Program in Clinical Psychology

University of San Francisco Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology

The School of Nursing and Health Professions (SONHP) at the University of San Francisco (USF) offers a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology degree (PsyD) program. Widely recognized for its commitment to social justice, diversity, and underserved populations, the full-time PsyD program at USF prepares graduates to become culturally responsive health service psychologists who contribute and provide leadership in a variety of interprofessional, integrated behavioral health settings.

PsyD program overview

The PsyD degree program at USF fulfills the academic requirements to prepare health service psychologists who are eligible for licensure as psychologists in California. The curriculum adheres to a practitioner-scholar model, which emphasizes applied methods of clinical psychology and inquiry. Admission is in the fall semester only, with year-round study during fall, spring, and summer semesters.

The program consists of four years of academic study, including three years of practicum training (1,500-2,000 hours), a clinical dissertation, and a fifth year internship (1,500-2,000 hours applied toward licensure). 

While some students may choose to work part-time during doctoral training, full-time employment is incompatible with the overall requirements of the program. Class and practicum schedules typically vary from semester to semester, and student schedules should be flexible to meet various program requirements. Program requirements become increasingly demanding with each successive academic year.

Residency requirements

 Residency requirements comprise four years of full-time study plus one year full-time or two years part-time internship prior to receiving the doctoral degree. Three of the four academic training years must be completed within the USF PsyD program, a minimum of one year of which must be in full-time residence at the USF PsyD program.

PsyD program curriculum overview

The PsyD program curriculum comprises a minimum of 98-103 credits. A sampling of year one courses (31 credits) includes Culture and Mental Health, Socialization to Clinical Psychology Seminar, and Personality Assessment. Year two course examples (31-32 credits) include Neuropsychological Screening, Integrated Behavioral Health Practice in Primary Care, and Sociocultural Bases of Behavior.

Among year three courses (20-21 credits) are Clinical Dissertation Proposal Seminar; Psychopharmacology; and Team Leadership, Consultation, and Interprofessional Collaboration. Year four courses (14-16 credits) include Theory and Practice of Clinical Supervision and Assessment and Treatment of Substance Abuse Disorders. Year five (2-3 credits) comprises full-time clinical internships.

Clinical training and research

The clinical training component of the program is comprehensive and can include providing psychotherapy, conducting psychological assessment, and providing consultation to a variety of populations and communities. Students in the PsyD program at USF have numerous opportunities to receive generalist and specialist training in a wide variety of nationally recognized clinical settings and internships in major medical centers, health institutions, and research institutes. In addition to supervised clinical practice, students also have opportunities to collaborate with USF PsyD program faculty on research projects at other institutions, or conduct research on a topic of their choice.

Accreditation

The PsyD program at USF is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and incorporates standards consistent with the American Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB), the National Register of Health Care Providers (NRHCP), and the Commission on Accreditation (COA) of the American Psychological Association (APA).

PsyD program faculty

PsyD program faculty members are experienced clinicians, distinguished researchers, and award-winning educators with expertise across a wide range of specialties. Among them are Dr. Michelle Montagno, a licensed psychologist and distinguished author with research interests that address culture and mental health and identity development; David Martinez, whose research interests focus on development and testing of community-based HIV prevention interventions among underserved populations, specifically Latinos; and Davina Chan, an expert in the areas of Asian-American psychology, dreams and meditation, and biological psychology.