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Program Overview
Based at KCU’s Kansas City campus, the clinical psychology program provides broad and general doctoral-level training in clinical psychology, culminating in the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree. The program emphasizes the integration of empirical evidence and clinical practice, with competency-based coursework and extensive clinical training experiences.
Program Aims
Our PsyD program has four key aims designed to ensure the development of well-rounded, competent clinical psychologists:
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Comprehensive Knowledge
Students acquire a thorough understanding of the theoretical and scientific foundations of psychology, equipping them to apply this knowledge as health service providers in clinical settings. -
Clinical Competency
Students develop a robust set of clinical skills, behaviors and attitudes, enabling them to excel in evidence-based assessment, intervention and outcome evaluation while working with diverse populations. -
Research Integration
Students gain a solid grounding in psychological research and scientific inquiry, with the ability to incorporate this knowledge into their clinical practice. -
Integrated Health Care Expertise
Students are trained to function effectively as members of integrated health care teams, demonstrating proficiency in collaborative, team-based care.
Research Opportunities in Clinical Psychology
Emotion Perception and Regulation
Jennifer Fugate, PhD, associate professor of Health Services Psychology, studies emotion perception and is trained in the cognitive underpinnings of how people construct emotion through their language.
Infant Cognitive Development
Assistant Professor Nicki Zieber, PhD, studies how infants perceive emotion from facial or bodily expressions.
Faculty Spotlight
Our PsyD faculty are deeply engaged in today’s pressing mental health conversations. Sarah Getch, PhD, program director, associate professor of Health Service Psychology and assistant provost for Accreditation, discusses the impact of body image on athletes.
The program’s curriculum begins by exposing you to the basic building blocks of psychology, including the foundations of psychological science and history and systems. There is specific focus placed on psychological assessment skill acquisition, test construction and test interpretation in the first year of the program in order for you to be able to build the skills necessary for practicing clinical psychology.
The second year of the program introduces you to more theoretical and practice focused coursework. Additionally, you are exposed to a series of courses in diversity highlighting the program’s commitment to the professional value of individual and cultural diversity. You will have the opportunity to utilize your assessment skills through a diagnostically focused practicum experience.
The third year of the program asks you to synthesize the coursework material from years one and two in order to demonstrate even more complex skills. For example, you'll be integrating basic neuropsychological science and clinical practice in courses like psychopharmacology, consultation and integrated health care. Further, you'll engage in a therapy practicum where your clinical skills will continue to be assessed through direct observation.
The fourth year of the program continues to integrate complex academic coursework, an advanced practicum experience and the dissertation process. The fifth year is primarily dedicated to internship, however, some students will continue with their dissertation work during this year.