the dissertation committee approves the written dissertation, the student may schedule an oral defense of the dissertation. Immediately following the defense, the committee meets privately to make a final evaluation of the student’s candidacy for a PhD. If the committee agrees upon a positive evaluation, they sign the Dissertation Acceptance Certificate, which must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office along with the final dissertation by the deadline.

Teaching is not required, but many students teach to earn a living stipend beginning in the third year. Students are required to take both the fall and spring term iterations of PSY 3555 Instructional Styles in Psychology during their first year of teaching. 

Satisfactory Progress

Students who fail to achieve satisfactory grades in courses (UNSAT, B or lower, Incomplete), fail to make progress in research (e.g., not completing the Second-Year Project in a timely manner), fail to pass the general exam at the PhD level, or fail to receive satisfactory evaluations are subject to termination from the program. 

Contact Info 

Psychology Graduate Program Website

Graduate Office Department of Psychology William James Hall 210 33 Kirkland Street Cambridge, MA 02138 617-495-3810 [email protected]

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Undergraduate Program

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind, and as such, we investigate the minds of humans and other species. Through gaining a fundamental understanding of the human mind, other goals will also be achieved: the skill to critically assess quantitative evidence from experimental and correlational data, to learn to take difficult and previously unstudied problems of mind and society and bring them under experimental scrutiny, to learn to speak and write about questions of theoretical and social importance that involve the mind.

The Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree is designed for industry professionals with years of work experience who wish to complete their degrees part time, both on campus and online, without disruption to their employment. Our typical student is over 30, has previously completed one or two years of college, and works full time.

Graduate study in the Department of Psychology is organized into four areas: clinical science, developmental, social psychology, and cognition, brain, and behavior. These areas consist of faculty members whose combined interests span a coherent program of advanced study and research in some subfield of psychology. Students enrolled in the Ph.D. program may follow one of two tracks. The first is the Common Curriculum, which embraces social psychology, cognitive psychology, cognitive neuroscience, behavioral neuroscience, and perception. The second track is Clinical Science. Students may only be considered for Clinical Science during the graduate school application process.

Students enrolled in the Master of Liberal Arts program in Psychology will examine the science of psychology and gain an understanding of human behavior. Students explore core theories and the latest research, gaining insights into how human beings think, feel, behave, and navigate their social world.

The Center for Brain/Mind Medicine

Training & Education

The CBMM offers training and education programs in behavioral neurology, neuropsychiatry, and neuropsychology for students and professionals.

Neuropsychology Fellowship

  The Mass General Brigham (MGB) Fellowship in Clinical Neuropsychology (formerly known as the Harvard Partners Consortium in Clinical Neuropsychology) seeks candidates for a 2-year fellowship in neuropsychology to begin on September 1, 2024 . The joint BWH/MGH fellowship is a program of Harvard Medical School.

• Two slots are available in the Clinical Neuropsychology Track
• One slot is available in the more research focused, Aging and Alzheimer’s Neuropsychology Track

Both tracks are designed to provide excellent clinical training, along with experiences and didactics which conform to Houston Conference/Division 40 training requirements so that fellows will be successful in obtaining board-certification (ABPP) in clinical neuropsychology. Didactic opportunities abound at both settings. The training experience is enriched by a highly collaborative teaching environment in which the fellow will work closely with neuropsychologists, behavioral neurologists, psychiatrists, and others with a special interest in brain and behavior. There are opportunities for teaching and to supervise graduate practicum students and interns.

A competitive stipend ($69,300 Years 1 & 2) plus excellent benefits are offered. An academic appointment will be made as a Clinical Fellow at Harvard Medical School.

Applicants should be graduates of APA/CPA accredited programs in clinical psychology or neuropsychology and should have completed an APA/CPA‐approved predoctoral internship. Completion of the doctoral degree is required before the fellowship start date.

We are committed to increasing inclusivity in neuropsychology training and strongly encourage candidates from underrepresented racial, ethnic, and gender identity groups to apply.

Applications Due: December 1, 2023

Only electronic applications will be accepted.

Additional information about each track and instructions for applying below:

Clinical Neuropsychology Track

Clinical experience will consist of adult outpatient neurological cases including dementia, epilepsy, brain tumor/oncology, developmental syndromes, neurobehavioral disorders, MS, and other degenerative conditions. Exposure to pediatrics may be available at MGH based on individual background and interest, but clinical training will be primarily adult-focused at both sites for this cycle. Training in cognitive rehabilitation is offered as an elective, primarily during the second-year rotation at BWH.

A required portion of the fellowship will be research activity through a proposed project or via participation with faculty in ongoing research projects. There is 20% of protected research time for these activities.

Applying to the Clinical Neuropsychology Track

Interested applicants should complete the online form and upload all required documents in the MGB Neuropsychology Fellowship Application Portal including:

• Letter of intent (including discussion of area of research interest)
• 2 sample reports
• Graduate transcript (unofficial is acceptable; an official copy may be requested)
• 3 letters of recommendation should be uploaded directly by references via this link.

General program inquiries can be directed to the program Co-Directors:

Aging and Alzheimer’s Neuropsychology Track

This fellowship track is a two-year program of full-time education and training that takes place across two sites: the Division of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) and the Harvard Aging Brain Study (HABS) at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) at Charlestown Navy Yard. The program schedule is divided into clinical activities at BWH, clinical trial activities at BWH, and clinical research in aging and Alzheimer’s disease at MGH HABS for the duration of the fellowship.

During the first year of the program, fellows will engage in clinical training and neuropsychology didactics, as well as participating in assessment in clinical trials and research projects at MGH HABS. The second year, fellows will continue with clinical training at BWH and focus more time at MGH HABS on research related activities.

Applying to the Aging and Alzheimer’s Neuropsychology Track

Interested applicants should send application materials to Dr. Rebecca Amariglio here

 including the following:

• Letter of intent, including a personal statement describing clinical and research experiences, fellowship expectations, and career goals
• Reprints or pre-prints of published manuscripts if available
• Transcript from graduate school(s) (photocopy acceptable)
• Verification that doctoral training is completed or will have been completed before commencing postdoctoral training.

In addition, applicants should arrange for three letters of recommendation (at least one from a research supervisor/mentor) to be sent to this link.

General program inquiries regarding the Aging and Alzheimer’s Neuropsychology Track can be directed to:

Rebecca Amariglio, PhD

Director, Aging and Alzheimer’s Neuropsychology Track Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital E-mail: [email protected]

• Academics /

Psychology Master’s Degree Program

Deepen your understanding of human behavior. Advance your career.

Online Courses

11 out of 12 total courses

On-Campus Experience

2 weekends or a 3-week summer course

$3,220 per course

Program Overview

Psychology is an in-demand field, and a master’s degree in psychology provides a solid foundation for a variety of different career paths. Job opportunities for psychologists are expected to grow, but those in certain specialties — such as substance abuse and family therapy — are even more sought after. And with many companies putting a greater emphasis on their employees mental wellbeing, professionals who have advanced psychology degrees are in greater demand.

Our well-rounded curriculum exposes you to a range of topics in psychology, cognitive science, and human development. Under the guidance of renowned faculty from Harvard and peer institutions, you’ll develop a greater understanding of how environmental and biological factors interact to determine cognitive, emotional, and psychological functioning.

Program Benefits

Customizable path, stackable certificates, & experiential learning

Instructors who are academics and professionals at the top of their fields

Personalized academic advising

Faculty research and internship opportunities

A faculty-supported thesis or applied research project

Harvard Alumni Association membership upon graduation

Customizable Course Curriculum

Our curriculum is flexible in pace and customizable by design. You can study part time, choosing courses that fit your schedule and align with your career goals. In the program, you’ll experience the convenience of online learning and the immersive benefits of learning in person.

As you work through the program’s core courses, you’ll deepen your knowledge of essential psychology concepts, tools, and strategies. You’ll then build on that foundation by selecting elective courses that enable you to focus on the areas that are most important to you — for example, neurobiology, racial equity, or mindfulness. And you’ll culminate the experience with either a capstone or thesis.

Along the way, you can choose to earn a graduate certificate in Topics in Human Behavior by selecting courses that stack toward both credentials.

11 Online Courses

• Synchronous and asynchronous formats
• Fall, spring, January, and summer options

You’ll complete 1 on-campus course, Engaging in Scholarly Conversation, at an accelerated or standard pace:

• 2 weekends (1 in fall and 1 in spring)
• A 3-week summer session

Capstone or Thesis Track

• Thesis: features a 9-month independent research project with a faculty advisor
• Capstone: includes exploring a topic and completing a project in a classroom community

The path to your degree begins before you apply to the program.

First, you’ll register for and complete 3 required courses, earning at least a B in each. These foundational courses are investments in your studies and count toward your degree, helping ensure success in the program.

Getting Started

We invite you to explore degree requirements, confirm your initial eligibility, and learn more about our unique “earn your way in” admissions process.

A Faculty of Psychology Experts

You’ll learn from Harvard faculty and industry leaders who will help you gain real-world perspectives. Our instructors are renowned experts in clinical psychology, neurobiology, psychopathology, and more. They bring a genuine passion for teaching, with students giving our faculty an average rating of 4.6 out of 5.

Shelley Carson

Associate of the Psychology Department, Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Bobbi Wegner

Adjunct Lecturer on Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education

Teaches Motivation, Groups and Culture

Adrienne Tierney

Research Advisor, Psychology Master’s Program, Harvard Extension School

Our Community at a Glance

Many of our students in the Psychology Master’s Degree Program are established professionals looking to make a career change (33%). Others are earning the degree for career advancement (23%) or as preparation for further advanced study (25%).

Download: Psychology Master's Degree Fact Sheet

Average Age

Course Taken Each Semester

Work Full Time

Would Recommend the Program

Professional Experience in the Field

Pursued for Career Change

Career Opportunities & Alumni Outcomes

Graduates of our Psychology Master’s Program work in the fields of mental health, research, healthcare, human resources, and education. Some alumni continue their educational journeys and work toward a PhD, including at Harvard Graduate School of Education, Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, or Harvard School of Public Health. They have also pursued further studies in other nationally ranked degree programs, including those at Johns Hopkins University, Columbia University, and Brown University.

Our alumni have gone on to work in a variety of roles, including:

• Postdoctoral Fellow
• Guidance Counselor
• Clinical Psychologist
• Academic Coordinator
• Research Program Manager
• Clinical Supervisor
• HR Consultant

Career Advising and Mentorship

Whatever your career goals, we’re here to support you. Harvard’s Mignone Center for Career Success offers career advising, online tools, employment opportunities, career fairs — including the Ivy+ Just in Time Virtual Career Fair — and connections to Harvard alumni mentors.

Your Harvard University Degree

Upon successful completion of the required curriculum, you will earn your Harvard University degree — the Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies, Field: Psychology.

Expand Your Connections: the Harvard Alumni Network

As a graduate of the master’s degree program in the psychology field, you’ll become a member of the worldwide Harvard Alumni Association (400,000+ members) and Harvard Extension Alumni Association (29,000+ members).

As an international student, I could not have imagined that it’s possible that there would be this kind of community.

Mariam in an entrepreneur who launched her startup through the Harvard Innovation Labs.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Affordability is core to our mission. When compared to our continuing education peers, it’s a fraction of the cost.

After admission, you may qualify for financial aid . Typically, eligible students receive grant funds to cover a portion of tuition costs each term, in addition to federal financial aid options.

Coffee Chat: All About Liberal Arts Programs at HES

Are you interested in learning more about liberal arts graduate degree programs at Harvard Extension School? Attendees joined us for an informational webinar where they had the opportunity to connect with program directors, academic advisors, and alumni.

How long does it take to complete the psychology graduate program?

Program length is ordinarily anywhere between 2 and 5 years. It depends on your preferred pace and the number of courses you want to take each semester.

For an accelerated journey, we offer year round study, where you can take courses in fall, January, spring, and summer.

While we don’t require you to register for a certain number of courses each semester, you cannot take longer than 5 years to complete the degree.

What can you do with a master’s degree in psychology?

A master’s degree in psychology can open doors to a range of psychology-related careers, such as a behavioral counselor, career advisor, or drug and alcohol specialist.

This type of degree can also enhance non-psychology careers, like those in the fields of advertising, human resources, and retail sales.

Understanding human behavior is an invaluable skill that spans industries and careers.

What is the difference between a master’s degree in psychology and clinical psychology?

Both types of master’s degrees provide a detailed look into human behavior.

However, a psychology master’s degree can be broader in scope and more widely applicable to a variety of careers, while a clinical psychology masters is more specialized for analyzing and treating a range of mental health disorders.

What skills do you need prior to applying for the psychology master’s degree program?

Harvard Extension School does not require any specific skills prior to applying, but in general, it’s helpful to have solid communication, critical thinking, and active listening skills if you are considering a psychology master’s degree.

Initial eligibility requirements can be found on our psychology degree requirements page .

Harvard Division of Continuing Education

The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) at Harvard University is dedicated to bringing rigorous academics and innovative teaching capabilities to those seeking to improve their lives through education. We make Harvard education accessible to lifelong learners from high school to retirement.

Health, Brain, and Cognition Lab

Persistence pays: successful applicant to a clinical psychology phd. program tells what it’s like.

In the Voss lab, we have a diverse range of graduate students earning a PhD in either Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience, Neuroscience, or like our newest graduate student addition Liam, in Clinical Science. Applying to a PhD program can be incredibly confusing as the process varies depending on the program type and the specific school. For the sake of this post, I will be focusing on the application process to clinical psychology (aka clinical science) programs specifically. 

Clinical psychology PhD programs are unique as they can produce individuals who conduct research, practice as a clinician, or do a little bit of both in a multitude of settings. This is unlike a Master’s program where the training is much shorter and allows graduates to practice just as a clinician or requires additional training in a PhD program to be able to conduct research. Further, PsyD programs are similar to PhD programs, however they differ as their primary focus is on clinical practice and typically produce sole clinicians. The combination of training to reach expert levels in both clinical work and research conduction is specific to clinical psychology programs. 

Clinical psychology programs are rigorous and commonly last 6 years where 5 years are a combination of classes, clinical work, research, and working on and defending your dissertation. The 6 th year is spent ‘on internship’ where an in-depth clinical training experience, typically at a different institution, takes place. It is common to find clinical psychologists in academic medical centers, hospitals, colleges, or universities, primary or secondary education schools, and private practices. Whether conducting research in a laboratory setting or working with patients in a clinical setting, clinical psychologists typically work in the realm of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders in a range of individuals (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023). 

Each program will provide students with clinical and research training, but each program has its own training model: some schools emphasize research relatively more than clinical training, clinical over research, or have an even split between the two. Deciding where to apply typically depends on one’s career goals. When applying, the applicant technically first must meet the requirements of the program although they are more so applying to a specific lab within the program. The options of where to apply can be limited depending on the application cycle as: 1) the school must have a clinical psychology training program, 2) the lab one is interested in needs to be accepting a student (labs do not take a student every year, typically due to funding), and 3) the lab should ideally fit with the applicant’s prior experiences and/or research interests. In my experience, I have seen clinical programs report receiving anywhere from 300-800 applications. The number of applications a program receives is the cumulative number of applications each lab at the school receives that year. On average, I have seen schools report taking cohort sizes of around 8-12 students. Typically, specific labs say that they receive at least 100 applications and usually have spots for only 1 or 2 students. Averaging these numbers makes a 1.8% chance of being accepted into a program and about a 1% chance of being accepted into a specific lab (this is the number that matters as you have to be accepted into a lab to be in the program). 

The application process can be expensive costing anywhere from $30 to more than $100 per application. In my experience, individuals apply to upwards of 8-12 schools but I have heard of individuals applying to as many as 20 schools in a given application cycle. Additionally, with the odds of being admitted into a program being so low, it is typical to not get accepted the first or even second time applying to programs, making repeat applicants common. To be as competitive as possible it is recommended (not required) to have postbaccalaureate research experience. Typically, you need to be in this position long enough to produce independent research projects to present as a poster or an oral presentation at national or international conferences. Additionally, it is common to see individuals with first author publications. Getting these experiences typically takes 2+ years with substantial time dedicated to research. 

Filling out applications is not a streamlined process. Each program has its own unique application form. In addition to asking for basic information such as your name, address, schools attended, classes taken, GPA, etc., it is standard for programs to ask for transcripts, 3 letters of recommendation (at least one is expected to be written by the supervisor of a lab you worked in or supervisors from clinical experience), a curriculum vitae, and perhaps the most important piece, the personal statement. 

The personal statement is typically 2-3 pages where you explain  why  you are interested in earning a PhD in clinical psychology,  what   area of research you’d like to pursue,  why   you are applying to this particular program and lab, and  how  your past experiences fit this narrative. This is perhaps the most important part of the application process, and it can take months to come up with a final draft. This statement typically has slightly different requirements per school and certainly needs to be unique to the lab you are applying to. This is an opportunity to convince the lab that you have experiences that relate to their work and offer a unique perspective that wins you an interview. For this reason, it is good to identify programs you are most interested in early, being the summer and the fall before you apply, so that you can reach out to the lab and the program. This ensures the lab you are interested in is taking a student this cycle and to assess your fit.

I personally found it impactful to email early, keep it short by briefly mentioning who I work with, my career goals, the broad scope of my projects, what I hope to do in graduate school in relation to their lab specifically, and find a way to include a fact that will help them remember me! For example, for one of the labs I ended up interviewing with, I mentioned how I am familiar with their work as the Voss Lab modified one of their cognitive computer tasks that I know well as I have administered and scored it. 

Typical due dates for clinical psychology applications are either November 15 th or December 1 st . Once materials are submitted, schools will reach out within a month or two. At this point, more and more labs are conducting ‘preliminary interviews’ where you ‘interview’ to get a spot for the official interview day, which can be virtual or in person. 

Given you are lucky enough to be offered a spot at one program or a few, it is time to decide if their stipend, program, research, location, etc. will be something you are happy with for at least 5 years. If you do not get any offers, it is time to decide if you want to go through this again and if so, start preparing for next year. 

As a multi-time applicant, I believe I made the biggest impact on my application in between the 2022 and 2023 application cycle (the most recent cycle). Everyone’s journey into a PhD program is unique and there is no one correct way to get in, which can be frustrating. In my personal experience the accomplishments that were most positively commented on by interviewers were: my diversified lab experiences, my submitted co-first author paper, giving a presentation at a high-profile conference in my field, submitting my first grant (National Science Foundation- Graduate Research Fellowship Program), and my plethora of experiences with research participants and clinical populations. Lastly, my network of individuals who are currently in PhD programs, are in the field of clinical psychology or related fields, or those who are just great at writing, has grown. Because of this, I was able to receive numerous different perspectives on how to best convey my experiences in a persuasive, clear, and professional way. I cannot thank all of the participants, patients, mentors, friends, and family enough who have supported me in my journey of applying to PhD programs!

Kelsey Baller has recently been accepted into the clinical psychology PhD program at Washington University in St. Louis. A graduate of the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and a minor in Spanish, she has worked as a post-baccalaureate research assistant at the Health, Brain, and Cognition Lab for the past three years.

Combined Degrees Psychology/Clinical Mental Health Counseling

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• Majors & Degrees

Save on tuition and fast-track to a Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s degree through JWU’s combined B.S. Psychology/M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.

If you apply and qualify* for this unique option, you’ll be able to enroll in 4 core counseling graduate courses that will count toward your Psychology bachelor’s degree.

Receive your bachelor’s degree in Psychology and master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and start working toward your professional licensure a full semester ahead of schedule.

Note for Charlotte Students

Charlotte students only need to transfer to Providence after they have completed their senior year and are ready to start full time as graduate students. The 4 Grad courses offered as part of this accelerated program will be offered synchronously to both Charlotte and Providence students over Zoom.

* Students must satisfy separate admission requirements for both undergraduate and graduate programs. Admission to the undergraduate program does not guarantee admission to the graduate program.

Explore the full JWU Catalog course listing for the M.S. program:

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Explore the JWU Catalog course listing for the combined B.S./M.S.:

Combined B.S./M.S.

Faculty Contacts

Jonathan Mosko, Ph.D. 401-598-1425 Email

Howard Slutzky, Psy.D. 980-598-3224 Email

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Caroline Abbott

Psychologist , phd.

My Practice at a Glance

Stoughton, MA 02072

• Individual Sessions $275

Qualifications

• Verified by Psychology Today Licensed by State of Massachusetts / PSY5000425 Caroline Abbott
• In Practice for 3 Years
• Attended University of Delaware , PhD , Graduated 2021

Specialties and Expertise

Top specialties.

• Coping Skills
• Chronic Pain
• Family Conflict
• Infertility
• Life Transitions
• Self Esteem
• Sleep or Insomnia
• Trauma and PTSD
• Women's Issues

Client Focus

Participants, communities, treatment approach, types of therapy.

• Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
• Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
• Integrative
• Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)
• Motivational Interviewing
• Trauma Focused

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Nearby areas.

• Stoughton, MA

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