Information for Prospective Students about the Ph.D. Program in Clinical Psychology
We are delighted that you are interested in applying to Drexel University's Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program. As described elsewhere on this website, we operate under the scientist-practitioner model with a strong emphasis on training in research methodology, statistics, critical thinking and applied research as well as in empirically-based practice. Thus, we are a best fit for those with strong interests in clinical research. We are an especially good fit with those who have research and clinical interests that match our areas of concentration: forensic psychology, health psychology, and neuropsychology (which are formal concentrations within the program) and cognitive-behavior therapy (an informal concentration). There are active, externally-funded, cutting-edge research programs within each of these domains. The program offers excellent clinical training opportunities across a wide range of sites including rehabilitation centers, neuropsychological evaluation and testing placements, student counseling centers, detention centers, forensic assessment and treatment centers, psychiatric outpatient clinics, inpatient hospitals, specialty clinics, hospitals, and private practice. In addition, there are opportunities for doctoral students to engage in undergraduate teaching, clinical supervision, and program administration.
Enrollment is limited to full-time study only and coursework is required in years 1-4. Students are required to work in 12-month practicum placements in years 2-3 (optional in year 4). Pre-doctoral internship is typically conducted in year 5. Students earn a Master’s of Science degree upon completion of 2 years of coursework plus a Master’s thesis. The program begins annually in the fall and classes are scheduled in fall, winter, and spring terms only. The program is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association.
Admission to clinical psychology Ph.D. programs is highly competitive. Drexel’s high national ranking (#7, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education) and strong international reputation result in our receiving a large volume applications every year (approximately 450) for only 10-12 places. The most successful applicants have strong academic records, as evidenced by GRE scores (a quantitative plus verbal sum of 1250 or greater is desirable), strength of undergraduate institution, and GPA (3.5 or greater is preferred). In addition we look for outstanding letters of recommendation (from doctoral-level academic, research-oriented psychologists, if possible), high-quality research experience, and a statement of purpose that convinces us an applicant is an excellent “match” for one or more of our research groups. More descriptive information on applicants and accepted students is provided below.
Our deadline for completed applications is December 1st. Please see our Application Instructions page for information on how to apply. Please note that we do offer information sessions, tours and meetings with faculty, but that these are by invitation only; we will be selecting a subset of applicants and inviting them to one of two interview days in February.
Admissions Data
Year |
Applicants |
GRE (V+Q) of Admitted Class |
Ethnic Minority of Admitted Class |
2003 |
263 |
1200 |
20% |
2004 |
377 |
1270 |
15% |
2005 |
401 |
1270 |
9% |
2006 |
520 |
1390 |
40% |
2007 |
450 |
1290 |
9% |
2008 |
448 |
1370 |
0% |
Program Costs and Funding
All doctoral students receive full tuition remission. The current minimum guaranteed stipend for students is $9,000. In practice, stipends tend to be higher because of grant funding, University-awarded scholarships and fellowships, and assistantships within the department. Mean stipend (students entering since 2007): $14,000; 72% earn $12,000 or above.
Internship Information
Year |
|
Number Applied |
Number Matched |
APPIC |
APA |
2004 |
|
14 |
13 |
13 |
13 |
2005 |
|
20 |
17 |
19 |
19 |
2006 |
|
11 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
2007 |
|
19 |
16 |
17 |
17 |
2008 |
|
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
Over the past five years, 69 of 72 students have attended APPIC/APA accredited programs. The three exceptions were judged by the clinical faculty to be consistent with all key APA criteria. Recent internship sites have included the most prestigious nationally, e.g., Brown University, Children’s Hospital – Los Angeles, Children’s National Medical Center, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, May Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Medical University of South Carolina, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, University of MA – Worcester, University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill, University of Chicago Medical Center, UCLA – Semel Institute For Neuroscience, VA Medical Center – Northport, VA Medical Center – Togus, VA Medical Center – San Francisco, Yale University
Attrition (number of students who have left the program)
| Class Year | Total |
Percentage |
2003 |
1 |
10% |
2004 |
0 |
0% |
2005 |
0 |
0% |
2006 |
0 |
0% |
2007 |
0 |
0% |
2008 |
0 |
0% |
Mean Time to Completion, including internship year: 5.9 years (median = 6.0 years).
Post-Graduate Employment Rate: 100%
Facilities Hiring: Postdoctoral placements, academic faculty positions (e.g., Duke University, Brown University, Pennsylvania State University, University of Miami), clinical positions, industry (research institutes, pharmaceutical companies, executive business consultation firms). Average starting salary: $45 to $75K