Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
Our highly ranked program built on the scholar-practitioner model continues to set the pace for doctoral-level training.
What Can You Do With a PhD in Clinical Psychology?
A doctorate in clinical psychology can lead to rewarding careers doing consultation, evaluation or psychotherapy in clinics, hospitals or private practice. You can also pursue a career in academia, focusing on research and teaching.
Common career paths for those with a PhD in clinical psychology include:
- Private practice, seeing clients individually or in groups
- Hospitals and clinics, providing therapy to patients with a variety of mental health issues
- Academia, conducting important research and training for the next generation of psychologists
- Government, providing mental health services to veterans, prisoners or other populations
- Business, providing counseling to employees or conducting research on workplace issues
The job outlook for those with a PhD in clinical psychology is good. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of psychologists will grow 8 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to be driven by the increasing demand for mental health services, as well as the aging population, who are more likely to experience mental health challenges.
Why Earn Your PhD in Clinical Psychology at Adelphi in New York on Long Island?
The Derner School of Psychology set the pace in clinical psychology training as the first university-based professional school, accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) since 1957.
Our clinical psychology doctoral program will help you will pursue research and clinical training with faculty members who are known nationally and internationally for their expertise in a broad range of areas, including:
- Personality and interpersonal relations
- Psychopathology, especially anxiety, depression and trauma
- Psychodynamics—from classical to contemporary
- Psychotherapy integration, primarily cognitive behavioral, within a dynamic framework
- Cultural diversity and individual difference studies
Derner Clinical Psychology PhD students gain clinical experience primarily at Derner’s Center for Psychological Services, with locations on the Garden City campus and in Brooklyn. They also have the opportunity to train at the Derner Hempstead Child Clinic. In addition, students continue their externships and internships—including those at affiliated sites in the Derner Internship Consortium—on Long Island and in the New York City area.
Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program Accreditation Status
The Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology at The Derner School of Psychology at Adelphi University is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association and has been continuously accredited since 04/01/1957 (American Psychological Association, Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, Commission on Accreditation, 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242; 202-336-5979; apaaccred@apa.org). Full information pertaining to the accreditation status of the Derner School of Psychology PhD Program at Adelphi University is available at the APA’s website.
Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data
Derner Consortium Internship
The Derner Internship Consortium was granted membership status in the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) in November 2013, and participates in the APPIC-sponsored Match for all positions. It also became accredited by the American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (750 First St., NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242, telephone number 202-336-5979) in 2015. This consortium was created in order to support our doctoral students by providing additional internship training opportunities and addressing the gap in the number of training sites for students. Phase I of the Match is dedicated solely to Derner students applying through APPIC, and Phase II of the Match is opened up nationwide.
Psychology, at its heart, is about changing lives. That is the driving force of our work at Derner and has been since our inception.
Jacques P. Barber, PhD
Former Dean of the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology
Exceptional Hands-On Learning
As part of our practicum training, you will have the opportunity to gain clinical and research training in each of your four years of residence. The primary clinical training facility is the onsite Center for Psychological Services, under the supervision of the doctoral faculty. Then beginning in your second year, training is more extensive and includes externships in various off-campus inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings in urban and suburban clinics in Manhattan and Long Island.
Our doctorate in clinical psychology students take advantage of a number of affiliated externships and internships on Long Island and throughout the New York Metro Area including the following hospital systems:
The training and mentorship I received at Derner allowed me to shape my identity as a clinician and an academic. It has provided me with the skills I needed to pursue an independent career and pursue my professional goals. I am thankful for the continued support and guidance of my graduate mentor and the faculty at Derner.
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Program Info
- Foundational academics in psychology, including advanced studies in diversity and difference
- Optional Child and Family Concentration
- Clinical and research sequences, including:
- Psychodynamics and psychoanalysis
- Cognitive theories and therapies
- Psychotherapy integration
- Cognitive and personality diagnostics
- Child and family theories and therapies
- Practicum training in:
- Clinic and research labs
- Affiliated externships and internships
Application Requirements and Deadlines
The application deadline for fall admission to our clinical psychology doctoral program is December 1.
Applicants for this program must have a completed undergraduate degree with prerequisite courses in:
- Introductory or general psychology
- Experimental psychology or research methods
- Statistics
- Abnormal psychology
- Developmental psychology
Applicants for this program should submit:
- Application submitted through PSYCAS and $60 Adelphi application fee
- English proficiency exam (TOEFL, IELTS, or DET) scores for international candidates
- Essay (please see prompt below)
- Letters of recommendation: two or three professional or academic references
- Official transcripts from all prior institutions
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GRE general exam scores required
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GRE Subject Test in Psychology is not required
Note that an interview may also be required.
PhD in Clinical Psychology Program Essay Prompt
In a statement of approximately 500-750 words (maximum 1,000 words) please address each prompt listed below within your essay.Â
1.   Describe yourself in a way that would give us more of an opportunity to know you as a person.
2.   Why do you wish to study at the Derner School of Psychology?
3.   Please submit a brief statement describing how your personal and/or professional characteristics, experiences, and interests will advance our program’s deep commitment to diversity and social justice. You are invited to address whichever aspects of diversity or difference are most meaningful to you. Â
4.   What are your career goals and reasons for undertaking doctoral studies?
Awards & Recognition
