Become a Psychologist

At Derner, we’ve been training scholar-practitioners for clinical practice since 1951. We also prepare students for a career in research and teaching. To accomplish these goals, we offer a curriculum that includes core psychology courses, clinical theory courses and supervised clinical practice. Students also attend various films, plenary meetings, faculty and student presentations, and benefit from the knowledge of a wide range of guest speakers.

Here’s what to expect in the clinical psychology program:

• First year: Clinical training begins with supervised intakes in the program’s training clinic and diagnostic psychological testing labs.

• Second year: Diagnostic training continues; students are placed in an eight-hour externship in an inpatient psychiatry setting with the option to begin psychotherapy training in our clinic. Psychotherapy training includes individual supervision throughout the program. Participation in an ongoing case conference also begins.

• Third year: Case conference and psychotherapy in our clinic continue. Students also complete a 16-hour externship.

• Fourth year: Psychotherapy training in our clinic continues. Students prepare to apply for a full-time internship, which takes place in the fifth year.

Research and scholarship are emphasized throughout the program, and students must prepare a scholarly presentation of a research project. The required pre-dissertation project should include a publishable research study performed with faculty member guidance.