phd in clinical and health psychology

Go to Charlotte.edu

Prospective Students

• About UNC Charlotte
• Campus Life
• Graduate Admissions

Faculty and Staff

• Human Resources
• Auxiliary Services
• Inside UNC Charlotte
• Academic Affairs

Current Students

• Financial Aid
• Student Health

Alumni and Friends

• Alumni Association
• Advancement
• Make a Gift

Clinical Health Psychology program

The Clinical Health Psychology program is an APA-accredited* Clinical Psychology program that is housed within the Health Psychology Ph.D. program at UNC Charlotte. Accordingly, graduate students in this program receive training in both foundational clinical psychology skills (e.g., assessment, psychotherapy, research), as well as clinical health psychology-specific skills (e.g., clinical practice and research with people with physical health conditions). Because we are a scientist-practitioner program, it is essential that our students aspire to be excellent researchers as well as excellent practitioners. In addition, we adhere strongly to the Biopsychosocial-Cultural and Social-Ecological models of health: such holistic perspectives provide empirically-ground, innovative ways to understand risk, mental and physical disease/illness, and health promotion. Graduates are eligible for licensure as clinical psychologists and health services providers in psychology, and may assume clinical, research or teaching positions in academic medical centers, universities, community health centers, private practice, or other applied settings.

2024 Student Admissions, Outcomes and Other Data

Accreditation Status of the Clinical Psychology program

The Clinical Psychology program at UNC Charlotte has been APA-accredited since 2012 and recently received re-accreditation until 2027. For any questions about the program’s accreditation status or about APA accreditation, in general, please contact: Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation / American Psychological Association 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242 Phone: (202) 336-5979 / E-mail: [email protected] / Web: http://www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

All clinical health students are expected to be actively involved in research, beginning in their first semester on campus. Students will be paired with one or more mentors whose research is aligned with their interests. Faculty research focuses on topics such as socioeconomic and racial/ethnic disparities in health and healthcare; public health concerns such as domestic violence and sexual assault; the role of racism and racial identity in cardiovascular health; positive body image and weight-related stigma, particularly among ethnic minority college students; HIV prevention in at-risk minority communities; community-level interventions to enhance academic achievement and health for children and adolescents; and much more. Applicants are encouraged to view the faculty webpages that are linked under the “faculty” tab on the left.

Clinical Coursework

Academic coursework for clinical students includes courses in the following areas: core clinical/practice; foundational scientific psychology; research methodology/statistics courses; health psychology; and interdisciplinary approaches to health. Please see the current program handbook or the Graduate School catalog for more information.

Clinical Training Requirements

Clinical students are required to complete at least two practica as part of their clinical training: most students complete three or four. These are typically 9 – 12 month placements that require approximately 15-20 hours of clinical work per week, under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. Practica vary widely in terms of setting, patient/client population, clinical experiences offered, and the nature of supervision, among other things. While they differ, all sites provide students a solid grounding in the practice of clinical and clinical health psychology and a foundation for internship and beyond.

All students complete at least one practicum that is focused on health psychology, working within interdisciplinary teams to treat people with physical health conditions and enhance wellness. Many students will complete a one-year fellowship, funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), emphasizing training in integrated primary care, substance use disorder, and telehealth. Many of our practicum sites provide care to very low-income patients with few resources and little other access to behavioral healthcare.

Here is a list of some of our recent practicum sites:

• Charlotte VA Health Care Center
• Carolinas Rehabilitation Center
• Department of Bariatric Surgery, Novant Health
• UNC Charlotte Counseling Center
• UNC Charlotte Department of Psychology LD/ADD Clinic
• Renfrew Center for Eating Disorders Treatment
• CHS Myers Park Internal Medicine (integrated primary care)
• CHS Elizabeth Family Medicine (integrated primary care)
• Midtown Family Medicine, Novant Health (integrated primary care)
• Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center Department of Neurology
• Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center Comprehensive Cancer Care Center (psychosocial oncology)

Pre-doctoral Internship

The Clinical program requires that student complete a year-long pre-doctoral internship, after completion of their coursework and practica and after they have successfully proposed their dissertation. Since our initial accreditation* in 2012, all (100%) students have matched to, and completed, an APA-accredited internship. These typically take place in an academic or VA medical center, or a Counseling and Psychological Services center on a university campus. The following is a partial list of sites where our students have completed internships.

• Appalachian State University Counseling Center
• Cherokee Health System
• Colorado State University Counseling Center and Student Health Services
• Henry Ford Health System
• James B. Haley VA Medical Center (Tampa)
• Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center
• Michael DeBakey VA Medical Center (Houston)
• National Psychology Training Consortium in Integrated Care
• Nemours/Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children
• University of Miami Medical Center/Jackson Memorial Hospital
• UNC Charlotte Student Counseling and Psychological Services Center
• University of Washington Medical Center Veterans Affairs, Connecticut Health System

Clinical Program Faculty

• Dr. Amy Peterman (Director of Clinical Training); [email protected]; 704-687-1345
• Dr. Laura Armstrong; [email protected]
• Dr. George Demakis; [email protected]
• Dr. Virginia Gil-Rivas; [email protected]
• Dr. Ryan Kilmer; [email protected]
• Dr. Jennifer Langhinrichsen-Rohling; [email protected]
• Dr. Richard McAnulty; [email protected]
• Dr. Victoria Scott; [email protected]
• Dr. Jennifer B. Webb; [email protected]

* For any questions about the program’s accreditation status or about APA accreditation, in general, please contact:

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation / American Psychological Association 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242 Phone: (202) 336-5979 / E-mail: [email protected] / Web: http://www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

Enter a Search Term

Clinical psychology, health care emphasis, phd.

• New York City

This program is STEM designated, which means you will be trained in areas of technology that are in high demand with United States employers. International students studying in person on student visas will be eligible for an Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension of 24 months, for a total of 36 months.

Healthcare Integration

Within a biopsychosocial framework, the PhD in Clinical Psychology (Health Care Emphasis) program prepares you for a bright future as a clinical scientist or scientist-practitioner. Skills are gained in psychodiagnostic assessment, therapeutic intervention, prevention, and consultation in both mental health and medical settings. The integration of mind and body—of mental and physical health—across the lifespan, attendant to racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity, so pertinent to risk and healthcare disparities, are embedded features in the program’s curriculum and training.

Faculty are devoted to the advancement of scientific knowledge in clinical psychology and clinical health psychology. The program draws upon the department’s long-standing strengths in areas related to global mental health and aims to prepare students for academic and research track positions, as well as for clinical roles with applied research activities. You’ll be prepared to work collaboratively in a variety of medical, community, and public health settings, and upon graduation, you will have completed all pre-doctoral academic and internship requirements for admittance to the New York State Licensing Examination.

The PhD Program in Clinical Psychology currently is seeking American Psychological Association (APA) accreditation. It has completed its self-study and been granted a site visit by the Committee on Accreditation (CoA), tentatively projected for Winter 2025. The program will be reviewed by CoA after the site visit to determine whether to grant accreditation on contingency at that time, and if the program is granted accreditation on contingency, the initial date of accreditation will be retroactive to the site visit. For questions about accreditation, please contact the CoA office at (202) 336-5965.

A Scientist-Practitioner Model

• Follow a Boulder Model of training wherein training in research inquiry and clinical practice (assessment, prevention, promotion, and intervention), in relation to mental health and physical health, are integrated through intensive coursework and placement experiences.
• Develop expertise regarding factors bearing on wellness and illness, including developmental processes (leading to preparation for work in pediatric as well as adult settings), and social, cultural, economic and global features which contribute to health and well-being.
• Gain exposure to multiple-theoretical perspectives, including cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, trauma-focused, and other relevant approaches.

Clinical Training and Research Opportunities

The Clinical Psychology (Health Care Emphasis) PhD program is designed to provide, within a scientist-practitioner model, education and training in clinical psychology and clinical health psychology. Clinical training begins in the first year, with a course in clinical interviewing in the first semester followed by training through practicum and supervised clinical experience in the department’s McShane Center for Psychological Services. In the third and fourth years, students complete clinical training at external field sites around the New York area, followed by a year of full-time internship.

You’ll gain new perspectives through closer interaction with students and faculty across programs, as in mentored research labs and from research talks from experts in the field. From the beginning of the program, students are involved in research with a mentor, leading to completion of a master’s thesis (at the end of second year) and culminating in completion of a doctoral dissertation. Dissertation research within this PhD program involves a chosen investigation into a specific interface between psychological and physical health.

Diversity is emphasized in academic work and practical training through opportunities to work with diverse populations. Pace University’s McShane Center for Psychological Services provides services to the multicultural community in the lower Manhattan area; a special interest group on social justice and diversity organizes events, discussions, and meetings to address important topics and issues relevant to social justice and diversity; and the Center for Global Psychology is dedicated to enhancing the global capabilities of Pace students and faculty from psychology and related fields by providing high-quality academic and professional experiences.

Take Courses Like

The Clinical Psychology (Health Care Emphasis) PhD program provides you with a comprehensive education through core-foundational courses, sequenced study of research methodology and statistical analyses, clinical courses (in psychopathology, assessment, and psychotherapy) and health psychology courses (including primary care and public health).

• PSY 724 Introduction to Clinical Health Psychology
• PSY 731 Psychopathology and Health
• PSY 732 Primary Care Interventions

Prepare for Your Career

Prepare for a career as researcher and clinician, potentially pursuing scientific investigation into the interface of mental and physical health/disease/disorder, and/or an academic role educating and training the next generation of clinical psychologists, or a clinical role within a medical or community health setting, possibly developing research measures, therapeutic interventions, beneficial programs, or needed policies. Many postdoctoral opportunities for specializations will be open to graduates.

Application Information

The Clinical Psychology (Health Care Emphasis) PhD program is a five-year, full-time post-baccalaureate program. A minimum of three years of residency at Pace University is required, including one year of full-time study. Admission is open to qualified holders of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with the necessary prerequisites prior to enrollment; the GRE is optional. The application deadline for entry for the academic year 2024–2025 is January 1, 2024.

• Faculty & Staff
• Academics Overview
• Psychology, B.S. / B.A.
• Applied Psychology, M.S.
• Health Psychology, Ph.D.
• Human Factors, Ph.D.
• Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Ph.D.
• Students Overview
• Change of Major
• Academic Advising Center
• Student Resources
• Major and Course Fee
• Student Awards
• Research Overview
• Current Research Studies
• Institute for Engaged Aging
• Alumni & Friends

Ph.D. in Health Psychology

The Health Psychology doctoral program from the Clemson University Department of Psychology trains research scientists and scholars for academic and research positions in health industries and organizations.

Health Psychology applies the biopsychosocial model to understand physical and mental health and illness. By understanding contributing factors to health and health decision-making, health psychologists can work directly with individuals or contribute to improvement of structures, programs and procedures at the societal level. Health Psychology is under Division 38 of the American Psychological Association (APA) and includes Clinical Health Psychology, Public Health Psychology, and Community Health Psychology.

Clemson University has a strong infrastructure for interdisciplinary research in Health Psychology with a bold strategy to further strengthen the University's reputation in health research. Housed in the College of Behavioral, Social, and Health Sciences, the Department of Psychology has a large concentration of faculty who aspire to train the next generation of health researchers. The Institute for Engaged Aging , Center for Addiction and Mental Health Research , and the Clemson University School of Health Research provide exceptional infrastructure for students to gain formative learning experiences.

The psychology department does not offer graduate training in clinical or counseling psychology, nor does it offer graduate courses part time, online or via distance learning. You will be expected to be in residence for the duration of your graduate career.

Applicants to the Health Psychology Ph.D. or M.S. program are strongly encouraged to have coursework covering health-related topics, statistics, and research methods prior to entering the program. Prior to applying, applicants are strongly encouraged to look over the research interests of departmental faculty members, find those who seem to have similar research interests to yours, and contact those faculty to discuss potential mutual research interests and confirm they are accepting students in the up-coming year. Please view the faculty interviews on the departmental YouTube page . Students can look through the graduate handbook to better understand program expectations and opportunities.

Our Health Psychology Faculty include:

• Jinan Allan, Ph.D.
• Anna Baker, Ph.D.
• Brooke Bennett, Ph.D.  
• Kaileigh Byrne, Ph.D.  
• Hye Won Chai, Ph.D.  
• Alyssa Gamaldo, Ph.D.  
• Jody Nicholson, Ph.D.  
• Irene Pericot-Valverde, Ph.D.  
• June Pilcher, Ph.D.
• Cindy Pury, Ph.D.
• Lesley Ross, Ph.D.  
• Amy Schuster, Ph.D.  
• Abby Stephan, Ph.D.  
• Heidi Zinzow, Ph.D.

Applicants to the Health Psychology Ph.D. or M.S. program are strongly encouraged to have coursework covering health-related topics, statistics, and research methods prior to entering the program. Prior to applying, applicants are strongly encouraged to look over the research interests of departmental faculty members whose research relates to health, find those who seem to have similar research interests to yours, and contact those faculty to discuss potential mutual research interests and confirm they are accepting students in the up-coming year. Please view the faculty interviews on the departmental YouTube page .

Where is the Department of Psychology located?

On the third and fourth floors of Brackett Hall. The main department office is in Room 418.

Who can I contact for additional information about the graduate programs in psychology at Clemson?

Please email [email protected] for additional information on any of the graduate programs in the Department of Psychology at Clemson University.

When is the deadline for applying to the graduate programs?

January 15 (this is for admission for the following fall semester). The January 15 deadline is the correct deadline; it supersedes any deadline you posted to the university's website.

Can I apply to begin the program in January?

In general, no. Students who are admitted to start in any particular fall term may defer their admission until the following spring. While the program occasionally has admitted Clemson undergraduates to start in the spring semester, in most cases applicants are evaluated to start in the upcoming fall term.

What materials are required in an application?

• The electronic application, available through the Graduate Admissions website , which includes basic background information and a personal statement addressing the reasons why you are applying to the psychology department's graduate program and, where relevant, indicating which faculty member(s) you would most like to work with.
• The General GRE exam (Verbal, Quantitative, & Analytical) is optional for the Human Factors PhD program and not required for the Applied Psychology MS or Industrial-Organizational Psychology PhD programs. The GRE Psychology Subject test is NOT required for any of our programs. The institution code for sending official GRE scores to Clemson University is 5111 .
• Transcripts from your undergraduate (and any graduate) institutions. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for the application process. Students who are admitted to the program will be required to submit official transcripts as part of the admissions process.
• Three (3) letters of recommendation. These do not have to be from college professors. As part of the online application you will be required to fill in the name and contact information for the individuals who will submit recommendations on your behalf. A message will be sent to them automatically via email and they will be able to submit their recommendation online. You will not need to obtain or distribute recommendation forms.
• A resume (or academic-style vita).
• TOEFL scores are required for applicants whose native language is not English. However, if you completed a prior degree program where the primary language of instruction was English, you do not need to submit TOEFL scores.
• Students may submit a writing sample along with the rest of the application materials. This is optional but encouraged, especially for PhD applicants.
• Please note that the application instructions ask applicants to indicate which faculty they prefer to work with. This is important information in the application review process as different faculty members may be admitting a student each year. Applicants are encouraged to check with individual faculty or with either graduate program coordinator to see which faculty are admitting students in any particular application cycle. Applicants are also expected to explain why they chose the particular mentors they selected as part of their personal statement.
• Please note that applicants to the MS program can choose either thesis or non-thesis options. Students who choose the thesis option would be considered based on their match with a particular mentor. Students who choose the non-thesis option may attend without necessarily having a particular research mentor assigned at the outset of the program.
• PhD applicants do not have to complete a separate application to be considered for the MS program. Once the application deadline has passed, we will check with all PhD applicants to see if they want to be considered for the MS program (which usually admits students without assistantship funding).

Where should application materials be sent?

Send supporting materials to the admissions office:

Graduate Admissions Office E-209 Martin Hall Clemson, SC 29634

What are the minimum cut-off scores for the GRE and GPA?

We do not have an official minimum cut-off score for the GRE and GPA. The admissions process is competitive enough that most successful applicants have strong GREs and GPAs. However, in general, a low GRE in our program would be around the 50 th percentile and a low GPA would be around 3.0. Although the acceptance criteria vary slightly among our different graduate programs, acceptance into all of our programs is competitive. Both GRE and GPA are considered in the application process.

What are some typical GRE and GPA scores for your students?

Our PhD students typically have GRE scores above the 50th percentile, typically with at least one score above the 70th percentile, and with an average overall GPA higher than 3.5.

How many students do you accept each year?

The number of students accepted varies according to our department funding levels and faculty grant activity, but we typically seek to enroll three new assistantship funded IO PhD students, three new assistantship funded Health Psychology PhD students, and three new assistantship funded Human Factors PhD students each year. Please note that not all faculty admit new students in any given year and prospective students are encouraged to contact faculty to determine whether they will be admitting students that year.

How many applications do you get each year?

The IO PhD program typically receives 90-120 applications each year. The HF PhD program typically receives 30-50 applications each year. The MS program typically receives 40-60 applicants each year.

Do I have to have a degree in psychology to be admitted into the graduate programs?

No. All applicants to the Health Psychology (HP), Human Factors (HF) and Industrial-Organizational (IO) Ph.D. and M.S. programs are expected to be able to demonstrate knowledge of behavioral research methods and statistical analysis, most commonly through relevant undergraduate coursework.

Applicants to the Health Psychology program (Ph.D. or M.S.) are expected to have basic knowledge of psychological theories and methods and encouraged to have experience in research and scientific writing. Students whose applications demonstrate greater experiences and background relevant to health will be more favorably reviewed. This could be through job experience, undergraduate or graduate coursework, practicum/internships, applied experiences, or research.

Applicants to the Human Factors program (Ph.D. or M.S.) are expected to have 18 credits of psychology prior to entering the HF program and are expected to have completed a college-level course in calculus. If you do not meet one of these requirements, you may still apply to the HF program and, if you are admitted, the HF program will work with you to develop a plan for meeting the requirement. Please note that the HF program does not make such recommendations until after the student has been admitted

Applicants to the Industrial-Organizational (IO) Ph.D. or M.S. program are strongly encouraged to obtain some background in applied psychology prior to applying, and are expected to have basic knowledge of psychological theories and methods, but the I-O program does not have a specific psychology course credit expectation for either the M.S. or the Ph.D. level.

How can I check the status of my application?

You can check the status of your application online .

Is financial aid available?

Yes, but the specific amounts may vary according to our funding levels. Typically, we offer most of our PhD students the following funding package: 20-Hour/Week Teaching or Research Assistantship (TA / RA) that pays $15,000 - $19,000 for each academic year (9 months) plus a full tuition waiver (you pay no tuition, in-state or out-of-state; you do, however, pay about $1500 per semester in various fees). Also, many students find paid summer internships that supplement their financial aid. Some types of aid are also available online through Clemson’s Financial Aid Office . Although most PhD students are offered funding, there may be instances where we offer students admission to the PhD program without funding. In these cases, students may be able to find assistantship work on campus, but nothing is guaranteed. Master's students generally are admitted without department funding. Some of these students may be hired by department faculty on research grants or through other departments, but unless otherwise notified, MS students should not plan to receive funding from the university, other than regular financial aid.

When are admissions decisions and decisions about assistantships made?

The admissions committee makes decisions and communicates the results to applicants throughout the months of February, March and April.

How long does the program take?

The completion of a master's degree in psychology requires at least two years of full-time study while in residence. The completion of a PhD requires five years of full-time study in residence, assuming that the student enters the program with a bachelor's degree and earns the master's degree along the way. The completion of a PhD by a student entering Clemson with a master's degree from another institution typically requires three to four years of full-time study in residence, depending on how much of the student’s prior course work transfers to count toward the PhD degree. All graduate students are expected to be involved in both class work and research on a full-time basis. We do not offer graduate courses part time, online or via distance learning. With the exception of approved internships, students are expected to remain full-time students in residence for the duration of their graduate career.

Does the Department of Psychology offer graduate courses part time, online or via distance learning programs?

What is the orientation of the program.

The master’s programs are oriented toward applications and research. To correctly apply psychological research (and to stay current as the field advances) you must be a trained evaluator and informed consumer of psychological research. To that end, we require substantial training in research methods. A written master’s thesis is required for our PhD programs and is one of three options for the MS program (i.e., thesis, research hours, non-thesis). Our two PhD programs (human factors and IO psychology) are based on the scientist-practitioner model.

Does the master’s degree require a written thesis?

A written master’s thesis is required for our PhD programs and is one of three options for the MS program (i.e., thesis, research hours, non-thesis).

Can I transfer credits earned at another graduate program to count toward my Clemson graduate degree?

In general, yes. The credits must be relevant to the Clemson degree and are either applied as electives or to count toward a specific degree requirement. After a student has been admitted to the program, the IO, HP or HF program coordinator will work with the student to develop an agreement about whether and how the credits will be transferred. Please note that the program does not evaluate transfer credits for applicants prior to admission or as a condition of admission to the program.

What is Clemson like?

Our beautiful college campus sits on 1,400 acres in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, along the shores of Hartwell Lake. We also have research facilities and economic development hubs throughout the state of South Carolina — in Greenville, Greenwood, Columbia and Charleston.

One of the country’s most selective public research universities, Clemson University serves a uniquely driven and highly accomplished student body. Ranked as the 21st best national public university by U.S. News & World Report, Clemson is a science- and engineering-oriented college dedicated to teaching, research and service. Founded in 1889, it remains committed both to world-class research and a high quality of life. Ninety-two percent of Clemson seniors say they’d pick the university again if they had it to do over. 

What is the housing situation at Clemson?

Clemson University offers single or roommate-oriented housing, and Clemson and surrounding cities offer off-campus apartment housing options. For more information visit the University Housing Office .

Your application should be received by January 15 for the following fall semester (please check with the graduate school for the current application fee schedule). The  January 15  deadline is the correct deadline; it supersedes any deadline you might find on the Clemson website or academic calendar.

Every required item in support of your application must be on file by that date. January admissions are not permitted. In addition to the standard graduate application, you will need to provide the following materials as part of your application packet:

• Verbal, quantitative and analytical GRE scores are optional for the Human Factors PhD and not required for other programs. (the GRE Psychology Subject test is not required for any of our programs).
• Transcripts from your undergraduate (and any graduate) institutions.
• Three letters of recommendation (these do not have to be from college professors, and they don’t have to be on Clemson’s recommendation form; a letter describing your academic potential and characteristics will be fine).
• A “statement of interest,” i.e., a one- to two-page letter describing why you want to go to graduate school in Health Psychology, Human Factors or I-O. It is recommended that as part of the statement of interest you discuss your research interests and how those fit with the research interests of the department faculty.
• A resume (or academic-style vita) is strongly recommended, but is not required.

Skip to Content

• Campus Directory
• Events Calendar
• Human Resources
• Student Services
• Auraria Library
• CU Denver Police
• University Policies

Schools and Colleges

• College of Architecture and Planning
• College of Arts & Media
• Business School
• School of Education & Human Development
• College of Engineering, Design and Computing
• Graduate School
• College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• School of Public Affairs

Campus Affiliates

• CU Anschutz Medical Campus
• CU Colorado Springs

Other ways to search:

• University Directory

Plaza Building Is Closed

The Plaza Building will be closed through at least Dec. 6 because of a water line break and expected repairs. The Health Center, located in the building, will only offer Telehealth until further notice. Please check the Auraria Campus website for updates .

Clinical Health Psychology PhD Program

Mission statement.

The mission of the Clinical Health Psychology (CHP) program is to train Scientist-Practitioners who receive a generalist-training in clinical psychology, and who acquire additional knowledge and skill in health psychology and behavioral medicine. We promote a practice of clinical psychology that is evidence-based and integrates the findings of relevant scientific research. We encourage our students to engage in both research and clinical work, and to use critical analysis of the empirical literature to inform their clinical interventions. Our graduates are trained to function in a complex, diverse, and pluralistic society, emphasizing ethical principles and developing knowledge and respect for individual, group, and cultural differences.

Program Director : Amy Wachholtz, Ph.D.                             

Program Assistant : Kimberly Hill, Ph.D.

CHP Admissions:   [email protected]

CU Denver and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences have provided clear statements that we must stand together against racism and injustice. The Clinical Health Psychology program is aligned with these values. Please find here a helpful site of resources regarding racial justice.

The Psychology Department at CU Denver offers a Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD) with an emphasis in Clinical Health Psychology (CHP). We are accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) since 2016 (APA, Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, 750 1st St. NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242; 202.336.5979). We were awarded full accreditation until 2034.  Our program adheres to the scientist-practitioner model. Training emphasizes the contribution of research to the understanding, treatment and prevention of a wide range of health-related concerns, and the application of knowledge that is grounded in scientific evidence.  

The CUDCP-APA (APA  Council of University Directors of Clinical Psychology) has named our program the Exemplar Clinical Health Psychology Program for APA.  The CUDCP-APA exemplar award occurs once every 7 years, and it is an incredible honor that we have been named as the APA exemplar Clinical Health Psychology program.

In the CHP program, students are trained in a variety of approaches and techniques for evaluating, diagnosing and treating a wide range of psychological problems. Because our program places an emphasis on health, our students are also trained to assess the psychological factors associated with different medical conditions and learn to design effective interventions that integrate biological, psychological and social (including cultural) factors. Students acquire research expertise by completing a master's thesis and doctoral dissertation and demonstrate competence in clinical assessment and intervention through several applied practica experiences, a clinical competency evaluation, and a pre-doctoral internship. With this broad and intense model of training, our students have gone on to diverse professional postdoctoral fellowships and professional careers. Examples of research opportunities, clinical training opportunities, and post graduate experiences for our students can be found here.

CU Denver is a premier research university in Colorado and the PhD program in CHP was conceived as an important bridge between the Downtown Campus and the Anschutz Medical Campus (AMC).  The program is housed on the Downtown Campus which is located in the heart of Denver close to the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, the LoDo District and the state capital.  The Anschutz Medical Campus includes over 5 million square feet of research, educational and clinical space on 227 acres.  The PhD program offers research and clinical opportunities for its students at AMC in addition to the many relationships it has established with other clinical facilities in the Denver area.

The University of Colorado Denver’s CHP program is committed to diversity and fostering inclusion; one in which all individuals- whether from underrepresented, represented, or well represented groups- feel uniquely esteemed, valued and respected.  As psychologists, we understand that a culture of inclusion encourages diverse perspectives and makes our program and students stronger. This is part of our mission to equip future researchers and clinicians to be culturally competent and responsive as they engage in the science and practice of psychology.  Cultural competence and responsiveness in both research and clinical practice is strongly emphasized in our curriculum, clinical training, research, and numerous events in both the University and Denver communities. In our large urban setting, students in our program have excellent opportunities in to expand their research and clinical experience in with regard to diverse and underserved populations, including opportunities in bilingual training. Moreover, students and faculty in the program have a wide range of research interests, including research focused on neurodiversity, varying developmental periods, religious diversity, military couples, physical ability and addiction status, and health and healthcare disparities. Student research regarding diversity is encouraged. Applicants and current students can click the link below for more information about diversity programs at CU Denver.

Office of Diversity and Inclusion

Licensure information:

We are an APA accredited program (APA, Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, 750 1st St. NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242; 202.336.5979) and most states and territories in the United States use APA requirements for licensing psychologists, including the state of Colorado.  However, as state requirements may change without any notice to doctoral programs, we are unable to confirm that our program meets the licensure requirements for any specific state or territory.  If you intend to pursue such credentialing and licensing in a different state or territory, we advise you to contact the applicable state credentialing authority to familiarize yourself with its specific requirements and determine if our program meets its eligibility criteria.  Many students find the following link is a helpful place to start in researching a state or territory’s requirements:   https://www.asppb.net/page/BdContactNewPG  . If you have further questions, you are welcome to contact the program director,  Amy Wachholtz, PhD , or the program assistant,  Kimberly Hill  and we will do our best to assist you in your career planning.       

• PhD Program Information
• Application Information
• Research Labs and Student Profiles
• Psychology Clinic
• Program Costs and Student Funding
• Resources and Links
• Program Curriculum
• Student Admissions, Outcomes, & Other Data

CHP students and faculty

• Website Feedback
• Privacy Policy
• Legal Notices
• Accreditation

© 2021  The Regents of the University of Colorado , a body corporate. All rights reserved.

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission . All trademarks are registered property of the University. Used by permission only.

• Skip To Main Content
• Report an Accessibility Barrier
• Accessibility

Clinical Health Psychology

On this page…

Thank you for your interest in doctoral studies in Health Psychology at East Carolina University. Our program began in 2007 and endeavors to produce state-of-the-art scientist practitioners in health psychology. The Department of Psychology at East Carolina University offers a Ph.D. program in health psychology with a concentration in clinical health. Our program combines a lifespan approach to understanding health with an emphasis on prevention and care, from primary to tertiary, within mental health and healthcare settings. Students are trained in both research and practice, with practicum experiences in our in-house psychology clinic (PASS Clinic), as well as primary care, and outpatient and inpatient medical settings across medical subspecialties. For example, some program faculty provide psychological services in medical clinics, such as cardiology, family medicine, and pediatrics, accomplishing fully integrated psychosocial care with ongoing medical care.

We believe the training program at East Carolina University is among the most innovative in the country with training as a clinical psychologist and an emphasis on health psychology in clinical medical settings. We hope you agree and will consider East Carolina for your future studies. Tomorrow Starts Here. Tomorrow Starts Here.

Please note: The GRE General Test is no longer required by the Department of Psychology.

Go Pirates!

-Robert A Carels, Ph.D., MBA, Director of Clinical Training

About the Clinical Health Concentration

The Clinical Health concentration will train psychologists in the science of psychology, as well as train them to deliver clinical services in settings such as primary health care, rehabilitation, psychiatry, oncology, cardiology, geriatrics, pain clinics, sleep medicine, pediatrics, health maintenance organizations, community mental health agencies, and in the private practice of health psychology.

Graduates of the Clinical Health concentration will:

• be competent in the assessment of a biopsychosocial factors affecting an individual’s overall health and well-being including psychological, cognitive, behavioral, social, environmental, and biological/physical factors;
• be skilled in developing and delivering psychological interventions to promote prevention and wellness and treat psychological conditions that affect health and illness;
• be skilled in a broad range of psychological interventions and techniques, ranging from psychotherapy to targeted interventions such as stress-management, relaxation training, health promotion, and problem solving therapy;
• be skilled in collaboration, consultation, and teamwork, which are essential to working within a multidisciplinary team of health professionals such as medical doctors (e.g. family medicine, psychiatry, neurology, cardiology), nurses, physician assistants, occupational therapists, physical therapists, exercise physiologists, nutritionists, social workers, counselors, speech-language pathologists, and public health professionals;
• be expert in contemporary research so as to rigorously conduct and apply scientific methods to understanding health and illness and be able to select and evaluate clinical treatment strategies based on established scientific knowledge and empirical support.

The clinical health concentration at East Carolina University is accredited by the American Psychological Association as a clinical psychology program.  The clinical health concentration is based on a mentorship model. Students are commonly admitted to perform research with a specific faculty mentor.  The mentorship model allows for a rich training experience.

Additional information about our our policies regarding student selection, program preparation, and admission policies can be found in our FAQs .

Specialty training in clinical neuropsychology is also available for interested doctoral students.

Specialty Training in Clinical Neuropsychology Information

Virtual Admissions Interview Day

The clinical health concentration Admissions Interview Day is virtual. We look forward to seeing your application.

Application deadline for the fall of 2025 is December 1, 2024.

Interview day for the fall of 2025: Friday, January 24, 2025

Visiting day for candidates offered admission to the class of 2025: February 28, 2025

Graduate Psychology Education Training Grant Awarded

In 2022, the Departments of Psychology and Family Medicine at ECU were awarded a $1,000,000 Graduate Psychology Education (GPE) Program grant from the Health Resource and Services Administration (HRSA) to train doctoral-level psychologists to provide integrated, interdisciplinary, behavioral health and Opioid Use Disorder and other Substance Use Disorder prevention and treatment services.  The Departments of Psychology and Family Medicine were also recipients of this award in 2016, and 2019.

Primary Integrated Care Training Grant Information (PDF)

Receive additional information about clinical health program and the grant: Clinical Psychology Program

National Distinctions and Student Success in Doctoral Training in Clinical Health Psychology

The clinical health concentration is accredited by the American Psychological Association as a clinical psychology program and is one of seven programs in the United States focused primarily on health psychology.

Clinical health psychology faculty currently hold awards from both federal funded agencies, such as NIH, as well as industry funded studies. ECU has a 93% placement rate in accredited internships. Examples of sites include: Brown University, University of Florida, Duke University, Cherokee Hospital Systems, etc.  Check out some of our students research accomplishments.

Accreditation

The clinical health concentration at East Carolina University is accredited by the American Psychological Association as a clinical psychology program. In our most recent site visit, we were accredited for the maximum duration, ten years. Our next site visit will be in 2031. The APA Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation is located at the following address:

APA Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation 750 First Street NE Washington DC 20002-4242 202-336-5979

For additional information, please contact:

Dr. Robert A Carels, PhD, MBA, ABPP, FSBM Professor and Director of Clinical Training Department of Psychology East Carolina University Greenville, NC 27858 252-737-5070 [email protected] 

Consumer Information Disclosures: Does the Health Psychology PhD (Clinical Health & Pediatric School concentrations) at ECU meet educational requirements for licensure in different states within the USA?

Criminal Background Checks: Having a history of criminal charges may impact a student’s ability to participate in selected community practica and obtain licensure in some states. The Clinical Health Concentration requires all incoming students to have a background check completed during the Fall semester of your 1st year. If the background check reveals a history of criminal charges, students may be prevented from participating in selected practica and in some instances continuing in the program.

Technical Standards: Earning a degree from the Clinical Health Psychology concentration requires mastery of a coherent body of knowledge and skills. Doctoral students must acquire substantial competence in the discipline of clinical psychology as specified in the American Psychological Association (APA) Standards of Accreditation and must be able to relate appropriately to clients/patients, fellow students, faculty and staff members, and other health care professionals. Combinations of cognitive, behavioral, emotional, intellectual, and communication abilities are required to perform these functions satisfactorily. These skills and functions are not only essential to the successful completion of the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program, but they are also necessary to ensure the health and safety of clients/patients, fellow students, faculty and staff members, and other health care providers. In our APA-accredited program, we are committed to a training process that ensures that graduate students develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to work effectively with members of the public who embody intersecting demographics, attitudes, beliefs, and values. When graduate students’ attitudes, beliefs, or values create tensions that negatively impact the training process or their ability to effectively treat members of the public, the program faculty and supervisors are committed to a developmental training approach that is designed to support the acquisition of professional competence. We support graduate students in finding a belief- or value-congruent path that allows them to work in a professionally competent manner with all clients/patients. For some trainees, integrating personal beliefs or values with professional competence in working with all clients/patients may require additional time and faculty support. Ultimately though, to complete our program successfully, all graduate students must be able to work with any client placed in their care in a beneficial manner. Professional competencies are determined by the profession for the benefit and protection of the public; consequently, students do not have the option to avoid working with particular client populations or refuse to develop professional competencies because of conflicts with their attitudes, beliefs, or values. Learn more about the Technical Standards that the clinical Health Psychology concentration considers essential for successful completion of its curriculum beginning on page 68 of their Doctoral Handbook