clinical psychology phd programs utah

Department of Psychology

College of social and behavioral science, main navigation, ph.d. program overview .

Students apply to one of four concentrations:

• Clinical Psychology
• Cognition and Neural Science
• Developmental Psychology
• Social Psychology

These four areas provide a home base for faculty members and graduate students; however, students move easily across these areas pursuing research interests and projects. There is an explicit cross-area program in health , and cross-area interests in sexuality, developmental psychopathology, and biological bases of behavior. Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for more information about the program.

Clinical Ph.D. Program

Cns ph.d. program, developmental ph.d.program, social ph.d. program, collaborative research.

A unique feature of our program is the highly collaborative environment that exists among researchers within areas, across areas, and with other departments such as Computer Science, Medicine, etc. A strength of this approach to graduate training is that it allows a fresh perspective to familiar questions and produces findings that are relevant to the field as a whole, not just a select niche.

Apply to the Graduate Program

**For questions regarding the graduate program and the graduate application process, please contact Cindy White at [email protected] or by phone at 801-585-7167.

Required Materials

The GRE test is not a requirement for applications to the Psychology PhD program.

The Psychology Department requires the following materials be submitted as part of the online application:

• Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose – Two to three pages double-spaced is generally sufficient. Your personal statement should summarize your research and career goals, prior educational and work experience, and any other appropriate information. Make sure to indicate which faculty members you hope to work with and include a discussion of the parallels between their research interests and your own, as well as the reasons for your interest in our program. If there is information related to your history, background, and experience that you believe cannot be addressed by any other section of the application, we encourage you to include that information in your personal statement.
• Curriculum Vita
• Transcripts - unofficial transcripts from each college or university attended (upload to the online application); official transcripts are required only if offered admittance to the graduate program, and at that point should be sent directly to the Graduate Admissions office.
• 3 Letters of Recommendation - may be completed online (preferred), or submitted by hard copy directly to the Psychology Department.
• Writing Sample (optional; strongly encouraged but not required) - Possible writing samples include senior theses; master's degree theses; published, in press, or submitted research papers; conference posters and presentations; etc..  Applicants may include no more than TWO writing samples with their application materials.

CUDCP's policy for Admissions Offers and Acceptances

CUDCP's policy for Admissions Offers and Acceptances  (PDF)

Online Application

We admit students once a year, for fall semester. Our application deadline is December 1 st , 11:59 PM MST.   

PLEASE NOTE: This year, all interviews will be virtual; interview dates will be announced by early January.  There will be a campus visit day in February (TBD) for applicants who receive offers of admission.

Graduate Program Application

All applicants are automatically considered for financial assistance; no separate financial aid forms are necessary. Announcements of admission and support will be made on or before April 1, and applicants who choose to enroll are expected to begin their studies the following Fall Semester. See our Scholarships/Funding page for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

For a number of frequently asked questions and their answers, check the FAQ . 

The following faculty will be reviewing graduate applications for the Fall 2025 admission cycle:

Lisa Aspinwall Jonathan Butner Pascal Deboeck LillyBelle Deer Bruce Ellis Brenna Gomer Cory Inman Monika Lohani Kara Moore Tochukwu Nweze Lee Raby Jeanine Stefanucci

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• Program Data

Doctorate of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.)

As the only Psy.D. program in the State of Utah, the SUU Doctorate of Psychology in Clinical Psychology is focused on training ethical and culturally sensitive psychologists pursuing state licensure in the field of Health Services Psychology. The program’s location in Cedar City, Utah, provides an ideal environment for training in specialized placement sites that serve Native American, Hispanic, Veteran, student, and other rural populations. In addition to classes facilitated by expert faculty and culturally relevant clinical training activities, students within the program are supervised by practicing psychologists with a range of clinical specializations.

Information Sessions

For more info on the Doctorate of Psychology Program, check out our upcoming Information Session events.

• Meet our team
• [email protected]
• 435-865-8188
• 435-865-8245

Program Aims

The Psy.D. program at SUU is a full-time, in-residence (in person) scholarly course of study that prepares graduates to practice professional psychology with an emphasis on meeting the needs of rural and underserved communities. Based on the   practitioner-scholar model , coursework and training prepares emerging psychologists for state licensure in the field of   Health Services Psychology . The program trains students to become culturally and ethically competent generalists who engage in evidence-based practices (psychotherapy, psychological assessments, program evaluations, supervision, professional collaboration, consultation). The program emphasizes a commitment to diversity, inclusive practices, social justice, and evidence-based systemic improvements.

Specifically, the Psy.D. program at SUU has three primary Aims:

• Train ethical and culturally sensitive emerging psychologists who will pursue state licensure in Health Services Psychology.
• Train scientifically informed emerging psychologists who consume, incorporate, and disseminate psychological research and scholarly knowledge in all of their professional endeavors.
• Train competent, self-aware, and reflective emerging psychologists who are appreciative, respectful, professional, and who are committed to diversity, inclusive practices, social justice, and working with rural communities.

Program Philosophies

Program Philosophy -Consistent with the   Practitioner-Scholar training model   (Vail Model), the Doctorate of Psychology program at Southern Utah University trains professional, doctoral-level practitioner-scientists, who specialize in clinical practice. Located in rural southwestern Utah, the program is founded on principles of community and rural mental health. Extensive practical placements afford professional experience in a variety of settings, including schools, residential treatment centers, community mental health settings, substance abuse treatment programs, native health centers, homeless resource centers, crisis centers, community clinics, public hospitals, and government agencies (see Practicum Manual). The scientific foundations of psychology provide the philosophical grounding, and evidence-based practices are at the core of our clinical training. Through this program, students become informed consumers of scientific inquiry, educators, and skilled clinicians.

The program is a full-time day program offering a course of study leading to the Psy.D. degree. Coursework and practical training prepare students for licensure as psychologists, with an emphasis on educating emerging psychologists for the underserved areas of rural and frontier southern Utah, and adjoining regions. The program’s goals and objectives are based on the American Psychological Association’s   profession-wide competencies   of clinical education and training,   required accreditation domains , and   discipline-specific professional knowledge areas .

PSy.D. Community Agreement

The SUU Psy.D. Program aims to train students to become culturally and ethically competent generalists who engage in evidence-based practices in order to meet the needs of rural and underserved communities. The program emphasizes a commitment to diversity, inclusive practices, social justice, and evidence-based systemic improvements.

In pursuit of achieving these goals and fostering an enriching and inclusive learning environment, the program’s community agreements are:

• Be respectful of the space, self, and others.
• Strive to maintain an assets-based approach.
• Be an engaged, active, nonjudgmental listener.
• Be curious and listen to understand.
• Take growth-promoting educational risks.
• Amplify marginalized voices.
• Actively work towards identifying and addressing personal biases.
• Consider how our social and institutional positionality affect the impact of what we say and our awareness of what the potential impact may be.
• Seek to expand and build upon existing ideas.
• Embrace conflict as a way to generate new solutions.
• Value the diverse strengths, perspectives, and experiences of those in the Psy.D. program and surrounding communities.
• Actively seek to contribute to a cohesive, supportive community at the cohort- and community-level.

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Combined clinical/counseling.

The USU Combined Clinical/Counseling specialization prepares doctoral-level health service psychologists through a comprehensive integration of science, research, and clinical practice. Students engage in cutting-edge research, provide evidence-based professional services, and incorporate considerations of culture and context in all aspects of their work. Our program emphasizes specialized training in diversity through didactic, applied, and research opportunities led by expert faculty.  Our APA-accredited program offers a unique combined approach to training in clinical and counseling psychology. Students receive broad-based training across a broad spectrum of problem areas, populations, settings, and approaches for a wide range of future potential careers. Our graduates are well-prepared for professional roles in diverse settings through applied practicum experiences and excellent match rates for internship placements. 

The Sorenson Legacy Foundation Center for Clinical Excellence provides a state-of-the-art facility where students, clients, and faculty collaborate, offering a unique integration of academics and clinical services. 

Commitment to Diversity

The Combined Specialization's strengths are in the integration of science and practice and in its commitment to diversity. These are exemplified by the specialization's philosophy and curriculum.

Community Building

Enrollment in the USU PhD program requires full-time, in-residence participation by all students. Students entering the program typically spend five years on campus, engaging in didactic, research, and clinical training activities.

Outstanding Mentors

Our faculty is comprised of leading scholars in areas including: - evidence based interventions - identity development - geriatric neuropsychology - behavioral medicine - Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) - AND MORE!

Program Benefits

For approved programs of study, your tuition is fully covered and you will be awarded an assistantship with a monthly stipend. Assistantships include research and teaching experiences, allowing you to expand your academic skillset.

Combined Clinical/Counseling Faculty

Sara Boghosian

Clinical Assistant Professor - Combined Clinical/Counseling Specialization

[email protected]

Susan L. Crowley

Professor - Combined Clinical/Counseling Specialization

435-797-1251

[email protected]

Scott DeBerard

435-797-1462

[email protected]

Melanie M. Domenech Rodríguez

435-797-3059

[email protected]

Renee Galliher

Professor | Director of Clinical Training of the Combined Clinical/Counseling Specialization

435-797-3391

[email protected]

Maria Kleinstaeuber

Assistant Professor - Combined Clinical/Counseling Specialization

435-797-1236

[email protected]

Tyler Lefevor

Associate Professor - Combined Clinical/Counseling Specialization

801-573-4370

[email protected]

Michael Levin

541-531-3892

[email protected]

Melissa Tehee

435-227-5595

[email protected]

JoAnn Tschanz

Professor | Emma Eccles Jones Endowed Chair of Human Services

435-797-1457

[email protected]

Michael P. Twohig

435-265-8933

[email protected]

Application Requirements

Submit the following to the School of Graduate Studies:

• Application
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Official Transcripts
• Statement of Purpose/Intent - Please carefully prepare a statement of interest (500-1000 words) that outlines your match with our program’s training mission. Specifically, outline your fit with the research and clinical training goals of a PhD in clinical-counseling psychology and your clear match with a potential mentor or mentors in the combined program faculty. Describe the personal journey that led you to apply to this program, including information about your relevant research and clinical experiences.

Admission Criteria:

• GPA for the last 60 credits taken of 3.2 or higher
• Fit with a current faculty member affiliated with the specialization

Applications are due by  December 1 st . This specialization will be conducting invitation only interviews of applicants in a hybrid format on January 31, 2025.

Combined Clinical/Counseling Labs

Act research group | mike levin & mike twohig.

The  USU ACT Research Group  is dedicated to research, training, and clinical services based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). 

Alzheimer's Disease & Cognitive Disorders Lab | JoAnn Tschanz

The  Alzheimer's Disease and Cognitive Disorders Lab  investigates risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.

Cultural & Mental Health Lab | Melanie Domenech Rodriguez

The  Culture & Mental Health Lab  is engaged in independent research in an interdependent context. Project content is in parenting, cultural values, microaggressions, and evidence-based interventions.

Physical Mental Health Interactions Lab | Maria Kleinstaeuber

The Physical Mental Health Interactions Lab synthesizes basic and health-related intervention research to understand the role of psychological factors in the etiology and treatment outcomes in populations with somatic symptom disorders.

PR 2 IDE Lab | Renee Galliher

The   PR 2 IDE Lab   engages in a range of independent and collaborative projects that broadly fall under the umbrella of research in identity development.

Sexual, Gender, and Religious Identities Lab | Tyler Lefevor

The   Sexual, Gender, and Religious Identities Lab   examines sexual, gender, and religious identity development and their mental health implications.

Tohi Lab | Melissa Tehee

The   Tohi Lab   research focuses on the physical, spiritual, and psychological health of ethnic and racial minorities.

Program News 

April 30, 2024

Psychology Doctoral Students Match with Internship Locations

a combined total of nine doctoral students from the Combined Clinical/Counseling and School Psychology specializations matched with internships locations this spring marking another year of 100% match rate for internship placement in these programs!

November 14, 2023

Grad Student receives 7 for 17 award

José Manuel Gonzalez Vera, a doctoral student in the Combined Clinical/Counseling program, recently achieved a significant milestone by receiving the 7 for 17 Award from the Utah Global Diplomacy.

May 3, 2023

Dr. Domenech Rodríguez Appointed Editor of Family Process

Dr. Melanie Domenech Rodríguez, a professor within the Utah State University Department of Psychology, has been appointed to serve as the next editor for the academic journal Family Process. “I feel a tremendous sense of awe and responsibility as a person...

Disclosure of Educational Requirements for Licensure by State

Our specialization adheres to APA accreditation standards and prepares students for entry into the profession of health service psychology. Given the varied and changing requirements across jurisdictions, we have not determined and cannot assure that graduates will meet all requirements for licensure in all states or territories. You are encouraged to become familiar with relevant state licensing laws and discuss your curricular plan with your DCT.

This specialization meets requirements in Utah.

USU has not determined if the specialization meets requirements in: AK, AL, AR, AS, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, GU, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MP, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UM, VA, VI, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY.

Accreditation

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Psychology - phd, eds.

About This Degree

The Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services, which houses the Psychology Department, ranks in the top 2% of all graduate colleges of education.

The college was also ranked third in the nation in total research dollars received, according to "America's Best Graduate Schools" U.S. News & World Report .

Psychology Department faculty actively collaborate with students on a variety of research projects, including parenting interventions for Latino families, interventions for individuals with anxiety disorders, cognition in young children, animal modeling of drug abuse, impulsivity, etc. Students are active in presenting at national conferences, authoring journal articles and book chapters, and submitting for grant funding.

Specialization:

Behavior analysis (phd):.

The Behavior Analysis program at Utah State University provides students the opportunity to earn a PhD in Psychology with a focus on investigating variables that influence human and nonhuman behavior. The doctoral program in Behavior Analysis provides students a solid understanding of conceptual, translational, basic and applied domains of behavior analysis. The program promotes an interdisciplinary and translational approach to behavior analysis. The Ph.D. track prepares students to conduct laboratory and translational research, preparing them to pursue academic and research careers, whereas the PhD + BCBA-D track prepares students to become scientist-practitioners who can work in research institutions and practice in a variety of clinical settings (e.g., hospitals, private practice).

Brain and Cognition (PhD):

The brain and cognition specialization provides extensive training for students interested in behavioral, cognitive, molecular, systems, or computational neuroscience. Training opportunities for students include the investigation of basic behavioral, cognitive, and neurological processes; understanding the contribution of basic neurological processes to psychological disorders; neural correlates of behavioral phenomena, and related issues.

Combined Clinical/Counseling Psychology (PhD):

Our APA-accredited program provides a combined approach to doctoral-level training across the two practice areas of clinical and counseling psychology. Students receive training across a broad spectrum of problem areas, populations, settings, and approaches for a wide range of future potential careers. Our faculty include leading scholars in areas including cultural adaptation of therapy, identity development, sexual orientation and gender, treatment of children/adolescents, neuropsychology, ethics, acceptance and commitment therapy, parent management training, telehealth, military psychology, sexual health, trauma, dementia, anxiety disorders, and obsessive compulsive and related disorders.

Data Science and Research Methodology (PhD):

The data science and research methodology specialization area within the psychology department deals with the development, application, evaluation, and refinement of quantitative methods for measurement, statistics, and data analysis.

School Psychology (PhD, EdS):

The Utah State University Psychology Department offers both educational specialist (EdS) and doctoral (PhD) degrees in School Psychology. The EdS Program prepares school psychologists who function primarily as practitioners in educational settings, whereas the PhD Program prepares professionals who can work in research institutions and practice in a variety of settings (e.g., schools, clinics, hospitals, private practice). Training focuses on developing scientific problem-solving skills as well as broad competencies in assessment, intervention, and consultation. Emphasis is placed on culturally-competent, ethically-informed, and legally-compliant practice in collaborative, interdisciplinary settings.

At a Glance

College: Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services

Department: Psychology Department

USU Locations:

• Logan campus

Program Requirements

• Update this page

Career And Outcomes

Career opportunities, behavior analysis, brain & cognition, quantitative psychology specializations.

• Students who graduate with the experimental and applied psychological science specialization work at universities in faculty or research positions.

Combined Professional-Scientific Psychology Specialization

• With the combined professional-scientific psychology specialization, students can work as psychologists in the following capacities: hospitals, academia, university counseling centers, private practice, community mental health centers

School Psychology Specialization

• Students who graduate with the school psychology specialization work as psychologists in K-12 schools.

Job Outlook

Request for information and advising, gregory madden.

Professor, Director of the Behavior Analysis Program Program: Behavior Analysis Email: [email protected] Office: EDUC 498 Phone: (435) 881-8467

Kerry Jordan

Associate Professor Program: Brain & Cognition Email: [email protected] Office: EDUC 483 Phone: (435) 797-2797

Renee Galliher

Professor, Associate Vice Provost, Director of Clinical Training for the Combined Clinical/Counseling Program: Combined Clinical/Counseling Email: [email protected] Office: EDUC 430 Phone: 435-797-3391

Michael Twohig

Professor, Combined Program Associate Director of Clinical Training Program: Combined Clinical/Counseling Email: [email protected] Office: SCCE 418 Phone: 435-265-8933

Tyler Renshaw

Associate Professor Program: School Psychology Email: [email protected] Office: EDUC 480

Jessica Koltz

Assistant Professor, Program Director for the School Counselor Education Program Email: [email protected] Office: EDUC 471 Phone: (435) 797-1250

I am not a current USU student

I have not applied or been admitted, even if I've taken a USU Concurrent Enrollment course

I am a current USU student

I have been admitted and plan to attend, or continue attending USU

USU Locations

LOGAN CAMPUS

Admission Requirements

For most students, some psychology prerequisites will need to be completed before beginning the graduate program. However, these do not need to be taken before students can be accepted to the program.

Application Requirements:

• Complete the online application
• Pay the $55 application fee
• Score at or above the 40th percentile on the GRE*.
• Have a 3.0 or higher GPA on your last 60 semester or 90 quarter credits
• Provide transcripts of all college/university credits
• Provide three contacts for letters of recommendation
• Submit a statement of professional intent/interest

International students have additional admissions requirements .

* Some individuals may have experienced difficulty taking the GRE due to Covid-19. As such, the following PhD programs are not requiring GRE scores for applications, but do encourage you to submit them if you have them: School Psychology, Combined Clinical/Counseling, Brain and Cognition, and Behavior Analysis. All other PhD program in our department still require GRE scores for applications.

School Psychology specialization (EdS):

All PhD Program Specializations (Behavior Analysis, Brain & Cognition, Combined Clinical/Counseling, Quantitative Psychology, and School Psychology)

Financial Aid

A variety of funding opportunities are available on the graduate school website .

Take The Next Step

How to apply.

View our step-by-step guide on how to become an Aggie.

Request Information

Contact the School of Graduate Studies to ask questions or receive more information.

Cost and Funding

Calculate the cost of graduate school and learn about funding opportunities.

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