Oklahoma City University is adding a new doctoral program next spring in clinical psychology.
The program prepares students to provide psychological services in a variety of settings to address a range of client mental health needs including rural settings and with underserved populations.
“It is the continued mental health needs, lack of mental health providers, and the push to integrate mental health professionals within primary care that prompted the creation of this program to address those needs,” said Melissa Hakman, associate professor and chairperson of the department of psychology, and director of the child advocacy training program at OKCU.
“Graduates from this program will be able to work competently within the changing face of mental health care,” said Hakman.
The 120-hour degree program consists of four years of coursework in theory, evidence-based practice of psychology and practicum-based experiences. The program also has a full-time yearlong predoctoral internship the fifth year. This program is designed in accordance with the accreditation guidelines set forth by the American Psychological Association.
“Students who come through our program will receive a significant amount of attention and mentoring from faculty given the low student-faculty ratio,” said Hakman. “While there are required courses, students will also be able to select coursework that matches their interests and allows them to prepare for their future career path.”
Students will complete required courses in three core areas – General Psychology Core, Research Core and Clinical Core. Students can choose from a variety of elective courses that will give them the opportunity to gain additional skills in specific areas of focus. Students will also receive applied clinical experiences through numerous practicums both in-house in the psychology training clinic as well as external sites within the community.
“Our program will provide students with skills in supervision, interdisciplinary consultation, foundational skills in mental health care administration, program prevention/evaluation and rural mental health,” said Hakman. For more information, visit okcu.edu/admissions/graduate; or contact Michael Harrington at [email protected] or 405-208-5094.
