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Clinical Psychology Career Advising
What is Clinical Psychology?
Clinical psychology is a specialty in psychology focused on the study of mental disorder (i.e., psychopathology) and psychological well-being. It is also a helping discipline and those who go on to graduate study in clinical, counseling or school psychology, mental health counseling, or social work will be well prepared for graduate education if they enroll as undergraduates in cluster courses relevant to clinical psychology. Graduates of clinical psychology provide continuing and comprehensive mental and behavioral health care for individuals and families; consultation to agencies and communities; training, education and supervision; and research-based practice. The scope of clinical psychology encompasses all ages, multiple diversities and varied systems.
Why should a student be interested in Clinical Psychology?
Clinical Psychologists assess and treat mental, emotional and behavioral psychological issues. Undergraduate study of clinical psychology is advised for students who would like to go on to careers in talk, behavioral, and family therapy or in clinical psychology research.
What does the QC psychology department have to offer regarding Clinical Psychology?
There are a number of faculty members at Queens College who specialize in clinical psychology. Conducting research with one of them may help undergraduates get an in-depth look at the field of clinical psychology and learn about research. Course credit is available for research through PSYCH 391. The Queens College Psychological Center is an on-campus clinic that offers psychological services to the Queens community. Queens College houses a doctoral program in clinical psychology and doctoral students provide psychological services at the Queens College Psychological Center. Volunteering opportunities are available to undergraduates. The SIBS Club in the Psychology Department provides specialized services to children with developmental disabilities and students can apply to participate by enrolling in PSYCH 372. There are also Peer Support Services on campus. Students can apply to become peer counselors.
Clinical Psychology Cluster Coursework
* indicates courses with experiential/hands-on learning
Essential courses for the area of study are bolded. Not bolded classes are suggested.
Psych 101 General Psychology
Psych 1073/1 Statistical Methods
Psych 213W Experimental Psychology
Psych 321 Advanced Experimental: clinical
Psych 317 Advanced Experimental: Behavioral Analysis
Psych 214 Developmental Psych: infancy and childhood
Psych 215 Developmental Psych: adolescence
Psych 217 Developmental Psych: lifespan (only if have not taken 214, 215 or 216)
Psych 216 Developmental Psych: adulthood and aging (only if you have not taken (only if you have not taken 214, 215, or 217)
Psych 221 Psychopathology
Psych 232 Psychology of Personality
Psych 255 Health Psychology
Psych 256 Psychology of Addiction
Psych 281 Problems in Psychology (as relevant)
Psych 355 Academic Advising Practicum *
Psych 356 Academic Advising: Advanced Practicum *
Psych 372 Autism Practicum *
Psych 373 Autism Advanced Practicum *
Psych 391 Special Problems (as relevant)
Psych 323 Psychometrics
Psych 373 Evolutionary Psychology
Psych 341 Introduction to Psychoanalytic Theory
Psych 347 Clinical Psychology
Psych 349 Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence
Psych 352 Psychopharmacology
Psych 358 Autism
Psych 359 Developmental Disabilities
Psych 360 Contemporary Psychotherapies
Psych 374 Culturally Responsive Family Support Practicum *
Psych 375 Advanced Special topics (as relevant)
What comes next after taking the Clinical Psychology cluster?
After completing the clinical cluster courses, students should consider whether they would like to pursue graduate education in any of the fields related to clinical psychology, including clinical psychology, counseling psychology, mental health counseling, school psychology, marriage and family counseling. It is always a good idea to start planning early on to make sure that your graduate school application is competitive. Most programs require a good grade point average, an essay, and some research and clinical experience.