phd neuropsychology requirements

Neuropsychology Ph.D. Programs – Everything You Need to Know in 2024

What’s in this guide, at a glance.

• Why get a PhD in  Neuropsychology?

Entry requirements for a Neuropsychology PhD program

What’s covered in a neuropsychology phd program, how much does a phd in neuropsychology cost, program funding and financial support, program duration and flexibility, location and access to clinical populations, program curriculum and specializations, internship placement and post-graduation outcomes, what jobs can you do with a phd in neuropsychology, how much can you earn with a phd in neuropsychology.

By psychologyjobs.com Staff Writer

A PhD in neuropsychology is an advanced academic degree that delves into the intricate relationship between the brain and behavior. It encompasses a comprehensive study of how different neurological conditions, injuries, and disorders affect cognitive functions and behaviors. This intensive program integrates both theoretical and applied knowledge, ensuring that students are well-equipped to understand the complexities of the human brain and its impact on behavior and cognition.

The journey to earning a PhD in neuropsychology typically spans between 5 to 7 years, although the duration can vary based on individual progress and institutional requirements. Throughout this period, students immerse themselves in a rigorous curriculum that covers a broad spectrum of topics. Common areas of study include neuroanatomy, cognitive neuropsychology, clinical neuropsychology, neuropsychological assessment, neuroscience, and research methods. Additionally, candidates are often required to undergo clinical training and produce a dissertation grounded in original research.

Upon successful completion, many choose to work as  clinical neuropsychologists , diagnosing and treating individuals with neurological challenges. Others opt for roles in  research , either in academic settings or with pharmaceutical companies, delving deeper into the mysteries of the brain. The academic realm offers positions as  professors , while some graduates venture into forensic neuropsychology, healthcare administration, or even science writing. The versatility of the degree ensures that its holders can find fulfilling roles in diverse sectors, all centered around the profound understanding of the brain’s influence on behavior.

Why get a PhD in Neuropsychology?

There are a multitude of reasons why students pursue a PhD in neuropsychology, here are a few key reasons to consider it:

Expertise in a Growing Field

Neuropsychology is a rapidly expanding field, with increased recognition of the importance of brain-behavior relationships in various medical, educational, and legal settings. The demand for expertise in understanding neurological conditions and their impacts on cognition and behavior has surged. By pursuing a PhD in neuropsychology, students position themselves at the forefront of this blossoming domain, armed with the in-depth knowledge and skills essential for leading the next wave of discoveries and interventions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of psychologists, which includes neuropsychologists, is projected to grow 3% from 2019 to 2029. The increasing demand for psychological services in schools, hospitals, mental health centers, and social service agencies will drive employment growth.

Diverse Career Opportunities

A PhD in neuropsychology opens doors to a multitude of career paths, ensuring flexibility and adaptability in the job market. From clinical practice and academic research to consultancy roles in legal and corporate settings, the range of jobs available to neuropsychologists is both broad and varied. This diversity ensures that graduates have numerous avenues to explore based on their interests and strengths, making the degree exceptionally versatile.

The American Psychological Association (APA) indicated that in 2020, about 58% of doctorate recipients in psychology had a full-time job position waiting upon graduation, reflecting the diverse opportunities available in the field.

Potential for High Earnings and Job Satisfaction

Investing in a PhD in neuropsychology can lead to significant financial and personal rewards. Those with advanced degrees in the field often command higher salaries and have a greater range of job opportunities compared to those with just a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Moreover, the profound impact neuropsychologists can have on their patients’ lives, from diagnosing conditions to providing treatments, offers a level of job satisfaction that is both meaningful and fulfilling.

• Bachelor’s Degree : Typically in neuroscience, psychology or a related field, though some programs may accept applicants from other disciplines if they’ve completed prerequisite courses.
• Master’s Degree : Some programs prefer or require a  master’s degree  in psychology or a related field, while others will accept students directly from a  bachelor’s program .
• Grade Point Average (GPA) : Many programs have a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0.
• Letters of Recommendation : Typically from professors, researchers, or professionals familiar with the applicant’s academic and/or clinical work.
• Background Check : Given the nature of clinical work, some programs might require a background check before final admission.

A Neuropsychology PhD program provides students with an in-depth understanding of the relationship between the brain and behavior. Here are some areas that are typically covered:

• Foundations of Neuropsychology:  This offers an introduction to the field, covering historical developments, key concepts, and the primary challenges and questions driving current research.
• Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology:  Detailed exploration of the structure and function of the nervous system, with an emphasis on regions of the brain associated with specific cognitive and behavioral functions.
• Cognitive Neuropsychology:  Examines the cognitive consequences of brain injuries or diseases, covering topics like memory, attention, language, and executive functions.
• Clinical Neuropsychology:  Introduces students to the practices and methods used to assess and treat individuals with brain injuries or disorders.
• Developmental Neuropsychology:  Study of how cognitive functions and the brain develop over a lifespan, from infancy to old age.
• Neuropsychological Assessment:  Covers the tools, tests, and techniques used to evaluate cognitive and behavioral functions, and how these assessments inform diagnosis and treatment.
• Neuropsychological Rehabilitation:  Explores methods and interventions to help individuals recover or adapt to cognitive deficits.
• Research Methods and Statistics in Neuropsychology:  Provides training in experimental design, data collection, and statistical analysis specifically tailored to neuropsychological research.
• Neuroimaging and Neurodiagnostics:  An introduction to the tools and methods, like fMRI or PET scans, used to visualize and measure brain structure and activity.
• Neurodevelopmental and Genetic Disorders:  Focuses on conditions like ADHD, autism, and Down syndrome, examining their neurological underpinnings and manifestations.
• Neuropathology:  Study of diseases that affect brain tissue, including neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease.
• Psychopharmacology:  Understanding of how various drugs affect the brain and behavior, and how they can be used in treatment.
• Ethics in Neuropsychological Research and Practice:  Addresses the ethical considerations in conducting research and in clinical practice.
• Specialized Seminars and Electives:  Topics can vary widely but may include areas like sports-related brain injuries, advanced neuroimaging techniques, or the neuropsychology of emotion.
• Clinical Practicum and Internships:  Real-world experience in clinical settings, offering students hands-on practice in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment under supervision.
• Dissertation Research:  Students typically conduct original research, culminating in a written dissertation that they defend before a committee.

Here’s a sample curriculum for a PhD program in neuropsychology:

Semester 1:

• Introduction to Neuropsychology
• Neuroanatomy and Basic Neurophysiology
• Research Methods in Neuropsychology I
• Cognitive Psychology Foundations
• Clinical Practicum I

Semester 2:

• Cognitive Neuropsychology
• Advanced Neurophysiology
• Statistics in Neuropsychological Research I
• Developmental Neuropsychology
• Clinical Practicum II

Second Year

• Clinical Neuropsychology I
• Neuropsychological Assessment I
• Psychopharmacology
• Neuroimaging Techniques
• Research Seminar I
• Clinical Neuropsychology II
• Neuropsychological Assessment II
• Ethics in Neuropsychological Research and Practice
• Neurodevelopmental and Genetic Disorders
• Research Seminar II
• Neuropsychological Rehabilitation
• Advanced Topics in Cognitive Neuropsychology
• Neurodegenerative Diseases and Neuropathology
• Clinical Practicum III
• Dissertation Research I
• Advanced Neuroimaging and Diagnostics
• Clinical Neuropsychology Case Studies
• Neuropsychology of Emotion
• Clinical Practicum IV
• Dissertation Research II

Fourth Year

• Neuropsychology in Legal Settings (Forensic Neuropsychology)
• Specialized Seminar (e.g., Sports-related Brain Injuries)
• Advanced Psychopharmacology
• Clinical Internship I
• Dissertation Research III
• Pediatric Neuropsychology
• Advanced Seminar on Genetics and Neuropsychology
• Research Methods in Neuropsychology II
• Clinical Internship II
• Dissertation Research IV

Fifth Year (and possibly beyond)

Throughout the Year:

• Clinical Internship III (Advanced)
• Dissertation Writing and Defense
• Optional: Specialized electives or additional seminars based on research focus.

The cost of a PhD in Neuropsychology varies based on several factors, including the type of institution, location, and program duration. Public universities typically have lower tuition for in-state students, with costs ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 annually, while out-of-state students may pay more. In contrast, private institutions might charge between $25,000 to $50,000 or even higher per year in tuition and fees.

Another significant consideration is the availability of funding packages. Many PhD programs offer financial packages that can include tuition waivers, stipends, and health benefits in exchange for teaching or research assistantships. The extent and type of funding can differ substantially among institutions, with many students in neuropsychology programs often having a large portion, if not all, of their tuition covered.

Apart from tuition, prospective students should also account for other expenses such as books, supplies, fees, and living costs. It’s crucial to research individual programs, ascertain available funding opportunities, and evaluate the overall financial commitment before enrolling.

What to look for in a PhD program

It can be overwhelming with so many PhD programs out there and so many factors to consider. Choosing a program in neuropsychology is a significant decision that will impact the trajectory of your career. Here are a few key ways to compare programs/institutions:

Fully funded programs, which include tuition waivers and stipends, can drastically reduce student debt and allow students to focus on their studies. The National Science Foundation’s Survey of Earned Doctorates found that over 75% of research doctorate recipients in psychology reported no education-related debt, largely due to funding availability in their programs.

The length of a program and its ability to accommodate part-time students or offer flexible schedules can be vital, especially for those balancing work, family, or other commitments.

According to the APA, the median time to complete a doctorate in psychology has been around 7 years. However, some programs, especially those designed for working professionals, might offer accelerated tracks or part-time options, which can affect this duration.

Being in a location that provides access to diverse clinical populations or specific groups that align with a student’s research interests can be invaluable for hands-on training and research.

A report from the APA emphasized the importance of diversity in clinical training. Programs located in urban settings or areas with diverse communities can offer broader exposure and experience in multicultural clinical practice, which is essential if you intend to practice clinically after your neuropsychology degree.

The curriculum and available specializations should align with a student’s career and research interests.

In a survey by the APA, PhD recipients emphasized the importance of finding a program that matched their specific interests, as this played a crucial role in their eventual job satisfaction and career trajectory.

High-quality internship placements and positive post-graduation outcomes can significantly influence a graduate’s early career.

The Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) provides data on internship match rates. Programs with high match rates to APA-accredited internships often signal strong training and preparation.

• Clinical Neuropsychologist:  This is one of the most direct career paths. Clinical neuropsychologists assess and treat individuals with brain injuries, neurodegenerative diseases, and other neurological disorders. They often work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and private practices.
• Academic Researcher:  PhD holders can pursue positions in universities or research institutes where they conduct studies on brain-behavior relationships, cognitive functions, or neurological disorders.
• Professor/Lecturer:  With a PhD, individuals can teach neuropsychology and related courses at undergraduate and graduate levels in colleges and universities.
• Forensic psychologist:  These professionals use their expertise in legal settings, assessing cognitive and psychological functions in criminal cases, personal injury lawsuits, or competency evaluations.
• Pediatric Neuropsychologist:  Specializing in assessing and treating cognitive and behavioral issues in children and adolescents, they might work in children’s hospitals, schools, or private practices.
• Rehabilitation Specialist:  These individuals design and implement strategies to help patients recover cognitive functions after traumatic brain injuries, strokes, or other neurological incidents.
• Pharmaceutical or Biotech Researcher:  With a background in brain function and behavior, neuropsychologists can work with companies developing drugs or interventions for neurological disorders.
• Neuroimaging Specialist:  Using techniques like fMRI, PET, or EEG, these professionals analyze brain activity and structure, often collaborating with researchers or clinicians.
• Consultant:  Some neuropsychologists work in industries such as marketing, where knowledge of cognition and behavior can help shape consumer research and strategies.
• Healthcare Administrator:  For those interested in the organizational side of healthcare, a background in neuropsychology can be beneficial in roles overseeing clinical services or developing treatment programs in hospitals or clinics.
• Science Writer or Communicator:  Combining expertise in neuropsychology with strong communication skills, individuals can write articles, books, or produce media content for general audiences, educational institutions, or scientific communities.
• Policy Advisor:  Governments and nonprofits might seek the expertise of neuropsychologists when crafting health policies, guidelines, or public health campaigns related to brain health.

Below you will find the average annual salary for job roles commonly held by those with a PhD in Neuropsychology. The overall average salary for a holder of this degree is $82,333 per year.

• Clinical Neuropsychologist:  $90,000
• Academic Researcher:  $75,000
• Professor/Lecturer:  $80,000 (This varies greatly based on rank, institution, and tenure.)
• Forensic Neuropsychologist:  $95,000
• Pediatric Neuropsychologist:  $92,000
• Rehabilitation Specialist:  $78,000
• Pharmaceutical or Biotech Researcher:  $85,000
• Neuroimaging Specialist:  $82,000
• Consultant:  $87,000 (This varies greatly based on industry and expertise.)
• Healthcare Administrator:  $98,000
• Science Writer or Communicator:  $60,000
• Policy Advisor:  $70,000

Neuropsychology PhD Programs

Exploring the Field of Neuropsychology: Education, Careers, and Opportunities

Neuropsychology is a fascinating field that examines the relationship between the brain and behavior. It is a discipline that is concerned with understanding how the nervous system affects human behavior, emotions, and cognition.

• Neuropsychologists work in clinical and research settings to diagnose and treat neurological disorders, conduct research on the brain and behavior, and develop new treatments and therapies.

For those interested in pursuing a career in neuropsychology, this guide provides an overview of the educational and training requirements needed to become a neuropsychologist.

It covers topics such as degrees in neuropsychology, online psychology master’s programs, frequently asked questions about neuropsychology, and what a neuropsychologist does.

Whether you are just starting out or looking to advance your career, this guide will help you understand what it takes to become a neuropsychologist.

Key Takeaways

• Neuropsychology is a field that examines the relationship between the brain and behavior.
• Pursuing a career in neuropsychology requires a degree in neuropsychology, completing an online psychology master’s program, and understanding what a neuropsychologist does.

Degrees in Neuropsychology

Neuropsychology is a specialized field that requires a doctorate to practice. However, before pursuing a doctorate, students must complete their undergraduate degree.

Some students may opt to pursue a master’s degree before entering a doctoral program. Here are the three main degrees in Neuropsychology.

Bachelor’s Degree in Neuropsychology

To pursue a career in Neuropsychology, students typically begin by obtaining a bachelor’s degree in psychology, biology, or neuroscience.

Undergraduate programs that focus solely on Neuropsychology are rare. However, students can obtain a strong foundation in Neuropsychology by taking neuroscience, neuroanatomy, and psychological research courses.

Completing an internship can also prepare students for graduate programs.

If students are looking for a more flexible alternative to a campus-based undergraduate program, they can pursue an online bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field.

Master’s Degree in Neuropsychology

Most aspiring Neuropsychologists go straight from their bachelor’s degree to a doctoral program in Neuropsychology. However, some students earn a master’s degree in Neuropsychology, clinical psychology, or a related field as a next step.

A master’s degree can help students decide if Neuropsychology is the right career for them. This degree can also help students boost their competitive edge when applying to selective doctoral programs.

Students take courses in areas such as learning and cognition, memory and the brain, and neuroscience, along with required clinical hours, internships, and research experiences, which can help prepare them for the demands of rigorous doctoral study.

If students decide to pursue a master’s degree in psychology but need to maintain work or personal commitments, they can find several programs available in convenient online or hybrid formats.

Doctorate in Neuropsychology

To practice Neuropsychology, individuals must hold a doctor of psychology (Psy.D.) or a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.). The Psy.D. focuses on clinical training, while the Ph.D. emphasizes scientific research.

During doctoral studies, students complete advanced coursework in neuroanatomy, biopsychology, neuropsychological assessment, and research methods.

They also have to complete an internship and a dissertation based on independent research.

In addition to clinical hours and internships completed during their Neuropsychological degree, students should expect to spend 1-2 years in a postdoctoral fellowship to qualify for licensure and certification.

To qualify for a state license, they need to pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).

Neuropsychologists often earn board certification through the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology (ABCN) or the American Board of Professional Neuropsychology (ABPN).

Online Psychology Master’s Programs

Several accredited schools offer online psychology master’s programs. Consider one of these top programs to discover their value today.

• Programs focus on various areas such as clinical psychology, neuropsychology, and mental health counseling.
• Coursework includes topics like assessment, research methods, and evidence-based psychotherapy.
• Tuition ranges from $10,000 to $60,000 per academic year depending on the program and the university.
• Public universities in the U.S. typically charge in-state residents $5,000 to $25,000 per academic year and out-of-state residents $10,000 to $50,000.
• Private universities generally charge higher tuition fees.

Frequently Asked Questions About Neuropsychology

What is the difference between a psychologist and a neuropsychologist.

Psychologists and neuropsychologists both study human behavior and mental processes. However, neuropsychologists specialize in how the brain and nervous system influence cognitive processes, emotions, and behavior.

They use a combination of psychological and neurological assessments to diagnose and treat neurological conditions that affect behavior, cognition, and emotion.

Do Neuropsychologists Deal with Mental Disorders?

Neuropsychologists have the training to diagnose and treat behavioral and mental disorders associated with cognitive impairment, including conditions such as dementia, memory loss, and attention disorders.

They work closely with other healthcare professionals, such as psychiatrists and neurologists, to develop comprehensive treatment plans that address the patient’s specific needs.

Do Neuropsychologists Go to Med School?

Licensed neuropsychologists have either a Ph.D. or Psy.D. degree. They do not hold medical degrees and cannot administer medications.

However, they receive extensive training in neuroanatomy, neuropathology, and neurophysiology as part of their education and clinical internship.

How Much Do Neuropsychologists Earn?

According to Payscale, neuropsychologists earn an average base salary of $105,240 as of March 2024.

Several factors impact salaries, including work experience, specializations, and employment setting.

Neuropsychologists who work in research or public policy may earn less than those who work in private practice or clinical settings. However, with experience and advanced training, neuropsychologists may earn higher salaries.

What Does a Neuropsychologist Do?

Neuropsychologists assess and treat a variety of disorders related to changes in cognitive functioning, such as traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, stroke, ADHD, or Alzheimer’s disease. They work with people of all ages, from infancy to adulthood, and collaborate with other healthcare providers, including neurologists, neurosurgeons, and psychiatrists, to administer language assessments, personality tests, mental exams, and other diagnostic tools.

Based on these evaluations, they prepare a detailed report for patients and their healthcare team to guide treatment decisions.

Clinical Work

Clinical neuropsychologists work with patients in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and private practice.

They conduct neuropsychological assessments to evaluate cognitive functions, such as memory, language, attention, concentration, reasoning, and thinking.

They also assess brain-behavior relationships and neurological functioning to diagnose and treat disorders affecting the central nervous system.

Neuropsychologists use a variety of techniques to assess cognitive functions, including standardized tests, interviews, observations, and medical records.

Cognitive neuropsychologists mainly work as researchers with no direct patient interaction.

They typically work in academic and research institutions, conducting studies and developing new evaluation tools to advance the field.

Neuropsychologists with research interests may study a wide range of topics, including autism, epilepsy, stroke, cognitive aging, genetics, and brain and behavior.

What Else Can I Do With a Neuropsychology Degree?

A doctorate in neuropsychology can expand professional career options beyond clinical practice into other areas, including teaching, research, and consulting. A doctorate is generally required for teaching positions at the postsecondary level.

Neuropsychologists may find research positions at universities, academic medical centers, or government agencies.

They may also move into private practice or start their own consulting and research firms.

Neuropsychologists with clinical experiences often advance into supervisory positions as directors or department heads in hospitals and clinics.

Voluntary certifications like those offered through the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology (ABCN) and the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) can advance career opportunities.

Neuropsychologists who want to specialize in the care of children may pursue board certification in pediatric neuropsychology, available through the ABCN or the American Board of Pediatric Neuropsychology (AAPdN).

Frequently Asked Questions

Admission requirements for neuropsychology phd programs.

To be admitted to a neuropsychology PhD program, applicants typically need to have a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field. Some programs may also require a master’s degree.

Additionally, applicants are usually required to have a minimum GPA of 3.0, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement outlining their research interests and career goals.

Duration of Neuropsychology PhD Programs

The typical duration of a neuropsychology PhD program is 5-7 years. This can vary depending on the program and the student’s research interests and progress.

Some programs may offer accelerated tracks or part-time options, but these are less common.

Career Paths After Completing a PhD in Neuropsychology

Graduates of neuropsychology PhD programs can pursue a variety of career paths.

Many become academic researchers or professors, while others work in clinical settings as neuropsychologists or in related fields such as neurology, psychiatry, or rehabilitation.

Some graduates may also work in industry or government positions.

Difference Between Clinical Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neuropsychology PhD Programs

Clinical neuropsychology PhD programs focus on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of neurological disorders and injuries.

Cognitive neuropsychology PhD programs, on the other hand, focus on the cognitive and neural processes underlying behavior, with an emphasis on understanding how brain damage affects these processes.

While there is some overlap between these two fields, they have distinct research and clinical focuses.

Funding Opportunities for Students in Neuropsychology PhD Programs

Many neuropsychology PhD programs offer funding opportunities for students, such as research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and fellowships.

These opportunities may provide a stipend, tuition remission, and health insurance.

Additionally, students may be eligible for external funding opportunities, such as grants from the National Institutes of Health or private foundations.

Difference Between a PhD in Neuroscience and a PhD in Neuropsychology in Terms of Career Prospects

Both neuroscience and neuropsychology PhD programs focus on the brain and behavior. However, they have different research and career focuses.

Neuropsychology PhD programs typically focus on the assessment and treatment of neurological disorders and injuries. Meanwhile, neuroscience PhD programs focus on understanding the basic mechanisms underlying brain function.

Graduates of both programs can pursue careers in academia, industry, or government. But, the specific career paths may differ.

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Clinical Neuropsychology

Clinical Neuropsychology is a specialty field within clinical psychology, dedicated to understanding the relationships between brain and behavior, particularly as these relationships can be applied to the diagnosis of brain disorder, assessment of cognitive and behavioral functioning and the design of effective treatment.

Specialized Knowledge

The required expertise for this area is based on the way that behavior and skills are related to brain structures and systems.

Problems Addressed

Neuropsychological evaluations are requested specifically to help understand how the different areas and systems of the brain are working. Testing is usually recommended when there are symptoms or complaints involving memory or thinking. This may be signaled by a change in concentration, organization, reasoning, memory, language, perception, coordination or personality. The change may be due to any of a number of medical, neurological, psychological or genetic causes.

Populations Served

Clinical Neuropsychology serves people across the entire age and developmental span whenever there are concerns about brain function. This can range from developmental concerns in infants, academic challenges in childhood, adolescence and early adulthood, work and social challenges in adulthood and concerns about declining function in old age. Some of the conditions neuropsychologists routinely deal with include developmental disorders like autism, learning and attention disorders, concussion and traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, brain cancer, stroke and dementia.

Skills and Procedures Utilized

The neuropsychological evaluation consists of gathering relevant historical information, a neuropsychological examination, analysis and integration of data and findings, and feedback to the referral source. History is obtained through reviewing medical and other records, and through interview with the patient. With the patient’s permission, family members or other knowledgeable persons may be interviewed and asked to share their perceptions and perspective on important aspects of the history and symptoms. The examination typically consists of the administration of standardized tests using oral questions, paper and pencil, computers, the manipulation of materials such as blocks and puzzles, and other procedures. Depending on the scope and intent of the evaluation, testing may focus on a wide range of cognitive functions including attention, memory, language, academic skills, reasoning and problem solving, visuospatial ability and sensory-motor skills. The neuropsychologist may also administer tests and questionnaires concerning psychological aspects of mood, emotional style, behavior and personality.

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Graduate School

Neuropsychology (ph.d.) program details, degree requirements.

    ❱   Required coursework     ❱   Qualifying or comprehensive examination     ❱   Graduate School writing proficiency requirement     ❱   Graduate School Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) requirement     ❱   Dissertation       ❱   Final oral examination/Dissertation defense 

Breadth and Minor Areas 

   ❱  Developmental Psychology    ❱  Social Psychology    ❱  Personality Psychology

Research Areas & Interests 

Faculty research interests.

A sampling of research interests

• Relationship between neighborhood factors and neuropsychological functioning among adolescents living with perinatal HIV
• Psychoneuroimmunological correlates of health and disease
• Obesity-related in fl ammation and the brain’s functional integrity
• Health and well-being as a function of biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors
• Effects of cardiovascular disease risk factors on the neurocognitive aging process in African American
• Psychoneuroimmunological factors that help explain CVD risk in African Americans
• Effects of obesity on neurocognitive functioning in African-American bariatric patients

Faculty Areas of Specialty

Alfonso Campbell, Jr., is primarily interested in the psychoneuroimmunological correlates of health and disease. Currently, his work focuses on the relationship between inflammation and the brain’s functional integrity. He is also developing a model of health and well-being that takes into account biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors.

Denée T. Mwendwa examines the effects of cardiovascular disease risk factors on the neurocognitive aging process in African Americans. She is also interested in the psychoneuroimmunological factors that help explain CVD risk in African Americans. Her current research project focuses on the effects of obesity on neurocognitive functioning in African-American bariatric patients.

Ezer Kang examines the relationship between neighborhood factors and neuropsychological functioning among adolescents living with perinatal HIV (PHIV). His PHIV research in Thailand focuses on the impact of neuropsychological delays on daily functioning and health-related quality of life.

Program of Study* 

Core courses.

PSYC 203 First Year Research I

PSYC 219 First Year Research II

PSYC 207 Statistics I

PSYC 208 Statistics II

PSYC 206 History & Systems

PSYC 205 Research Methods

PSYC 233 Neuropsychology

PSYC 271 Psychopharmacology

PSYC 259 Health Neuropsychology

PSYC 288  Adult Neuropsychological Assessment

BREADTH & MINOR COURSES (18 CR)

Select three breadth courses (9 credits).  One breadth area course should be taken in each of the other Psych tracks.

Select three minor area courses (9 credits). One minor area course should be taken in each of the other Psych tracks.

RESEARCH SEMINARS

PSYC 244 Seminar in Neuropsychology

PSYC 245 Seminar in Brain and Behavior

DISSERTATION

*Courses included in the sample program of study are subject to change. Students should consult with their programs regarding their required program of study. 

Admission to Candidacy 

Students are admitted to formal candidacy by the Graduate School when they have completed the required coursework, passed the qualifying or comprehensive examination, submitted an approved topic for research, and been recommended by the Department. Candidates must also have satisfied the Graduate School writing proficiency requirement and Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) requirement.

Graduate Funding 

Admitted students may be eligible to compete for  Graduate School competitive awards ,  which provide tuition remission and a stipend during the academic year. Additionally, graduate research or teaching assistantships may be available at the department level. Research assistants and teaching assistants work no more than 20 hours a week under the program's direction, usually in support of faculty research (research assistants) or in support of assigned courses (teaching assistants). Please see the  Funding website  for more detailed information.  

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Neuropsychology Emphasis

Science-focused diagnosis & treatment.

Memory. Concentration. Reasoning. Logic. Language. Perception. Personality. The impact of brain function on human behavior is endlessly fascinating – and it’s a great career path for science-minded psychology students.

You will work with medical specialists, clinicians, and researchers to assess and analyze brain structures and symptoms to pinpoint potential causes and treatments.

In addition to clients with psychiatric disorders, you will treat patients diagnosed with autism, epilepsy, and dementia, as well as concussions and other traumatic brain injuries.

Neuropsychology Emphasis Objectives

According to guidelines adopted by the Division of Clinical Neuropsychology (Division 40) of the American Psychological Association (APA), the basic education and training of a clinical neuropsychologist includes:

• Successful completion of a doctoral level degree in psychology from a regionally accredited program
• Successful completion of systematic didactic education (course work in neuropsychology and neuroscience)
• Supervised experiential training (practica, internships) in clinical neuropsychology, including two or more years of supervised training (usually post-doctoral) applying neuropsychological services in a clinical setting >Please  click here  for a link to the Society for Clinical Neuropsychology's doctoral student worksheet, which provides students a framework for planning their doctoral training goals in preparation for internship and postdoctoral training in neuropsychology. >Students may also find it helpful to review this  recent survey  of the expectations of internships offering neuropsychology training, conducted by PAU's own Dr. Rayna Hirst and her graduate students, in preparation for their own internship applications.

The courses required as prerequisites and offered in the Area of Emphasis fulfill the didactic education criteria listed above as approved by Division 40.  Learn more about APA Division 40 guidelines. The required graduate-level courses in this area include prerequisites and specialized courses in neuropsychology.

Curriculum and Requirements

The courses required as prerequisites and offered in the Area of Emphasis fulfill the didactic education criteria listed above as approved by Division 40.  Successful completion of the Neuropsychology Area of Emphasis at PAU is only one component in the education and clinical training necessary to become a clinical neuropsychologist. Further specialty preparation is expected at the pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral level. Learn more about APA Division 40 guidelines .

Planning Your Schedule

Applications to the Neuropsychology Area of Emphasis open each fall, with the curriculum beginning the following spring. You will need to plan your schedules carefully in order to take the complete sequence during your time on campus – including the two summers of study.

Prerequisites

You must complete the prerequisite course work at PAU (or equivalent course work from another institution) with no grade in any prerequisite course below an “A-”.

Required courses include:

• ASMT800 Psychopathology and Psychodiagnosis I
• ASMT818/819 Psychopathology and Psychodiagnosis II
• PSYS805 Psychological Science II: Biological Bases of Behavior I: Biological Psychology
• ASMT810 Psychometric Theory
• ASMT809 Intellectual Assessment
• ASMT826 Assessment of Psychopathology
• ASMT815 Assessment of Personality

You can take these courses after applying to the Area of Emphasis; however, low grades in these courses may be grounds for probation status and/or dismissal from the Area of Emphasis.

Course Requirements

The following courses must be taken in the order listed. You cannot register for these classes until you have been accepted into the Neuropsychology track (typically winter of your second year). All neuropsychology track classes are held on Tuesdays.

• ASMT 860 Neuropsychological Assessment I (3 units - Spring 2nd Year) - Required
• ASMT 861 Neuropsychological Assessment II (3 units - Summer 2nd Year) - Required
• ASMT 862 Clinical Neuropsychology I (3 units - Fall 3rd Year) - Required
• ASMT 863 Clinical Neuropsychology II (3 units - Winter 3rd Year) - Required
• ASMT 864 Neuroanatomy and Neuroimaging (3 units - Spring 3rd Year) - Required
• ASMT 865 Cognitive Rehabilitation (3 units - Summer 3rd Year) - Optional w/substitution

The first five classes of the Neuropsychology sequence are required. The sixth class is optional, and may be substituted with a neuropsychology-related elective (e.g., a class in Forensic Psychology, Health Psychology, Child and Family Assessment, Trauma, etc.). The Director, Dr. Hirst, must approve the substituted elective class.

Please note: Given the heavy workload of the first class in the track, I strongly recommend that you schedule as few classes as possible during Spring quarter of your second year. Ideally, your only classes should be the required course ASMT 815 Assessment of Personality and ASMT 860 Neuropsychological Assessment I.

Progress Assessment

Once admitted to the program, you must complete the full sequence of courses to complete the Area of Emphasis. Progress is evaluated on an ongoing basis and any grade below a A- in a class within the Neuropsychology or Assessment curriculum will result in a placement on probation status.

A grade below a A- in a Neuropsychology or Assessment course while on probation status may be grounds for dismissal from the Area of Emphasis.

Neuropsychological Testing Class

You will be required to administer neuropsychological test batteries to one or two subjects per quarter for each of the Assessment “ASMT” courses.

It is often difficult for students to locate subjects on short notice if they attempt to do so on a quarter-by-quarter basis. This means you will need to plan ahead to secure volunteers or set up a placement site (or more than one site) where you can test subjects.

• If the subjects are volunteers, no clinical supervisor is needed since no report will be issued to a clinical agency or patient.
• If the subjects are actual clinical cases at an agency, you must arrange for supervision/co-signing of clinical assessment reports by a licensed psychologist other than the course instructor.

For more information, contact the Director of the Neuropsychology Area of Emphasis.

Dr. Rayna Hirst's BRAIN lab (Behavioral Research and Assessment In Neuropsychology) conducts research in brain-behavior relationships and neuropsychological assessment.

Outside the Classroom

Students must complete an official practicum placement (one year of full or supplemental) in a setting that provides clinical neuropsychological experience in their 3rd or 4th year.  

PhD students who plan to take the Neuropsychology Area of Emphasis need to plan their schedules carefully in order to be positioned to take the complete sequence during their time on campus; two summers of study are required.  A complete offering of this sequence begins every spring.

Dissertation

Neuropsychology Practicum Requirement

Students in the Neuropsychology Area of Emphasis must complete a dissertation that makes a scientific contribution to the field of neuropsychology.

Completion of the Area of Emphasis

Completion of the Neuropsychology Area of Emphasis will be granted following the completion of all coursework requirements, completion or securement of a neuropsychology practicum, and approval of the dissertation proposal by the dissertation committee.

Professional Development

In addition to these courses, students in the Neuropsychology Area of Emphasis are expected to engage in other professional activities to advance their knowledge in the field.

This includes membership in the Association for Neuropsychology Students in Training as well as other professional organizations (e.g., APA Division 40) and attendance at PAU Neuropsychology Grand Rounds.

Application

Students can apply to the Neuropsychology Area of Emphasis each fall to begin the curriculum the following spring. Applications are available here and are due on the last day of fall quarter. No late applications will be accepted. Grades (both overall and in the prerequisite courses), instructor evaluations, references, curriculum vitae, and overall fit with the program will be considerations in decisions to accept students.

If you are a graduate student at PAU, in at least your second year of the program, please complete your application to the Neuropsychology Area of Emphasis. Applications should be submitted to Dr. Hirst and are accepted starting in the middle of the Fall Quarter of your Second Year, with a Due Date of the Last Day of Fall Quarter.

Complete your Application

Mylea Charvat, PhD, became interested in the brain as a teenager, when her grandmother showed signs of memory loss. Her work recently became even more personal when she was involved in a bicycle accident that left her with a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

“The neuropsych program trained me to be comprehensive, precise, and to evaluate people in ways that others cannot. The rigors of training and highly competent and outstanding mentors also contributed to my current level of knowledge,” said Heitzmann.

Neuropsychologist Degree Requirements, Common Courses And Licensure

Updated: Jan 2, 2024, 5:37am

The connection between humans’ minds and their actions can be puzzling for many. Enter the neuropsychologist, a type of psychologist who specializes in understanding the unique relationship between the human brain and human behavior.

How do you obtain a degree and licensure required to become a neuropsychologist ? Read on to find out more about programs and careers in neuropsychology.

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What Does a Neuropsychologist Do?

Neuropsychologists can evaluate and treat people with all types of nervous system disorders. Patients who see neuropsychologists may have a variety of diagnoses, such as:

• Learning and attention disorders
• Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
• Brain cancer

Neuropsychologists typically work in hospitals, private practice, clinics and doctor’s offices. They often work in care teams with other medical professionals, including rehabilitation psychologists, neurologists, primary care physicians, psychiatrists and therapists.

What Are Neuropsychologist Degree Requirements?

Earn a bachelor’s degree.

Most aspiring neuropsychologists have undergraduate degrees in related fields like psychology. They might also concentrate in neuropsychology. An internship can help undergraduates hone their skills further. A bachelor’s degree is just the first step of many on the long path to a career in neuropsychology.

Note that a master’s degree is optional for neuropsychologists, but a doctoral degree is required. Some doctoral programs may allow admission to students who do not hold master’s degrees, but many do not.

Earn a Doctoral Degree

All neuropsychologists must hold a relevant doctorate before applying for licensure. A doctorate in neuropsychology can take anywhere from three to five years to finish, or sometimes longer. During a doctoral program, each student completes advanced coursework in neuropsychology, an internship and a research-based dissertation.

Some programs also require students to complete postdoctoral field requirements, such as a two-year residency in a clinical setting.

Common Courses for Neuropsychology Students

Master’s in neuropsychology.

Some prospective neuropsychologists pursue master’s degrees before applying to their doctoral programs. This step is not required, but it does allow students to specialize their training, and it may help them gain admission to more competitive doctoral programs.

Students in these master’s programs may take a variety of courses. Examples include the following.

• Biopsychology. This class analyzes how the brain influences our thoughts, behaviors and feelings.
• Ethics in psychology. Students in this course explore the rules of conduct when carrying out research.
• Foundations of neuropsychology. This course introduces the subfield of neuropsychology and provides information on a career path.

Note that these are just a few courses learners might encounter in a neuropsychology master’s program.

Neuropsychology Ph.D. Programs

A Ph.D. in neuropsychology is the second-to-last step to becoming a licensed neuropsychologist. Students in doctoral programs for neuropsychology can expect to take a wide variety of classes specific to their field.

Some common courses for advanced neuropsychology students include the following.

• Child and adolescent disorders. This course explores disorders in children that affect learning, memory, and behavior.
• Neuropsychological assessment. Students in this course learn about identifying and diagnosing neuropsychological disorders.
• Cognitive rehabilitation. Coursework covers the interventions aimed at improving cognitive ability.
• Neuroanatomy. Learners examine the structure and function of the central nervous system.

As a part of the Ph.D. process, students also have to write dissertations and submit them for publication or presentation. After completing their dissertation, each Ph.D. candidate must appear before a board of professionals in their field to defend their thesis. They may then formally receive their doctorate.

Do Neuropsychologists Need To Earn Licensure?

To practice clinically, neuropsychologists must apply for a state license and pass the Examination for the Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).

Before taking the EPPP , you must earn a doctoral degree in either neuropsychology or psychology. The degree must come from a program accredited by the American Psychological Association .

The EPPP itself is a computer-based test comprising 225 multiple-choice questions. You have four hours and 15 minutes to complete the test, and you must answer about 70% of the questions correctly to earn a passing score of 500. The exam costs $600 to take, plus an additional $87.50 fee that must be paid to the testing center where you take your exam.

Neuropsychology Certification

To qualify for certification through ABCN, you must hold a doctorate, complete an APA-approved internship and pass the EPPP. You must then submit two practice samples and take a written and an oral exam.

To qualify for certification through ABCN, you must hold a doctorate, complete an APA-approved internship and pass the EPPP exam. You must then submit two practice samples and take a written and an oral exam.

Applicants for ABCN’s certification must have completed 1,600 hours of supervised clinical neuropsychological experience as well.

Frequently Asked Questions About Neuropsychologist Degrees

Is neuropsychology hard to get into.

Neuropsychology is a specialized field that is tough to get into. It requires many years of schooling to earn a doctoral degree through an APA-accredited program. Candidates must then complete an internship, pass the EPPP, obtain licensure and possibly earn an additional certification through ABCN.

What should I major in for neuropsychology?

Students interested in neuropsychology should consider an undergraduate degree in psychology with a concentration in neuropsychology. They should then pursue a doctoral degree in neuropsychology or psychology.

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PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience

For contact information, please visit the Graduate Medical Sciences website .

The mission of the Behavioral Neuroscience PhD Program is to provide students with a firm foundation in basic principles and methods of Experimental Neuropsychology in preparation for embarking on a career as an experimental neuropsychologist and behavioral neuroscientist in academia or industry.

The Behavioral Neuroscience PhD Program is unique in that the focus is on human neurobehavioral disorders in relation to brain structure and function. The Behavioral Neuroscience Program provides a true translational link between cutting-edge research and its emphasis on medical patient care. Our students and alumnae represent strong, talented, and highly productive professionals. The strength and uniqueness of the Behavioral Neuroscience Program is exemplified in the quality and constitution of our course offerings, faculty, and research opportunities.

The Behavioral Neuroscience PhD Program is an interdisciplinary program administered through Graduate Medical Sciences , Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, and consists of faculty members mainly in the Departments of Neurology ,  Psychiatry , and  Anatomy & Neurobiology . Many hold joint research and/or clinical appointments with the VA Boston Healthcare System.

The key features of the program are:

• The delineation and analysis of perceptual, cognitive, linguistic, affective, and behavioral disorders observed in neurologic disease, as these disorders contribute to an understanding of normal brain function and its modification by pathology .
• The subject matter derives primarily  from clinical populations with neurological disorders   affecting higher processes, particularly from the study of syndromes involving selective impairment of functional systems such as memory, language, attention, executive functioning, and/ or purposeful movement.
• Current  methods of clinical assessment, neuropsychology, experimental design, and the neurosciences are integrated into a broad program focused on clinical research. There is also limited opportunity for basic science research.

Students in the program are required to participate in a research apprenticeship with a faculty member with course units being offered as Research in Behavioral Neuroscience. This arrangement is intended as preparation for independent research careers. Students also have the opportunity to participate in grand rounds, and to attend didactic seminars and hospital lectures at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and the VA Boston Healthcare System.

The doctoral program curriculum consists of core and elective courses and research in neuropsychology within Graduate Medical Sciences. Candidates may also enroll in directed studies or graduate courses offered in other Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine departments, including but not limited to, the Departments of Anatomy and Neurobiology ,  Psychology , and course offerings of the Graduate Program for Neuroscience .  For some students with specialized interests and backgrounds, additional courses available throughout Boston University may be credited toward the PhD degree with special permission.

Learning Outcomes

The goals of the Behavioral Neuroscience PhD program are to provide students with a firm foundation in basic principles and methods of Experimental Neuropsychology to prepare students for embarking on a career as an experimental neuropsychologist and behavioral neuroscientist in academia or industry.

At the conclusion of the program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the relationship between neuroanatomy and neurobehavior and cognition.
• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the relationship between neuropathology and neurobehavior and cognition.
• Demonstrate proficiency in assessing behavioral and cognitive skills and deficiencies based on neuropathology and/or neurodegenerative disorders.
• Design and perform assessments and data acquisition, and data analyses for scientifically sound research studies.
• Read, interpret, and present scientific findings.

Program Requirements

The Behavioral Neuroscience PhD program is a full-time program only. Most students complete the program in 5–7 years. Matriculation is in September only.

A total of 64 units is required to fulfill the program requirements. This includes the core courses as well as elective courses and units for performing research activities in one of the program’s research labs. If a student enters the program with a related master’s degree, they may be required to complete 32 units rather than 64 units.

Course Descriptions

The curriculum for the doctoral program consists mainly of existing courses within Graduate Medical Sciences.

Core Courses

Required of all PhD students in the p rogram (MD/PhD students are exempt from taking Basic Neurosciences). A brief description of each course being offered appears below. A graduate-level course in statistics is also required.

• Human Neuropsychology Seminar I (GMS BN 775)
• Human Neuropsychology Seminar II (GMS BN 776)
• Basic Neurosciences Survey (GMS BN 778)
• Neuropsychological Assessment I (GMS BN 796)
• Functional Neuroanatomy in Neuropsychology (GMS BN 798)

Elective Courses

• Research in Behavioral Neuroscience (GMS BN 991 or 992)
• Behavioral and Biological Aspects of Stress and Trauma (GMS BN 780)
• Directed Studies in Behavioral Neuroscience (GMS BN 791, 792)
• Brain Asymmetry: Functional and Structural Differences Between Hemispheres (GMS BN 794)
• Cognitive Neuroscience of Memory and Perception (GMS BN 795)
• Neuropsychological Assessment II (GMS BN 797)
• Seminar in Neuroimaging (GMS BN 821)
• Case Studies in Neuropsychology (Sections A, B, and C) (GMS BN 891, 892)
• Child Clinical Neuropsychology (GMS BN 893)
• Beginning Basic Neurosciences (GMS BN 779)

GMS BN 775 & 776, Human Neuropsychology I and II, 4 units each

Course focuses on the relationship of the field of neuropsychology to other medical and scientific disciplines. Includes the study of attention, cerebral dominance, pathologies of language, traumatic brain injuries, PTSD, and Parkinson’s.

Course focuses on the relationship of the field of neuropsychology to other medical and scientific disciplines. Includes neuropsychological aspects of neurological disease of dementing diseases, memory, epilepsy, child development, neurotoxicant exposures, and brain stimulation treatments.

GMS BN 778, Basic Neurosciences, 4 units across two terms (also offered as GMS BN 779 for 2 units each term)

Gms bn 778 & 779.

Overview includes neurophysiology, neurochemistry, neuroanatomy, neurobehavior, and neuropsychopharmacology. Processes occurring at the cellular and physiological levels are related to known central nervous system dysfunction.

GMS BN 780, Behavioral and Biological Aspects of Stress and Trauma, 2 units

This course reviews the psychobiological aspects of responses to trauma and stressful conditions, including the importance of individual differences and social factors.

GMS BN 791, 792, Directed Studies in Behavioral Neuroscience, variable units

In a one-on-one format, students work closely with a faculty member to study a topic of special interest to both of them.

GMS BN 794, Brain Asymmetries: Functional and Structural Differences Between Hemispheres, 4 units

The distinctive roles of the left and right hemispheres are reviewed, first by examining alterations in language and nonverbal behavior under conditions of brain damage and second by examining techniques used to investigate functional asymmetry in the normally intact brain.

GMS BN 795, Cognitive Neuroscience of Memory and Perception, 4 units

The study of normal and abnormal memory and perception is related to brain structure and function, theoretical and clinical issues about how abilities change with increasing age.

GMS BN 796, Neuropsychological Assessment I, 4 units

Overview of neuropsychological tests used for cognitive assessment in clinical and research settings. Focus is on determining appropriate outcome measures to quantify brain behavior relationships. This course prepares students to design neuropsychological assessment batteries for research studies.

GMS BN 798, Functional Neuroanatomy in Neuropsychology, 4 units

This course has been designed to provide students with a foundational and comprehensive review of the structures and functions of the human nervous system, as well as an introduction to neuropathology and the sequelae associated with congenital and acquired disorders of the central nervous system.

GMS BN 821, Neuroimaging Seminar, 2 units

This course is intended for students with limited background in the application of neuroimaging techniques for the study of psychiatric and neurological illnesses. Techniques, including MRI, fMRI, DTI, MRS, PET, and SPECT, will be discussed with relevance to selected neurobehavioral disorders.

GMS BN 891 & 892, Case Studies (three different clinical rounds, Sections A1, B1, and C1), 2 units per Section

Individual patients with perceptual/cognitive/affective symptomatology concomitant with brain damage are examined intensively through the use of a variety of behavioral assessment procedures. Patients’ symptoms and test results are reviewed for the differential diagnosis and etiology of neurological syndromes. Emphasis on qualitative and quantitative analyses of standardized and experimental tests. There are three distinct sections of this course each term. These sections specialize in different neurobehavioral disorders.

GMS BN 893, Child Clinical Neuropsychology, 4 units

Covers general theoretical issues (e.g., intrauterine and postnatal development of the brain, handedness and lateralization of function, and recovery of function and neurobehavioral plasticity); diagnostic entities (e.g., attention deficit disorder, early brain damage, developmental language disorders, dyslexia, and effects of malnutrition); and assessment and treatment.

GMS BN 991 & 992, Research in Behavioral Neuroscience, variable units

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The PhD will typically be completed in five years, with each student’s progress and time to degree evaluated each semester during their first year of the PhD program, and annually thereafter. Satisfactory progress toward the PhD is required for continued stipend funding and tuition remission.

Each graduate student will identify an area in which to concentrate: biopsychology, developmental psychology, or cognitive psychology. The student will develop intensive knowledge and understanding of the area of concentration through advanced seminars, topical seminars, and research experience.

A brief summary of the requirements of the PhD in Psychological and Brain Sciences follows. Complete information for current PhD students and faculty advisers is available in the Graduate Student Handbook.

Courses and Seminars

All courses must be passed with a grade of B- or better (B- is passing, but unsatisfactory).

Fundamentals & Core Topics in Psychology

AS.200.613 Fundamentals of Psychological & Brain Sciences, AS.200.654 Psychological & Brain Sciences Core Topics A, and AS.200.655 Psychological & Brain Sciences Core Topics B will offer an introduction to the fundamental principles of cognitive and physiological psychology and psychological and brain sciences. Students will read seminal and contemporary papers in topics that cover the breadth of the field.

A thorough understanding of statistics is useful in virtually all research settings. Two statistics courses are required during the first year of graduate training. The normal sequence is 200.657 Advanced Statistical Methods in the fall, followed by 200.658 Advanced Research Design and Analysis in the spring. Students with exceptional statistical training may take two more advanced courses by arrangement with the Director of Graduate Studies and their faculty advisor. Students are encouraged to take more statistics, as appropriate.

Topical Seminars

One or more faculty members lead seminars on topics of special interest, such as cognitive processes, developmental psycholinguistics, neuro-physiological aspects of behavior, mathematical psychology, and information processing. Through these seminars a student gets intensive knowledge in particular specialties. Topics vary from semester to semester and are determined by the interests of both faculty and graduate students. The format of the seminar is optional, and the course may or may not require formal tests of knowledge. Students are urged to complete topical seminars as appropriate.

Research Seminars

Students and faculty engaged or interested in research in particular areas organize these seminars. Participants discuss their own research and other current research in the area.

PhD Milestones

First-year research proposal & project.

During the first year, the student, together with the faculty advisor, chooses a research project that will provide extended research experience. Normally, the student designs a study as a larger ongoing project. A project proposal must be submitted by April 15 of the first year; this presents the nature of the problem, reviews the relevant literature, and describes the study in detail, together with the anticipated data, means of analysis, and interpretations. A final report must be submitted by December 15 of the second year; this includes all the information appropriate for published work.

Master of Arts in Psychology

A student who has been admitted into the PhD program can earn a Master of Arts degree in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the PhD degree. Normally, candidates for the PhD degree in psychology will qualify for the MA degree at the end of their second year, after having completed two area seminars and at least two courses in psychological research design and/or advanced statistics, provided that their performance is of the quality judged satisfactory for the MA level. There is no terminal master’s program.

Further information about the Master of Arts degree requirements .

Advanced Examination

The Advanced Examination is designed to assess expertise in the student’s area of concentration. The examining committee will consist of the advisor and two additional faculty members.

The exam must be successfully completed before the fall semester of the third year and will include a multiday written portion and an oral portion. The Advanced Examination is broad; e.g., cognitive psychology, not just attention; psychobiology, not just motivation.

Literature Review

The literature review should be modeled on articles appearing in the Psychological Bulletin or another high-quality journal of reviews, and it should be suitable for publication in such a journal.

Ordinarily, it will provide a background for the thesis plan, but students may prepare a literature review on a topic other than the one selected for their thesis. In either case, the literature review should be a separate document.

The literature review will be evaluated by the same committee of at least three faculty members from the department who evaluate the student’s thesis plan. The literature review should be submitted to the committee prior to or simultaneously with the thesis plan, by April 15 of the fourth year.

Thesis Plan

The thesis plan is a detailed document stating the issue the student wishes to address in a dissertation, the experimental design to be used, and the way the student will interpret the various possible results. In essence, it is a proposal for a research project with predictions and preliminary data, rather than results. The outline of the experiments should be sufficiently clear that the readers will fully understand the procedures; the plan should also include a timeline.

This plan should be completed as soon as possible, but no later than June 30 following the fourth year. Dissertation research cannot proceed until the Thesis Plan has formally been approved. Three or more full-time faculty from this department constitutes the student’s thesis plan committee. This committee is chosen by your advisor.

Dissertation

The dissertation should be your finest and most independent piece of scholarly work to date. It often establishes the pattern for a research career and the basis for post-doctoral study and/or employment.

Faculty members have different styles of working with students on dissertations, but in general you should initially present a detailed outline of the dissertation to your advisor, and then work closely with your advisor until the dissertation is completed.

Graduate Board Oral Examination

The final requirement for the PhD is the Graduate Board Oral Examination, at which you defend your thesis orally before a faculty committee consisting of three faculty members of the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and at least two members of the Hopkins faculty outside the department. Typically, the committee involved in your Thesis Plan will also serve on the Final Oral Exam/Dissertation Defense committee, as selected by your advisor and approved by the Department Chair and Graduate Board.

Learn more about the Graduate Board Oral Exam Process , degree requirements , degree deadlines , and all other Graduate Board information.

Teaching Assistantships

Please see the Graduate Handbook for more information about teaching requirements.

Advanced students may apply for a Dean’s Teaching Fellowship . This prestigious fellowship provides graduate students an opportunity to grow both as educators and scholars by allowing them to propose, design, and offer an undergraduate seminar course.

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Neuropsychology PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

PhDs in Neuropsychology are doctoral research degrees that allow students to deeply explore the relationship between the brain and behavior.

Specifics vary drastically between programmes, but may involve research into cognitive functions, neurological disorders, and the impact of brain injuries on mental processes.

Entry requirements typically include an undergraduate degree in an appropriate subject such as Psychology, Neuroscience, or Biology. A relevant Masters degree may also be required depending on the programme.

Why study a PhD in Neuropsychology?

Develop skills and knowledge.

A PhD in Neuropsychology allows you to not only develop your own knowledge of Neuropsychology, but also to make a unique, original contribution to the subject as a whole. By doing so, you will hone a variety of transferable skills, such as:

• Research and Analytical Skills: Ability to design, conduct, and analyse complex research projects.
• Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Expertise in evaluating neuropsychological theories and practices to address challenges.
• Communication and Presentation Skills: Proficiency in effectively conveying ideas and findings to diverse audiences.

Further Career Development

If you're hoping for a career in academia, a PhD is typically required. Other research-based careers may likewise require a PhD, and even when they don't, employers will value the research skills and knowledge developed during your degree. For more information, please visit our PhD employability guide .

After completing your PhD in Neuropsychology, a potential career option might be employment as a Medical Researcher . According to UK salary data from Glassdoor , a Medical Researcher earns an average of £33,499 per year , dependent on factors such as experience, employer and employment location.

Improve Employability

Completing a PhD may also improve your employability. According to the UK government's LEO Graduate and Postgraduate Outcomes survey , 90% of Psychology PhD students were in further education or employment three years after graduation.

What do prospective Psychology PhD students think about study?

We host the Pulse postgraduate survey to understand the motivations, concerns and expectations of students just like you. For prospective Psychology PhD students in 2023:

• 69% were either positive or very positive about employment after graduation.
• 55% preferred on campus learning, 16% preferred online/distance learning, and 29% preferred a blended approach.
• 23% were interested in part-time study.
• Subject interest
• Career progress

If you'd like to make your voice heard, why not complete our survey? Your feedback will help us ensure our site is as helpful as possible for students like you!

Note: This guidance was produced with the assistance of AI. However, all data is derived from reliable, authoratitive sources, and all content has been reviewed by humans.

Cognitive Science PhD

Phd research project.

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

This project has funding attached, subject to eligibility criteria. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but its funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

PhD student (f/m/x)

Epilepsy research institute dtc project: longitudinal assessment of cognitive difficulties through the early stages of epilepsy: clinical and imaging predictors, competition funded phd project (uk students only).

This research project is one of a number of projects at this institution. It is in competition for funding with one or more of these projects. Usually the project which receives the best applicant will be awarded the funding. The funding is only available to UK citizens or those who have been resident in the UK for a period of 3 years or more. Some projects, which are funded by charities or by the universities themselves may have more stringent restrictions.

Non-invasive brain stimulation, interactivity, and creativity

Self-funded phd students only.

This project does not have funding attached. You will need to have your own means of paying fees and living costs and / or seek separate funding from student finance, charities or trusts.

Behaviour change through Neuroaesthetics: Investigating Art-based solutions to address workplace and societal challenges

Psychology phd, funded phd programme (students worldwide).

Some or all of the PhD opportunities in this programme have funding attached. Applications for this programme are welcome from suitably qualified candidates worldwide. Funding may only be available to a limited set of nationalities and you should read the full programme details for further information.

Social Sciences Research Programme

Social Sciences Research Programmes present a range of research opportunities, shaped by a university’s particular expertise, facilities and resources. You will usually identify a suitable topic for your PhD and propose your own project. Additional training and development opportunities may also be offered as part of your programme.

Sensory processing in Autism Spectrum Conditions and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Neuroimaging correlates of spatial navigation changes in ageing and dementia (hornbergerm_u24estfmh), funded phd project (uk students only).

This research project has funding attached. It is only available to UK citizens or those who have been resident in the UK for a period of 3 years or more. Some projects, which are funded by charities or by the universities themselves may have more stringent restrictions.

Understanding eating disorders in autistic people, people with ADHD, and gender diverse people in Wales

Application of virtual-reality game to assess cognitive deterioration in older people with neurocognitive disorders (ref: sf24/hls/swecw/lai), risk taking, decision making and adhd characteristics in contact and non-contact athletes (ref: sf23/hls/ser/thornton), normative modelling of resting-state eeg across the lifespan for application in the early diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders including alzheimer’s disease, what does it feel like to live with posterior cortical atrophy dementia, understanding psychiatric outcomes in children born with cleft lip and/or palate using genetics, prenatal and pre-conception effects on neurodevelopmental disorders..

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How to Become a Neuropsychologist: Your Complete Guide to Degrees & Careers in Neuropsychology

Created by careersinpsychology

Sponsored School(s)

To put it in computer science parlance that anybody can understand, neuropsychology blends together the distinct field of neurology (which is essentially like studying the human processing hardware), and psychology (which is solely devoted to the software running in the mind).

That makes it an exciting field full of potential and leading to interesting new research subjects and treatment methods.

It also makes it one of the most dense and complex specializations in psychology. You better have your own software running at peak capacity if you are considering adopting neuropsych as your specialty.

It’s a seriously challenging career path, but it comes with big rewards.

What Does a Neuropsychologist Do?

It may seem obvious that the senses and thoughts that we experience are shaped in some way by the neural pathways and stimuli that run through our nervous system and into the brain. That much was old news to the Incas and the Sumerians, who not only noted that head injuries could affect thought and behavior, but came up with some rudimentary surgical techniques to deal with such problems. Descartes took the whole idea into the realm of philosophy, with “I think, therefore I am.”

But it took modern science to put the two together.

Neuropsychology is the field that ties together the thoughts and perceived experiences of the human mind with the brain structures and electrical impulses that generate them.

Neuropsychologists are the people behind that synthesis. They study both the anatomical and electrical features of the brain and nervous system, and the thoughts and behaviors that appear to be linked to those features. They often work in hospital settings, assisting patients with traumatic brain injury or central nervous system diseases work through the accompanying mental issues. They are also well-represented in research, tracing the connections and figuring out what parts of the brain are critical to what parts of higher thought.

How To Become a Neuropsychologist in 5 Steps

If that all sounds insanely complicated to you, you’re right! Neuropsychology is a tough specialization to get into, and even tougher to master. Clinical neuropsychology is recognized as one of the American Psychological Association’s (APA) specialty fields. That means that the required expertise for the area is beyond what the average psychologist is expected to have.

How do you get that knowledge and expertise? It only takes five steps, but those steps can take you a decade to get through.

1. Neuropsychology Degree – Earning a Master’s or PhD

2. Experience in Neuropsychological Practice or Research

3. Become Licensed as a Psychologist

4. get a job as a neuropsychologist, 5. become professionally certified as a neuropsychologist, what qualifications do you need to be a neuropsychologist.

Neuropsychologists almost always need at least a doctoral degree in psychology, usually with a neuropsychology concentration, plus a year or more of supervised experience. To practice clinically, they need to apply for a state license and pass the EPPP, or Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology. The test is a comprehensive 225-question exam developed by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) that covers every aspect of psychological education and skills, from biology to ethics to assessment.

How many years does it take to become a neuropsychologist?

How long does it take to become a neuropsychologist? The path to a doctoral degree includes four years earning a bachelor’s degree and another four to seven on the way to the doctorate itself (which may or may not include two years picking up a master’s). It’s typical to take another year or two in internships or fellowships getting the supervised experience required for licensure and getting more training specific to neuropsychology. All told, you are probably looking at anywhere from ten to thirteen years total!

Master’s in Neuropsychology

Master’s in neuropsychology degree programs will not get you very far, either. Although it’s possible to find these specialty programs, they won’t qualify you for licensure in most states. They also don’t include the kind of advanced training in research and experimentation that is considered vital in neuropsych studies.

PhD in Neuropsychology

Your best bet is to look for PhD in neuropsychology degree programs to get the right education for your career.

These degrees offer you specific training in courses such as:

• Neuroanatomy
• Biopsychology
• Clinical neurology
• Neuropsychological assessment
• Qualitative and quantitative methods

They also include significant practicum and fieldwork experience to help you get your hands dirty working with real-world data and patients.

Maybe most importantly, they include the requirement that you complete a doctoral project or dissertation. These culminating pieces of the doctoral program require significant original thinking and research in a subject of your choosing, taking as much as two or three years of your program to design, execute, and write up. It’s an intensive exercise designed to put together all the pieces of your education and demonstrate your value in the field of neuropsychology.

Ready to start your career as a neuropsychologist? Find a psychology degree program near you!

You’ll also want to make sure that you pick a doctoral program that has been fully accredited by the APA’s Commission on Accreditation (COA). This specialty accreditation is important to ensure you are getting the full range of psychological education you need to be a professional in the field. Just as important, it’s usually a criterion for state licensing boards looking to determine whether or not to accept your degree during your license application process.

Do you have to go to med school to be a neuropsychologist?

No. Neuropsychologists are not medical doctors and can’t prescribe medications or operate on patients. Although they investigate the brain and nervous system, they do so with statistical or psychological methods that do not require a medical license.

Neuropsychiatrists are qualified and licensed medical doctors who also have psychological training. Neuropsychiatrist salary levels are generally higher than neuropsychologists, but so is the cost of their education.

2. Experience in Neuropsychological Practice or Research is an Important Part of Becoming a Neuropsychologist

While you will get plenty of hands-on experience as a doctoral student, either assisting in research efforts or conducting clinical practice under the watchful eyes of licensed psychologists, you will need more in order to get a license as a neuropsychologist.

Most states require at least a year of post-doctoral field experience, and sometimes more. Just as important, neuropsychology is a specialization that relies heavily on experimental and research work. Even if you plan to work on the academic side of the business, which doesn’t require a license, you’ll probably want to beef up your post-doc CV with some additional real-world experience in the field.

Neuropsychology fellowships are one path to that experience. Unlike many psychology fellowship programs, they often last for two years instead of only one. But you can soak up enormous amounts of experience and hands-on expertise during that period, working with cutting-edge science and some of the leading professionals in both neurology and neuropsychology during that time.

Licensure is a requirement in every state and Washington D.C. for anyone who plans to offer clinical therapy as a psychologist. Not all neuropsychologists fall into this category, but many do. Even those who aren’t engaged in direct clinical practice as a part of their job might need a license to conduct some of the kinds of research that are common in the field. So, you can plan on having to get a license on your way to becoming a neuropsychologist.

Fortunately, you’ve already knocked off most of the requirements to earn this license in steps one and two. You got the required and specialty-accredited doctoral degree the board will demand. You put in your hours of practical experience under the supervision of a qualified professional and developed your hands-on diagnostic and treatment skills.

But there is one more big challenge ahead for licensure: the EPPP, or Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology. This test is a requirement for every state psychology licensing board. It’s the last big obstacle you’ll face to becoming an independent neuropsychologist.

Some state boards also include smaller, more specific tests on state laws and procedures. And you’ll almost certainly have to go through a criminal background check.

We’ve been telling you how tough neuropsychology is as a specialty practice, and that means at this point you are part of a pretty elite group among all psychologists.

The National Academy of Neuropsychology, a professional group for neuropsychologists, has only 3,000 members—globally!

New breakthroughs in neurological imaging and other discoveries in brain science that are driving new connections between psychology and neurology.

It’s also partly driven by the demographics of an aging population in the United States. According to the Census Bureau, the Baby Boom generation, one of the largest cohorts of population ever, will all be over the age of 65 by 2030. That’s exactly the age range where neurological issues like dementia and memory loss start showing up on psychologist’s doorsteps. And that’s going to fuel a strong and ongoing demand for neuropsychology specialists for the foreseeable future.

Work Settings and Career Options for Neuropsychologists

Healthcare facilities and universities are the natural habitat for neuropsychologists in the wild. The profession is tied to academia through its strong involvement in research. And on the clinical side, neuropsychologists are sought-after staff in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and clinics that specialized in various neurological issues.

You can also sub-specialize as a neuropsychologist, taking on treatment of pediatric or geriatric patients as your focus, or leaning in on certain kinds of neuropsychological damage or disorders, such as traumatic brain injury. That’s true whether you work on the academic or the clinical side of the house. Many neuropsychologists have some involvement in both research and treatment, since much is learned from actual cases.

Initially, neuropsychologists worked mostly in hospital settings, starting in VAs, where those in the military during WWII had sustained head injuries in combat. Since then, as we as medical and mental health communities have come to better understand the connection between brain functioning, behavioral and emotional health, and the general health of the rest of our bodies, the role of neuropsychologists in hospitals has expanded to physical medicine/rehabilitation, neurology, neurosurgery, oncology and other medical services.

Some hospitals employ neuropsychologists to work with inpatients. Other hospitals and clinics employ neuropsychologists to work on an outpatient basis to, for example, follow up with and monitor inpatients who have sustained concussions. With the popularity and availability of school neuropsychology certification, neuropsychologists who specialize in evaluating and treating children with learning difficulties can also increasingly be found in school settings. Yet other neuropsychologists can be found in private practice settings, where they may specialize in treating specific populations and/or provide patient populations with additional options for where they receive care.

How Much Does a Neuropsychologist Make?

But it’s not possible to say exactly how lucrative. Neuropsychologist salaries are tracked under the Bureau of Labor Statistics category for "Psychologists, All Other," an unclassified grouping that includes a number of different specialized roles outside of conventional clinical, counseling, and school psychology. In 2022, according to BLS, the median salary for this category was $106,420 .

You can see how neuropsychologists might stand out from the crowd a bit if you look at the data specific to different industries of psychology practice. The average salary in scientific research and development services for this category of psychologists, for example, comes in at $115,750. And in general, at medical and surgical hospitals, that number is $95,810.

Networking Opportunities and Organizations

The American Psychological Association (APA) has a Neuropsychology Division that provides information regarding the field in general, as well as opportunities to network with other professionals interested in general neuropsychology or practice with special populations (e.g., pediatrics, geriatrics). The APA Neuropsychology Division also has several on-line list serves, specific to the areas of interest that are helpful for networking and other professionals. Other organizations include:

• The National Academy of Neuropsychology ( NAN )
• The International Neuropsychology Society ( INS )

“The impact of neuropsychologists continues to grow as the medical community comes to discover and accept an undeniable connection between how brain functions impact behavior.” – Lee Ann Grisolano, PhD

Do neuropsychologists get paid well?

Getting paid well is a matter of perspective. From most perspectives, all psychologists get paid pretty well, and neuropsychologists, who study some of the most complicated aspects of psychology and neurology, are no exception. BLS showed that the top ten percent of psychologists that fall outside of conventional clinical, counseling and school psychology roles could earn more than $138,860 per year.

Finally, you should consider earning a professional certification as a neuropsychologist.

The American Board of Professional Psychology is a national-level certification body that includes the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology (ABCN) as one of its specialty areas. The Board is focused on clinical applications of neuropsychology, but it offers a verification and endorsement of your knowledge and skills in the field that will be a mark of distinction regardless of your practice area.

Board certification is the ultimate stamp of approval on your qualifications as a neuropsychologist.

It’s not an easy credential to get, however. Even if you’ve already earned your doctorate, completed an APA-accredited internship, and become state-licensed as an independent clinical psychologist, there are some hoops to jump through:

• Functional neuroanatomy
• Neuroscience
• Neuropathology
• Have taken at least half of your hours of postdoctoral training in a clinical neuroscience setting
• Pass tough written and oral examinations by the board

Board certification is that last big step to tell you that you have made it as a professional neuropsychologist. As of 2020, there were only 1,399 board-certified clinical neuropsychologists holding jobs in the United States. And in some sense, all of them contribute to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in neuropsychology.

Neuropsychology Continuing Education Sources

Additional resources and further reading.

• Stanford Neuropsychology Clinic
• National Academy of Neuropsychology
• International Neuropsychological Society
• Neuropsychology Central
• American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology
• Burke Rehabilitation & Research - Neuropsychology

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures and job growth projections for neuropsychologists is based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2023.

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PhD in Clinical Psychology

Graduate admission.

• Maura Sullivan, Graduate Admission Counselor
• 617-573-8302
• [email protected]
• 73 Tremont St. 6th floor Boston, MA 02108

Clinical Program Director

• Dr. David Langer
• 617-573-8570

Our program requirements reflect our adherence to the scientist-practitioner model and emphasize the value we place on evidence-based clinical work and practice-informed research. We are committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in our program and in the broader community and we strive to prepare students to respectfully and effectively work with diverse individuals and groups.

Question & Answer Session with Clinical Faculty

Download video transcript [PDF]

View the curriculum

Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association 750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002 Phone: (202) 336-5979 Email: [email protected]

Program Information

Clinical psychology doctoral program manual.

Our  Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program manual [PDF]  is available for download and contains detailed information regarding our program and faculty.

Admission Information

For details on application deadlines, application materials, tuition and program costs, and faculty mentors, please see our  Admission page .

Licensure is required for independent practice as a clinical psychologist/ health service provider. Although completion of an APA accredited doctoral program in clinical psychology may assist students in the pursuit of licensure, program completion does not lead to licensure upon graduation. States and countries vary in licensure requirements and state laws, regulations, and policies may change at any time. Depending on where you reside, in addition to completion of an accredited educational program, applicants for licensure may be required to obtain additional supervised experience (e.g., a post-doctoral fellowship), complete an exam (e.g., the  Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) ; the  MA Board of Registration of Psychologists Jurisprudence Exam ), receive endorsements by other licensed professionals, or complete additional requirements.

We advise all applicants to contact the applicable state credentialing authority in the state you intend to reside in order to familiarize yourself with its specific requirements and determine if our program meets its eligibility criteria. Another potentially helpful resource is the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards . Students currently in the doctoral program in clinical psychology are welcome to discuss questions you have about career planning with your research mentor and the DCT.

State Licensure

Suffolk University’s Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology currently meets the educational requirements qualifying graduates to be licensed to practice as a clinical psychologist in the following states, subject to satisfactorily meeting all other requirements for licensure in each state:

• Alabama; Alaska; Arizona; Arkansas; Colorado; Connecticut; District of Columbia; Delaware; Florida; Georgia; Hawaii; Idaho; Illinois; Indiana; Iowa; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana, Maine, Maryland; Massachusetts; Minnesota; Mississippi; Missouri; Montana; Nebraska; Nevada; New Hampshire; New Mexico; New York; North Carolina; North Dakota; Ohio; Oklahoma; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; South Carolina; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Vermont; Virginia; Washington; West Virginia; Wisconsin; and Wyoming

Suffolk’s program does not meet the educational requirements for licensure in the following states: California, Michigan, and New Jersey. Students interested in obtaining a license to practice as a clinical psychologist in California, Michigan, or New Jersey should contact the Board of Psychology in each of these states to determine what additional educational requirements will need to be completed in order to obtain a license to practice as a clinical psychologist in California, Michigan or New Jersey, subject to satisfactorily meeting all other requirements for licensure in that state.

Program Aims

The overarching aim of our program is to prepare students for entry-level practice in clinical psychology. We draw from a scientist-practitioner model that emphasizes the reciprocal relationship between science and practice and underscores the value of practice that is evidence-based, and evidence that is practice-informed.

In pursuit of this aim, we have developed measurable goals that students in our program must meet in order to successfully complete the program. The required coursework, training, and experiential activities we offer to help students meet these learning goals as well as their relationship to the American Psychological Association’s Profession Wide Competencies are outlined in Appendix A of Clinical Program Student Manual.

Our aims/goals are that students will:

Aim (Learning Goal) 1: Acquire and demonstrate substantial understanding of, and competence in, the provision of clinical service. 

Graduates from our program will be able to meet the following learning objectives:

• Evaluate, select, administer, interpret, and communicate psychological assessments in a manner that is informed by knowledge of the psychometric and empirical underpinnings of different methods and relevant diversity characteristics of the service recipient.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with the recipients of psychological services.
• Develop, evaluate, and implement treatment plans that reflect both knowledge of empirically-based principles and an appreciation for individual client characteristics and contextual factors
• Evaluate intervention effectiveness and adapt intervention goals and methods consistent with ongoing evaluation.
• Demonstrate knowledge of models and methods of clinical supervision and consultation.
• Demonstrate ability to apply supervision models to practice and reflect and self-evaluate experience.

Aim (Learning Goal) 2: Acquire and demonstrate substantial understanding of, and competence in, research.

• Demonstrate the substantially independent ability to formulate research or other scholarly activities (e.g., critical literature reviews, dissertation, efficacy studies, clinical case studies, theoretical papers, program evaluation projects, program development projects) that are of sufficient quality and rigor to have the potential to contribute to the scientific, psychological, or professional knowledge base.
• Conduct research or other scholarly activities.
• Critically evaluate and disseminate research or other scholarly activity via professional publication and presentation at the local, regional, or national level.

Aim (Learning Goal) 3: Acquire and demonstrate substantial understanding, knowledge, awareness, sensitivity, and skill when working with diverse individuals and communities who embody a variety of cultural and personal backgrounds and characteristics across all professional roles and activities.

Graduates from our program will have developed the skills needed to meet the following learning objectives:

• Understand how their own personal/cultural history, attitudes, and biases may affect how they understand and interact with people different from themselves.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the current theoretical and empirical knowledge base as it relates to addressing diversity in all professional activities including research, training, supervision/consultation, and service.
• Demonstrate the ability to integrate awareness and knowledge of individual and cultural differences in the conduct of professional roles (e.g., research, services, and other professional activities), including the ability to apply a framework for working effectively with areas of individual and cultural diversity not previously encountered over the course of their careers. Also included is the ability to work effectively with individuals whose group membership, demographic characteristics, or worldviews create conflict with their own.
• Demonstrate the requisite knowledge base and ability to articulate an approach to working effectively with diverse individuals and groups and apply this approach effectively in their professional work.

Aim (Learning Goal) 4: Acquire and demonstrate substantial understanding of, and competence in, ethical and legal standards applicable to the science and practice of clinical psychology

• Be knowledgeable of, and act in accordance with, the current version of the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct; relevant laws, regulations, rules, and policies governing health service psychology at the organizational, local, state, regional, and federal levels; and relevant professional standards and guidelines.
• Recognize ethical dilemmas as they arise and apply ethical decision-making processes in order to resolve the dilemmas.
• Conduct themselves in an ethical manner in all professional activities.

Aim (Learning Goal) 5: Acquire and demonstrate substantial understanding of, and competence in, the professional values, attitudes and skills required of clinical psychologists.  

• Behave in ways that reflect the values and attitudes of psychology, including integrity, deportment, professional identity, accountability, lifelong learning, and concern for the welfare of others.
• Engage in self-reflection regarding one’s personal and professional functioning and activities aimed at maintaining and improving performance, well-being, and professional effectiveness.
• Actively seek and demonstrate openness and responsiveness to feedback and supervision.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of individuals, including colleagues, communities, organizations, supervisors, supervisees, and those receiving professional services.
• Demonstrate knowledge and respect for the roles and perspectives of other professions
• Produce and comprehend oral, nonverbal, and written communications that are informative and well-integrated; demonstrate a thorough grasp of professional language and concepts.
• Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills and the ability to manage difficult communication well.

Program Requirements

Please visit the Academic Catalog to view Program Requirements.

Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data

Please download our Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data [PDF]  for more details.

Focus Your Experience

The clinical child experience.

The graduate psychology program at Suffolk University offers experiences in two specialty areas: Clinical Child Psychology and Neuropsychology. As defined by APA in their policy on Taxonomy for Health Service Psychology Specialties, experiences at the doctoral level include at least one or two specialized classes along with the opportunity to pursue practicum training in the area. See APA Education and Training Guidelines for more information about taxonomy in education and training.

Child-relevant training experiences occur in the context of primary mentoring relationships with faculty members whose research focuses on clinical child, required and elective coursework, and clinical training/practicum experiences.

Clinical Child Psychology

Clinical child is an area within in clinical psychology focused on the development and application of scientific knowledge to the delivery of clinical services to infants, toddlers, children and adolescents within their social context.

Affiliated Faculty

Dr. Gary Fireman Dr. Sarah Schwartz Dr. David Langer

Examples of Recent Clinical Practica

Please note that practicum training opportunities may change from year to year. Application to advanced practicum training sites is competitive and placements are not guaranteed.

Practicum I and II Sites

Newton public schools.

Students provide services to school-aged children with behavioral and emotional issues, issues related to academic performance, autism-spectrum disorders as well as children in need of assessment for learning disabilities. Depending on the site, students conduct some mix of individual assessment, individual psychotherapy and/or implement group/classroom intervention and prevention programs aimed at topics such as relational and physical aggression and acceptance of diversity.

New England Center for OCD and Anxiety (NECOA)

Students receive training and experience providing evidence-based care and consultation services for children, adolescents and adults struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders in an outpatient treatment. Students may also have the opportunity to conduct assessments, run groups, and conduct co-therapy with experienced therapists.

Bradley Hospital – Child and Adolescent Inpatient Units

Students conduct brief intakes, provide short-term, skills-focused psychotherapy, and run groups as part of a multidisciplinary team on an inpatient psychiatric unit treating high-risk children ages 3-12 or adolescents ages 13-18. There are opportunities to engage with a wide range of issues, including depression, PTSD, substance abuse, aggression, eating disorders, and psychosis, providing a diverse experience in conceptualization and treatment.

Recent Advanced Elective Practicum Placements

Boston child study center.

Students are provided with opportunities to provide evidence-based assessment (intake interviews, structured diagnostic clinical interviews, writing reports, giving feedback to clients), individual, family and group psychotherapy to children, adolescents, young adults, and their families.

Pediatric Psychology Training at Hasbro Children’s Hospital

Students gain training in pediatric psychology with children and adolescents with comorbid medical and psychological diagnoses. Training rotations include: Sibling Group Rotation, Pediatric Weight Management, Pediatric GI Disorders Rotation, Child and Adolescent Forensics, Hasbro 6 inpatient psychiatric medical unit, and the Hasbro Partial Hospital Program.

The Manville School at Judge Baker Children’s Center, Center for Effective Child Therapy

Students are trained in using evidence-based treatments for anxiety, depression, traumatic stress, and disruptive behavior in an outpatient mental health service program that serves children and adolescents ages 2-19.

Boston University CARD, Child and Adolescent Program

Students conduct diagnostic interviews and provide individual and group therapy with children, adolescents, and their parents.

Cambridge Health Alliance, Child and Adolescent Inpatient Program

As part of an interdisciplinary team, students provide assessment, individual, group, and family psychotherapy in an inpatient setting for acutely distressed children and adolescents with diagnoses including PTSD, attachment, mood, anxiety, autism spectrum, and psychotic disorders.

McLean 3 East Outpatient DBT Program for Adolescents and Young Adults

Students conduct assessments and deliver psychotherapy to suicidal teens and their families. Client population is varied by age, identified gender, SES, and comorbid diagnoses.

Sampling of Elective Courses

Psych 705 - assessment i.

The seminar aims to introduce you to the theory and practice of evidence-based social, emotional and behavioral assessment. To this end, specific issues we will cover include psychometric theory, cognitive abilities/intelligence testing, some classic assessment controversies, strengths and weaknesses of various assessment approaches, ethical and cultural issues, and the psychological assessment of children.

PSYCH 774 – Child Therapy

Examines the principles and practice of psychotherapy with children and adolescents. Delineates the similarities and differences between evidence based intervention approaches with youth as well as the various theoretical perspectives to which they are related.

PSYCH 784 – Seminar: the Development of Infants & Children in Poverty

Introduces students to the special issues that children growing up in poverty face. Theory and empirical research will be explored as well as specific contexts common to disadvantaged children (e.g., homelessness and abuse). In addition, we will examine individual resilience and the impact of environmental support in mitigating deleterious effects.

APA's Division 7: Developmental Psychology APA's Division 53: Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology Mitch Prinstein's Advice for Applying to Graduate School in Child Clinical and Adolescent Psychology

The Neuropsychology Experience

The graduate psychology program at Suffolk University offers experiences in two specialty areas: Clinical Child Psychology and Neuropsychology. As defined by APA in their policy on Taxonomy for Health Service Psychology Specialties, experiences at the doctoral level include at least one or two specialized classes along with the opportunity to pursue practicum training in the area. See  APA Education and Training Guidelines  for more information about taxonomy in education and training.

The neuropsychology experience offers elements of the Houston conference guidelines for training students in neuropsychology. It also contributes to course requirements for board certification in clinical neuropsychology (i.e., ABPP-CN).

Clinical Neuropsychology 

Clinical neuropsychology is the science of brain-behavior relationships, and clinical neuropsychologists specialize in the assessment and treatment of individuals of all ages with dysfunction of the central nervous system. Biological bases of behavior is one of the most productive research areas with applications in education, vocational, rehabilitation, medical, psychiatric, and forensic settings.

Clinical Practica in Neuropsychology

Practicum i and ii sites , beth israel deaconess medical center, department of psychiatry.

Practicum students are placed in the Department of Psychiatry at this major Boston teaching hospital. Trainees develop and refine skills in neuropsychological assessment of adult outpatients. Trainees get experience assessing a range of psychiatric and neurological conditions, including dementia, degenerative disorders, ADHD, learning disabilities, development disorders and traumatic brain injury. The practicum students gain skills in all areas of neuropsychological evaluation, including interviewing, testing, scoring, report writing, and giving feedback to patients. In addition to individual supervision, training occurs through didactic seminars.

Recent Advanced Practicum Placements

Va boston healthcare center, neuropsychology rotation.

Practicum students typically see 1 patient per week for neuropsychological evaluation and gain experience in interviewing, test administration, scoring, interpretation, report preparation and feedback to patients, patient families and referral source. The primary clinical setting is the neuropsychology consultation service. Students attend weekly case conferences, monthly Neurobehavioral Rounds, and Neuropsychology didactics.

Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Psychology Assessment Center

This advanced clinical neuropsychology practicum is a one-year program designed to provide extensive clinical training in neuropsychology. Students are provided with supervised training in neuropsychological test administration and scoring and provides an opportunity for students to formulate cases and participate in report writing, and provide feedback to clients within the context of working within multidisciplinary teams within the hospital. The population includes adult and pediatric populations with a variety of neurological, psychological, developmental and medical conditions.

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Behavioral Neurology Unit

Practicum students are involved in the neuropsychological evaluation of adult patients with a variety of neurological problems including learning and attention disorders, head injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative disorders. The practicum students will gain skills in all areas of neuropsychological evaluation, including interviewing, testing, scoring, report writing, and feedback to patients. Additional experience may be obtained in running cognitive remediation groups, presenting patients at weekly rounds, and participation in didactic seminars.

Neurobehavioral Clinic at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

As part of an interdisciplinary team, neuropsychology practicum students gain experience conducting intake interviews, cognitive assessments, and neuropsychological assessments with adults who have moderate to severe acquired brain injury. Students also gain experience writing reports and giving feedback to clients. Weekly didactics are offered through the neurobehavioral clinic.

Neuropsychology Division, Edith Nourse Rogers, Memorial VAMC

Practicum students work with veterans who present with suspected memory disorders. Students learn to administer and interpret the results of a wide variety of neuropsychological instruments over the course of the year. The neuropsychology service utilizes a flexible battery approach and, as such, students have the opportunity to learn which instruments are appropriate for answering a variety of referral questions. Students will also participate in patient feedback with the aid of their supervisor.

All students in the doctoral program at Suffolk University are required to complete both an Early Research Project (similar to a master's thesis) and doctoral dissertation. For those students in the neuropsychology concentration, both thesis and dissertation are expected to be on a topic in neuropsychology under the mentorship of one of the two Suffolk faculty focused in neuropsychology:

David Gansler, Ph.D., ABPP/ABCN Dr. Matthew Jerram, Ph.D.  

PSYCH 706 - Assessment II

The goal of this course is to serve as a foundation for clinical practice and research activity in the important area of clinical neuropsychological assessment and psychological assessment. It serves to introduce the student to the techniques, methods and theories relevant to the practice of neuropsychological and psychological assessment.

PSYCH 792 - Introduction to Neuropsychology and the Clinical Neurosciences

Basic introduction to the specialty of neuropsychology. The scope of neuropsychology, the difference between neuropsychology and related difference and subspecialties, different historical and theoretical approaches to neuropsychology, as well as credential requirements for the practice of neuropsychology. Introduction to research techniques used to investigate brain-behavior relationships, ethical issues, and the role of the neuropsychologist in clinical and rehabilitation settings. By the end of the course, students will demonstrate a basic knowledge of the nervous system, the role of neurotransmitters, brain structures and associated functions, an understanding of how different instruments are used to assess those functions, and how neuropsychological interventions are formulated and implemented. 

Useful Links in Neuropsychology

Neuropsychology Central APA Division 40 (Clinical Neuropsychology) International Neuropsychological Society (INS) National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN) Massachusetts Neuropsychological Society (MNS) Houston Guidelines for Eligibility for Special Certification in Clinical Neuropsychology Association of Neuropsychology Students in Training (ANST)

Courses & Requirements

Learn more about the classes, requirements, and different options available to complete the program.

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Doctoral Degree

After completing your bachelor’s degree (and maybe taking a  gap year  or two), the next step in your education is to complete a psychology doctoral degree. Most neuropsychologists in the United States have a  PhD in Clinical Psychology , and some instead have a  PsyD in Clinical Psychology . (A PhD is a “Doctor of Philosophy” and a PsyD is a “Doctor of Psychology”). Other options include a PhD or PsyD in Counseling Psychology or (rarely) an EdD in School or Counseling Psychology. 

Click the tabs below to learn more about earning a doctoral degree in psychology:

Whereas both prepare you to be a clinician (i.e., to work directly with patients), the PhD degree tends to incorporate more research training than the PsyD. Here are some additional differences between PhD and PsyD programs:

Doctoral programs can be further broken down based on the following models:

• These are programs with the most emphasis on research, but less so on direct patient care. They best prepare you for an academic career (e.g., as a full-time professor or researcher). 
• These are programs that balance research and clinical training. They prepare you to be proficient both in conducting your own research and translating that research to your patient care (and also translating what you observe from working with patients to inform your research!) 
• *Most programs that offer a PhD in Clinical Psychology adhere to this model.
• These are PsyD programs, and they have the most emphasis on clinical training and the least on how to conduct your own research. They prepare to you to be consumers of scientific research and to conduct high-quality, evidence-based patient care.

No matter which model your program adheres to, your time during a clinical or counseling psychology doctoral program will typically include some arrangement of:

(a) taking classes

(b) conducting research (a thesis and dissertation)

(c) clinical training (learning how to work with patients)

While you are being trained broadly as a psychologist, you can begin to specialize in neuropsychology during your doctoral program through all 3 of these activities. For example, you may take classes in neuropsychological assessment, conduct research about brain functioning, and work with patients in a neuropsychology clinic (e.g., as a psychometrist). 

• The first milestone in your doctoral program is typically to complete and orally defend a  thesis  (research) project, allowing you to earn your Master’s degree.
• Note : If you already completed a terminal Master’s degree in psychology prior to entering a doctoral program, you may be able to skip or streamline this step (but be sure to do your research on this, as the requirements vary by doctoral program!)
• The second major milestone in your doctoral program is to pass  written exams  (referred to as “qualifying”, “preliminary”, or “comprehensive” exams). This will allow you to become a qualifying student for the doctoral degree.
• The third major milestone in your doctoral program is to complete and orally defend your  dissertation , which is another (typically more advanced) research project. Most programs also include an oral examination at the time of your dissertation defense.
• The final year of your doctoral program is a  Predoctoral Internship during which you work at a clinic or hospital and fill remaining gaps in your training. Read more about the Predoctoral Internship here .

Applying to doctoral programs in psychology is a very intensive and competitive process, and many students have to try a couple times before they are successfully admitted to a program. For support and guidance in this process, we highly recommend that you connect with a mentor, and fortunately there are many mentorship programs available for individuals interested in applying to graduate school for psychology and neuropsychology!  Find a mentor here !

The Society for Clinical Neuropsychology (SCN) has a great tool you can use to begin your search for doctoral programs in the United States and Canada that have specialty courses and experiences in neuropsychology. Click here  to begin searching!

The programs listed in the SCN search tool are not the only programs where you can get training in neuropsychology. Other free resources to search for doctoral programs include APA’s list of accredited programs , the National Matching Service’s list of doctoral programs eligible to participate in the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) match program, and a Google Map of APA-accredited programs.

APA also offers a tool to search and compare admissions information for Masters and doctoral programs at over 300 schools in the United States and Canada for a subscription fee.

Once you’ve found programs you’re interested in applying to, it’s a good idea to keep track of key information about the program (e.g., applications fees and deadlines, admissions data, faculty you may be interested in working with, etc.) in a spreadsheet. You can download a copy of a sample organizational spreadsheet for tracking doctoral programs.

These instructions are meant to be a useful starting point for your emails to potential advisors, but it is not the only way to approach this important step in the graduate school application process!  Please continue consulting with your personal mentors and adapt these instructions to fit your interests, personality, and any specific guidance you receive from supervisors or advisors.

Instructions:

1) Double check that your email address, signature line, and profile photo are what you want them to be before emailing a potential advisor.  Having your full name linked to your email account is one way to help prevent your email from being bounced into a spam folder.

2) Use a clear and succinct subject line:

• “Potential applicant question”
• “Prospective PhD student question”

3) Briefly introduce yourself:

• “I am a senior at Generic University majoring in psychology with a minor in public health, and am planning on applying to Clinical Psychology PhD programs this cycle. I am emailing because I am interested in applying to work with you.”
• Or… “I am a research assistant in the Generic PI lab at Generic Institute and am preparing applications to Social Psychology PhD programs for the upcoming academic year. I believe that my research interests may be a strong fit with your lab and would like to introduce myself.”

4) State your specific interest in the advisor/their lab, using information from their lab website, recent published articles, or other online material to show that you’ve done your due diligence and have a specific interest in their work:

• “I saw on your lab website that you recently began implementing EEG into your study protocols, which is of great interest to me because I have worked with EEG throughout my undergraduate research with Generic PI in a study about cognitive control in individuals with sleep disorders.”
• “I read your recent paper on cultural considerations in PTSD treatment and it sparked many ideas for how to address bilingualism in the clinical context, which is of particular interest to me because I am bilingual in English and Punjabi.”

5) Describe any personal connections that you may have:

• “I spoke to your current student, Generic Name , and they recommended that I reach out to you directly.”
• “My current supervisor, Generic PI , collaborated with you when you were both post-docs back at Generic Institute , and they said that you are a great person to work with.”

6) Make a specific request or ask a specific question.  Be sure that this is not something that could have been easily answered by reading the faculty’s lab website!

• “I am wondering if you would be available to talk over the phone or video conference about the current direction your lab is headed in, and whether my interest in geriatric medication adherence would be a good fit with your lab.”
• “I am wondering if you are planning to take a graduate student for the 2021-22 academic year.”

7) Attach your CV to the email

• “My CV is attached for your convenience.”

8) Conclude

• “Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing back from you.”

If you’re an international student interested in applying to Clinical Psychology programs in the United States, check out this great resource hub with advice about navigating the admissions process and finding funding opportunities:  Click here for more information!

This fantastic resource was prepared by Julie Cristello, MS, Leanna Kalinowski, MA, Molin Shi, PhD, and Xin “Alisa” Zhao, PhD.

Visit again soon to download a N2N template for making your CV.

The following book will be released in September 2023, by Drs. Lynn Schaefer and Hilary Bertisch!

Additional resources for aspiring and current graduate students:

American Psychological Association: Becoming a Psychological Scientist Video Series

This APA page includes video presentations, recorded Q&As, and panel discussions that aim to help you “successfully apply to graduate school and help diversify the field”. 

• “Top Things to Know as You Apply to Graduate School”
• “Write a Compelling Application Statement”
• “Selecting a Program that is a Good Fit for You”

Visit the Society for Clinical Neuropsychology (SCN), Education Advisory Committee (EAC) website

The SCN EAC website has many useful tipsheets to guide you through the steps of earning a doctoral degree in psychology, with a focus in neuropsychology.

Listen to the "Clinically Psyched" podcast

“Clinically Psyched” is a podcast all about helping Clinical Psychology graduate school applicants. 

Listen to their podcast here on Spotify

Follow them on Twitter to learn more: @PodPsyched

Access resources through "Psychin' Out"

“ Psychin’ Out is a global resource hub of aspiring and current psych researchers and practitioners (i.e., Master’s students, Doctoral trainees, etc.) supporting each other.

Together, we dismantle barriers that make training programs and our field exclusive, inaccessible, and ineffective.”

View their resource hub here

Follow them on Twitter to learn more: @PsychinOut

Follow Sanya Jain, the "Graduate School Counsellor", on Twitter

Follow Sanya on Twitter for great tips and resources related to successful application to graduate school! 

Listen to the "Dear Grad Student" podcast

“ Dear Grad Student ” is a weekly podcast for all grad students. Episodes consist of conversations about students’ Day in the Life, Diverse Identities and Racism in Academia, and themed episodes (like, Mental Health in Grad School, fieldwork, and Finances). 

Watch this video by APA on "Guidance for Students with Disabilities"

Find additional video’s on APA’s website, here !

Watch this webinar about specializing in neuropsychology​

This webinar was created by the Association of Neuropsychology Students and Trainees  (ANST ) . 

To learn about additional steps in becoming a neuropsychologist, click below:

A Complete Guide Explaining How to Become a Clinical Neuropsychologist

But the mind does not exist in isolation. Those thoughts are all shaped by the inputs from human senses, and they exist as the firing of neurons buried deep in your gray matter. They create causes of action that act on the same nervous system responsible for movement and speech. Every psychologist studies the neurological basis of thoughts at some level during their training. But for others, the connections between the two are the most fascinating part of human psychology.

Neuropsychologists are the specialists who get into the gritty parts where the hardware of the human body connects to the software of your mind.

They are the pros that other psychologists call when mental health issues appear to originate from biological causes. They are the ones that healthcare professionals dial when they need to understand the mental processes that could be affected by certain medical procedures.

It’s one of the most challenging specialties in the field of psychology. But it’s also at the cutting edge of understanding how human thought and behavior are created and influenced in the brain.

What You Will Do In Your Career After Meeting the Requirements to Become a Clinical Neuropsychologist

Clinical neuropsychologists are one of the subsets of psychologist who are most likely to be found around the hospital or in other healthcare facilities. They are some of the first people whose phones ring when patients are brought in with cerebral or nervous system injuries. It’s not always clear to medical professionals treating such cases what kind of damage a physical process may have caused to the neurological system.

But learning how to become a clinical neuropsychologist involves getting the training and assessment skills to evaluate patients for neurological deficits stemming from injury or disease. And they have a wide range of therapies that can be used to help patients regain brain function that has been lost.

Neuropsychologists are also heavily involved in research and studies of mind and body connections. Clinical practitioners are specialists in treatment, but many of them also participate in research, using their direct care experience to build data and evaluate findings from other studies.

What Are the Requirements to Become a Clinical Neuropsychologist?

A doctorate in psychology is often considered the minimum level of education for any kind of clinical psychologist. That’s particularly true in neuropsychology, which has a strong biological and physical education component. You had better bone up on your hard sciences, including chemistry and anatomy, if you plan to become a clinical neuropsychologist.

Just earning a doctorate doesn’t meet the requirements to become a neuropsychologist, though.

Clinical neuropsychologists require a state-level license in order to practice.

Earning a state license as a psychologist means getting in enough hours of supervised post-doctoral training to have your application accepted by your state licensing board. In most cases, that’s going to be between one and two years of practice.

But the real challenge for all licensed clinical psychologists is the EPPP, the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology. Put together by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB), this formidable two-part exam includes 225 multiple choice, scenario-based, point and click, and drag and drop based questions. You have only four hours and fifteen minutes to get through them all. It covers everything from your specialty, the biological bases of behavior, to legal and ethical issues, to assessment and intervention skills. And you won’t get that license unless you pass it.

Becoming Professionally Certified as a Clinical Neuropsychologist

As an APA (American Psychological Association)-recognized specialty area, neuropsychology has its own national board certification process available. It’s not required, but it definitely will make you stand out against the competition when competing for the most interesting or highest paying jobs.

The American Board of Professional Psychology offers clinical neuropsychology certification to individuals who:

• Hold a doctoral degree from an APA-accredited program
• Complete an APA-accredited internship program
• Are licensed as independent clinical psychologists
• Have documented training in 8 core knowledge areas including neuroscience, neuropathology, and functional neuroanatomy
• Have received at least 50 percent of post-doctoral training within a clinical neuropsychology specialty
• Pass both written and oral board examinations

Learning how to become a clinical neuropsychologist is a tough process on top of a tough specialty area, but that means only the best clinical neuropsychologists will pass.

Meeting the Education Requirements to Become a Clinical Neuropsychologist

State licensing requirements may be the most important consideration when you are picking a degree path. That means picking a program that has been fully accredited by the APA. With the APA standing behind it, you know that the program you pick will meet the requirements for your state licensing board, no matter where you plan to practice.

If you were paying attention when reading above, you’ll realize that you need some pretty focused training to meet the requirements to become a clinical neuropsychologist. So not just any PhD in psychology will do; you’ll need to pick from neuropsychology PhD programs specifically.

Those programs deliver the same standard coursework as any psychology doctoral degree. That includes courses in cognitive and affective bases of behavior, psychology theories, professional and ethical practice, and psychological assessment. But neuropsychology PhD programs also provide highly specialized coursework in:

• Biopsychology
• Neuroanatomy
• Neuropsychological assessment
• Neuropathology
• Clinical neurology

These are all subjects you have to master as part of meeting the requirements to become a neuropsychologist eligible for board-certification, so you’ll definitely need to stay awake in class.

What about picking a PsyD vs PhD in psychology? The PsyD is considered a more practice-oriented degree, so that’s a good choice for clinical neuropsych specialists. But neuropsychology PhD programs are still a more common degree, and widely accepted for clinical practitioners even though it may be more research and academically focused.

Explore Degree Programs Near You

How long does it take to become a clinical neuropsychologist?

It takes between four and seven years to earn a doctorate in clinical neuropsychology. You can also expect to spend a year or more in supervised post-doctoral practice before you will be eligible to become licensed as a clinical practitioner. And, of course, you will have to earn at least a bachelor’s degree before applying to your doctoral program, adding another four years to your path. All in all, you should expect to spend at least twelve years after graduating high school before becoming a clinical neuropsychologist.

Do you need a master’s to become a clinical neuropsychologist?

Clinical neuropsychologists almost always need at least a doctoral degree in order to practice in the field. Most psychology doctorate programs do not require earning a master’s degree before applying for admission. However, if you do choose to earn a master’s degree first, you may be able to cut around three years off of your doctoral studies, as well as getting the opportunity to broaden your education beyond your doctoral specialty.

Career and Salary Potential You Can Expect After Meeting Clinical Neuropsychologist Requirements

Neuropsychology as a field is also getting a boost from demographic trends unfolding in the United States. Psychology as a field overall is growing only at an average rate according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), expecting about a three percent increase between 2019 and 2029. But driven by the aging Baby Boom generation, healthcare services are seeing gangbuster growth over that same period.

And that older demographic is exactly where the cognitive deficits and age-related neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s are popping up. Researching, diagnosing, and treating those types of disorders are right up the alley of the clinical neuropsychologist job description. That’s a solid recommendation for a career that will experience continuing demand and increasing salary levels for years to come.

Is clinical neuropsychology a good career?

If figuring out the mysteries of the connection between the mind and the brain is what you are all about, the clinical neuropsychology is where it’s at. It’s definitely one of the most challenging careers in psychology today, but it also puts you right on the cutting edge of exciting new developments in the field. You’re also in a position to make a big difference in the lives of patients, using your skills to help people with cerebral injuries or diseases of the central nervous system lead fuller, happier lives.

How much do clinical neuropsychologists make?

A clinical psychologist salary can be right near the top of what any kind of practicing clinical psychologist will make. While the BLS shows that the median salary for all psychologists in 2020 was $82,180, those in the top ten percent of the profession earned more than $137,590 per year. While BLS doesn’t track neuropsychology salaries separately, you can definitely expect something toward the higher end of the range thanks to such advanced skills.

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Clinical Psychology Training Programs

Clinical neuropsychology specialty program (cnsp).

• Fellowship Applicants

Clinical Neuropsychology Specialty Program (CNSP) 

Jennifer Davis, PhD, ABPP-CN, Director   Anjali Palav, PhD, Associate Director

The Clinical Neuropsychology Specialty Program (CNSP) is an APA-accredited specialty program in Neuropsychology that offers cutting-edge clinical training in hospital settings by seasoned clinicians and researchers, many of whom are board-certified. An emphasis on research training and protected research time sets the CNSP apart from many other clinical neuropsychology fellowship programs.

Find available fellowships in our Clinical Neuropsychology Specialty Program (CNSP).

As of 2017, the following standardized tables of admissions, support and initial placement data are required for all APA-accredited postdoctoral fellowship program websites. The Clinical Neuropsychology Specialty Program tables are updated annually.

6/26/24  Applicants to VA-paid positions must adhere to VA hiring policies  __X__  _____  Postdoctoral Program Admissions The Clinical Neuropsychology Specialty Program (CNSP) is APA-accredited as a specialty program in clinical neuropsychology.  Postdoctoral fellows in clinically-focused fellowships spend approximately 50-70% time conducting clinical work. CNSP postdoctoral fellows complete two years of accredited training in the CNSP. Fellows will receive a Certification of Completion only after completing 2 years of training. Two years of CNSP fellowship training is consistent with the Houston Conference Guidelines on Specialty Education and Training in Clinical Neuropsychology and with requirements for ABPP Board Certification.  ​CNSP fellows’ eligibility to continue for a second year of training is decided upon by the postdoctoral fellow and the primary supervisor midway through the first year. The supervisor informs the postdoctoral fellow that he/she would (or would not) like him/her to stay a second year by mid-December. When an offer to continue for the second year is extended, the postdoctoral fellows must inform the primary supervisor of his/her decision to accept or decline the offer by January 1st to allow sufficient time to recruit a replacement fellow.   The CNSP offers postdoctoral specialty training in both adult and pediatric clinical neuropsychology. Training experiences vary across settings depending on patient populations. The CNSP adheres to the Postdoctoral Fellowship Training Program (PFTP) philosophy that all postdoctoral fellows in clinical psychology should have clinical and research exposure during their training.  CNSP fellows devote 50-70% time to clinical activities, 40-20% time to research, and 10% to formal required didactic experiences. The exact nature of clinical and research training is determined on an individual basis in collaboration with each of the faculty mentors. The three aims of the CNSP are:   To produce neuropsychologists who exhibit an advanced competency level with regard to professional skills/conduct and ethical standards (consistent with APA principles and local regulations) to function effectively as independent practitioners within health service settings; To produce neuropsychologists who exhibit an advanced competency level with regard to the basic knowledge and skills of research to function effectively as scientist-practitioners within health service settings; and  To produce neuropsychologists who exhibit an advanced competency level with regard to the knowledge and skills specific to the specialty of clinical neuropsychology (consistent with the Houston Conference Guidelines) to function effectively as independent scientist-practitioners in health service settings.   Clinical training supports postdoctoral fellows in establishing clinical proficiency, while integrating a professional role that is well grounded in ethics and mental health practice. By the end of the fellowship, the postdoctoral fellow should attain advanced competence in the knowledge-base and clinical skills required for their area of emphasis and should be able to function independently in a similar clinical program in a new location.  All postdoctoral fellowships are full-time, salary positions. All candidates for admission are  held to the onboarding requirements of the hospital in which they will be employed/rotate .  All candidates for admission who are clinical/counseling/school psychologists are also strongly encouraged to purchase their own liability insurance ( Professional Liability (Malpractice) Insurance for Pre-Licensed Psychologist ) while on fellowship.  Future employers may request that you supply proof of insurance while you were in training.  Definition of 20% Research Component  All approved postdoctoral fellowships in the PFTP will contain a minimum of 20% effort devoted to research. It is the supervisor’s responsibility to provide a training experience that will meet this requirement.  The 20% research experience should be active work that is conducted by the postdoctoral fellow (not completely delegated to others), and it should be geared toward producing a traditional scientific product  (e.g. manuscript, presentation at a national professional meeting, grant application, instrument development) . Postdoctoral fellows decide on the appropriate research activity in conjunction with the faculty supervisor.  Ultimately, it is the postdoctoral fellow’s choice to determine the specific project. Examples of appropriate activities include generating a project from the supervisor’s existing database; designing and implementing a new study; publishing work on projects begun prior to the fellowship including the dissertation. All individualized training activities for postdoctoral fellows must include explicit goals and activities for this research component. Primary supervisors are responsible for identifying an independent research supervisor for their postdoctoral fellows. It is the responsibility of the primary supervisor to monitor that the fellow’s research goals are being met, and that research opportunities reasonably allow for these goals to be achieved. The primary supervisor should meet with the research supervisor to work out a mechanism to ensure that this is accomplished.  It is the supervisor’s and home institution’s obligation to provide at least minimal resources for the postdoctoral fellow to achieve their research goals (e.g., computing, access to statistical software, research administration/IRB services, assessment space).  The 20% effort (8 hours per week) may include the research didactic component of the PFTP (DPHB Core Seminars). Clinical seminars are not included in the 20% time.  Any one of the following would represent an appropriate product from a research activity:  Peer reviewed publications e.g. journal article Book chapter Invited articles in professional journals Academic presentations outside of Brown Medical School Poster presentation, or paper presentation at a regional or national professional meeting, preferably with a published abstract Poster presentation at Mind/Brain Research Day Grant award from postdoctoral fellow initiated activity ​​ Describe  any other required minimum criteria used to screen applicants: CNSP applicants must have: 1) met all requirements for doctoral degree, including defense, at time fellowship starts; 2) Health Service Providers must hold a doctoral degree from an APA-accredited program or equivalent; 3) must come from an APA-accredited internship or equivalent; 4) CNSP applicants must have a major emphasis in clinical neuropsychology and internship training must have been done at a site that adheres to the Houston Conference Guidelines.  See  Eligibility   for more details. Annual Stipend/Salary for Full-time Residents   Annual Stipend/Salary for Half-time Residents   Program provides access to medical insurance for Residents? No     Trainee contribution to cost required? No Coverage of family member(s) available? No Coverage of legally married partner available? No Coverage of domestic partner available? No Hours of Annual Paid Personal Time Off (PTO and/or Vacation)   Hours of Annual Paid Sick Leave   In the event of medical conditions and/or family needs that require extended leave, does the program allow reasonable unpaid leave to interns/residents in excess of personal time off and sick leave?  [*NOTE: The Training Program allows for extended leave due to: 1) the birth of a child, or placement of a child for adoption or foster care or guardianship; 2) to care for a spouse, child, or parent who has a serious health condition; 3) for the trainee’s own serious health condition; and/or 4) any other leave consistent with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).  Postdoctoral fellows must follow the Human Resources policies of their employing institution regarding the specifics of their leave (e.g. duration allowed, use of benefits).  It is an APA accreditation requirement that all CNSP postdoctoral fellows must complete 2 calendar years of full-time postdoctoral training (4000 hrs.).  Because the CNSP is a 2-year program, if leave is taken during the fellowship, fellows may not be required to make-up any leave consistent with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) if the fellow is determined to meet end of year fellowship competencies at the conclusion of their second postdoctoral year.  Postdoctoral fellows who are on international student visas may not be able to take extended leave due to constraints of their visa requirements.]    No  n/a     Annual Stipend/Salary for Full-time Residents   Annual Stipend/Salary for Half-time Residents   Program provides access to medical insurance for Residents? No     Trainee contribution to cost required? No Coverage of family member(s) available? No Coverage of legally married partner available? No Coverage of domestic partner available? Yes Hours of Annual Paid Personal Time Off (PTO and/or Vacation)   Hours of Annual Paid Sick Leave   In the event of medical conditions and/or family needs that require extended leave, does the program allow reasonable unpaid leave to interns/residents in excess of personal time off and sick leave?  [*NOTE: The Training Program allows for extended leave due to: 1) the birth of a child, or placement of a child for adoption or foster care or guardianship; 2) to care for a spouse, child, or parent who has a serious health condition; 3) for the trainee’s own serious health condition; and/or 4) any other leave consistent with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).  Postdoctoral fellows must follow the Human Resources policies of their employing institution regarding the specifics of their leave (e.g. duration allowed, use of benefits).  It is an APA accreditation requirement that all CNSP postdoctoral fellows must complete 2 calendar years of full-time postdoctoral training (4000 hrs.).  Because the CNSP is a 2-year program, if leave is taken during the fellowship, fellows may not be required to make-up any leave consistent with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) if the fellow is determined to meet end of year fellowship competencies at the conclusion of their second postdoctoral year.]    No  n/a     Initial Post-Residency Positions (Provide an Aggregated Tally for the Preceding 3 Cohorts)     Total # of residents who were in the 3 cohorts 14   Total # of residents who remain in training in the residency program 3     Academic teaching 0 1 Community mental health center 0 1 Consortium 3 0 University counseling center 0 0 Hospital/medical center 0 4 Veterans Affairs Health Care System 0 3 Psychiatric facility 0 0 Correctional facility 0 0 Health Maintenance Organization 0 0 School district /system 0 0 Independent practice setting 0 0 Other 0 2 Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, and caste, which is protected by our University policies. Brown Psychiatry and Human Behavior is committed to measurable policies and practices that foster diversity, equity, and inclusion and promote anti-racism within the department's education, research, and clinical care settings and the community at large. Questions related to the program's accreditation status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation: Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association 750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC  20002 Phone: 202-336-5979 / E-mail:  [email protected] Web:   www.apa.org/ed/accreditation  Becoming Certified Procedures for obtaining board certification in clinical neuropsychology. The ABCN certification process is designed to assess one’s scientific knowledge and clinical skill in the practice of neuropsychology, and to provide external evidence of competence in this area of specialty practice. All qualified individuals are invited to apply for the examination and participate in the maintenance of quality standards for the profession. An individual seeking board certification in Clinical Neuropsychology proceeds through the following steps: Review Candidate Manual, Review Online Application Instructions, and Complete Applications. Candidate Manual ABPP Online Application  (contains instructions and links for the ABPP generic application and ABCN specialty application) Applicants should be advised that admission to candidacy through credential review and progression through stages of the ABCN examination process do not constitute any form of credential. Phrases such as “board eligible,” “ABCN Candidate,” or similar designations must not be used in any written or oral public statement, as this has the potential to mislead the public about certification status. Credential Review All application materials should be submitted to the abpp central office along with the initial application fee. application materials are first reviewed by abpp with regard to the following generic eligibility guidelines:, generic requirements. A doctoral degree  from a program in professional psychology which at the time the degree was granted was accredited by the APA, CPA, or was listed in the publication Doctoral Psychology Programs Meeting Designation Criteria.  Applicants credentialed in the most recent directory of the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology, the Canadian Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology, or the Certificate of Professional Qualification in Psychology (CPQ) (ASPPB) qualify as meeting the doctoral degree requirements. Completion of an APA/CPA accredited internship program , or equivalent year of supervised experience. Licensure or Certification . All ABPP candidates in the U.S., its territories or Canada must be licensed as a psychologist for independent practice at the doctoral level in a jurisdiction in the U.S., its territories or Canada. ABPP grants limited exceptions for doctoral preparation prior to 1983, degrees granted outside the U.S or Canada, formal retraining, substantial equivalents to accreditation requirements, and licensure in jurisdiction of practice for some Federal employees. In most cases, ABCN will accept ABPP’s decision regarding program accreditation at the generic level. Questions regarding the adequacy of an applicant’s generic credentials should be directed to the  ABPP Central Office . Specialty Specific Requirements Once the generic credentials are approved by ABPP, the applicant’s materials are forwarded to the ABCN credentials committee to determine eligibility specific to Clinical Neuropsychology. The specialty credential review examines both the content and the process by which the applicant has acquired their foundational knowledge and functional competencies in neuropsychology. As such, candidates are asked to document their didactic and experiential training. Didactics  must be documented across 8 core knowledge areas that may be obtained through a combination of formal graduate coursework and less formal educational activities (e.g., seminars, brain cutting conferences, specialty rounds, case conferences). The core domains include: Basic neurosciences Functional neuroanatomy Neuropathology Clinical neurology Psychological assessment Clinical neuropsychological assessment Psychopathology Psychological intervention Postdoctoral Training . The mission of ABCN is to promote competence in the practice of clinical neuropsychology. One way in which this is accomplished is by promoting uniformity in training standards. Towards this end, ABCN has endorsed the  Houston Conference  guidelines for specialty training in Clinical Neuropsychology. With the understanding that training standards have changed significantly over the relatively short period during which clinical neuropsychology has been a specialty, eligibility criteria for postdoctoral training are defined in relation to the criteria in place at the time the candidate obtained training in neuropsychology. As such, ABCN encourages applications from neuropsychologists trained during all eras (including those who completed training prior to the Houston Conference). For candidates whose Neuropsychology education and training occurred primarily during their graduate education (including relevant course work, practica, internship and post-doctoral training), eligibility for ABCN is tied to the completion date of their graduate training. Applicants initially trained in another specialty who complete a formal re-specialization program in clinical neuropsychology are expected to meet criteria for eligibility in place at the time they complete their re-specialization program, not the date of their original graduate education. Applicants must demonstrate a formal foundation for the acquisition of the neuropsychological skill set. Experiential or informal training models will be considered only for those trained prior to 1981; detailed documentation of those experiences will be helpful in the credential review. Specific postdoctoral training criteria are described below. At least 50% of postdoctoral training must be in the provision of clinical neuropsychological services that are supervised by a clinical neuropsychologist. These services must be integrative (i.e., the interpretation and integration of results in a written report to patients, research participants or physicians), applied to a variety of patient populations, and performed throughout postdoctoral training. Applicants who completed their postdoctoral training in Canada should refer to our  Canadian Guidelines  for additional information. For applicants completing their doctoral degree or respecialization program: 1. Doctoral training or respecialization completed on or after 01/01/2005: Training conforms to  Houston Conference Guidelines left the residency in good standing, met all requirements of the residency, obtained the requisite skills and knowledge base described by the  Houston Conference Guidelines . ABCN requires that the postdoctoral program reflect a structured and sequenced set of clinical and didactic experiences, provide on-site supervision of all clinical cases, and put the learning needs of the candidate ahead of the operational needs of the program. ABCN will not require that the program faculty include an ABCN certified neuropsychologist. Training must be conducted by supervisors who are themselves neuropsychologists and the candidate may be asked to provide additional materials regarding details of the residency program and/or the credentials of their supervisors. ABCN does not currently require applicants to train in accredited postdoctoral programs; however, candidates who complete an APA-accredited specialty program in clinical neuropsychology or a full member program of the Association of Postdoctoral Programs in Clinical Neuropsychology (APPCN) may skip items on the specialty application form and complete the credential review process more quickly. Please refer to the  online application  for more information. ABCN does not require neuropsychological training during internship. In addition, although ABCN prefers that applicants have completed an APA or CPA accredited internship program, the review decision regarding internship training is made by ABPP Central Office during the generic review. If ABPP passes the candidate’s non-APA/CPA internship credentials during generic review, ABCN will typically defer to that decision. If the postdoctoral fellowship was not designated as a fellowship in Clinical Neuropsychology (e.g., fellowship was in Geropsychology, Cognitive Rehabilitation Psychology, School Psychology), the applicant must document training in clinical neuropsychology consistent with  Houston Conference guidelines . At least 50% of postdoctoral training must be in the provision of clinical neuropsychological services. At least 50% of the clinical neuropsychological services must involve integrative neuropsychological evaluation under the supervision of a clinical neuropsychologist, with services provided to clinical populations. Integrative neuropsychological services include a component of clinical service delivery (i.e., the integration of results in a written report to patients, research participants or physicians). Fellowship training should involve the provision of clinical neuropsychological services to individuals with a diversity of clinical diagnostic issues. 2. From 01/01/1990 to 12/31/2004: Successful completion of systematic didactic and experiential training in neuropsychology or neuroscience at a regionally accredited university; Two years of appropriate supervised training applying neuropsychological services in a clinical setting. One of these years may be pre-doctoral. For both years of training:1) Supervision must be provided on-site and for all clinical cases; 2) The training program should include a combination of didactic and experiential training; A letter of endorsement from a supervisor who can document the extent, nature and completion of the above training is highly desirable. 3. From 01/01/1981 and 12/31/89: 1600 hours of clinical neuropsychological experience supervised by a clinical neuropsychologist at the predoctoral or postdoctoral level. 4. Prior to 1981: 4800 hours of postdoctoral experience in a neuropsychological setting, involving a minimum of 2400 hours of direct clinical service. If you have  specialty specific  questions, you may  contact us . Written Examination Once credentials are approved, candidates are notified by ABPP Central Office of their eligibility to take the ABCN written examination.  Click here  to view more information about the written examination, the upcoming schedule of exams, and registration deadlines. Review of Practice Samples Once the written examination is passed, the candidate is invited to prepare two practice samples for review. Each practice sample includes a candidate’s original clinical report with appropriate confidential and identifying information obscured, a summary sheet of test scores with appropriate normative scores, and scanned copies of the raw data. Optional supplementary materials may also be submitted in the form of a 3 page document (double-spaced in 12 point font). This document may be used to provide reviewers with the context of the candidate’s clinical practice or to explain any aspects of test/norm selection, diagnostic considerations, or clinical decision making that may not have been necessary or appropriate to include in the original report. For detailed information regarding the format and content of the Practice Sample submission, please review the  guidelines . Once received, practice samples are forwarded to three ABCN Specialists who evaluate whether the clinical practice can be defended at the oral examination. An affirmative decision by at least two reviewers is required to pass the candidate to the oral examination. Oral Examination When practice samples are accepted, the candidate is scheduled for oral examination. Oral examinations are typically held 2-3 times per year in Chicago, in the spring and fall. Click here  for the schedule of oral examinations. The oral examination consists of three parts, each of which is designed to allow examiners the opportunity to evaluate the candidate’s scientific knowledge and clinical expertise in assessment, consultation, intervention, and ethical practice. The three portions of the examination include: Practice sample examination. The candidate is questioned about their practice sample cases, including their rationale and approach to assessment, interpretation, and conclusions. The practice sample also offers a point of departure for the examiner to query the candidate about related psychometric, diagnostic, scientific, or practice-related issues. Ethics and professional issues. The candidate is asked to provide an ethical analysis of a presented vignette and to describe the nature of their professional development, current professional activities, and efforts to foster continuing education. Fact Finding Examination. The candidate is given a brief clinical vignette and instructed to elicit from the examiner all relevant clinical information (history, test results, etc) required to conceptualize the case and formulate conclusions. Please refer to the Candidate Manual for further details. Awarding Certification The decision to award or not award board certification following oral examination is summarized and forwarded to ABPP Central Office. Upon approval by the board, a decision letter is sent to the candidate from both ABPP and ABCN. Specialists who are awarded certification are invited to join the  American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology . Candidates who are not awarded certification are provided feedback from the ABCN Central Office, including a summary evaluation from their oral examination team and information on how to resume the board examination process. For further information regarding ABPP , review of generic credentials (i.e., graduate and internship training programs), fee structure, payments, or early entry student option, please contact: ABPP Central Office 600 Market Street, Suite 201 Chapel Hill, NC 27516 Phone: 919-537-8031 Fax: 919-537-8034 Email: [email protected] For further information regarding ABCN , specialty specific credential requirements (neuropsychology didactics, postdoctoral training, ABCN specialty-specific online application), registration deadlines, or specific components of the ABCN Examination process, please  contact us . Department of Psychiatry (F6246, UH South) University of Michigan Health System 1500 East Medical Center Drive Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5295 Phone: (734) 936-8269 Fax: (734) 936-9761 Pediatric Subspecialty PhD in Clinical Psychology Clinical Concentrations PhD in Psychology PhD in Psychology with an emphasis in Media & Technology PhD in Infant and Early Childhood Development Media Psychology Master’s in Media Psychology Media Psychology Certificate Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Clinical Psychology Postdoctoral Certificate in Respecialization in Clinical Psychology Neuropsychology Specialization Training Program PhD Degree Completion Program PhD in Human Development PhD in Organizational Development and Change EdD Leadership for Change Doctoral Concentrations Master’s in Organization Development and Leadership Evidence Based Coaching Certificate ALL PROGRAMS COURSE CATALOG Request for Information Upcoming Info Session Degrees & Programs Transfer Credits Scholarships & Fellowships Tuition & Fees Office of Admissions Office of Financial Aid Veterans Services Office of Student Services myFielding (University Intranet) Moodle (Learning.Fielding.edu) Library Student Login One-Stop Student Center Contact An Advisor Student Advising REQUEST INFO 800.567.8910 Alumni Events Alumni News Alumni Services Clinical Psychology pictured alum: Dr. Emily Eccles, Class of 2020 " * " indicates required fields *All Fields are required. By submitting this form, you agree to be contacted regarding your request and are confirming you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. ACCREDITATION American Psychological Association $10,180 per term so you can remain in your local community NEXT START DATE Program Director Connie Veazey, PhD Fielding’s doctoral program in Clinical Psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association. It is the only distributed learning program accredited by the APA. The Psychology PhD serves adults, many of whom who have trained or worked in the mental health field. Our unique distributed learning model blends the best of in-person learning opportunities with digital formats. Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation: Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association 750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002 Phone: (202) 336-5979 / E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation For questions regarding the Clinical Psychology PhD Program contact [email protected]. About the Clinical Psychology Program Application requirements. Earning your doctorate in Clinical Psychology includes online and in-person seminars, meetings with faculty and other students in your region, weeklong residential sessions, as well as research and clinical training experiences. The unique mix of online and residential learning provides flexible opportunities for individuals with career, family, and community responsibilities to achieve their advanced educational goals. Faculty are active scholars and practitioners with a wide variety of expertise, making it possible to offer training in a variety of therapeutic orientations and specialized concentrations in some of the most exciting growth areas of psychology. Conferred Bachelor’s Degree Minimum GPA of 3.0 Online Application Form Curriculum Vitae (CV) Statement of Purpose Critical Thinking Writing Sample 3 Letters of Recommendation Official Transcript No GRE Required Start your application NOW!   Apply now for fall 2025, student admissions, outcomes, and other data. In accordance with requirements of the American Psychological Association (APA), Fielding Graduate University provides Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data pertaining to the education of our graduate students. The Fielding Experience Become a member of a dynamic and diverse community of colleagues Interact with and learn from our expert faculty located all across the country Attend monthly professional development seminar in your geographic area Engage with alumni, faculty, and other students at sessions Mission & Aims of the Program Fielding’s APA accredited Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program is strongly aligned with the university’s mission to create a more humane, just, and sustainable world, and the university’s values that include academic excellence, community, diversity, and social justice. Consistent with these values, a core mission of our program is to foster the inclusion of students from under-represented populations. These populations include students living in small communities, rural, or remote locations of the United States, students currently in the military or spouses of military members, adult learners with families, and students whose ongoing participation in their current communities cannot be halted for doctoral study elsewhere. These are student populations who are often unable to enter the field through preparation at a traditional university campus, yet these are the future psychologists for which the discipline and profession have expressed an urgent need. In addition, our program aims to graduate entry-level scholar-practitioner psychologists who bring social justice values to their work as licensed health service professionals. Consistent with this overarching aim, we have four specific aims for our students, which must be achieved by the time of graduation. Students will demonstrate doctoral-level discipline-specific knowledge that represents the scientific and theoretical knowledge areas of the discipline of psychology (i.e., history and systems of psychology and the affective, biological, cognitive, developmental, and social bases of behavior). Students will demonstrate doctoral-level conceptualization, evaluation, analysis, and integration of discipline-specific knowledge across the curriculum. Students will demonstrate doctoral-level ability to understand and critique research; design, conduct, analyze, and communicate theoretically informed research; and conduct research in a manner that is culturally sensitive and consistent with legal code and ethical standards, including the APA ethics code. Students will demonstrate doctoral-level competence in the profession-wide competencies, including conducting an evidence-based diagnosis, assessment, and psychotherapy; and applying theory and research to develop case conceptualizations, treatment plans, and interventions that are consistent with legal and ethical standards and individual and cultural diversity factors. Serving adults, many of whom have trained or worked in the mental health field, our unique distributed learning model blends the best of face-to-face learning opportunities with digital formats. Faculty are active scholars and practitioners with a wide variety of expertise, which allows us to offer specialized concentrations and training in a variety of therapeutic orientations. Geographic Eligibility The program only considers applicants who reside in the contiguous United States and Canada. The program is not available to those residing internationally (except Canada). Applicants from Alaska and Hawaii may be considered pending confirmation of their ability and resources to attend local professional development seminars in contiguous U.S. on a regular basis, access to acceptable practicum training sites, and ability to relocate for internship. (Contact [email protected] to be put in touch with the Program Director for consideration prior to applying.) Due to state licensing requirements, graduates of the program are not eligible for licensure in Oklahoma. For licensure information on your particular state of interest, please visit our Professional Licensure page [CLICK HERE]. School of Psychology News The latest news, announcements, and special events from Fielding’s School of Psychology. Dr. Lauren Mizock Appointed 2024-25 Ruthellen Josselson Chair in Qualitative Inquiry By Kaylin Staten | 2024-07-08T11:18:31-07:00 July 8th, 2024 | Fielding University Press’ Struggling with Infertility Explores Devasting Effects of Infertility By Kaylin Staten | 2024-05-10T07:48:56-07:00 May 10th, 2024 | AWC-SB Honors Four Leaders in Education at Fielding Graduate University Sponsored Women of Achievement 2024 Awards Luncheon By Fielding News | 2024-05-09T08:50:53-07:00 May 9th, 2024 | Why Choose Fielding for Your Psychology Degree? A conventional APA-accredited doctoral program delivered in an unconventional way Join Over 7,500 Fielding Alumni Located Around The World! Change the world. Start with yours.™ First Name * Last Name * Your Location * Your Location USA Canada International Program of Interest * Program of Interest PhD in Clinical Psychology PhD in Psychology with an Emphasis in Media & Technology PhD in Psychology PhD in Infant and Early Childhood Development PhD in Human Development PhD in Organizational Development and Change EdD in Leadership for Change MA in Organization Development and Leadership MA in Infant, Child, Family Mental Health and Development MA in Applied Media Psychology Certificate in Evidence Based Coaching Certificate in Media Psychology Neuropsychology Specialization Training Program Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Clinical Psychology Postdoctoral Certificate of Respecialization in Clinical Psychology Contact Info Fielding Graduate University 2020 De la Vina Street Santa Barbara, California 93105 Phone: 1-800-340-1099 Admissions: 805-898-4026 Email: [email protected] Web: Fielding.edu/apply-now Recent Posts Fielding Faculty, Students to Participate at the 2024 APA Convention from Aug. 8-10  IECD Program: A Student and Faculty Perspective  Join Provost Williams for Fielding Social Hour at APA in Seattle on Aug. 9 PhD Admission FAQ - Under Construction Please review commonly asked admissions questions while we update our website. Find a Doctor Transfer a Patient Patient Portal 3 Questions for the 2024 Barrow Clinical Neuropsychology Graduates Byline: Christina O'Haver August 19, 2024 September will usher in a new academic year for the Clinical Neuropsychology Residency Program at Barrow Neurological Institute. To celebrate our 2024 graduates, we asked them to reflect on their most memorable moments at Barrow, the advice they would give to their younger selves on their first day of training, and which individuals influenced them the most during their time here. We’ve compiled their responses below. “Your fortitude and perseverance will serve you well as you embark on your future careers. It has been an honor to work with all of you during this final time in your training. I wish you all the best as you begin this next chapter of life.” – Krista Hanson, PhD, ABPP-CN , Director, Clinical Neuropsychology Residency Program Caleb Barcenas, PhD New role: Clinical Neuropsychologist, Center for Transitional Neuro-Rehabilitation at Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona My most memorable moment at Barrow was the day I learned about how our PTO works. The advice I would give to my younger self on my first day of training at Barrow would be: Figure out when monthly omelet day is. This will significantly improve your quality of life. The people who have influenced me the most at Barrow have been my fellow residents, who made my training experience enjoyable and memorable. Bianca Kdeiss, PsyD New role: Neuropsychologist, Cone Health LeBauer Neurology, Greensboro, North Carolina My most memorable moments at Barrow were trying to safely cross the intersection to the main hospital (if you know, you know). The advice I would give to my younger self on my first day of training at Barrow is that sushi is better on Thursdays before noon. The most influential people during my time here have been my co-fellows and technicians. They are a constant reminder of the importance of having an enjoyable work environment and a team that can be trusted. Their mutual trust in me has further pushed me both personally and professionally to be the best version of myself. Julia Thomas, PhD New role: Clinical Neuropsychologist, Endeavor Health Medical Group, Arlington Heights, Illinois My most memorable moments at Barrow include Wada procedures, learning to do outpatient assessments in Spanish, and celebrating birthdays in the clinical neuropsychology department. The advice I would give to myself on the first day would be: Don’t be afraid to ask questions and to learn as much as you can from the experts around you. The people who have influenced me the most at Barrow would include my current and former supervisors, especially Drs. Jessica Potvin, Alex Tröster, and Elsa Baena, and my co-fellows. Please note: Responses have been edited for style and clarity. To give you the best possible experience, this site uses cookies. By continuing to use the site, you agree that we can save them on your device. The Graduate School > Beyond the Classroom > Graduate Professional Development > Graduate Professional Development for Doctoral Students > Pathway to the PhD Micro-credential Early PhDs can uncover the essential knowledge and skills needed to succeed in graduate school and beyond through the Pathway to the PhD—Preparing for Success micro-credential. Utilizing the book  A Field Guide to Grad School Uncovering the Hidden Curriculum  by Jessica McCrory Calarco, this micro-credential will target doctoral students over one semester. What will you learn? Uncover the hidden curriculum of graduate school that you are just expected to know or learn on your own. In this micro-credential, you will learn how to: Choose an advisor and build your own team.  Get funding for your work. Stay on track throughout your PhD.  Publish and promote your work.  Navigate the job market. Participate in and attend conferences. Upon completion of the micro-credential, you will gain the knowledge and skills that are essential for navigating every step of your PhD journey. Who is eligible to participate? This micro-credential is currently offered to University at Buffalo Presidential, Schomburg and Graduate School Fellows.  Requirements Upon registering for the micro-credential, participants will gain access to the micro-credential within the Brightspace learning management system. There are a total of eleven modules, which should be completed in sequential order. Each module includes a video, assessment and an enhance your experience section. The enhance your experience section is optional but is highly recommended for you to get the most out of the micro-credential. Participants must watch the video and complete the corresponding assignment in order to move forward to the next module. To successfully earn the micro-credential, all eleven modules must be completed. Module 1: Welcome to UB. Module 2: Understanding Your Department and Jargon at UB. Module 3:  Building Your Network. Module 4:  Staying on Track and Tracking Progress. Module 5:  Understanding and Finding Funding. Module 6:  Writing at the Graduate Level and Publishing. Module 7:  Teaching in Graduate School. Module 8:  Promoting and Talking About Your Research. Module 9:  Participating in and Attending Conferences. Module 10:  Navigating the Job Market. Module 11:  The Balancing Act of Graduate School. For more information and to register, please email Elizabeth Colucci at [email protected] .  Visit the Office of Micro-Credentials website to learn more about micro-credentials and digital badges. 117 COMMENTS Neuropsychology Ph.D. Programs A PhD in neuropsychology is an advanced academic degree focused on the study of brain-behavior relationships, emphasizing the understanding of how neurological conditions and injuries affect cognition and behavior. Entry Requirements: Master's degree in psychology or a related field: Completion Time: 5-7 years: Coursework & Credits Neuropsychology PhD Programs Clinical neuropsychology PhD programs focus on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of neurological disorders and injuries. Cognitive neuropsychology PhD programs, on the other hand, focus on the cognitive and neural processes underlying behavior, with an emphasis on understanding how brain damage affects these processes. Clinical Neuropsychology Clinical Neuropsychology. Clinical Neuropsychology is a specialty field within clinical psychology, dedicated to understanding the relationships between brain and behavior, particularly as these relationships can be applied to the diagnosis of brain disorder, assessment of cognitive and behavioral functioning and the design of effective treatment. Neuropsychology (Ph.D.) The APA-accredited Ph.D. program in Psychology (specialization in Neuropsychology) at Howard's Graduate School provides didactic and research training in the study of brain-behavior interactions and human behavior as it relates to normal and abnormal functioning of the central nervous system. Our Ph.D. program exposes students to a wide range ... Psychology, Ph.D., Clinical Neuropsychology Department of Psychology: [email protected]. Graduate Program: [email protected]. Clinical neuropsychology is a scientific discipline that involves expert understanding and application of the science of brain-behavior relationships. Clinical neuropsychologists advance and use evidence-based assessment and intervention to evaluate and improve ... Neuropsychology (Ph.D.) Program Details Graduate Funding. Admitted students may be eligible to compete for Graduate School competitive awards, which provide tuition remission and a stipend during the academic year. Additionally, graduate research or teaching assistantships may be available at the department level. Research assistants and teaching assistants work no more than 20 hours ... Neuropsychology Neuropsychology. Phone. (212) 853-1735 or (212) 853-1733. Contact Us. [email protected]. Internal Use Only. Login to Access. About The Program. Prospective Students. Neuropsychology Emphasis According to guidelines adopted by the Division of Clinical Neuropsychology (Division 40) of the American Psychological Association (APA), the basic education and training of a clinical neuropsychologist includes:. Successful completion of a doctoral level degree in psychology from a regionally accredited program; Successful completion of systematic didactic education (course work in ... Neuropsychologist Degree Requirements, Common Courses And ... A bachelor's degree is just the first step of many on the long path to a career in neuropsychology. Note that a master's degree is optional for neuropsychologists, but a doctoral degree is ... PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience » Academics The doctoral program curriculum consists of core and elective courses and research in neuropsychology within Graduate Medical Sciences. ... Program Requirements. The Behavioral Neuroscience PhD program is a full-time program only. Most students complete the program in 5-7 years. Matriculation is in September only. How To Become A Neuropsychologist It takes an average of 10-13 years of postsecondary education and supervised clinical neuropsychology experience to complete your training. Neuropsychologists need a doctoral degree in psychology with a neuropsychology concentration, plus a year or more in a postdoctoral fellowship. Specific licensure requirements vary by state. Neuropsychology » Department of Clinical and Health Psychology The Neuropsychology area is among an elite group of academic programs that provide articulated research and clinical training in neuropsychology at the predoctoral, internship, and post-doctoral levels. We seek to understand the complexities of the human brain so that this knowledge can be applied to the diagnosis and treatment of neurocognitive and emotional disorders that… PhD Requirements A brief summary of the requirements of the PhD in Psychological and Brain Sciences follows. Complete information for current PhD students and faculty advisers is available in the Graduate Student Handbook. Courses and Seminars. All courses must be passed with a grade of B- or better (B- is passing, but unsatisfactory). PhDs in Neuropsychology What is a PhD in Neuropsychology? PhDs in Neuropsychology are doctoral research degrees that allow students to deeply explore the relationship between the brain and behavior. Specifics vary drastically between programmes, but may involve research into cognitive functions, neurological disorders, and the impact of brain injuries on mental ... How to Become a Neuropsychologist: Degrees & Career Paths It's typical to take another year or two in internships or fellowships getting the supervised experience required for licensure and getting more training specific to neuropsychology. All told, you are probably looking at anywhere from ten to thirteen years total! 1. Neuropsychology Degree - Earning a Master's or PhD. How to Become a Neuropsychologist (Program Requirements) Before beginning your studies, contact your state board of psychology to find its specific criteria. Complete a doctorate in neuropsychology from an accredited school. Do a one-year psychology residency. Submit an original dissertation based on your research. Complete a supervised internship. PhD in Clinical Psychology PhD in Clinical Psychology. Suffolk's APA accredited doctoral program in clinical psychology provides systematic and cumulative training in the core competencies students need to pursue careers in practice, research, or academic settings. Our program requirements reflect our adherence to the scientist-practitioner model and emphasize the ... Doctoral Degree & Applications Doctoral Degree. After completing your bachelor's degree (and maybe taking a gap year or two), the next step in your education is to complete a psychology doctoral degree. Most neuropsychologists in the United States have a PhD in Clinical Psychology, and some instead have a PsyD in Clinical Psychology. (A PhD is a "Doctor of Philosophy ... How To Become A Neuropsychologist When researching neuropsychology programs, prospective students should consider several factors, including admission requirements, enrollment options, and faculty advisors. At the graduate level, for example, neuropsychology programs may require an undergraduate degree in psychology or a closely related field. How to Become a Clinical Neuropsychologist Are licensed as independent clinical psychologists. Have documented training in 8 core knowledge areas including neuroscience, neuropathology, and functional neuroanatomy. Have received at least 50 percent of post-doctoral training within a clinical neuropsychology specialty. Pass both written and oral board examinations. Clinical Neuropsychology Specialty Program (CNSP) Clinical Neuropsychology Specialty Program (CNSP) Jennifer Davis, PhD, ABPP-CN, Director Anjali Palav, PhD, Associate Director The Clinical Neuropsychology Specialty Program (CNSP) is an APA-accredited specialty program in Neuropsychology that offers cutting-edge clinical training in hospital settings by seasoned clinicians and researchers, many of whom are board-certified. Becoming Certified Procedures for Obtaining Board Certification in Clinical Neuropsychology. The ABCN certification process is designed to assess one's scientific knowledge and clinical skill in the practice of neuropsychology, and to provide external evidence of competence in this area of specialty practice. All qualified individuals are invited to apply for ... PhD in Clinical Psychology Neuropsychology Specialization Training Program; School of Leadership Studies. ... The Psychology PhD serves adults, many of whom who have trained or worked in the mental health field. Our unique distributed learning model blends the best of in-person learning opportunities with digital formats. ... In accordance with requirements of the ... PhD Admission FAQ PhD Program Toggle PhD Program PhD Degree Requirements Toggle PhD Degree Requirements Course Requirements; Teaching Requirements; Program Requirements and Milestones; Graduation Quarter; Individual Development Plan; PhD Program Timeline At-A-Glance; Funding Toggle Funding ... Neuropsychology Graduate Program Requirements Admittance Requirements for Master's Programs in Neuropsychology. Those wanting to earn a master's degree in neuropsychology must first hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university before applying to a master's program. Students must also hold a minimum of a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students will need to provide copies of ... 3 Questions for the 2024 Barrow Clinical Neuropsychology Graduates September will usher in a new academic year for the Clinical Neuropsychology Residency Program at Barrow Neurological Institute. To celebrate our 2024 graduates, we asked them to reflect on their most memorable moments at Barrow, the advice they would give to their younger selves on their first day of training, and which individuals influenced them the most during their time here. Pathway to the PhD Micro-credential Early PhDs can uncover the essential knowledge and skills needed to succeed in graduate school and beyond through the Pathway to the PhD—Preparing for Success micro-credential. Utilizing the book A Field Guide to Grad School Uncovering the Hidden Curriculum by Jessica McCrory Calarco, this micro-credential will target doctoral students over one semester. assignment essay homework paper phd resume review speech thesis