Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology
at UM-St. Louis
Dear Prospective Applicant:
I hope that this website is useful as you investigate all that our program has to offer. Applicants typically find their experiences during this process informative, but also a bit daunting. For that reason, we have also summarized all of the information provided on our program website in our Applicant Brochure which is downloadable as a pdf file.
Individuals who already have a PhD in psychology and who are interested in our clinical respecialization program should review our 2008 Respecialization brochure.
As you read our program description and explore the match between our program and your interests, we encourage you to observe how we strive to maintain an equal balance and integration of the academic/research and applied aspects of our program. We truly expect each of our graduates to be able to function as a competent and clinically informed researcher, and as a scientifically-based practitioner. That is what the future of this profession will require.
I look forward to your application.
Warmest Regards,
Dr. Steffen
Ann M. Steffen, Ph.D., Director,
Doctoral Program in Clinical Training, and
Associate Professor of Psychology
UM-St. Louis Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology
Accreditation Status
The University of Missouri-St. Louis Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology has been continuously approved by the American Psychological Association since 1977. Our program's accreditation was fully renewed in July, 2007 and we will next undergo review in 2013-2014.
Training Goals
Our program is in accordance with the scientist-practitioner model of training, and is based on the understanding that doctoral-level psychologists in the future are unlikely to function solely in a service capacity as psychotherapists. Indeed, our alumni surveys indicate that most of our graduates have some combination of supervisory, teaching, training, administration, program evaluation, basic research, grant-writing, and other non-service roles in addition to, or rather than, direct service responsibilities. The program curriculum provides academically rigorous preparation so that our graduates can excel in these complex roles and responsibilities. This means that all of our students are expected to develop strong research skills, and strong clinical skills, and to form professional identities that integrate science and practice.
Strong Research Environment
Our program has a significant research emphasis and is embedded within a strong research university. The University of Missouri-St. Louis faculty continues to be among the leading researchers in their fields, according to the 2006-07 Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index from Academic Analytics. In this recent 2006-07 national index, UM-St. Louis ranked fifth in the country in faculty research productivity among small research universities, following notable schools such as San Diego State University, Boston College and Georgetown University.
We use a mentorship model of research training, believing that students who work closely with their research advisor are most successful in gaining the conceptual and methodological skills needed to function as scientists. Thus, our students are encouraged to select research topics that fall within their faculty advisor's program of research, but that also allow for growing independence and personal achievements in professional research activities (conference presentations, publications, involvement in preparation of grant applications). Prospective applicants should note that some students apply to our program with the specific goal of working with one or two faculty members who are identified at the time of their application ("specialist applicants"). Other students are attracted to the many strengths of our program, and upon acceptance are open to joining the lab of a variety of faculty members ("generalist applicants"). Students are encouraged to indicate whether they consider themselves to be a specialist or generalist applicant in their personal statement that is part of the application process.
Excellence in Clinical Training
In addition to providing high quality clinical training in assessment and intervention in our primary training clinic: Community Psychological Services, our program is affiliated with two specialty training clinics in our department (Center for Trauma Recovery, and the Children's Advocacy Center). A number of our faculty members are involved in clinical research aimed at the development and evaluation of new interventions. Thus, research and clinical experiences are truly integrated in the best of the Scientist-Practitioner tradition.
Commitment to Diversity
Our program recognizes the importance of cultural and individual differences and diversity in the training of psychologists. These include, but are not limited to ethnicity, race, culture, age, disability, gender, gender identity, language, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, and social economic status. Thus, we are committed to achieving a diverse study body and welcome inquiries about our program from potential applicants. During the selection process, all students receive full consideration and are judged only by criteria required for success in the program. While in the program, all students, including ethnic and sexual minority students, are given ample faculty attention and support to allow them to proceed through the program successfully. In regard to the program curriculum, a diversity course and components of several other courses are designed to prepare students to work with diverse populations. In addition, students have experience in working with diverse populations in their program-based practica and clerkships. A number of clinical faculty are members of the UM-St. Louis Safe Zone community.
Outcomes:
The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (the psychology national licensing exam) is considered one of the most objective criteria for evaluating the quality of clinical psychology training programs. Graduates of the program at the University of Missouri-St. Louis have consistently scored in the top 15% of all training programs in the United States on this exam.
Discover the benefits of St. Louis Living:
The University of Missouri-St. Louis is located in the heart of the St. Louis metropolitan area, with all that this great city has to offer. For information about St. Louis, we invite you to explore the following link to Websites about St Louis. St. Louis is a very affordable place to live, which helps ease the stresses of graduate school. To see the cost of living in St. Louis compared to that of another city, go to www.homefair.com and select the Salary Calculator in the top left column.
Prospective Applicants can confirm the program's accreditation status with the American Psychological Association's Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation. Phone: 202-336-5979; Fax: 202-336-5978; Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation ; Address: 750 First Street, NE. Washington, D.C. 20002.
Applicants should carefully review instructions provided on our Admissions page. For any questions related to the online application, contact Clara Jackson in the Graduate Admissions Office (314-516-5458), gradadm@umsl.edu. For additional questions about the clinical program, e-mail the director, Dr. Ann Steffen, at ann_steffen@umsl.edu, or write to the following address:
Clinical Psychology Program
University of Missouri-St. Louis
Department of Psychology
Clinical Psychology Training Program
One University Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63121-4499
For additional information beyond that provided on this front page, use the tabs to the left (i.e., Program Information, Admissions Criteria, Financial Support, Faculty, Clinics).