Psychology Doctoral Programs in Georgia

Situated in the southeastern region of the United States along the Atlantic Ocean, Georgia is the 24th most extensive and 8th most populous state. Named after King George II of Great Britain, Georgia is known throughout history for being the last of the original 13 colonies established and the fourth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. Despite being nicknamed the “Peach State,” Georgia is also well-known for being the leading producer of paper, tufted textile products, processed chicken, peanuts, resin, and turpentine in the country. In addition to being home to the world’s largest aquarium with eight million gallons of water and 100,000 marine animals, Georgia serves as the location to many of the top universities in the South and the nation. For students interested in achieving a doctoral degree in psychology in the “Empire of the South”, the following are the programs that have been fully accredited by the American Psychological Association in Georgia.

Emory University

Department of Psychology

Situated in the suburban setting of Druid Hills on the outskirts of downtown Atlanta, Emory University is one of the nation’s most highly regarded private research institutions for its demanding academics, outstanding arts and sciences education, and elite professional schools. As a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, the U.S. News and World Report survey currently ranks Emory as the 20th best college and 19th top value school in the nation. Named one of America’s 21 “hottest colleges,” Emory University is also distinguished as the 9th best religiously affiliated school. Furthermore, the Department of Psychology has been recognized as having the 18th best graduate clinical psychology program in the nation.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology

The Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology aims to educate professional clinical psychologists with a firm foundation in research, theory, and clinical practice. As a clinical science program, students are highly engaged in a rigorous curriculum built on assessment, etiology, diagnosis, treatment interventions, and psychopathology. Beyond what is learned within the classroom walls, students participate firsthand in research projects with a faculty mentor, supervised clinical practicum at the Psychological Center or mental health facilities in the greater Atlanta community, and a one-semester teaching associateship for an undergraduate course. Although the program may be completed within four years, the majority of students need five or six years to fulfill all requirements for the Ph.D. degree.

Accreditations

  • American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
  • Academy of Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS)
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)

Contact Information

PAIS Building Suite 270
36 Eagle Row
Atlanta, GA 30322
(404) 727-7438
psych@emory.edu
http://psychology.emory.edu/home/graduate/clinical-science.html

Georgia State University

Department of Psychology

As one of the leading universities in the nation for graduating students from diverse backgrounds, Georgia State University is an enterprising public research institution located in the heart of Atlanta with unsurpassed connections to the various opportunities in the large metropolitan center. Since being founded in 1913, Georgia State is currently celebrating its centennial year by expanding its campus to accommodate the more than 32,000 students that now call the university home. Not only is GSU ranked as the 14th best up-and-coming schools in the nation, the Department of Psychology is recognized for having the 79th best clinical psychology graduate program by the U.S. News and World Report.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology

The Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program intends to educate students for contemporary and innovative careers in clinical practice, teaching, and/or research. Following a scientist-practitioner model of training, students in the program actively engage in hands-on learning experience at the on-campus Psychology Training Clinic for Research, Therapy, and Assessment as well as the Regents Center for Learning Disorders. If interested, students can choose to complete a dual training program in Clinical-Neuropsychology and Behavioral Neuroscience or Community-Clinical Psychology. With a strong commitment to diversity, the program ensures that students have a multitude of clinical opportunities with multicultural children, adolescents, and adults.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling Psychology

Ranked as the 4th in the nation by the Chronicle of Higher Education for a high level of research productivity in counseling psychology, the Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology program is designed to provide advanced training in theory, research, and clinical practice. Within the 102 semester hours required for completion of the degree, students work as research assistants to their advising professor through a 16-hour per week graduate assistantship that provides a small stipend to offset tuition costs. Students also actively participate in practicum experiences at the GSU Counseling Center, complete a pre-dissertation and dissertation research project, and teach undergraduate psychology courses under the supervision of faculty members.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in School Psychology

Fully recognized by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), the Ph.D. in School Psychology program emphasizes training for positions that apply psychology theories and skills to school-related problems, including learning, emotional, and behavioral problems. The program is designed to train psychologists for leadership roles in public or private schools, school-based health centers, clinics, hospitals, universities, private practices, and government agencies. In order to achieve the Ph.D. degree, students must complete at least 71 semester hours, including a doctoral internship and dissertation research project.

Accreditations

  • American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
  • National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)

Contact Information

Urban Life Building, 11th floor
140 Decatur Street
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 413-6200
psylmw@langate.gsu.edu
https://psychology.gsu.edu/graduate/program-areas-and-concentrations/clinical-program/clinical-psychology/

University of Georgia

Department of Psychology and Human Development Services

First established in 1785 as the first public, state-funded college in the newly free United States of America, the University of Georgia has earned a reputation as one of the leading public institutions and the designation of Georgia’s most popular college with more than 26,250 students. Standing proudly on a picturesque 759-acre campus at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Athens about 70 miles northeast of Atlanta, UGA is ranked as the 60th best college and 20th top public school in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report. Kiplinger Personal Finance magazine names UGA at the 9th spot on the list of best value public colleges as well. Within the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, the UGA Department of Psychology has been nationally recognized as having the 32nd best graduate clinical psychology and 5th best school psychology programs in the entire country.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology

Past recipient of the Outstanding Training Program Award by the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy, the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program is founded on a strong research emphasis in the clinical science perspective. The goals of the program are to provide students with knowledge in psychology as a method of inquiry into human behavior, develop competence in theoretical and research issues, build culturally competent skills, and ensure students have the ability to function in a research-oriented academic or applied clinical practice setting. Students engaged in the program receive valuable experience at the Institute for Behavioral Research (IBR), Bioimaging Research Center (BIRC), and Psychology Clinic right on campus.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling Psychology

The Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology program has been designed to prepare scientist-practitioners who will provide the highest level of professional competency, scholarship, research, and clinical practice in the field. With a focus on personal and interpersonal functioning across the age spectrum, the program encompasses a broad range of practices at the emotional, social, vocational, developmental, educational, and organizational levels. The program consists of five main sections of clinical practice, counseling theory foundations, research design and analysis, supervision of instruction, and general psychology electives. Beyond a master’s degree, the doctoral program requires three years of on-campus graduate studies and an addition year for an APA-approved clinical counseling internship.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in School Psychology

Designed to be consistent with licensure and certification in school psychology in Georgia and most other states, the Ph.D. in School Psychology program is committed to preparing competent practitioners for practice with school-aged children and adolescents in various educational settings. Throughout the five-year program of study, students are required to complete core educational psychology courses, six clinical practicum experiences, master’s thesis project, doctoral dissertation, and written or oral comprehensive examinations. Before completion of the degree can be granted, students are required to complete a 2,000-hour full-time advanced internship in an accredited school setting with supervision by a psychologist licensed by the Georgia State Board of Psychology.

Accreditations

American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)

Contact Information

Aderhold Hall Room 323
110 Carlton St.
Athens, GA 30602
(706) 542-4110
epsy@uga.edu
http://www.psychology.uga.edu/graduate/programs/clinical/
https://coe.uga.edu/academics/degrees/phd-counseling-psychology
http://www.coe.uga.edu/epsy/academic-programs/school-psychology/

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