Clinical Psychology (Ph.D.)

The doctoral training program in clinical psychology is a single program that prepares students for and makes them eligible to take the New York State Licensing Examination in Psychology. Students can specialize in one of four areas through elective courses, selecting an appropriate externship, and conducting either their M.A. or doctoral research in that area. 

Students are expected to be in residence for their first four years, typically taking three to four courses in addition to Clinical Topics Seminar and Research Colloquium per semester. Most students also take some courses over the summer, with up to two summer courses covered by their tuition scholarship. In total, students are required to complete 60 course credits. Externship, Research Practicum, Dissertation, and an APA-accredited internship bring the total to the 85 credits required for graduation. Courses taken over the summer or transferred from a prior institution may reduce the number of courses per semester or provide greater flexibility in selecting and scheduling electives.

CIP Code

You can use the CIP code to learn more about career paths associated with this field of study and, for international students, possible post-graduation visa extensions. Learn more about CIP codes and other information resources.

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For more information on Clinical Externships, view the page on the Fordham website. 

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For more information on the Comprehensive Examination, view the page on the Fordham website. 

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The Progress Report is a required step for the Psychology Department that must be held before the Oral Defense Meeting. It is designed to emphasize data reporting, results of all proposed data analyses, and interpretation of findings, and to present corrections and improvements made to the dissertation from the proposal stage. The Progress Report should be a polished document with regard to (a) content, (b) APA style, and (c) spelling and other writing essentials.

Assessment Electives

Courses in this group have the CPAE attribute.

Intervention Electives

Courses in this group have the CPIE attribute.

Clinical Electives

Courses in this group have the CPCE attribute.

Child and Adolescent area of study

Requirements of the area of study include completion of the clinical psychology core curriculum, along with a minimum of three courses within the child and family psychology area of study, one externship in a child or family therapy setting, and predoctoral or doctoral research in a topic related to child and family psychology.

For more information on the Child and Adolescent clinical major area of study, visit our page on the Fordham website.

Neuropsychology area of study

Requirements of the area of study include completion of the clinical psychology core curriculum, along with completion of a minimum of three courses within the neuropsychology area of study, one externship in Clinical Neuropsychology, and predoctoral or doctoral research in a topic related to neuropsychology.

For more information on the Neuropsychology clinical major area of study, visit our page on the Fordham website.

Forensic area of study

Requirements of the area of study include completion of the clinical psychology core curriculum, along with a minimum of three courses within the forensic psychology area of study, one externship in a forensic setting, and predoctoral or doctoral research in a topic related to forensic psychology.

For more information on the Forensic clinical major area of study, visit our page on the Fordham website.

Health area of study

Requirements of the area of study include completion of the clinical psychology core curriculum along with completion of a minimum of three courses within the Health Psychology area of study, one externship in health psychology and predoctoral or doctoral research in a topic related to health psychology.

For more information on the Health clinical major area of study, visit our page on the Fordham website.