Are you searching for doctoral programs in psychology in Michigan to gain the education and experience needed to fulfill in-demand academic, research, and clinical practice positions in the dynamic field of psychology? We’ve provided this resource just for students like you.
As the ninth most populous state in the nation and the largest state by total area east of the Mississippi River, it is no surprise that Michigan is packed full of top-notch educational opportunities for rising psychologists in various specialty areas.
Despite the fact that the “Great Lakes State” is best known for its recreational boating as the only state to consist of two peninsulas with the longest freshwater coastline of any political subdivision on the globe, Michigan is also home to many of the best universities in the Midwest and nation at large. The following are the 10 doctoral programs in psychology that have been given the stamp of approval by the American Psychological Association (APA) for producing competent psychologists for studying the human mind and promoting mental health in the state of Michigan.
Central Michigan University
Department of Psychology
As one of the nation’s 100 largest universities with 60 locations across North America, Central Michigan University is a comprehensive public research institution headquartered in Mount Pleasant about 150 miles northwest of Detroit. Offering academic programs in more than 150 fields to over 22,000 students, CMU is currently ranked as the 190th best college and 108th top public school in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report. Furthermore, the Department of Psychology is nationally acclaimed for offering the 209th best graduate psychology programs and 145th best clinical psychology doctoral program in the United States.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology
Different from traditional psychology doctoral programs that simply prepare graduates for research and academic positions, the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program maintains a balance between academic, clinical, and research experiences to foster the integration of current theory and research findings with clinical practice for psychological intervention. Adhering to a scientist-practitioner training model, the program is sequential, graded in complexity, and designed to prepare students with both scholarly learning and effective clinical skills. With multiple supervised practicum experiences and two full-time internships, the program is highly focused on clinical training with feedback, self-monitoring, and modeling the behavior of experts.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in School Psychology
Following the scientist-practitioner approach with an emphasis on the application of behavioral science in K-12 educational systems, the Ph.D. in Psychology program is designed to prepare school psychologists who can assume leadership roles in the development of children’s educational programs and delivery of school psychological services. While those entering with a bachelor’s degree must complete 106 graduate credit hours, those who have already completed one of the APA-accredited psychology master’s programs will only need to complete 70 hours with the one-year internship. Through the intensive curriculum students are taught to use scientific principles to inform their consultation, intervention, and diagnostic services as well as promote understanding and responsiveness to the special needs of individuals with disabilities.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
Sloan Hall Room 101A
Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
(989) 774-6461
hough1ba@cmich.edu
https://www.cmich.edu/colleges/class/Psychology/Graduate/Pages/default.aspx
Eastern Michigan University
Psychology Department
Located on a 460-acre wooded campus in the city of Ypsilanti just 40 miles west of Detroit, Eastern Michigan University is a comprehensive public institution building on a proud tradition of national leadership in the preparation of teachers. Home to a diverse community of more than 19,000 students in over 200 programs, EMU is currently ranked as the 77th best college, 26th top public school, and 22nd top university for veterans in the Midwest by the U.S. News and World Report. The Psychology Department is also recognized for hosting the 206th best psychology and 145th best clinical psychology graduate programs in the entire nation.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology
Designed to graduate license-eligible clinical psychologists with the essential knowledge and skills relating to the psychological practice of assessment, diagnosis, psychotherapy, research, treatment planning, evaluation, and program development, the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program aims to prepare competent professional psychologists who will be effective in supervising and managing therapists in multi-disciplinary mental healthcare delivery systems in a culturally diverse society. As a full-time program that is structured to be completed in five years, students are required to complete at least 1,000 of internal practicum, 500 hours of external practicum, a Master’s thesis, qualifying paper, undergraduate teaching experience, graduate fellowship, doctoral dissertation, and a culminating 2,000-hour clinical internship.
Resource: What Are Some Good Internships for Psychology Students?
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
Science Complex Room 341
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
(734) 487-1155
cfreedman@emich.edu
http://www.emich.edu/psychology/programs/phd.php
Michigan State University
Department of Psychology
Known for being a powerhouse public research institution with global reach and innovative teaching transforming lives for more than 150 years, Michigan State University is located in the college town of East Lansing within a short distance from the beaches of Lake Michigan and state capital city. Recognized for having one of the best career placement services in the nation, MSU is currently ranked as the 73rd best college and 29th top public school in the United States by the U.S. News and World Report. Even more importantly, the Department of Psychology is acclaimed for hosting the 47th best clinical psychology and 46th best graduate psychology programs in the country.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology
Founded on the core principles of understanding normal development and behavior across the lifespan to inform increased comprehension on abnormal behaviors, the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program follows a clinical science training approach that utilizes molecular genetics, family influences, and cognitive neuroscience to develop comprehensive models of humor behavior across disciplines. Adhering to a mentorship model in which all doctoral students have a primary faculty advisor, the program includes advanced clinical science coursework, a Master’s thesis, doctoral dissertation, comprehensive examination, practicum, and a one-year full-time internship. The master’s portion of the program can be completed in two years, but the doctoral program consists of at least four years for a total of six years of graduate studies.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in School Psychology
Informed by the standards of the profession published by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), the Ph.D. in School Psychology program aims to equip professional psychologists with the knowledge, skills, values, and dispositions needed to provide high-quality psychological services to children, youth, and families across multiple educational settings. With an emphasis on promoting K-12 students’ learning and development particularly in relation to academic or career decisions, the program provides the seamless blend of practice, advanced curriculum, and scholarship inquiry through original research. At the conclusion of the 95-credit program after five to six years of study, graduates are eligible to become Nationally Certified School Psychologists (NCSP).
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
Psychology Building Room 240E
East Lansing, MI 48824
(517) 353-5258
psygrad@msu.edu
https://psychology.msu.edu/graduatestudents/index.html
University of Detroit Mercy
Department of Psychology
Founded in 1877 as a private Catholic institution in the Jesuit and Mercy traditions to foster intellectual, spiritual, social and moral development for all students, the University of Detroit Mercy is situated on an urban campus in the heart of downtown Detroit. According to the U.S. News and World Report, UDM is currently ranked as the 25th best college in the Midwest. Also recognized for having the 171st best graduate clinical psychology program in the entire United States, the Department of Psychology is dedicated to acquiring knowledge on the principles of human behavior, motivation, personality, lifespan development, and techniques to solve complex human psychological or emotional problems.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology
Consistent with the scientist-practitioner model of clinical training for an integration of both scientific research and clinical practice, the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program is designed to train graduate students for providing psychological services to the community based on sound ethical standards and current understanding of psychological principles as proven by research. From a broad-based theoretical perspective with significant emphasis on the psychoanalytic viewpoint, the program provides a thorough understanding of the human person, including conscious or unconscious processes, personality factors, and relational dynamics. With the advanced graduate coursework, practicum, comprehensive examinations, full-time one-year predoctoral internship, and doctoral dissertation, the program amounts to approximately 96 credit hours that can be completed in five to seven years.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
Reno Hall Room 214
4001 West McNichols Rd.
Detroit, MI 48219
(313) 578-0410
mccownja@udmercy.edu
https://liberalarts.udmercy.edu/academics/psy/phd.php
University of Michigan
Graduate Department of Psychology
Boasting one of the best college towns in the nation at Ann Arbor, just 45 miles from the hustle and bustle of Detroit, the University of Michigan is a major comprehensive public research institution with more than 28,000 students. Known for receiving the largest research expenditure for any university in the United States, UM is currently ranked as the 28th best college and 4th top public school in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report. In addition, the Graduate Department of Psychology is recognized for having the 4th best online doctoral programs and the 26th best graduate clinical psychology program in the United States.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology
Recently transitioning to a clinical science training model to train students for pursuing research careers that advance professional knowledge in the promotion of mental health and the treatment of psychopathology, the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program is optimal for those who desire careers as clinical scientists or academicians. The APA-accredited program offers intensive training in the areas of neuroscience, cultural processes, resilience, psychopathology, interdisciplinary research methods, statistics, research ethics, evidence-based assessment, treatment interventions, and cross-cultural investigations of clinical problems. For completion of the doctoral degree, students must complete clinical practicum, undergraduate teaching experiences, a Master’s thesis, a doctoral dissertation, and a one-year full-time internship during the final fifth or sixth year of graduate study.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
East Hall Room 1012
530 Church Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
(734) 764-2580
psych.saa@umich.edu
https://lsa.umich.edu/psych
Wayne State University
Department of Psychology
Known for being the state’s only urban public research institution designated as a research university with very high research activity by the prestigious Carnegie Foundation, Wayne State University is located on a 191-acre metropolitan campus in Midtown Detroit. Among the nation’s top public schools for total research expenditures, WSU is currently ranked as the 193rd best research institution in the nation and 114th best college in the Midwest by Forbes magazine. With a dynamic and dedicated faculty with wide ranging psychological research interests, the Department of Psychology is also nationally recognized for hosting the 60th best clinical psychology and 92nd best psychology graduate programs by the U.S. News and World Report.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology
Designed to develop highly skilled psychologists who competently provide a broad range of professional clinical services and contribute to the scientific development of the profession through conducting original research, the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program prepares students for the diverse ever-evolving professional role of clinical psychologist through extensive training in general psychology, psychopathology, psychological assessment, personality factors, and therapeutic interventions. Doctoral students have the option to also concentrate their studies in the areas of Health Psychology, Child Clinical Psychology, Clinical Neuropsychology, or Community Psychology. Along with the culminating one-year internship at an APA-approved site, students are required to complete at least 20 hours of each week in on-campus or external practicum experiences beginning in the second year.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
5057 Woodward Avenue 7th Floor
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 577-2800
aallen@wayne.edu
http://clasweb.clas.wayne.edu/psychology/clinicalpsychology
Western Michigan University
Department of Psychology
Positioned at the halfway point between Detroit and Chicago on a vast 1,200-acre urban campus in the heart of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a globally engaged comprehensive public institution that provides the resources of a national research university with the personal attention of a small liberal arts college. Recognized among the most affordable of Michigan’s 15 public universities, WMU is currently ranked as the 181st best college and 101st top public school in the entire nation by the U.S. News and World Report. Even more importantly, the Department of Psychology is distinguished for offering the 114th best clinical psychology and 141st best graduate psychology programs in the country.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology
Intended to prepare graduates for competently functioning in a variety of professional roles in research, clinical practice, and university teaching, the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program provides a broad clinical training following a scientist-practitioner approach with a behavioral orientation to balance research involvement with practical experience in community mental health centers. The program provides students the opportunity to work closely with a faculty mentor to conduct research studies on current clinical mental health issues, including ADHD, autism, family therapy, geriatrics, health psychology, interpersonal or domestic violence, anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). With a master’s degree earned in the process, the program requires the successful completion of 96 credit hours of academic work, a comprehensive examination, a Master’s thesis, a doctoral dissertation, a 750-hour pre-Master’s practicum, a 500-hour post-Master’s practicum, and a 2,000-hour predoctoral internship in a clinical healthcare setting.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling Psychology
Founded in 1978 in the philosophy that theory, research, and practice are interdependent for professional competency, the Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology program is structured to prepare graduates for leadership roles in academic departments, university counseling centers, community mental health agencies, hospitals, or private practices. Meeting the curriculum requirements for licensure as a psychologist in Michigan and many other states, the program is typically completed within five to seven years. With an emphasis on addressing the needs of an increasingly diverse society to increase opportunities for racial minorities, the program consists of specialized advanced coursework in counseling theory, consultation, personality assessment, vocational psychology, and multicultural counseling psychology with supervised practicum, a doctoral dissertation, and a 2,000-hour predoctoral internship.
Accreditations
- American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (CoA)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
Wood Hall Room 3700
1903 West Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 387-4500
psychology-dct@wmich.edu
https://wmich.edu/psychology/academics/graduate/clinical
As the highest level degree you can earn in the dynamic and diverse field of psychology, earning a doctoral degree in any of the various psychological specialty areas can open up a whole new world of available in-demand career opportunities. Whether you are interested in opening your own private practice, conducting research, or teaching at the university level, be sure to check out these exemplary doctoral programs in psychology in Michigan that have been given the gold standard for excellence by the highly regarded American Psychological Association (APA).
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