usc clinical psychology phd stipend

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Types of Aid

Although financial aid for graduate students is composed primarily of federal loans, other resources are available. Depending on your eligibility, you may receive Federal Work-Study, USC or outside scholarships, and fellowships or assistantships.

USC also participates in a variety of private loan programs for interested students who qualify.

After the Financial Aid Office has processed your financial aid application, you will receive your financial aid summary, which will detail your financial need and the types of aid you qualify for.

Scholarships, Fellowships and Assistantships

Scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships are types of gift aid, which does not have to be repaid after you graduate. Scholarships and fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis by USC schools and departments, as well as by outside agencies. Check the following sources for opportunities you may qualify for:

• Your academic department or professional school. Some departments disburse their scholarships in the form of monthly stipends paid directly to the recipient. Stipend payments are made according to the stipend schedule .
• USC Financial Aid Office. Our office administers federal aid programs, including Federal Work-Study awards, and coordinates departmental scholarships and stipends.
• The Graduate School administers fellowship programs and provides information about non-university funding sources.
• Federal agencies and private foundations, which support students engaged in specific fields of study.
• Corporations, which offer fellowships or tuition reimbursement for employees.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantships are awarded by academic departments based on scholastic accomplishment, academic promise and competence. Your appointment may last for a maximum of one year at a time and confer both tuition credit (you must be registered for at least six (6) graduate units for credit in a full-time course) and a stipend.

Assistantships usually require 20 hours of work per week under the supervision of USC faculty. There are three types of positions. Contact your academic department to apply for any of the following:

Teaching/laboratory assistants Students do not serve as the instructors of record but perform specific duties that assist university teaching staff. These positions help develop research and teaching skills.

Assistant lecturers Students teach in the Freshman Writing Program; language programs in the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences; the American Language Institute (ALI); and other programs approved by the Director of Graduate and Professional Programs. Assistant lecturers may serve as instructors of record.

Research assistants Students further their own research interests by assisting faculty members in research-related tasks.

Fellowships

Awards consist of tuition credit and/or stipends. Most Ph.D. students at USC are fully supported by fellowships, teaching assistantships, research assistantships or a combination of these funding sources.

Endowed USC Fellowships Several endowed fellowships are administered by The Graduate School. Some require candidates to be nominated by their department. Others are awarded to students who apply. For more information, visit the Graduate School website.

External Fellowships Detailed listings of outside fellowships, for study and research in the United States and abroad, and for underrepresented students, can be found on our Awards Database .

Federal Work-Study & Other Employment

Offered by the Department of Education, Federal Work-Study provides part-time jobs for students with exceptional financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay their education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to a student’s course of study. Most of these jobs are on campus, but some opportunities are also available with local nonprofit agencies. Visit studentaid.gov for more information.

Eligibility

To receive Federal Work-Study, you must:

• Demonstrate financial need (through the information provided in your FAFSA and any supporting documentation).
• Meet all application deadlines.
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Enroll in at least 8 units for credit each semester.

Please note that students will not be able to use their work-study awards to pay their university bill. The bill is due before the semester begins, but work-study funds need to be earned over the course of the semester.

Work-study is limited to on-campus students only. Work-study is not offered to students in online graduate programs.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans

Graduate students may borrow up to a maximum of $20,500 per academic year at a fixed interest rate, regardless of financial need.

Certain health professions may be eligible for a higher amount.

Please visit studentaid.gov or for more details about the program and its benefits.

Managing the Student Contribution

After any financial aid is posted to your account, the following options are available to cover the balance of your cost of attendance.

• Savings or current income. Pay the USC Cashier’s Office directly.
• The USC Payment Plan: Establish an interest-free line of credit for tuition, fees, university housing and other student expenses. The plan is billed in five monthly installments per semester. There is an application fee of $50. For more information, visit the Student Financial Services website .
• The USC Prepayment Plan: Prepay up to five years of full-time tuition and mandatory fees, locking in current tuition rates. For more information, visit the Student Financial Services website .
• Additional loans for all or part of the amount. Apply for the amount you will need for the entire academic year.

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

If you choose to borrow loans to manage your contribution, we recommend you start with the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan. It features a fixed interest rate and more favorable terms than most private loans. You may defer repayment while you are enrolled at least half-time. There is no prepayment penalty. For application information, visit our Graduate Plus Loan page.

Private Financing

In most cases, students will need to apply for private loans with a credit-worthy co-borrower, which can substantially reduce interest and fees. For more information, refer to the Private Financing section of our website.

The PhD/MPH dual degree combines knowledge of clinical psychology research and practice with an understanding of health from a population perspective. The student enrolls primarily in the clinical science doctoral program, while taking additional course work for the MPH. During the second and subsequent years, course work is taken in both programs. The dissertation is undertaken through the Department of Psychology.

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Doctor of Clinical Science

School/Division: Dornsife College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences

Degree/Certificate: Doctorate

The Ph.D. program in Clinical Science at the University of Southern California is dedicated to the integration of science and application. Clinical science is viewed as an ideology, a perspective taking, that values critical thinking and evidence in informing one’s professional activities. Our goal is to prepare graduates to create new knowledge with the potential to advance the field in whatever setting they choose to work — academia, research centers, medical centers, applied settings, or private industry.

Our curriculum at USC entails a set core of didactic courses on the theory, research, and applications of clinical psychology. There are also experiential requirements involving mentored research experiences and supervised clinical experiences. In addition to the required core curriculum, the program allows students to develop one of two specialties, now referred to as major areas of study (APA, 2012). They are Clinical Geropsychology, and Couples, Child and Family Psychology.

Our program has been accredited by the  American Psychological Association  as a doctoral program in clinical psychology since 1948, and in 2018, we received a full ten-year renewal of our accreditation status. Our next site visit is scheduled for 2027. In addition, in 2010 we became one of ten clinical science programs receiving accreditation from the  Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS) . In 2021, we were reaccredited by PCSAS for another 10 years.  Please review the attached document: Consumer Information Disclosure , for further information about licensure post-graduation. No Ph.D. program in clinical psychology leads directly to licensure, given that most states have additional requirements for post-doctoral supervised clinical experiences that must be obtained prior to licensure. In addition, most states require taking the national licensing exam, a local, state-dependent exam, and some require additional specific, focused courses.

Additional Details/Related Links

• How to Apply
• Research in the Clinical Science Program
• Clinical Training
• Program Handbook
• American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation
• Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System

What are you looking for?

Suggested search, department of psychology, psychology at usc.

Located in the heart of Los Angeles, the University of Southern California Department of Psychology has among its faculty internationally recognized scholars and one of the most diverse student populations in the United States. Our faculty and students are engaged in groundbreaking studies, investigating basic theoretical questions and bringing their work to bear on some of society’s most pressing needs. The department offers graduate training in five areas: Brain & Cognitive Science, Clinical Science, Developmental Psychology, Quantitative Methods and Computational Psychology, and Social Psychology.

Explore the world of psychology at USC.

Undergraduate studies, graduate studies, department news, ian anderson.

Congratulations to Ian Anderson for receiving the USC Dornsife’s 2023 Communicator of the Year Award. This award honors scholars who contribute significant time and effort to meaningfully improve the public’s understanding of issues, influence policy, and/or raise the level of public discourse around research and scholarship conducted at Dornsife.

Dr. Darby Saxbe

Check out Darby Saxbe’s Op-Ed out in the New York Times! She wrote about teen mental health treatment and the iatrogenic effects of some programs.

Dr. Antonio Damasio and Dr. Hanna Damasio

Hanna and Antonio Damasio were featured in a Q&A in Neuron. They discuss the value of single case studies for neuroscience, consciousness research and the limits of AI, and the fascinating relationship between creativity and the brain.

Asaf Mazar won the best student led paper in 2022 SPSP Student Publication Award for his paper: The Unintentional Nonconformist: Habits Promote Resistance to Social influence.

Dr. Iony Ezawa

Please join me in congratulating new faculty member Dr. Iony Ezawa on receiving the very prestigious Marna Barrett Award for Excellence in Psychotherapy  at the  Society for Psychotherapy Research Annual Meeting held in Dublin, Ireland in the summer of 2023.

Dr. Henny Moll

Congratulations to Henny Moll on receiving the 2023 American Psychological Foundation (APF) Joseph B. Gittler Award. This award is to recognize psychologists who are making and will continue to make scholarly contributions to the philosophical foundations of psychological knowledge.

Katie Galbraith

Congratulations to Katie Galbraith on receiving the APA Dissertation Research Award for 2023. This is a prestigious award that Katie received in recognition of her promising contribution to psychological science. Katie is from the Clinical Area, and she worked with Stan Huey.

Greg Flores

Congratulations to Greg Flores on receiving a SPOT Award from Dornsife! Greg was nominated by Christine Patugan, the Deputy Director of Departmental Operations in the Business Office. Greg works behind the curtains, but he does an incredible job managing our business transactions. He provides support above and beyond his regular duties, and this award is well deserved!

See how much your stipend would increase under the Tentative Agreement!

Please visit our commencement page for all information regarding the  ceremony for Class of 2024 PhD, DSW, MSW and MSN graduates. 

Fall 2024 On-Campus MSW Application FINAL Deadline: July 16, 2024

Workforce Development Programs

Stipends and scholarships.

The workforce development stipend and scholarship programs at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work offer MSW students the opportunity to specialize in an area of practice where there is a high need for qualified social workers. Students receive a financial incentive in the form of a stipend or scholarship that requires workforce development responsibilities during the MSW program and after graduation. Stipend/scholarship recipients benefit from specialized curriculum and practicum placements.

Stipend and scholarship programs available to MSW students provide financial aid combined with specialized career training, and the potential to expedite your entry into the workforce post-graduation. 

How It Works

Students can apply to workforce development stipend/scholarship programs from an area(s) of focus based on their interests. Stipend/scholarship programs differ in length, funding, requirements and competitive application processes. Learn more about the different options below, including a description of each stipend/scholarship program and corresponding information sheets and application process.

Please keep in mind that these programs rely on the availability of external funding every year.

RecoverUSC: Addiction Treatment Certification Project

The RecoverUSC: Addiction Treatment Certification Project is funded by the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), and is a statewide initiative aimed at preparing MSW, MAS, and MSN students to support the growing workforce needs within communities impacted by substance use. The project aims to expand and retain the addictions workforce and provide recipients with hands-on training to bring meaningful contributions to the Addictions field.

The RecoverUSC: Addiction Treatment Certification Project pays for courses related to certification for Master of Social Work (MSW), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Master of Addiction Science (MAS) students who are selected to participate. The stipends are provided as financial support during the training year to assist students with additional educational expenses.

The stipend amounts are as follows:

Full-time students: $20,000 per academic year

MSW Trainee Selection and Eligibility Criteria

The program is open to MSW students who meet the following criteria:

Good academic standing in the foundation year and advanced year of MSW study.

Matched or agree to intern at practicum placements working directly alongside persons with a substance use disorder. Examples include residential rehab, outpatient facilities, detox centers, Federally Qualified Health Center, etc.

Not receiving funding support from other HCAI-administered training or scholarship programs.

Possess or have an interest and commitment to learning about substance use, treatment, interventions and care.

Agree to select the Adult Mental Health and Wellness or Children, Youth and Families track.

Agree to follow option ONE or TWO (detailed below) as well as register and complete the required courses to obtain CA CAADE Certification. Subject to change based on course availability.

Agree to take the California SUD Certification Exam (fees covered by USC).

OPTION ONE: (Courses in bold are outside of the required MSW curriculum)

ADSC 501 Foundations in Addiction Science (4 Units) SOWK 511 Critical Decision-Making in Integrative Social Work Practice (3 Units) SOWK 523 Foundations of Integrative Social Work Practice (3 Units) SOWK 617 Substance Related and Behavioral Addictive Disorders and Recovery (3 Units) SOWK 651 Clinical Psychopharmacology for Social Workers (3 Units) SOWK 691 Applied Learning in Practicum Education III (3 Units) SOWK 693 Applied Learning in Practicum Education IV (3 Units)

OPTION TWO: (Courses in bold are outside the required MSW curriculum)

ADSC 501 Foundations in Addiction Science (4 Units) RXRS 405 Breaking Brains: The Pharmacology of Addiction (4 Units) SOWK 511 Critical Decision-Making in Integrative Social Work Practice SOWK 523 Foundations of Integrative Social Work Practice (3 Units) SOWK 617 Substance Related and Behavioral Addictive Disorders and Recovery SOWK 691 Applied Learning in Practicum Education III SOWK 693 Applied Learning in Practicum Education IV

For students applying for the RecoverUSC: Addiction Treatment Certification Project at USC, eligibility means students in:

First Year, Spring semester: Will receive the highest priority in the selection process.

Summer semester: Can apply but will receive lower priority until the school can evaluate whether the student will be able to complete training requirements on time.

Fall semester: Will receive the lowest priority, however, can submit a student interest form to be notified of eligibility in the following spring semester.

Application Process

Students should review the RecoverUSC: Addiction Treatment Certification Project Information Sheet, which will assist students in preparing for an understanding what is expected with this project, before attempting to complete the student interest form.

Students can express their interest at any time through the student interest form . Formal review and follow-up with students will occur mid-semester. Submissions to the student interest form will receive a response before the end of each semester.  

Practicum Training Requirements

Second year (SOWK 691, SOWK 693) eligible practicum training sites include community-based agencies, hospitals, schools and correctional units that are approved by USC and licensed or certified by the Department of Health Care Services.

Additional Training Comments

Graduates are NOT required to provide post-graduate service as SUD providers, however, are highly encouraged to stay within the area of addiction. 

For more information or specific eligibility questions, please contact Jennifer Parga , associate teaching professor and RecoverUSC: Addiction Treatment Certification Project coordinator.

Geriatric Social Work Education Consortium (GSWEC)

The Geriatric Social Work Education Consortium (GSWEC) is a partnership of schools of social work and social and human service agencies that are dedicated to serving older adults in various settings, such as primary care medical offices, health and wellness programs, case management services, adult day social programs, long-term care ombudsman services, in-home services, and information and referral services. These agencies provide professional clinical social work services to older adults to help them maintain their health and well-being in the community as they adapt to circumstances associated with aging. They use a person-centered approach and focus on what is important to the older adult when identifying services and creating service recommendations.

The GSWEC Program offers two stipend programs for students interested in working with older adults. First-year MSW students have the option of receiving a stipend of $1,000 . Second-year MSW students receive a stipend ranging from $4,000 to $8,000 .

This initiative aims to strengthen geriatric social work education, increase social workers’ competency in the area of aging, and introduce students to an emerging, high-growth field within social work. To participate, students must maintain good academic standing (including practicum placement) and complete a practicum placement with a GSWEC-affiliated agency in the Los Angeles area.

Students who are selected for a GSWEC stipend and practicum placement participate in three all-day didactic trainings throughout the school year, and work with their practicum instructor to develop a macro project that benefits the older adults in the agency where the student is placed. All these opportunities enhance MSW graduate employment opportunities.

To be considered for a GSWEC stipend, students must complete an application, demonstrate an interest in primarily serving adults, age 55 and older and their families/caregivers, and interview with practicum instructors at GSWEC placement sites. While the goal is for stipend recipients to work with the geriatric population after graduation, there is no mandatory "employment-payback" requirement. The GSWEC stipend is funded by the GSWEC agencies serving older adults.

Please carefully review the GSWEC Student Practicum Guide for more details. You can also view additional information about GSWEC practicum agencies .

Click on this link to access the GSWEC application , which is due no later than February 22, 2024, at 5:00 PM PST . For more information, please contact Associate Professor Kelley Macmillan .

Next Generation Partnership Project

This one-year year stipend of $10,000 is available to second year MSW students, including those from the Virtual Academic Center (VAC), who graduate in the spring (ideally) or summer semester and who are committed to providing integrated behavioral health services focused on the needs of children, adolescents, and transitional age youth (CATAY) in high need communities. Recipients of this stipend must be placed in a qualified practicum placement serving CATAY clients. NGPP requires recipients to participate in a series of specialized training sessions, maintain good academic standing (including practicum education), and pass specific elective courses along with other stipend requirements.

Although the goal is for stipend recipients to work with the target population upon graduation, there is no mandated “employment-payback” requirement . This stipend is funded by a federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration through its Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program.

• Please carefully review the Next Generation Partnership Project Information Sheet  for more details.
• Applications will be accepted beginning February 26, 2024 and due by May 6, 2024 . Please note applications may continue to be accepted after the deadline until slots are filled with students who best fit the criteria and requirements. A different timeline might be adopted for students from the VAC. Click on this link to access the Next Generation Partnership Project Application .
• Campus-based students: for more information, please contact Associate Teaching Professor  Umeka Franklin .
• VAC students: for more information, please contact Assistant Teaching Professor Jenebah Lewis .

Primary Care Project (PCP)

This one-year scholarship of $30,000 is available annually to students enrolled in the MSW program at the campus-based and Virtual Academic Center (VAC) who will graduate in the spring or summer semesters of their last year. The scholarship is funded by a federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) through its Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) program.

The scholarship will be awarded to students who are committed to providing behavioral health/primary care services in medically underserved communities (MUCs) in Southern California and throughout the United States. To be eligible, recipients must complete qualified practicum placements that offer direct practice in integrated health/behavioral health settings. Additionally, students must meet the federal definition of a student from a disadvantaged background, which includes being economically, educationally, or environmentally disadvantaged. Those selected for the PCP will receive training in integrated behavioral health/primary care internships and will be expected to seek employment in behavioral health/primary care settings with a focus on MUCs upon graduation.

Please keep in mind that this program is a federally funded program and awarded annually.

• Please carefully review the Primary Care Project Information Sheet for more details.
• Visit the Primary Care Project page for program details, goals, qualification, and application process and timeline. 

Applications for cohort 5 will be accepted between January 8, 2024 and May 3, 2024.  Priority consideration will be given to applications received by March 8, 2024 . The selection process may extend into the summer and will be based on the students who best fit the criteria and requirements of the scholarship program.

• If you have any questions about the Primary Care Project application process, you can reach out to Dr. Suh Chen Hsiao .

CalSWEC Public Behavioral Health MSW Training Program

The CalSWEC Public Behavioral Health MSW Training Program, funded by the California Office of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), is a statewide initiative aimed at preparing MSW students for effective behavioral health care in publicly funded programs. The program promotes the integration of behavioral health services with other public systems and seeks to enhance the retention and development of MSWs in public behavioral health programs in California.

Stipend Overview

The CalSWEC Public Behavioral Health MSW Training Program offers stipends to eligible MSW students who are selected to participate. The stipends are provided as financial support during the training year to assist students with their educational expenses.

$25,000 per academic year , disbursed in two installments of $12,500 each.

Trainee Selection and Eligibility Criteria

• Enrolled in participating MSW programs (full-time or advanced standing).
• Good academic standing in either the foundation year or advanced year of MSW study.
• Matched with practicum placements at sites receiving public funding for behavioral health care services.
• Not receiving funding support from other HCAI administered training or scholarship programs.

The program seeks MSW students who demonstrate:  

• Interest and commitment to learning about behavioral health care in public service settings.
• Linguistic and cultural competencies relevant to underserved consumers in California.
• Strong and sustained commitment to careers as behavioral health care providers in publicly funded programs.

For students applying for CalSWEC’s PBH MSW Training Program at USC, eligibility means students graduating in:

• Spring semester: will receive the highest priority in the selection process.
• Summer semester: can apply for now but they will receive lower priority until the school can evaluate case-by-case if a student will be able to complete training requirements on time.
• Fall semester: are not eligible to apply at this stage. 

Round 1 applications are due March 29, 2024 for all CURRENT MSW students.

Round 2 applications are due May 31, 2024 for all INCOMING MSW students. 

Access the PBH MSW Training Program Application

The USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work will review applications, conduct panel interviews with finalists and select awardees. Selected trainees will be notified after verifying their practicum placement eligibility. Stipends are provided based on campus enrollment rules, with two disbursements per academic year.  

Foundation year trainees contribute to the delivery of publicly-funded behavioral health care services, while advanced year trainees provide such services. Eligible practicum training sites include community-based behavioral health care clinics and agencies, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, schools, colleges, SELPAs, inpatient and outpatient health care settings, as well as child welfare, regional center, juvenile delinquency, court, and adult corrections units that offer publicly funded behavioral health care programs and services.

Practicum Seminar Expectations

Foundation year and advanced year trainees must register for their respective first- and second-year practicum seminars (SOWK 591, SOWK 593 or SOWK 691, SOWK 693) virtually with an identified CalSWEC Public Behavioral Health faculty member.   In addition, students will be required to take one elective to develop their skills to work in behavioral health and to secure California licensure. Students can choose to register for either SOWK 612: Assessment of Mental Disorders or SOWK 677: Mental Health Practice with Children and Adolescents .

Trainees are expected to participate in all program meetings and trainings, complete surveys, provide updated contact information and fulfill post-graduation obligations.

Additional Training Commitments

Graduates are required to provide 12 months of full-time employment as behavioral health care providers in publicly funded programs in California. They must also pursue LCSW licensure in California. If trainees fail to complete the 12-month employment requirement, they may be subject to fulfill post-graduation repayment obligations.

For specific eligibility questions or more information, please contact Christina (Tina) Paddock , associate professor of social work practicum education and CalSWEC Public Behavioral Health Coordinator for USC.

Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services (LA DCFS) 

This two-year stipend of $52,000 is awarded to on-campus or VAC students. Stipend recipients must demonstrate a commitment to pursue a career in the field of public child welfare at LA County DCFS.   Students must be in the Children, Youth and Families (CYF) track, participate in specialized training sessions, maintain good academic standing (including in field education), and must pass a public child welfare elective course along with other stipend requirements. During the stipend program, all students will be placed at a DCFS regional office during the last two semesters of their MSW program.

In exchange for the stipend, students agree to work for a minimum of two calendar years at LA County DCFS after graduation while receiving full compensation and benefits. This is a federally-funded stipend program under the Title IV-E provision of the Social Security Act designed to improve the field of public child welfare with MSW professionals committed to a career serving this population.  

• Please carefully review the LA DCFS Public Child Welfare Stipend Information Sheet for more details.
• Applications are due by May 31, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. (PST). Click on this link to access the LA DCFS Public Child Welfare Stipend Application .
• For more information, please contact Associate Teaching Professor Holly Priebe Sotelo or Associate Teaching Professor Debra Waters-Roman .

USC Trojan Scholars for Advancement in Public Health  

Scholarship Overview

The USC Trojan Scholars for Advancement in Public Health (TSAPH) Program (2023 - 2027) is a one-year merit-based scholarship available annually to students enrolled in the dual degree MSW/MPH program on the UPC and HSC campuses. The scholarship is funded by a federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and seeks to increase the public health workforce, specifically departments of public health.   One scholarship spot annually is dedicated to supporting an eligible MSW/MPH student.  

Scholarship Benefits

Selected scholars will receive full tuition benefits, one-on-one mentorship and be connected with local public health partners.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must:

• Be enrolled as dual degree (MSW/MPH) students at USC
• Have a GPA of 3.3 or higher
• Be a U.S. citizen, national or permanent resident of the U.S.
• Have submitted a complete USC MPH program admission application with all required documents
• Be committed to working in local health departments or community-based organizations in the Los Angeles area after graduating from the USC MPH program

More details about the program, eligibility requirements and the online application can be found on the USC MPH website .

WATCH VIDEO

For more information on this scholarship program, please contact Associate Professor Julie Cederbaum . 

Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LAC DMH) 

The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LAC DMH) offers an $18,500 stipend to select MSW students across Los Angeles County who demonstrate a commitment to public mental health. Students awarded a stipend must commit to one-year of employment post-graduation in a clinical capacity at an agency either directly operated or contracted by LAC DMH. Please consider this notice with the understanding that the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work is simply sharing information about the LAC DMH stipend program. Administration of this stipend program is managed by Phillips’ California Stipend Program of Campbellsville University at the Los Angeles Education Center (CULAEC).

Eligibility

MSW students who complete their degrees by May or August each year are eligible. 

Interested students should first review the Phillips' California Stipend Program website before attempting to complete the application. Information provided on this website will assist students in preparing for what is needed for the application.

Application

The application process will take at least thirty minutes to complete and must be submitted once the process is started. Student will be unable to resubmit an application if there are mistakes. It is highly recommended that students complete the sample application, then cut and paste the information into the formal application document for submission.

Students are encouraged to prepare in advance for the multiple required essays in the application, which have a maximum 200 word count. One essay asks students to convey their interest in and commitment to working within the LAC DMH delivery system. Two of the essays ask students to demonstrate personal background/individual strengths and their work experience. Three of the essays ask students to detail their clinical experience providing in-person care and telehealth services, and to explain the importance of service provision within a multidisciplinary team. Additionally, students will be asked to complete some general information at the beginning about qualifications and experience, limited to a maximum 50 word count.

Questions regarding the 2023 LA County DMH stipends should be submitted via email to: [email protected]

Christina (Tina) Paddock , LCSW, associate teaching professor, is the LAC DMH Stipend Coordinator for USC Social Work. Please keep in mind that Professor Paddock is simply serves as a liaison with CULAEC, so she should be contacted only if students have further questions AFTER reviewing the aforementioned information and AFTER first communicating with CULAEC.

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Clinical Psychology in the Department of Psychological Science

Statement of goals, purpose, and values.

The clinical area will lead the search for new knowledge in assessment, understanding, prevention, and treatment of psychological disorders and mental health concerns from an inclusive perspective that is psychologically, ecologically, socially, and biologically informed. In this service, we will train clinical scientists to produce, implement, evaluate, and disseminate psychological science and to function as leaders in academic, research, and applied settings to improve the human condition from an inclusive lens.

Area Description

The UCI Clinical Psychology area follows the clinical science model. Students gain a solid foundation in research methods and data analysis as a foundation that supports learning as well as creating empirically-supported principles of assessment and intervention. The area provides students with an appreciation of the reciprocal relations between research and practice.

The UCI Clinical area is uniquely embedded within the School of Social Ecology, which emphasizes an integrative, biopsychosocial perspective on community, mental health, and physical health. Students approach clinical problems with an awareness of the complex interaction of biological, social, and community factors that influence how people interact with the environment around them.

Research is the central component of the Clinical area. Each student works closely with a primary faculty research mentor. Clinical area faculty and students conduct research on a wide range of topics, with work ranging from basic laboratory studies to problems in applied clinical and community settings. Students are encouraged to present research at professional conferences and to publish their work in professional journals. Clinical area students are required to complete an empirical doctoral dissertation that makes a unique contribution to knowledge in their area of specialization.

Clinical Psychology at UCI is intended to be a five or six-year area, which includes a full-time one-year clinical internship. Pre-internship clinical training includes a minimum of two years (six academic quarters) of part-time placements in clinical settings. These clinical practica provide students with opportunities to apply the skills and knowledge that they have acquired in the classroom to real-world problems and diverse populations. Practicum placements will draw upon the rich clinical training opportunities in the greater Orange County area.

The required one-year full-time clinical internship is undertaken after the student has passed the comprehensive examination and successfully defended their dissertation proposal. Students are eligible to receive the Ph.D. degree after successful completion of all area coursework, the doctoral dissertation, and an approved internship.

1. To produce graduates who possess a solid foundation of knowledge in core areas of scientific psychology and research consistent with a biopsychosocial and clinical-science framework.

2. To produce graduates who possess the ability to design and conduct research studies that can provide independent contributions to knowledge.

3. To produce graduates who can conduct competent clinical practice in the areas of assessment and intervention.

4. To produce graduates who can practice psychology and conduct psychological research according to ethical standards.

5. To produce graduates who can practice psychology and conduct psychological research with sensitivity to individual and cultural diversity.

For more information, see our  Clinical Area Handbook  or visit our FAQ below. 

For questions regarding admissions, please see here or contact Irice Castro, Associate Director of Graduate Affairs at  [email protected]

Clinical Psychology Area Newsletter

If you wish to receive a copy of future newsletters in your email, please fill out the form below: Newsletter Subscription Form -------------------------

Volume 1 - January 2022

Volume 2 - January 2023

Volume 3 - January 2023

Clinical Area Costs

Students are offered a full funding package for 5 years, which includes at a minimum, a 9-month stipend of $23,000, university health coverage, and full coverage of tuition.  The school also pays local fees and Non-Resident Supplemental Tuition (NRST) for the first 3 quarters.

Nonresident students should petition for California residency prior to their second year of graduate study. Tuition and Mandatory fees per credit for 2022-2023 academic year:

All tuition and fees (with the exception of “local fees” that are estimated to be less than $300) are covered by UCI for the first 5 years in the program (assuming out-of-state students become CA residents before their 2nd year). This table is simply describing what is covered in our funding package. Coverage of tuition and fees is in addition to the annual stipend of $23,000. Students do not have to pay these fees, but rather UCI pays them on the behalf of students. 

Although individual paths may vary, in many cases, students take 12 units throughout the duration of their graduate program. For example, a typical first-year student (regardless of California residency), taking 12 units should expect to receive all units and fees paid for per quarter and a stipend of $7,748.84 per quarter. Second year and beyond, stipends continue to be offered and fees continue to be covered with the exception of “local fees.” These are assessed on a quarterly basis but are roughly estimated to amount to $264. Quarterly local fees include the following: 

• AGS Fee: $9.00 
• Student Center Fee: $144.33 
• Bren Fee: $23.00
• ARC Fee: $88.00

Please note, that these are just estimates based on 2022-2023 rates and are subject to change.

Many students seek additional income through loans or other sources. For more information on these options please visit the UCI Financial Aid and/or UCI Graduate Division websites. 

We do not vouch for the accuracy of the following, but  Expatistan  and Numbeo  offer more information about the cost of living in Irvine. Apartment Advisor provides a platform to help students find the best off-campus housing for their needs. 

APA Accreditation

We have begun the process of applying for accreditation. Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association 750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002 Phone: (202) 336-5979 / E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

Licensure Disclosures

As a new area aspiring towards, but currently not possessing, APA accreditation, we work to train our students in all the particulars of health service psychology so as to be equipped for excellence as scholars and clinicians.  We expect that the majority of our graduates will obtain professional licensure in clinical psychology. Because each state has governing boards (typically State Boards of Psychology) with different licensing requirements, we cannot guarantee that the specific training we provide will meet the criteria for licensure in any individual state.  The clinical area provides a curriculum and training experience consistent with current APA accreditation for a clinical program. If of interest, please consider reviewing current state licensing requirements at:

APA Services

Consumer Information Disclosures

State Board Contact Information

As a University of California (UC) area ultimately intended to provide licensure to practice clinical psychology in the state of California, our area must declare that admission into our area does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or certificate in California. Licensure (as well as certification) requirements in California are determined by agencies not affiliated with the UC system and licensure and certification requirements can change at any time.

Students intending to seek licensure or certification in other states are responsible for determining whether they will meet that state’s requirements for licensure or certification. This disclosure is made pursuant to 34 CFR §668.43(a)(5)(v)(C).

https://www.ucop.edu/institutional-research-academic-planning/content-analysis/academic-planning/licensure-and-certification-disclosures.html

Central Clinical Faculty

• Jessica Borelli , PhD (developmental psychopathology, attachment, emotion, prevention of mental health problems in children and adolescents)
• Susan Charles , PhD (emotional processes across the adult life span, subjective experience and cognitive processes, health and emotion)
• Kate Kuhlman , PhD (developmental psychopathology, psychoneuroimmunology, psychoneuroendocrinology, early life stress, and adolescent depression)
• Elizabeth Martin , PhD (emotion and social functioning in individuals with psychosis and psychosis-risk; EEG)
• Ray Novaco , PhD (anger, violence, stress, trauma, and interventions)
• Stephen Schueller , PhD (Health, technology, implementation science, treatment and prevention, depression, positive psychology)
• Jason Schiffman , PhD  Director of Clinical Training (identification and prevention of early psychosis, addressing issues of health disparities across racial/ethnic groups among individuals at clinical high-risk) 
• Julian Thayer, PhD (health psychology, psychopathology, health disparities, heart rate variability, emotions, stress)
• Alyson Zalta , PhD (trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder, moral injury, resilience, treatment & prevention)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the area’s orientation/philosophy? The clinical area at UCI is a “clinical science” area. This means the area is designed to produce psychologists who are devoted to the advancement of scientific knowledge in clinical psychology and who have a broad range of clinical proficiencies in assessment and treatment. We aim to develop clinical psychology scholars whose research achievements provide prototypes for understanding mental health problems and for developing psychotherapeutic interventions and prevention programs.

If I choose UCI’s clinical area, will I graduate from an accredited program? Following the American Psychological Association’s timeline for accreditation, our area will likely have obtained accreditation status before the graduation of our inaugural class (i.e., students can expect to graduate from an APA-accredited program). We are also actively investigating accreditation through the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS).

Why UCI for graduate training? Students will gain from the interdisciplinary orientation of the School of Social Ecology with faculty/programs in UCI’s Schools of Medicine , Public Health , Nursing , Law , Education , Social Sciences , Biological Sciences , Arts , and Engineering , and UCI’s Institute for Clinical and Translational Science and the Institute for Memory Impairment and Neurological Disorders . Training will feature a partnership with Psychiatry and Human Behavior as well as community mental health agencies. Additionally, the School of Social Ecology houses the Institute for Interdisciplinary Salivary Bioscience Research , the Center for Psychology and Law , and the Newkirk Center for Science and Society , and UCI’s Campus Center for Neuroimaging . In addition to these educational and research resources, as well as being consistently ranked as a top 10 public university by US News and World Report, the UCI campus is located between Los Angeles and San Diego, and is just minutes from the Pacific ocean.

When I graduate, what will I be able to do? The area will prepare students for a broad range of high-demand careers. These include university faculty positions and research tracks; positions in behavioral medicine and health psychology in medical schools and healthcare organizations; positions as clinical psychologists in public- and private-sector mental health facilities; positions in forensic psychology; and applied research positions in companies, organizations, and programs that address mental health.      

How long is the clinical area designed to take to complete? The area is six years, including a one-year, full-time internship. The first five years are intended to be spent in residence at UCI. 

Am I guaranteed funding? All graduate students in our area are guaranteed funding for the first five years. Funding comes from teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships. 

What type of courses will I take? Students in the area will take a broad range of clinical, research, and statistics courses. These courses will include adult or child psychopathology, psychological assessment, clinical interviewing, neuropsychological assessment, evidence-based psychological treatments, multicultural issues, research methods, and psychometrics.

What are the clinical area’s thoughts on issues of diversity or inclusive excellence? As a minority serving institution , UCI is committed to attracting doctoral students who can help meet the mental health needs of a racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse population. We seek to attract a diverse applicant pool to increase student diversity and diversity in clinical psychology more broadly.

How are admissions decisions made? We approach admissions decisions holistically, attempting to evaluate applicants based on a variety of attributes demonstrated across their academic career and life’s journey to date. Students will be selected for admission based on interests that are congruent with our clinical area’s provisions and emphases on clinical science.

If I am not interested in research, is the clinical area right for me? No, this area aims to produce psychologists who are devoted to the advancement of scientific knowledge in clinical psychology. Thus, conducting and disseminating research is a main focus. 

Do you have full disclosure/student admissions and outcome data? As this is the first year we are admitting students, we do not yet have these data. When we do, they will be posted here. 

Do you require the GRE or Psychology GRE? GREs are an optional part of the upcoming admissions cycle. 

In our first year accepting students, we received over 500 applications and had an entering class of nine. Successful applicants to the area have strong research backgrounds (e.g., at least 1 year of research experience in a psychology lab, experience disseminating their research projects at a conference or to a journal), interests compatible with those of core clinical faculty, and interests in academic/research careers. 

The clinical area encourages applications from a diverse range of applicants, including (but not limited to) applications from people of different ages, races, ethnicities, national origins, genders, gender identities, sexual orientations, socioeconomic statuses, religions, and ability statuses.

As a provisional member of the Council of University Directors of Clinical Training (CUDCP), the Clinical Psychology area at UCI adheres to CUDCP’s policies and guidelines for graduate school admissions, offers, and acceptance. For additional information about these policies, please visit this link.

More information about clinical psychology and application tips also can be found at clinicalpsychgradschool.org, offered by CUDCP.

For information on how to apply, please click here .

Application Requirements

Applications are due December 1st.   Applicants to the clinical area will complete an online application via SLATE. Below are the components/steps of the online application. 

For additional details, including eligibility requirements, please visit the Graduate Division website.

• A description of your background, research experience, current and future research interests, future goals, and how you see yourself fitting in our department.
• Name(s) of the faculty member(s) with whom you are interested in working and why.  
• Any educational, familial, cultural, economic or social experiences or opportunities relevant to your academic journey
• Challenges and/or obligations you have had to address in order to achieve your educational goals and how you addressed them
• Prior employment, as a student or as a working professional, that is relevant to your pursuit of a graduate degree
• Discuss any leadership roles or plans, outreach, or community service experiences and goals that have or will benefit others or the community
• How your perspectives, activities, or goals have or may contribute to inclusivity and/or broaden your understanding of the experiences of diverse groups of peopleAny educational, familial, cultural, economic or social experiences or opportunities relevant to your academic journey.  

We also expect applicants to include the following in the context of the above:

• Any experience(s) you have in advocating for diversity in organizations or communities of which you have been a member (3-5 sentences).
• Any significant challenge(s) you have faced and your ability to demonstrate resilience and achievement despite the challenges (3-7 sentences).
• Your interest in an academic career in teaching/research and/or other professional goals and interests you may have (3-5 sentences).
• GRE scores are optional. We do not require applicants to our graduate program to submit a GRE score report as part of their application. Applicants may choose to submit GRE test scores, and they will be reviewed as one part of the application evaluation. Applications with GRE scores will not be given greater consideration than those without scores. For applicants who wish to include their scores to supplement their application, please note that the Educational Testing Service (ETS) code for UCI is: 4859. Please visit the Graduate Division Website for more information.
• Unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended after high school. Applicants must upload unofficial transcripts directly into the online application.
• Fee waivers are available to qualified domestic applicants only. Eligibility to apply for a fee waiver is determined by diversity program participation, US veteran status, or demonstrated financial need based on information requirements specified on the application.
• Three letters of recommendation are required and must be uploaded digitally. Paper Letters will not be accepted. These letters should speak to your academic and/or professional achievement, describe your strengths and weaknesses, and comment on your character, integrity and motivation are especially useful. Additional information regarding letters of recommendation can be found here .
• All graduate applicants, except those who have earned an undergraduate or master's degree from an institution at which English was the sole language of instruction according to the  World Higher Education Database , are required to demonstrate English proficiency for admissions consideration. If English is not the sole language of instruction listed or if no language is listed at all, the waiver does not apply and the applicant is required to take and pass an approved English proficiency test (TOEFL or IELTS).
• English proficiency for Teaching Assistantship - All international students, including those with Permanent Resident status, who wish to serve as a Teaching Assistant or Teaching Associate must pass an oral English proficiency exam approved by UCI. Exemptions to this exam are ONLY given to students who meet specific criteria listed on the  Graduate Division website for English Proficiency for Teaching Assistantships . For more detailed information on these exams of spoken English proficiency, including the respective passing scores, please review the  English Proficiency Summary Chart .

Information Sessions

Online information sessions will be hosted by UCI Social Ecology representatives and are designed for prospective students to learn more about the Psychological Science Ph.D. programs, application requirements, tuition & funding. Archived information sessions and application workshop registration can be found here .

If you would like additional information, please review our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) or contact us here .

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Fellowships

Applicants to Ph.D. programs in engineering are considered for assistantships and fellowships provided that they have completed the application for admission and have submitted all supporting documents no later than December 15 of the year preceding the Fall term to which they are applying.

Fellowships are awarded based on exceptional merit and may consist of one of the following:

These fellowships include an annual stipend, tuition for full-time enrollment, and some mandatory fees. This includes the Orientation fee, the student programming fee, the student services fee, and Norman H. Topping Student Aid. Lab fees or other fees associated with coursework are not covered by the fellowship. All fellowship awards will be credited directly to the student's account. Please view the links below for more information.

USC Graduate School Fellowships USC Graduate School External Fellowships

USC Awards and Fellowship Database FinAid.org Nationally Coveted College Scholarships FastWeb.com’s Graduate Scholarships Petersons’ Graduate Scholarship Search Engine Profellow External-National-Fellowships-and-Scholarships-Information 2021-2022 (Coming soon!) External Fellowship Info Session Presentation 2021-2022 (Coming Soon!)

Did you apply for Nationally Competitive Fellowship Awards? Click here.

Fulbright Programs Social Science Research Council’s Fellowships and Prizes Institute of International Education’s Fellowships Mobility International USA’s Funding International Scholarships for Students from Developing Countries International Financial Aid and Scholarship Search Boren Fellowships for International Study

Fellowship FAQ's

Fellowships are awarded to students who achieve a high level of academic excellence and allow students to focus full time on their studies. Fellowships typically include tuition, student health and dental insurance, access to the Engemann Student Health center, and a stipend distributed over the course of the academic year. Some fellowships also cover mandatory fees such as the Graduate Student Programming fee, Norman Topping Student Aid Fund fee, and the Student Services fee. Lab fees and parking expenses are not covered by fellowships.

All parameters of your fellowship are outlined in your offer letter. We recommend that you review your offer letter carefully and become familiar with the terms of your fellowship.

International fellowship students must Passport Verification (PPV) upon arrival to USC; as well as attend a Viterbi One-Stop session to complete GLACIER paperwork.

Domestic and international fellowship students must be enrolled full-time to receive their fellowship. Full-time enrollment is equivalent to six advisor-approved units or GSRC-800 or 794ABCDZ. We recommend that Ph.D. students register at least two weeks prior to the start of the fall semester, and before the winter recess for the spring semester.

For more information on important dates and deadlines, please visit Ph.D. Important Dates and Deadlines.

Please also visit our   New Student Information website.

26th falls on a weekend or holiday. In which case, the payment will be available the business day prior to the 26th. Stipends are considered late after the 26th of each month. Though you may receive your stipends via direct deposit before the 26th of the month, please note that the stipend schedule does not run through Payment Services on the same day each month, so you will not always receive your stipend on the same day each month.

USC Fellowships are paid over 12 months.

If you have an external fellowship, your fellowship stipend will be disbursed per the foundation's guidelines.

We strongly encourage all of our students to sign up for direct deposit to ensure your payment is delivered as soon as it is available. Domestic Fellowship Students can have their stipends direct deposited through the Office of Payment Services (formerly called Disbursement Control). Please review set-up instructions for more information. If you do not sign up for direct deposit, your stipends will be mailed to your local address. If you do not have a local address on file and you do not sign up for direct deposit, your stipends will be mailed to your permanent address. Please make sure your local address is up to date in OASIS. You may access OASIS directing by logging into MyUSC

International Fellowship Students will receive their stipends through USC Payroll and can Direct Deposit Instructions for International Students New fellows, please note that GLACIER must be completed and processed before you can access Workday. If you do not sign up for Direct Deposit, your stipend will be a paper check and will be routed to the VASE Office. You will be notified when it is ready for pick up.

We strongly suggest that fellows contact the IRS directly, and/or consult with a tax professional. While receiving your fellowship, domestic students will not receive a W-2 form (although when you serve as a Teaching or Research Assistant you will receive a W-2).

This link  contains information regarding tax treatment of fellowship awards. In addition, please review the IRS 1098-t form. These links are not meant to be a comprehensive list of tax resources or forms that you should consider.

International Students should review the OIS website.

In general, you will receive enough tuition units to cover full-time enrollment during the academic year. Please refer to your fellowship offer letter for specific details. These units are split evenly between the fall, spring and summer semesters. If you wish to exceed the number of units stated in your offer letter, please contact your academic department’s staff graduate advisor for advisement. Requests for additional tuition over the fellowship are reviewed on a case by case basis by the VASE Office.

Neither fellowships nor assistantships will pay for audited classes. Funding packages will only pay for classes that count towards the degree. In addition, audited courses or courses not counted towards the degree in many scenarios will not count towards your full-time student status. This may affect your eligibility for funding as well as visa status for our international students. If you are uncertain what courses will be covered by your fellowship, please email [email protected].

You may accept a summer internship or a summer RA/TA position. If you are an international student and plan to work off-campus, you must apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

If it is after the 26th of the month and you still haven't received your stipend, or your stipend amount is incorrect, please email [email protected]. Please include your full name, USC ID# and amount in question. A staff member will work the appropriate department(s) to resolve the issue. As a reminder, students must be enrolled full-time (six advisor-approved units for credit towards the PhD program, or GSRC-800 or 794ABCDZ) by the recommended registration deadline in order for fellowship stipends to disburse on time.

New international fellows must submit GLACIER paperwork by the recommended deadline for processing by the University in order to be paid on time.

Continuing international students must update GLACIER paperwork if there is a change in status, such as changing from fellowship to an RA/TA.

Please work with your academic department administrator to complete your hiring paperwork. If you have remaining semesters of fellowship, please notify the VASE Office to defer your fellowship.

International students will need to update GLACIER paperwork to reflect the change in status working as a graduate assistant and receiving wages. If your fellowship also pays a top-off stipend while on RA/TA, please be sure that GLACIER indicates a fellowship stipend as well as wages, or your top-off stipend will not disburse.

Please review this printable chart   for additional information on several external fellowships held by our current PhD students. Many external fellowships receive an additonal top-off stipend from the USC Graduate School. Please contact Jennifer Gerson, Director, Doctoral Programs, at [email protected] or Tracy Charles, Doctoral Programs Coordinator, at [email protected] with any questions.

Graduate Assistantships

As a new Research Assistant, you may be required to complete a Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training before you can begin your assignment.

To ensure a successful TA experience right from the start, all new TAs must attend a training program. In addition to online resources for new TAs, we offer a one-day training program at the beginning of each semester. It is the responsibility of the TA Coordinator or Graduate Advisor to register new TAs for this program. The training will consist of a day-long session at the Viterbi School of Engineering. You must attend the entire session before you will be allowed to begin your duties in the classroom. Lunch will be provided.

Next TA Training:

Date: August

Time: 9am-12pm

Location: TBA

Published on July 11th, 2017

Last updated on August 10th, 2023

• New Student Information
• Academic Advisement
• DEN@Viterbi Student Services
• International Student Services
• Commencement Information
• Academic Policies and Support
• Academic Progress and Success Support
• Tuition and Funding
• Career Development
• Student Engagement
• Viterbi Mentorship
• Safety Resources
• Student Wellness
• Transportation Options

The Department guarantees all matriculated students five (5) years of financial support. This package includes academic year tuition and the following fees:

• Student Services Fee
• Berkeley Campus Fee
• Class Pass Fee - Transit
• Health Insurance Fee
• Nonresident Supplemental Tuition (Year 1 for US citizens establishing CA residency; Years 1 & 2 for International students)
• Document Management Fee - Doctoral (Year 1)

Plus a stipend covering ten (10) months of the year, August through May (the first paycheck is September 1, the last June 1).

This support typically comes in the form of appointment as a Graduate Student Instructor (GSI), but other possibilities are available. Some students hold a fellowship, either from the University or from an outside source such as the National Science Foundation (NSF). Others may be supported on a training grant. Others may be supported as Graduate Student Researchers (GSRs), paid from faculty research grants.

How can I support myself in the summer?

GSI stipends run for ten (10) months of the year, so you have to take some steps to make sure that you have money to live on in the summer. Some students are able to save from their ten-month stipends for the July and August, and if you are able to do this – even a little – that is all to the good. If your advisor has grant support, he or she may be able to appoint you as a GSR for the summer months.  Discuss the possibilities with your advisor. Some graduate students are able to serve as GSIs, Readers, or even as course instructors, in the Summer Session.  Students with stipends under the minimum funding guarantee can also count on receiving summer support from the department with a Summer Research Fellowship.

I’m an out-of-state student.  Do I have to establish California residency?

Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen or a U.S. permanent resident. The Department has funds to provide remission of educational fees charged to California residents, but it can provide remission of tuition charged to non-residents only for their first year of graduate study.  So, during your first year of graduate study—almost as soon as you arrive—you must start taking steps to establish California state residency. The deadline for having established a year’s residency is, roughly, the start of classes of your second year of graduate school. If you do not establish California residency by then, you will be responsible for full nonresident tuition. The Department cannot pay this for you: it simply does not have the funds.

I’m an International student.  Do I establish California residency?

No, International students, with rare exception, do not have the ability to establish residency.  Your first two years of Nonresident Supplemental Tuition (NRST) will be covered by your faculty advisor and the department respectively.  Once advanced to candidacy, the Graduate Division permits three years of NRST waiver eligibility.  For this reason, students are encouraged to advance to candidacy by the end of their 4th semester.  If you do not advance to candidacy by the end of the 4th semester, you will be responsible for full NRST. The Department cannot pay this for you: it simply does not have the funds.

How do I establish California residency?

This is a cumbersome, but actually fairly straightforward, procedure.  Basically, you have to show that you are a permanent resident of California, meaning that you have resided in California for at least one year for some purpose in addition to education (residing in California for the sole purpose of education does not qualify you as a California resident).  A checklist of required documents and deadlines is available on the Office of the Registrar website: Checklist . 

Because you must show, by roughly the start of instruction of your second year of graduate study that you have been a resident of California for at least one year, you must accomplish certain tasks  very early in your first year of graduate study. The following list, although not complete, has examples of what you need to do.

• Show that you arrived in California before the beginning of classes.
• Obtain a California driver’s license  within ten days  of your arrival.
• Register your motor vehicle (if any)  within twenty days  of your arrival in the state.
• Register to votebefore October 1 of your first year of graduate study and vote.  You can register to vote when you get your driver’s license or motor vehicle registration.
• Open a bank account at a California bank. Close bank accounts in other states.
• Obtain your UC Personnel Action Form (PAF) confirming your employment (e.g., as a GSI) during your first year of graduate study.
• Keep copies of W-2 forms (e.g., from your service as a GSI), as well as California state and Federal tax returns filed by April 15 of your first year of graduate study, and showing a California address.
• You may even be required to provide your parents’ tax returns, showing that they  did not  claim you as a dependent during the year in question.

Comprehensive information on establishing California residency is available on the Office of the Registrar website: Legal Residence Information . Questions about residency should be directed to the Residence Deputy.

What happens if I don’t establish California state residency by the start of my second year of graduate study?

You will pay more to attend the university! The increased amount is referred to as Nonresident Supplemental Tuition and roughly doubles what California residents pay. The Department simply cannot pay nonresident tuition after the first year. It is possible, if you are supported as a GSR, that your advisor may be able to pick up these costs from his or her research grant, but unlikely.  It is most likely that this burden will fall on you, so as soon as you arrive for graduate study, get started on establishing California residency. Resident and nonresident fees are listed on the Office of the Registrar website: Registration Fees .

Graduate Student Services

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Key searches.

The MD-PhD program offers highly qualified students a unique opportunity to prepare for a career in academic medicine. The integrated training means some coursework can be applied to both degrees, which shortens the total time to finish both degrees. The breadth and depth of the training is invaluable to those pursuing a career in medical research and teaching.

Students are encouraged to rotate in two or more laboratories and are given the opportunity to do so in the summer prior to entering the first year of medical school and between the first and second year of medical school in the summer.

MD-PhD students meet with program leadership in the first few weeks of medical school. Faculty outlines the coursework and expectations for MD-PhD students. MD-PhD students participate in two seminars designed specifically for them.

• Medicine at the benchtop and bedside
• Elements of career development for physician scientists.

Students are expected to attend regularly scheduled MD-PhD seminar series, departmental and interdisciplinary research seminars, as well as interact with faculty at informal research presentation and discussion sessions in their area of research.

Summer After Year 1

Students are encouraged to rotate in two or more laboratories and are given the opportunity to do so in the summer between the first and second year of medical school in the summer, prior to the start of their PhD studies.

Spring of Year 2

Generally, by the spring semester of the second year of medical school, the student decides on an area of research interest and applies to the graduate program of choice.

End of Year 2

After completing the second year of the medical curriculum and passing Part I of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), the student enters the selected PhD program as a full-time graduate student. Three to six years are required to complete additional coursework in the discipline, the qualifying examination, and independent research leading to a dissertation and research publications.

Students must fulfill the requirements of the individual graduate program, which includes a course on ethics and accountability. Each program’s requirements vary, so student programs differ. To allow students to transition to the clinical years more easily and to sustain clinical skills while pursuing the PhD training, participation in the longitudinal clinical experience is required.

The longitudinal clinical experience, which gives students a hands-on experience in general medicine and/or in specialty training, is arranged by the student in collaboration with the program director and is flexible to accommodate both the student and physician schedules.

After completion of the dissertation, the student rejoins the medical class as a third-year medical student and completes the last two years of clinical training. The combined program involves, on average, a total of eight years.

MD-PhD Program

Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California 1975 Zonal Avenue, KAM 103 Los Angeles, CA 90089

Brian Lee, MD PhD

Co-Director

Paul W. Sternberg, PhD