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Program Overview

Based at KCU’s Kansas City campus, the clinical psychology program provides broad and general doctoral-level training in clinical psychology, culminating in the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree. The program emphasizes the integration of empirical evidence and clinical practice, with competency-based coursework and extensive clinical training experiences.

Program Aims

Our PsyD program has four key aims designed to ensure the development of well-rounded, competent clinical psychologists:

Comprehensive Knowledge
Students acquire a thorough understanding of the theoretical and scientific foundations of psychology, equipping them to apply this knowledge as health service providers in clinical settings.
Clinical Competency
Students develop a robust set of clinical skills, behaviors and attitudes, enabling them to excel in evidence-based assessment, intervention and outcome evaluation while working with diverse populations.
Research Integration
Students gain a solid grounding in psychological research and scientific inquiry, with the ability to incorporate this knowledge into their clinical practice.
Integrated Health Care Expertise
Students are trained to function effectively as members of integrated health care teams, demonstrating proficiency in collaborative, team-based care.

Mission

The mission of the PsyD program is to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for successful careers in health service psychology. Graduates will be prepared to serve as clinical psychologists both independently and as key members of integrated health care teams. We are dedicated to upholding the scientific foundations of psychology, emphasizing the reciprocal relationship between science and practice and fostering a deep respect for cultural and individual differences.

Why Choose KCU’s PsyD Program?

Competency-Based Learning: Ensuring practical, evidence-based clinical skills
Research-Driven: Integrating scientific knowledge into clinical practice
Diverse Population Focus: Preparedness to work with culturally and individually diverse groups
Collaborative Care: Training for roles in integrated health care environments

Research Opportunities in Clinical Psychology

Emotion Perception and Regulation

Jennifer Fugate, PhD, associate professor of Health Services Psychology, studies emotion perception and is trained in the cognitive underpinnings of how people construct emotion through their language.