Are you searching for doctoral programs in psychology in Kentucky to advance your professional career and get involved conducting scientific studies on human behavior? Well, you have certainly come to the right place because the “Bluegrass State” has six top-notch psychology doctoral programs in various specialty areas that have been fully accredited by the American Psychological Association.
Although the state located in the east south-central region is best known for horse racing, automobile manufacturing, tobacco, fried chicken, and college basketball, Kentucky serves as the location to some of the top universities in the South and the nation overall. The following are the doctoral programs that can provide the academic and practical experience needed to begin a career as a psychologist in Kentucky.
University of Kentucky
Department of Psychology
As a comprehensive public land-grant institution with more than 20,000 students, the University of Kentucky is located on an urban 779-acre campus in the city of Lexington, just 80 miles south of the Greater Cincinnati metropolitan area. Recognized as the 7th “Best for Vets” college by Military Times’ magazine, UK is currently ranked as the 119th best college and 58th top public school in the entire nation by the U.S. News and World Report. Not only is the Department of Psychology nationally acclaimed for having the 78th best psychology graduate programs, but it is also recognized for having the 42nd best clinical psychology doctoral programs in the country.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology
Devoted to training clinical scientists for the promotion of an integration of science and practice, the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program is focused on producing doctoral students who are leading researchers, critical consumers of the scientific literature, and clinicians who depend on scientific findings to guide their applied practice. As one of the proud psychology doctoral programs that have been granted membership with the prestigious Academy of Psychological Clinical Science, all students are expected to conduct original research and participate in a full-time internship in the final fifth year before completion. With the opportunity to concentrate their studies in Health Psychology or Neuropsychology, students and students’ doctoral committee are able to outline an individualized plan of study relevant to their research interests.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling Psychology
With the mission of assisting students in their development of expertise in the traditional domains of psychology, counseling interventions as a helping professional, scientific skills for conducting original research, and ethical professional attitudes that promote leadership in the field, the Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology program is focused on facilitating psychosocial development for mental health among diverse populations at multiple levels of the ecological system. Following the APA guidelines for professional practice and the Boulder model for preparing scientist-practitioners with an emphasis on social justice issues, the doctoral program generally takes six years of full-time study with a one-year internship for students who have already completed one of the accredited psychology master’s programs.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in School Psychology
Ideal for graduate students who have a calling for working with children, adolescents, and young adults in P-12 school environments to realize their fullest potential, the Ph.D. in School Psychology program emphasizes a scientist-practitioner model dedicated to transferring research to real-life practice. While the program is designed for completion within five years with a year-long full-time internship in an approved school setting, students accepted into the program at the bachelor’s level without a master’s degree often need six to seven years. Known for having a commitment to psychological practices that contribute to child, family, and community well-being by advocating for individuals who may not have access to mainstream resources, the program qualifies graduates for licensure and certification in school psychology.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
- Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Contact Information
106B Kastle Hall
Lexington, KY 40506
(859) 257-9640
[email protected]
http://psychology.as.uky.edu/graduate-program
University of Louisville
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
Situated in Kentucky’s largest metropolitan area on the banks of the Ohio River on an urban 345-acre campus that is just 100 miles from both Indianapolis and Cincinnati, the University of Louisville is a premier state-supported public research institution with more than 16,500 students. Recognized among America’s top 12 “good neighbors” in a survey conducted by the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities for its many community partnerships, Louisville is currently ranked as the 161st best college, 88th top public school, and 35th best university for veterans in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report. The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences is also nationally acclaimed for hosting the 117th best graduate psychology programs and the 94th best clinical psychology doctorate program in the United States.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology
With the mission of producing scientist-practitioners who are competent in conducting research, implementing research-supported clinical practice, being ethical and professional in client relationships, and practicing in a multicultural world with respect for diversity, the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program is accredited by the APA to build on competencies in research, practice, and professional development. Since students are expected to begin working in their mentor’s laboratory as soon as they arrive on campus, the program requires students to complete a Master’s research portfolio, doctoral dissertation, and oral dissertation defense. Furthermore, students build their assessment, interviewing, and psychotherapy skills by completing practicum at the on-campus Noble H. Kelly Psychological Services Center (PSC) as well as a full-time year-long internship off-campus in an approved clinical setting.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling Psychology
Designed to prepare students to be highly competent professional psychologists with plenty of opportunities to gain experience in research, teaching, clinical practice, and supervision, the Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology program accepts students at both the post-bachelor’s and post-master’s level to develop skills specialized within a specific clinical or research area related to counseling. With an internship placement rate over 90 percent that allows many interns to be matched with their top choices, the program enables students to gain clinical experience in a variety of applied settings in metropolitan Louisville, such as counseling centers, mental health clinics, private practices, and hospitals. For completion, students are required to complete a minimum of 108 total semester hours of doctoral coursework, including a dissertation.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Contact Information
317 Life Sciences Building
2301 South Third St.
Louisville, KY 40292
(502) 852-8272
[email protected]
http://louisville.edu/psychology/graduate
Spalding University
School of Professional Psychology
Combining a rich history, convenient urban setting, and a commitment to community service to attract more than 2,500 students, Spalding University is a comprehensive co-educational Roman Catholic private institution located on a six-acre campus in the heart of downtown Louisville. Nestled between the primary business and entertainment districts of the state’s largest city, SU is considered one of the most historic institutions of higher education in the entire commonwealth of Kentucky. The School of Professional Psychology is dedicated to providing quality educational experiences to students interested in serving amidst the complexities of human experience.
Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D) in Clinical Psychology
As one of the top-notch comprehensive hybrid online doctoral programs that offers a seamless blend of on-campus and online coursework, the Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology program provides students with generalist training based upon scientific principles grounded in evidence-based practice in a collaborative setting. Striving to meet the demands of a changing diverse society, the program provides the opportunity to obtain specialized training with a concentration in Adult Psychology, Child/Adolescent/Family Psychology, Forensic Psychology, or Health Psychology. Through a state-of-the-art intensive doctoral curriculum in clinical psychology, students are required to complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to earn the Psy.D. degree, including clinical practicum, a full-time one-year doctoral internship, and dissertation research.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
- National Council of the Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology (NCSPP)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Contact Information
845 South Third St.
Louisville, KY 40203
(502) 585-9911
[email protected]
http://spalding.edu/academics/psychology/about-the-psy-d-program/
For students who are interested in studying the cognitive, emotional, and social processes of human behavior to better understand how people relate to one another, it is an excellent time to start searching for psychology master’s programs and online doctorate programs as there is expected to be a growing need for qualified psychologists to help individuals manage their problems. Therefore, it is recommended that aspiring psychologists in the “Bluegrass State” check out these doctoral programs in psychology in Kentucky that have been given the golden standard for excellence by the APA.
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