Indiana University

What you'll study

The PhD curriculum combines advanced coursework, supervised clinical practicum, and original research leading to a doctoral dissertation. Core areas of study include psychopathology, psychological assessment, evidence-based psychotherapies, research design and statistics, developmental and lifespan perspectives, and multicultural competency. Students engage in specialised seminars and lab rotations in topics such as cognitive-behavioural approaches, personality and emotion, health psychology, neuropsychological assessment, and applied interventions for diverse populations.

• Research methods and statistics: advanced quantitative and qualitative methods, longitudinal and multilevel modelling, and research ethics.
• Clinical assessment and intervention: diagnostic interviewing, psychometric assessment, case formulation, and evidence-based therapies.
• Specialist seminars: substance use, child and adolescent mental health, geropsychology, trauma, and integrative health approaches.
• Practicum and internship: supervised practicum placements in university clinics and external partner agencies, culminating in an accredited pre-doctoral internship or equivalent field placement.
• Dissertation: an original research project that contributes to the scientific literature and demonstrates independent research competence.

Entry requirements

Admission is competitive and typically requires a strong academic background in psychology or a closely related discipline. Typical application components include:

• Honours or master’s degree in psychology, or a bachelor’s degree with substantial psychology coursework and research experience.
• Demonstrated research experience, for example through honours theses, publications, conference presentations, or research assistantships.
• Academic transcripts, a CV, a personal statement outlining research interests and fit with faculty, and several academic letters of recommendation.
• Some programmes may request GRE scores, a writing sample, and/or an interview as part of the selection process; check the department’s admissions guidance for current requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates from this programme pursue careers across academic, clinical, and applied sectors. Common pathways include:

• Academic research and teaching positions in universities and colleges.
• Clinical practice in hospitals, community mental health centres, private practice, and specialised clinics (licensure required for independent practice).
• Applied research roles in healthcare systems, public health agencies, non-governmental organisations, and policy institutions.
• Consultancy positions in industry, forensic settings, schools, and organisational contexts where psychological assessment and intervention expertise are needed.

Why study at Indiana University

Indiana University offers the resources of a large public research university together with specialised training environments for clinical and applied psychology. Students benefit from close mentorship with active researchers across diverse subfields, access to well-established training clinics and community partnerships for practicum placements, and interdisciplinary collaboration with allied departments such as public health, neuroscience, and education.

The programme emphasises integrating rigorous research with high-quality clinical training, preparing graduates for roles that require both empirical expertise and applied competence. Funding support and assistantship opportunities are typically available to doctoral students, enabling concentrated research and clinical development within a collegial training community.