Good Clinical Psychology Programs

University of Wisconsin-Madison

• "U.S. News and World Report" ranks the University of Wisconsin-Madison as one of the top clinical psychology programs in the U.S., while the Social Psychology Network ranks the school sixth based on Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) scores. Ph.D. candidates take coursework in core psychology topics and methodology, workshops and seminars. All candidates complete a first-year research project that is presented in the fall of their second year, and many students have multiple publications before graduation. Clinical psychology students study both clinical practice and research methodology, beginning clinical practice in the third year and completing a year-long internship before graduation. Because of the heavy focus on research, admission to the program depends on whether the student's research interests align with the interests of faculty members. The University of Wisconsin program may take five or more years to complete.

  University of Wisconsin-Madison
  1202 West Johnson St.
  Madison, WI 53706
  608-262-2079
  psych.wisc.edu

University of Washington

• Top-ranked by "U.S. News and World Report" and ranked 32nd by the Social Psychology Network using EPPP scores, the University of Washington's clinical psychology program offers a program for students who intend to enter careers in clinical psychology research. While the program is not ideal for students who hope to enter clinical practice, all students receive clinical training at the university's on-campus clinical training center and through an internship. Within the clinical psychology program, students choose to complete the general (adult) or child psychology track. The university operates a mentor-based program, so students must also identify a faculty member with whom they want to work while completing their degree.

  University of Washington Department of Psychology
  119A Guthrie Hall
  Seattle, WA 98195
  206-543-2640
  web.psych.washington.edu

University of Pennsylvania

• Graduates of the University of Pennsylvania achieved the second highest scores on the EPPP exam, and the clinical psychology program is ranked ninth by "U.S. News and World Report." Students are admitted into the psychology graduate program as a whole and then declare their specialty in clinical psychology. Penn's program focuses on training researchers and emphasizes the scientific basis of the cause, assessment and treatment of psychopathology. The program is not a good fit for students who intend to pursue a purely clinical practice, according to the program's website. Students complete core psychology coursework in addition to courses focusing on clinical psychology, and all students complete a year-long internship. The average student requires 6 years to complete the program, and the university guarantees funding for the first 5 years.

  University of Pennsylvania
  3451 Walnut St.
  Philadelphia, PA 19104
  215-898-5000
  upenn.edu

University of California Los Angeles

• "U.S. News and World Report" rates UCLA's program as one of the top programs in clinical psychology. Students in the clinical program complete a minimum of 400 hours of supervised practicum before embarking upon a year-long internship as required by the American Psychological Association. Ph.D. candidates also conduct original research and write a dissertation. Clinical psychology students typically require 6 years to complete the program and internship.

  University of California Los Angeles Department of Psychology
  1285 Franz Hall
  Los Angeles, CA 90095
  310-825-2961
  ucla.edu