The Clinical Psychology Program at the University of Maryland has been accredited by the American Psychological Association since 1963 (American Psychological Association, Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, 750 First Street, NE · Washington, DC · 20002-4242 · Phone: 202-336-5979 · TDD/TTY: 202-336-6123). The Clinical program is also a member of the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science. The latter membership underscores a commitment to empirical approaches to evaluating the validity and utility of testable hypotheses and to advancing knowledge by this method. Clinical science "is a psychological science directed at the promotion of adaptive functioning; at the assessment, understanding, amelioration, and prevention of human problems in behavior, affect, cognition, or health; and at the application of knowledge in ways consistent with scientific evidence."
The goals of the Academy include:
"To foster the training of students for careers in clinical science research."
"To advance the full range of clinical science research and theory and their integration with other relevant sciences."
"To foster the development of and access to resources and opportunities for training, research, funding and careers in clinical science."
"To foster the broad application of clinical science to human problems in responsible and innovative ways."
"To foster the timely dissemination of clinical science to policy-making groups, psychologists and other scientists, practitioners and consumers."
Throughout their graduate career at Maryland, students are involved in the conceptualization, design, implementation, and interpretation of studies designed to examine issues related to the nature and treatment of psychopathological states. There is a strong emphasis on the publication of scientific and clinical findings and in the use of research findings to further our understanding of clinical phenomena and for the development of clinical interventions.
Clinical Science Training
The program prepares clinical psychologists who are well versed in the scientific method of inquiry and skilled in the science and art of practice. In addition to the scientific foundations of basic psychology, education includes understanding psychological and biological theories of psychological disorders, assessing all aspects of functioning, and implementing current empirically supported treatments to remediate psychological dysfunction. Research training is based on a mentorship model where students work closely with faculty, initially becoming involved in ongoing faculty research activities. At Maryland, graduate student research is not limited to a master's thesis and doctoral dissertation. Students are expected to be engaged in ongoing research activity throughout their graduate career.Our graduate students present their research at national scientific conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals. The clinical program enjoys an active array of research including a number of projects that are supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health in the areas of ADHD, addiction, depression, HIV risk, and schizophrenia. Students benefit from this rich environment for their research training and productivity.
Practicum Training
Students participate in practicum training (both on and off campus) that is designed to provide opportunities to gain clinical experience, and to integrate didactic education and research experience with clinical phenomena and disorders. During the first three years, students complete practicum training in the on-site Psychology Clinic under the direct supervision of Clinical Program Faculty. Following this training, students may gain additional clinical experience in several on- and off-campus settings throughout the Baltimore-Washington, DC area.
Curriculum
In addition to an emphasis on individual differences that affect human behavior, the program curriculum reflects the importance of cultural factors in understanding and modifying emotional and behavioral functioning. As such, the program values diversity of culture, lifestyle, and orientation in its students and faculty. Conceptually, the program emphasizes the relevance of cultural pluralism, and human diversity. The program's didactic, practicum, and research experiences also sensitize students to adjustment and maladjustment across diverse cultures, settings, and life circumstances.
In addition to academic resources, our location abounds with cultural and recreational opportunities. From mountains, the Chesapeake bay, to the Atlantic Ocean, Maryland boasts a vast assortment of outdoor activities, unique attractions, and historical landmarks. For information on the State of Maryland, visit the Maryland Tourism site. Washington D.C. offers an array of historical and cultural resources and you can get additional information at the DC Convention and Tourism site.
The University
The University of Maryland, College Park is a major public research university located on 1,500 acres of rolling land. The University is designated by the State as the Flagship University of the University System of Maryland. The University consists of 13 colleges offering 127 undergraduate and 112 graduate degrees. The university was 18th in the ranking of national public universities in the 2007 US News & World Report rankings, with 29 programs in the magazine’s Top 10 rankings (undergraduate and graduate), and 90 programs in the Top 25 rankings. Sponsored research and outreach at Maryland exceeded $329 million in FY05. Total enrollment in Fall, 2007 was 36,014 (25,857 undergraduate; 10,157 graduate).
Clinical Psychology Program • Department of Psychology • University
of Maryland
College Park, Maryland 20742-4411 • phone: 301-405-5890 • fax:
301-314-9566 • email: jcoldren@psyc.umd.edu
