Clinical Psychology

Degree Types: MA, PhD

The PhD Program in Clinical Psychology within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is one of only a handful of programs in the United States based in an academic medical center and housed in a psychiatry department. This unique setting provides opportunities for translational research and practice that span molecular to social models of disease, and epidemiologic to clinical and neuroimaging methodologies.

This scientist-practitioner program effectively balances clinical and research training to produce graduates who are competent in the science and practice of clinical psychology. The PhD program also provides opportunities for major areas of study within clinical psychology, including Adult Clinical Psychology, Behavioral Medicine or Clinical Health Psychology, Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Clinical Neuropsychology, and Forensic Psychology. Training is provided through core and emphasis-specific curricula, intensive research mentoring, and exceptional clinical practica. Major milestones include a research qualifying paper and master's thesis, a clinical qualifying exam, an empirical dissertation with original research, and an APA-accredited clinical internship.

Our mentor-based program prepares students to be competitive for careers as clinical psychologists in academic health centers, children's hospitals, VA medical centers, and related medical facilities.

The Clinical Psychology Master of Arts (MA) Program within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is intended for students interested in pursuing a career in academic clinical psychology. The MA program is designed to provide a foundation in academic clinical psychology at the graduate level, while also allowing students to gain educational and research exposure to major areas of study within clinical psychology, including Adult Clinical Psychology, Behavioral Medicine or Clinical Health Psychology, Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Clinical Neuropsychology, and Forensic Psychology.

The goals of the MA Program in Clinical Psychology are to:

Develop foundational competencies in research design, analytics, and ethics within academic clinical psychology.
Explore major areas of study within academic clinical psychology.
Understand educational and career opportunities within academic clinical psychology.

Note: the MA Program in Clinical Psychology does not include clinical training and is not intended to prepare students for clinical practice. Given the academic and research focus of the MA Program, the degree will not lead to licensure for independent practice. For those interested in master's level programs that prepare students for licensure and practice, please visit the MA in Counseling website, the MS in Marriage and Family Therapy website and The Family Institute website.

The MA Program in Clinical Psychology was designed for a variety of students, including students who:

Are not yet ready to apply to a PhD program, but are considering doing so in the future.
Wish to improve their competitiveness for a PhD program.
Are interested in exploring a career in academic clinical psychology.
With interests in related fields for which a background in academic clinical psychology may be of value.

The MA Program is embedded in the Clinical Psychology PhD Program, with coursework and lab work completed alongside PhD students. Although students in the MA Program are welcome to apply to Northwestern's PhD Program in Clinical Psychology, the MA Program is not intended to be a "gateway" into the PhD Program in Clinical Psychology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

Additional resources:

Degrees Offered

Clinical Psychology: MA

Learning objective(s)/Students should be able to…

Demonstrate knowledge and skills in research design, analytics, and ethics within academic clinical psychology.
Identify specific competencies within major areas of study within academic clinical psychology.
Understand educational and career opportunities within academic clinical psychology.

Clinical Psychology: PHD

Learning objective(s)/Students should be able to…

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 (including the host institution), regional, or national level.
Identify and pursue coursework and/or research/clinical training within at least one emphasis or major area of study
Be knowledgeable of and act in accordance with each of the following:
- 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 self in an ethical manner in all professional activities.
Understand how their own personal/cultural history, attitude, and biases may affect how they understand and interact with people different from themselves.
Know the current theoretical and empirical knowledge base as it relates to addressing diversity in all professional activities including research, training, supervision/consultation, and service.
Integrate awareness and knowledge of individual and cultural differences in the conduct of professional roles (e.g., research, services, and other professional activities). This includes the ability 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, ability to articulate an approach to working effectively with diverse individuals and groups, and apply this approach effectively in their professional work.
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; engage in activities to maintain and improve performance, well-being, and professional effectiveness.
Actively seek and demonstrate openness and responsiveness to feedback and supervision.
Respond professionally in increasingly complex situations with a greater degree of independence as they progress across levels of training.
Develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of individuals, including colleagues, communities, organizations, supervisors, supervisees, and those receiving professional services.
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.
Select and apply assessment methods that draw from the best available empirical literature and that reflect the science of measurement and psychometrics; collect relevant data using multiple sources and methods appropriate to the identified goals and questions of the assessment as well as relevant diversity characteristics of the service recipient.
Interpret assessment results, following current research and professional standards and guidelines, to inform case conceptualization, classification, and recommendations, while guarding against decision-making biases, distinguishing the aspects of assessment that are subjective from those that are objective.
Communicate orally and in written documents the findings and implications of the assessment in an accurate and effective manner sensitive to a range of audiences.
Establish and maintain effective relationships with the recipients of psychological services.
Develop evidence-based intervention plans specific to the service delivery goals.
Implement interventions informed by the current scientific literature, assessment findings, diversity characteristics, and contextual variables.
Demonstrate the ability to apply the relevant research literature to clinical decision making.
Modify and adapt evidence-based approaches effectively when a clear evidence-base is lacking.
Evaluate intervention effectiveness, and adapt intervention goals and methods consistent with ongoing evaluation.
Demonstrate knowledge of supervision models and practices.
Demonstrate knowledge and respect for the roles and perspectives of other professions.
Demonstrates knowledge of consultation models and practices.

Clinical Psychology Courses

CLIN_PSY 402-0 Psychological Assessment I (1 Unit)

This course provide an introduction to psychological assessment, focusing on developing knowledge and proficiency in the assessment of intellectual and related cognitive abilities in adults, children, and special populations, as well as proficiency in psychological report writing.

CLIN_PSY 403-0 Psychological Assessment II (1 Unit)

This course focuses on development of skills in the use, administration, scoring and interpretation of results from standardized measures assessing cognitive (i.e., memory) and academic functioning, conducting clinical interviews and observations of behavior as part of conducting psychological assessments, and developing advanced skills in integrated report writing.

Prerequisite: CLIN_PSY 402-0 or equivalent.

CLIN_PSY 404-0 Psychological Assessment III (1 Unit)

Development of a) skills in diagnostic assessment of psychopathology using semi-structured interviews; b) skills in the use/interpretation of self-report measures of personality and psychological functioning; c) familiarity with other approaches to psychological assessment (i.e., performance based or projective measures); d) appreciation of the role of cultural/ diversity issues in the context of psychological assessment.

Prerequisite: CLIN_PSY 403-0 or equivalent.

CLIN_PSY 407-0 Child Psychological Assessment (1 Unit)

This course aims to increase knowledge competencies in psychological and neuropsychological assessment of children and adolescents, skill competencies in test administration, scoring, and interpretation, and skill competencies in report writing.

CLIN_PSY 408-0 Psychopathology Laboratory (0.5 Unit)

This course supplements the science-focused Psychopathology course by further developing practical knowledge in DSM5 diagnostic criteria, diagnostic interviewing, and differential diagnoses. The class is meant to increase practical knowledge and skills needed to perform intake assessments at clinical placements.

CLIN_PSY 410-0 Psychodynamic Traditions: Integrative Psychotherapy (1 Unit)

Psychoanalytic theories and concepts; their impact upon contemporary thought, theory, and clinical practice. Recent developments and applications reviewed in the light of current evidence and criticism.

CLIN_PSY 411-0 History and Systems of Psychology (1 Unit)

The primary goal of this self-directed course is to develop knowledge in the origins and development of major ideas in the discipline of psychology. This course supplements the historical and systems content already provided in other courses, and is intended for students that have not already completed a documented evaluative educational experience in the history and systems of psychology prior to matriculating to Northwestern.

CLIN_PSY 412-1 Cognitive Psychology (0 Unit)

Classical and contemporary research and theory in cognitive psychology, cognitive neuropsychology, and cognitive neuroscience.

CLIN_PSY 412-2 Cognitive Psychology (0 Unit)

Classical and contemporary research and theory in cognitive psychology, cognitive neuropsychology, and cognitive neuroscience.

Prerequisite: CLIN_PSY 412-1.

CLIN_PSY 412-3 Cognitive Psychology (1 Unit)

Classical and contemporary research and theory in cognitive psychology, cognitive neuropsychology, and cognitive neuroscience.

Prerequisite: CLIN_PSY 412-2.

CLIN_PSY 413-0 Advanced Social Psychology (1 Unit)

Development of advanced, graduate-level knowledge of the social basis of behavior through social psychological principles underpinning human behavior, specifically, understanding a) major theories related to the social basis of behavior; b) seminal and recent empirical evidence for the social basis of behavior; c) application of the major theories and evidence of the social basis of behavior to clinical psychology.

CLIN_PSY 414-0 Diversity in Psychological Science and Practice (1 Unit)

Knowledge of theory and research related to human diversity, b) basic skills in approaching diversity in clinical practice and research, c) related ethical issues, d) self-awareness, e) developing a sense of cultural humility, f) sensitivity to the centrality of diversity on the lives of patients, research participants, and colleagues, g) knowledge of general domains of diversity.

CLIN_PSY 415-1 Scientific and Professional Ethics in Psychology (1 Unit)

Understanding of ethical and professional concerns in the field of clinical psychology. Using readings on ethics, responsible conduct of research, and case examples, the course addresses professional issues associated with the clinical practice of psychology, research, teaching, supervision, forensic activities, administration, and other professional activities. This course fully satisfies NIH's "Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research" requirement (NOT-OD-10-019).

CLIN_PSY 416-0 Psychopathology (1 Unit)

The overall goal of this course is to develop foundational knowledge in theory, etiology, and presentation of psychological and psychiatric disorders and to develop skills in conducting diagnostic assessments and treatment interventions of psychological and psychiatric disorders.

CLIN_PSY 417-0 Behavioral Neuroscience (1 Unit)

Development of advanced knowledge in the multiple biological underpinnings of behavior and mental processes, including a) architecture of the CNS and functions of neurons; b) role of neurotransmitters and receptors in the CNS; c) brain development/plasticity; and d) CNS and sensory processes, motor control, regulatory systems, cognition, behavior, emotion, and consciousness.

CLIN_PSY 426-0 Research Methods I (1 Unit)

This course provides statistical foundations of applied psychological research, including an introduction to elementary statistical principles and techniques (e.g., basic parametric and nonparametric statistics, analysis of variance, simple factorial designs, correlation, and regression).

CLIN_PSY 427-0 Research Methods II (1 Unit)

This course continues to develop skills in advanced statistical topics and the ability to conduct statistical analysis independently. Topics covered include parametric and nonparametric statistics, advanced analysis of variance models, and advanced regression models.

Prerequisite: CLIN_PSY 426-0.

CLIN_PSY 428-0 Research Methods III (1 Unit)

This course continues to develop skills in advanced statistical topics and the ability to conduct statistical analysis independently. Topics covered include mixed designs, multivariate analysis of variance, survival analysis, exploratory factor analysis, loglinear models, and hierarchical linear models.

Prerequisite: CLIN_PSY 427-0.

CLIN_PSY 429-0 Advanced Research Methodology (1 Unit)

An examination of validity, measurement, experimental design, sampling, data management and meta-analysis. Students design their own research proposals.

CLIN_PSY 432-0 Family Therapy (1 Unit)

Understanding of the historical roots of family therapy and its evolution toward evidence-based practice. Through live supervision, this course is designed to not only increase knowledge of family therapy, but also develop skills in understanding family-based transactional processes, family-based mechanisms of change, and comfort with Integrative Module-based Family Therapy.

CLIN_PSY 441-0 Introduction to Psychotherapy (1 Unit)

Introduction to the major theories of psychotherapeutic action and change, including basic psychotherapy skills common across approaches as well as those specific to each theoretical perspective, as well as development of awareness of cultural diversity, contextual factors, and individual differences in psychotherapy.

CLIN_PSY 442-0 Sexual Disorders and Couple Therapy (1 Unit)

This course develops knowledge and skills in the assessment and treatment of sexual disorders and in the treatment of relationship dysfunction through couple therapy. Sexual disorders to be covered will include gender disorders, problematic sexual behavior, sexual dysfunctions and professional sexual misconduct. The predominant approaches to couple therapy will be examined.

CLIN_PSY 443-0 Advanced Psychotherapy (1 Unit)

This course further develops knowledge and skill competencies in various psychotherapy models, providing a theoretical background for the model, model-specific case formulation, common interventions used within the model, and presentation of case studies illustrating each model.

Prerequisite: CLIN_PSY 441-0.

CLIN_PSY 444-0 Cognitive-Behavior Therapies (1 Unit)

This course develops an understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of cognitive-behavior therapy, cognitive-behavioral case formulation, practical aspects of key cognitive-behavioral techniques across disorders, flexible application of cognitive behavioral therapy to complex and/or unique problems in various contexts and settings.

CLIN_PSY 445-0 Cognitive and Behavioral Treatments for Depression (0.5 Unit)

The goal of this seminar is to synthesize theory, skills, and experience in Behavioral Activation and Cognitive Therapy for depression to strengthen your adherence and competency. Weekly lectures include didactics, rehearsal, demonstrations, and experiential exercises.

CLIN_PSY 446-0 Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (1 Unit)

This course develops foundational knowledge in the research, theory, and practice of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Prerequisite: CLIN_PSY 441-0.

CLIN_PSY 447-0 Dialectical Behavior Therapy (1 Unit)

This course is designed to develop foundational knowledge in the research, theory, and practice of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

CLIN_PSY 448-0 Positive Psychology in Clinical Practice (1 Unit)

This course is designed to develop foundational knowledge in the research, theory, and practice of Positive Psychology.

CLIN_PSY 450-0 Cognitive Psychology Seminar (0.25 Unit)

This course develops knowledge of and familiarity with the latest research in the field of Cognitive Psychology through readings, presentations, and discussion. The secondary purpose of this course is to develop skills in oral presentation and applying recent research in the field of Cognitive Psychology to future research, grant development, and clinical assessment and treatment.

CLIN_PSY 451-0 Diversity in Psychology Seminar (0.25 Unit)

This course develops knowledge of and familiarity with the latest research related to Diversity in Psychological Science and Practice through readings, presentations, and discussion. The secondary purpose of this course is to develop skills in oral presentation and applying recent research in the field of Diversity to future research, grant development, and clinical assessment and treatment.

CLIN_PSY 452-0 Social Psychology Seminar (0.25 Unit)

This course develops knowledge of and familiarity with the latest research in the field of Social Psychology through readings, presentations, and discussion. The secondary purpose of this course is to develop skills in oral presentation and applying recent research in the field of Social Psychology to future research, grant development, and clinical assessment and treatment.

CLIN_PSY 462-0 Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy (1 Unit)

This course examines how cognitive and behavioral models can be used in conceptualizing and treating behavioral and emotional disorders among youth. Evidence for the efficacy and effectiveness of alternative interventions, as well as clinical issues related to the practice of CBT with children, adolescents, and families are reviewed.

CLIN_PSY 466-0 Child Psychopathology (1 Unit)

Psychopathologies of childhood, emphasizing behavior and emotional disorders, conduct disorders, the psychoses of childhood, children's physical handicaps, chronic health disorders, mental retardation, learning disabilities and hyperactivity, transient situational disorders, and special symptom disorders.

CLIN_PSY 471-0 Principles of Neuroimaging (1 Unit)

This course provides graduate-level exposure to: the physical, biological, and neuroscience basis of neuroimaging, the technologies of in vivo neuroimaging, the application of these technologies to understanding questions in neuroscience, and an introduction to the design and analysis of neuroimaging experiments.

CLIN_PSY 472-0 Brain & Behavior: Introduction to Neuropsychology (1 Unit)

This course introduces students to the field of clinical neuropsychology, reviewing its history and examining the classical clinical conditions that laid the foundations for modern day neuropsychology and cognitive neuroscience. Key clinical syndromes (e.g., aphasia, apraxia, agnosia, amnesia, frontal/executive disorders) and mechanisms of disease (stroke, trauma, neurodegenerative disease) are reviewed with emphasis on clinically relevant features.

CLIN_PSY 473-0 Behavioral Neuroanatomy (1 Unit)

This course familiarizes students with the structure and function of the human central nervous system in an effort to establish clinical relevance. The course aims to develop knowledge of the location and function of key human brain regions known to support cognition and behavior, as well as understanding of how lesions or disruption to these regions produce certain neurobehavioral syndromes.

CLIN_PSY 474-1 Behavioral Neurology (0 Unit)

Overview of the characteristic signs, symptoms, and presentation of various neurologic and neuropsychiatric syndromes evaluated in a behavioral neurology setting and their underlying neuroanatomical and functional mechanisms.

CLIN_PSY 474-2 Behavioral Neurology (0 Unit)

Prerequisite: CLIN_PSY 474-1.

CLIN_PSY 474-3 Behavioral Neurology (1 Unit)

Prerequisite: CLIN_PSY 474-2.

CLIN_PSY 475-0 Neuropsychological Assessment (1 Unit)

This course provides a hands-on introduction to the practice of neuropsychological assessment. The course aims to provide a theoretical understanding of neuropsychological assessment theory, and for students to achieve basic competence in the administration, scoring, and interpretation of common neuropsychological assessment instruments.

Prerequisites: CLIN_PSY 402-0; CLIN_PSY 403-0; CLIN_PSY 404-0.

CLIN_PSY 476-0 Health Psychology (1 Unit)

This course provides an understanding of the application of psychological practices to common medical conditions, including knowledge of theory and research related to behavioral medicine, awareness of the training, professional and ethical issues related to behavioral medicine, the scientific, theoretical, empirical, and contextual bases of behavioral medicine interventions, and the role of evidence-based practice in behavioral medicine.

CLIN_PSY 477-0 Motivation and Self-Control in Health Behavior (1 Unit)

This course provides an overview of current motivational theories of impulse control and self-regulation, and how to apply these concepts in psychotherapy and medical adherence counseling. Although this course review the history of the study of motivation, the primary focus is on current conceptions and their relevance for the clinical setting, particularly in health psychology.

CLIN_PSY 478-0 Primary Care Psychology (0.5 Unit)

This course examines the role of clinical health psychology in primary care medicine, including understanding of primary care as the "front line" for the mental and physical health needs of patients, the scientific, theoretical, empirical, and contextual bases of primary care psychology, the training, professional, and ethical issues related to primary care psychology, and techniques often used in primary care.

CLIN_PSY 481-0 Psychopharmacology (1 Unit)

Development of knowledge and familiarity with psychopharmacology and common psychopharmacologic agents used in the treatment of psychiatric disorders.

CLIN_PSY 482-0 Mental Health Policy (1 Unit)

This course provides an overview of mental health policy in the United States, covering the history of mental health policymaking, recent policy changes, and implications for the mental health research, service, and the US population. Principles of mental health recovery, financing and management of healthcare systems, and implications for future system reform will also be addressed.

CLIN_PSY 483-0 Forensic Neuropsychology and Psychology (1 Unit)

This course provides a foundation of knowledge in the interaction of the legal system with neuropsychology and psychology. Student will develop knowledge and skill competencies in the legal system, case law, admissibility of evidence, mental health law, neuropsychology of violence and aggression, neurocriminology, malingering, antisocial behavior and psychopathy, competency assessment, capital sentencing, juvenile justice system, juvenile evaluations, forensic assessment of sex offenders and dangerousness.

CLIN_PSY 487-0 Life-Span Developmental Psychology (1 Unit)

This course examines psychological development across the lifespan, including biological, cognitive, social, and emotional development, with particular attention to environmental and cultural influences. Specific aims include an overview of major theories of development, and synthesizing of development research across multiple domains.

CLIN_PSY 490-1 Professional Development in Clinical Psychology (0 Unit)

This course orients students to the MA program, matches students with available mentors/labs, and introduces students to career options in academic clinical psychology. It refines MA students' interests in academic clinical psychology and helps them prepare for the next steps in their careers.

CLIN_PSY 490-2 Professional Development in Clinical Psychology (0 Unit)

Prerequisite: CLIN_PSY 490-1.

CLIN_PSY 490-3 Professional Development in Clinical Psychology (0 Unit)

Prerequisite: CLIN_PSY 490-2.

CLIN_PSY 490-4 Professional Development in Clinical Psychology (1 Unit)

Prerequisites: CLIN_PSY 490-3.

CLIN_PSY 498-0 Special Topics in Clinical Psychology (1 Unit)

New course possibilities not yet offered regularly and seminar offerings by visiting faculty in their areas of special interest and expertise.

CLIN_PSY 498-1 Special Topics in Clinical Psychology (1 Unit)

CLIN_PSY 498-2 Special Topics in Clinical Psychology (1 Unit)

CLIN_PSY 498-3 Special Topics in Clinical Psychology (1 Unit)

CLIN_PSY 498-4 Special Topics in Clinical Psychology (1 Unit)

CLIN_PSY 499-0 Independent Study (1 Unit)

Permission of instructor and department required. May be repeated for credit.

CLIN_PSY 523-0 Practicum (1 Unit)

Diagnostic evaluation, clinical assessment, and psychotherapy experiences with hospitalized and clinic populations of various ages and problems. May be repeated for credit.

CLIN_PSY 526-0 Interprofessional Education Seminar (1 Unit)

This course is designed to introduce supervision, consultation, and interprofessional/interdisciplinary skills in a seminar format.

CLIN_PSY 550-0 APA-Accredited Internship (Full-Time, 1-year) (0 Unit)

Clinical Internship requirement completed at an APA-accredited internship site, full-time for 1 year.

CLIN_PSY 590-0 Research (1-3 Units)

Individual research under faculty supervision in appropriate laboratories, hospitals, and clinics. May be repeated for credit.

Academic Catalog

Clinical Psychology

Degrees Offered

Clinical Psychology Courses

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