College of Science and Health > Academics > Psychology > Graduate Programs > Clinical Psychology (MA/PhD) > Clinical Psychology Timeline

Clinical Psychology Timeline of Study

​Please refer to the Degree Requirements for more information on the classes offered in the clinical program.  An approximate timeline of activities for completing the program in five years or six years is provided below:

Five Year Model

Year 1 in Program

  • Full course load Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters
  • Master's Thesis Seminar (0 credits) in Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters
  • Graduate assistantship responsibilities
  • Master's thesis presentation to Clinical Program faculty and students in Spring quarter

Year 2 in the Program:

  • Full course load and practicum Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters
  • Defend master's thesis proposal by November 1st
  • Graduate assistantship responsibilities
  • Conduct master's thesis research in Winter, Spring, and Summer

Year 3 in the Program:

  • Full course load and practicum Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters
  • Defend completed master's thesis by February 1
  • Take Comprehensive Exams in Spring
  •  Graduate assistantship responsibilities
  • Complete all coursework (and any incompletes) by end of Spring quarter
  • Begin development of dissertation research project as soon as master's thesis completed
  • Begin teaching seminar sequence (if planning to teach)

Year 4 in the Program:

  • Practicum Autumn, Winter, and Spring Quarters
  • Defend dissertation proposal (provided Comprehensive Exams successfully passed) at least 2 weeks before internship applications due (in order for DCT to write a letter of readiness for internship applications)
  • Conduct dissertation research
  • Teach undergraduate Psychology courses (if interested in this experience)
  • Apply for internships for Year 5 (provided dissertation proposal approved) -- most applications due October-November; interviews typically occur in December to January
  • Indicate preferences for internship according to APPIC schedule (match day in February)
  • Defend completed dissertation before leaving on internship (not required but highly recommended in order to finish program in five years)

Year 5 in the Program:

  • Full-time 1-year internship at APA-accredited internship site (most sites begin between July 1 and September 1)
  • Conferral of degree after internship is successfully completed

Six Year Model

Year 1 in Program:

  • Full course load Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters
  • Master's Thesis Seminar (0 credits) in Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters
  • Graduate assistantship responsibilities
  • Master's thesis presentation to Clinical Program faculty and students in Spring quarter

Year 2 in the Program:

  • Full course load and practicum Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters
  • Defend master's thesis proposal by November 1st
  • Graduate assistantship responsibilities
  • Conduct master's thesis research in Winter, Spring, and Summer

Year 3 in the Program:

  • Full course load and practicum Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters
  • Defend completed master's thesis by February 1
  • Take Comprehensive Exams in Spring
  • Graduate assistantship responsibilities
  • Complete all coursework (and any incompletes) by end of Spring quarter
  • Begin development of dissertation research project as soon as master's thesis completed
  • Begin teaching seminar sequence (if planning to teach)

Year 4 in the Program:

  • Practicum Autumn, Winter, and Spring Quarters
  • Take Comprehensive Exams in Fall if not taken and passed in Spring of Year 3
  • Defend dissertation proposal (provided Comprehensive Exams successfully passed) in the Fall
  • Teach undergraduate Psychology courses (if interested in this experience)
  • Conduct dissertation research Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters
  • Defend completed dissertation in Summer

Year 5 in the Program:

  • Optional Practicum Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters
  • Apply for internships for Year 6-- most applications due October-November; interviews typically occur December-January
  • Indicate preferences for internship according to APPIC schedule (match day in February)
  • Teach undergraduate Psychology courses (if interested in this experience)

Year 6 in the Program:

  • Full-time 1-year internship at APA-accredited internship site (most sites begin between July 1 and September 1)
  • Conferral of degree after internship is successfully completed 
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