yale phd psychology application

Department of Psychology

You are here, clinical psychology.

The Clinical Psychology area is dedicated to research and training in clinical science. The graduate program aspires to educate the next generation of leading academic and research psychologists and to create an environment for advancing research related to psychopathology and its treatment. While the program is decidedly research oriented, clinical training is viewed as essential to the development of outstanding clinical scientists and is designed to emphasize scientific principles that will enable students to investigate theoretically important and clinically relevant questions and to ensure competence in the provision of evidence-based assessment and intervention. Our students routinely secure placements at the most prestigious national internship sites, however the clinical program at Yale is not a match for students primarily interested in clinical practice. The program is well suited to students who desire to begin an independent, structured program of clinical science research and are likely to emerge as leaders in the study of psychopathology and its treatment. The values of the clinical program are reflected in current themes of our work, including 1) basic science research on psychopathology and its treatment; 2) integrative science involving methods and theories from related psychological disciplines; 3) evaluations of the psychological mechanisms, efficacy, effectiveness, and applications of psychosocial treatments; 4) applications of scientific inquiry to prevention and social policy.

Students admitted to the clinical area are expected to develop an independent line of research under the supervision of our primary faculty. Research training includes an emphasis on theory, methods, data analysis, grant writing, and manuscript preparation. Our students routinely publish in scholarly journals and disseminate their work at professional conferences during their graduate training, and many have successfully obtained external funding to support research projects.

Important additional information about the clinical program is contained in the document entitled “ Mission Statement, Program Structure and Requirements .” Please read that document carefully before applying to the clinical program.  For information on practicum opportunities, click here , for  information about the departmental clinic click here , and for information about eligibility of program graduates for professional licensure, click here . Details regarding professional activities post-graduation that are required for licensure are listed here , and a summary of the professional activities of program alumni at 2- and 5-years post-graduation are presented here .

The clinical program is strongly dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in our program and in students’ training . Students from underrepresented minority groups are especially encouraged to apply to our program.

General information about applying to clinical psychology programs and application tips can be found at:

http://clinicalpsychgradschool.org

The Clinical Psychology Doctoral Training Program is accredited by the  Commission on Accreditation  of the  American Psychological Association  and the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS), and is a member of  The Academy of Psychological Clinical Science .

Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to:

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

Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS) 1800 Massachusetts Ave NW, Suite 402 Washington, DC 20036-1218  Phone: (301) 455-8046 /E-mail:  akraut@pcsas.org  Web:  www.pcsas.org

As stated above, the Yale Clinical Psychology Doctoral Training Program is accredited by the American Psychological Association’s Commission on Accreditation (CoA) and the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS). Our clinical science training model and vision is most consistent with the standards of the PCSAS. Presently, PCSAS is working toward ensuring that: 1) graduates from its programs are fully license-eligible in the majority of states in which they may pursue professional practice; and 2) the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) provides parity for and recognition of PCSAS within all of its regulatory standards. If and when these changes are realized, our program may consider remaining accredited solely by PCSAS. However, any such consideration would be based on clear evidence that our graduates can continue to obtain the sorts of successful career positions they have long enjoyed (e.g., as university professors, college teachers, public policy analysts, faculty in medical centers, research institutes and VA settings, licensed clinical psychologists, and administrators/directors of a variety of community agencies/organizations).

Questions related to the Yale Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology should be directed to the Director of Clinical Training, Mary O’Brien, Ph.D., or the primary faculty listed above.

*Students should apply to do graduate work only with primary faculty in the Psychology Department. Affiliated Faculty may serve as secondary mentors.

Fields include clinical psychology; cognitive psychology; developmental psychology; neuroscience; and social/personality psychology.

• Programs of Study
• PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
• Combined PhD
• Department of Psychology

Melissa Ferguson

Director of Graduate Studies

• [email protected]

Fredericka Grant

Departmental Registrar

• [email protected]
• 203-432-4500

Admission Requirements

Standardized testing requirements.

GRE is optional. 

English Language Requirement

TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic is required of most applicants whose native language is not English.

You may be exempt from this requirement if you have received (or will receive) an undergraduate degree from a college or university where English is the primary language of instruction, and if you have studied in residence at that institution for at least three years.

Combined Degree Program Application Deadline

*The deadline to submit an application to a combined program is always the earlier deadline of the two individual programs, or December 15, whichever comes first.

Academic Information

Combined phd information.

Psychology offers a combined PhD in conjunction with Philosophy .

Program Advising Guidelines

GSAS Advising Guidelines

Academic Resources

Academic calendar.

The Graduate School's academic calendar lists important dates and deadlines related to coursework, registration, financial processes, and milestone events such as graduation.

Featured Resource

Registration Information and Dates

https://registration.yale.edu/

Students must register every term in which they are enrolled in the Graduate School. Registration for a given term takes place the semester prior, and so it's important to stay on top of your academic plan. The University Registrar's Office oversees the systems that students use to register. Instructions about how to use those systems and the dates during which registration occurs can be found on their registration website.

Financial Information

Phd stipend & funding.

PhD students at Yale are normally fully-funded. During their programs, our students receive a twelve-month stipend to cover living expenses and a fellowship that covers the full cost of tuition and student healthcare.

• PhD Student Funding Overview
• Graduate Financial Aid Office
• PhD Stipends
• Health Award
• Tuition and Fees

Alumni Insights

Below you will find alumni placement data for our departments and programs.