School/Clinical Child Psychology

Our doctoral program uses the scientist-practitioner model to prepare Ph.D. psychologists to understand and enhance the development of children and adolescents in context. Education and training include strong preparation in the scientific foundations of psychology, in the research skills essential to the contribution of new knowledge, and in the competent and ethical professional practice of assessment, intervention, and consultation.

Our graduates are employed in colleges and universities, school systems, mental health and child guidance centers, medical centers, children’s hospitals, and independent clinical practice. The program has a comprehensive and interdisciplinary perspective and is acknowledged as an exemplary model of doctoral training in the areas of school and clinical child psychology.

The program uses a faculty mentor model for advising and the development of research competence in doctoral students. Students are recruited during the admissions process to work with a specific school/clinical child psychology faculty member in their research lab through completion of their doctoral degree. Research labs provide the opportunity to apply knowledge gained from research methods courses and to develop competence in conducting independent research. In a mentor model, the faculty advisor develops a close relationship with the student that involves not only research mentoring but also professional and curriculum advising. Faculty mentors with external funding for their research may also provide financial support in the form of Graduate Research Assistantships for doctoral students under their supervision.

Practicum and internship training are essential components of the scientist-practitioner model and our program. Students participate in three semesters of school-based practicum beginning in the summer before the second year of study, continue to advanced practicum in community settings (clinics, hospitals, primary care) in the third and fourth years, and complete pre-doctoral internship in the sixth year of the program. For each semester in which students participate in a practicum, they also register for a practicum course taught by department faculty. The pre-doctoral internship is organized through a national match. Our program coordinates practicum placements through a similar local match system. Through this process, students are generally able to obtain experience with the types of settings, populations, and experiences that meet their career goals.

View a list of Practicum and Internship Sites

The School/Clinical Child Psychology doctoral program is highly competitive. The program typically receives 60+ applications each year for the Ph.D. program and accepts 1-4 students. Admissions is largely based on the availability of a faculty research mentor in a particular year who is a good match with the applicant.

Depending on admission goals in a given year, the program invites approximately 5-15 students to interview. Students are generally notified that they are being invited for an interview in early January. Interviews are held on a single day on the UT campus during early February, with the date established early in the academic year.

While attending Interview Day is strongly encouraged, Zoom or Skype interviews are available for students unable to travel. For the School/Clinical Child Psychology Ph.D. program the interview day for 2024 admittance will be in person and will be held on February 2, 2024. Students are usually notified of their admission decision within two weeks of the scheduled interview date.

Admission decisions are made by consensus of the school/clinical child psychology faculty; however, the faculty mentor has a particularly strong voice in the acceptance decision. Selection of students is based on multiple factors including letters of recommendation, potential match between student and faculty interests, the personal statement and course grades.

In our review, we look for evidence of a good fit between the applicant and the faculty member who will serve as the faculty mentor. Students with a low GPA should explain their performance in their personal statement and show outstanding performance in other areas in order to be given serious consideration.

We no longer require GRE scores and will not use them in our consideration.

The School/Clinical Child Psychology Program is committed to supporting cultural awareness and cultural issues in the field. We seek to integrate multiple cultural perspectives into our coursework and practicum training experiences. Students have various opportunities to pursue a specialized cultural awareness emphasis in their research, coursework, and practica. We are committed to a culturally pluralistic  student body and to building culturally competent researchers and practitioners who can contribute to enhancing a culture of belonging in the field.

Three aims guide the program’s doctoral training:

1. Prepare psychologists who are knowledgeable and competent in research;
2. Prepare psychologists who are knowledgeable and competent in the delivery of evidence-based clinical services;
3. Prepare psychologists who are knowledgeable and competent in the health service specialty areas of school and clinical child psychology. 

In achieving program aims, we expect that students will also demonstrate competence in the following:

• Effective interaction with individuals from different backgrounds, disciplines, and perspectives;
• Knowledge and engagement in legal, ethical, and professional practice.

Combined School/Clinical Child Psychology Doctoral Handbook