Clinical

Mental health in the United States has become a national priority.  Clinical psychology has taken an important role in the development of new interventions, and assessment devices, as well as sophisticated research evaluations of them.  Clinical psychology has also made important contributions to our understanding of the causes of various mental disorders.  An understanding of causal factors is necessary before prevention progress can be developed.  There is a growing need for scientists within this field.

The Clinical Psychology Program of the Department of Psychology at Northwestern University on the Evanston Campus is designed to train students for primary careers in research and teaching in clinical psychology.  The program is APA accredited and follows a clinical scientist model with a somewhat eclectic, adult focus.  Through course work and practical experience, students receive training in the diagnosis, etiology, and treatment of emotional disorders.  However, the major emphasis of the program is clinical research and research methods. 

Applicants should be aware that there is a second Clinical Psychology Program in Northwestern's Medical School on the Chicago Campus.  That program is also APA accredited, but it is oriented more toward professional training and applied research.  In submitting applications, you should CLEARLY specify the program to which you are applying because the admissions committees are completely separate. Your application will be forwarded to the wrong department unless you have the correct department number on your Graduate School application.  The department number of Clinical Psychology on the Evanston Campus is 0451.  The department number of Clinical Psychology on the Chicago Campus (Medical School) is 1447. Please check the two department’s web pages to understand the difference more clearly. The address of the web page of the Department on the Evanston Campus is http://www.psych.northwestern.edu.  The address for the Chicago Campus is http://www.clinpsych.northwestern.edu.

As already noted our clinical psychology program is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association. Any questions about the status of the program’s accreditation should be directed to the Committee on Accrediation, APA, 750 First St., NE,  Washington, DC 20002-4242. Phone: 202-336-5500.