HANDBOOK OF THE
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY GRADUATE PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
COLLEGE PARK, MD
2021-2022
By signing this document, I agree to abide by program rules and requirements, as described
herein. I understand that this Handbook functions as a guide for students regarding program
requirements; however, the requirements may change (and students must abide by these changes)
if changes are required by the University of Maryland or the American Psychological
Association (APA) or Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS).
After reading the handbook and signing this document during your new student orientation,
please send a copy to the graduate studies coordinator so it can be included in your file (our DCT
or your mentor can provide you with that person’s name and e-mail address).
Print Name: _________________________________
Signature: ___________________________________
Date: _____________________________________
, 2
Table of Contents
I. WELCOME TO OUR PROGRAM ........................................................................................ 4
II. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAM.................................................................................. 6
A. Mission Statement ................................................................................................................................... 6
B. Clinical Psychology Graduate Program Goals ..................................................................................... 7
D. Full-Time Program and Scheduling .................................................................................................... 11
E. Student Stipends and Funding Sources, Residency Decisions and Tuition Impact, and NRSA-
specific information ............................................................................................................................... 13
F. Working with Your Mentor: Faculty Mentoring and Advising ....................................................... 15
H. List of Clinical Faculty.......................................................................................................................... 18
I. Licensure in Clinical Psychology: Professional Licensure Disclosure (Consumer Information and
Disclosures, Title 4, Department of Education, 34 CFR 668.43) ...................................................... 21
III. CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS .................................................................................. 22
A. Clinical Program Progress ................................................................................................................... 23
B. Sample Schedule .................................................................................................................................... 23
C. Schedule of Department Core Courses (although this is subject to change): .................................. 26
D. Graduate Program and APA Requirements ...................................................................................... 26
E. Graduate Program Requirements for Students Entering with Advanced Standing (Transfer of
Credit) .................................................................................................................................................... 30
IV. BEYOND COURSEWORK: OTHER PROGRAM AND DEPARTMENTAL
REQUIREMENTS...................................................................................................................... 31
A. Clinical and Research Issues Seminar (CRIS) Series ........................................................................ 31
B. Clinical Case Conference (takes place within the context of CRIS) ................................................. 31
C. Research Competence and the Master’s Thesis ................................................................................. 31
D. Qualifying Examination........................................................................................................................ 31
E. Timeline for Meeting Program Requirements ................................................................................... 32
YEAR ONE ...................................................................................................................................... 32
YEAR TWO ...................................................................................................................................... 32
YEAR THREE .................................................................................................................................. 33
YEAR FOUR or YEAR FIVE ........................................................................................................... 33
YEAR FIVE or YEAR SIX ................................................................................................................ 33
F. MASTER’S THESIS............................................................................................................................. 33
Proposal Stage ................................................................................................................................ 34
Defense Stage.................................................................................................................................. 35
Earning a Master’s Degree ............................................................................................................ 35
H. DOCTORAL CANDIDACY ................................................................................................................ 41
I. Dissertation Research .................................................................................................................................. 42
J. Internship ............................................................................................................................................... 43
V. BEYOND COURSEWORK: RESEARCH, TEACHING, AND OTHER
EXPERIENCES .......................................................................................................................... 46
B. Students Engaging in Global Health Research .................................................................................. 47
C. Teaching Experiences ........................................................................................................................... 48
D. Membership in Professional Organizations........................................................................................ 48
, 3
VI. BEYOND COURSEWORK: APPLIED CLINICAL TRAINING IN UMD
PSYCHOLOGY CLINIC INTERNAL PRACTICA AND EXTERNAL CLINICAL
PRACTICA (EXTERNSHIPS).................................................................................................. 49
D. UMD Psychology Clinical Internal Practica (PSYC 629 Supervision Courses) ............................. 51
F. Nature and Responsibilities of the Agency/Placement for External Practica (Externship Sites) .. 53
Criteria for Approving an Externship Site .................................................................................... 53
I. Involvement and Role of Mentor in the External Clinical Practicum (Externship) ............................. 55
J. Timeline and Order of Steps for External Clinical Practica (Externships) .................................... 56
VII. CLINICAL PROGRAM GOVERNANCE....................................................................... 56
A. Student Representative ......................................................................................................................... 56
D. Clinical Program Meetings................................................................................................................... 58
VIII. STUDENT RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND PROGRESS ................................. 58
J. Student Support Committees ............................................................................................................... 58
K. Grievance Procedures ........................................................................................................................... 59
O. Grades and Incompletes ....................................................................................................................... 62
P. University and Department Requirements ......................................................................................... 63
Q. Continuous Registration ....................................................................................................................... 63
R. Leave of Absence ................................................................................................................................... 64
S. Student Evaluations .............................................................................................................................. 64
T. Malpractice Insurance .......................................................................................................................... 65
U. Office Space ........................................................................................................................................... 65
IX. STUDENT RESOURCES .................................................................................................... 67
X. IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN PURSUING
EXTERNSHIPS/INTERNSHIPS AT VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA) MEDICAL CENTERS
....................................................................................................................................................... 68
XI. APPENDICES....................................................................................................................... 70
, 4
Handbook of the Clinical Psychology Graduate Program
2021-2022
Last Updated: August 4th, 2021
I. WELCOME TO OUR PROGRAM
The Department of Psychology and the Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology (i.e.,
Clinical Program) welcomes you to graduate study at the University of Maryland (UMD) at
College Park. From the outset, you should appreciate that graduate education involves an open
collegial relationship among faculty and students who share responsibility for the learning
process. This Handbook presents a summary of the Clinical Program, Psychology Department,
and University requirements for obtaining the doctoral degree. You should review the
Handbook’s contents throughout the course of your study and be familiar with its contents
throughout your tenure in the Clinical Program. In addition, you should make certain that you
have an up-to-date copy of the UMD Graduate Catalog and the Schedule of Classes for the
coming semester. Nothing in this Handbook supersedes the regulations established by the UMD
Graduate School or the Department of Psychology.
The Department publishes the Graduate Manual which summarizes the requirements for
obtaining a doctoral degree. Should these requirements change after you enter the department,
you should assume that the requirements in effect at the time of your admission apply (unless
you formally adopt the new manual requirements in their entirety). You should discuss the
implications of any change with your mentor and/or the Director of Clinical Training (DCT). A
copy of the Graduate Manual is available on the Department’s web page. If students have any
questions regarding policies and procedures that they refer to the Department's Graduate
Manual, the Graduate School, and or email the Graduate Studies Office
(). While there are many resources at your disposal, questions about
program requirements should always be discussed with your mentor and/or the DCT.
You should note the location of your mailbox in the main Psychology Department. Please
check your mailbox and your e-mail daily to remain informed about program and department
events and important issues. Many Department and Clinical Program communications are sent
only through e-mail and you will be responsible for complying with and/or responding to any
communications sent via e-mail. In using e-mail, students are required to use their official UMD
e-mail account (@umd.edu or @terpmail.umd.edu). By using the University system this ensures
accurate e-mail delivery and avoids complications in tracking multiple, and changing, e-mail
addresses through other e-mail systems (e.g., gmail). Although students may use other e-mail
systems for personal communications, the Clinical Program will only use the address issued by
the UMD Psychology Department.
For students involved with the Psychology Clinic, there are mailboxes for paperwork and
communications with the clinical staff located in the Psychology Clinic. This mailbox should be
checked weekly when you are registered for Clinical Laboratory, seeing clients, and/or
conducting research in the Psychology Clinic. Email addresses, phone numbers, and office
locations for Faculty and Staff are posted on the UMD Psychology website.
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY GRADUATE PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
COLLEGE PARK, MD
2021-2022
By signing this document, I agree to abide by program rules and requirements, as described
herein. I understand that this Handbook functions as a guide for students regarding program
requirements; however, the requirements may change (and students must abide by these changes)
if changes are required by the University of Maryland or the American Psychological
Association (APA) or Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS).
After reading the handbook and signing this document during your new student orientation,
please send a copy to the graduate studies coordinator so it can be included in your file (our DCT
or your mentor can provide you with that person’s name and e-mail address).
Print Name: _________________________________
Signature: ___________________________________
Date: _____________________________________
, 2
Table of Contents
I. WELCOME TO OUR PROGRAM ........................................................................................ 4
II. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAM.................................................................................. 6
A. Mission Statement ................................................................................................................................... 6
B. Clinical Psychology Graduate Program Goals ..................................................................................... 7
D. Full-Time Program and Scheduling .................................................................................................... 11
E. Student Stipends and Funding Sources, Residency Decisions and Tuition Impact, and NRSA-
specific information ............................................................................................................................... 13
F. Working with Your Mentor: Faculty Mentoring and Advising ....................................................... 15
H. List of Clinical Faculty.......................................................................................................................... 18
I. Licensure in Clinical Psychology: Professional Licensure Disclosure (Consumer Information and
Disclosures, Title 4, Department of Education, 34 CFR 668.43) ...................................................... 21
III. CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS .................................................................................. 22
A. Clinical Program Progress ................................................................................................................... 23
B. Sample Schedule .................................................................................................................................... 23
C. Schedule of Department Core Courses (although this is subject to change): .................................. 26
D. Graduate Program and APA Requirements ...................................................................................... 26
E. Graduate Program Requirements for Students Entering with Advanced Standing (Transfer of
Credit) .................................................................................................................................................... 30
IV. BEYOND COURSEWORK: OTHER PROGRAM AND DEPARTMENTAL
REQUIREMENTS...................................................................................................................... 31
A. Clinical and Research Issues Seminar (CRIS) Series ........................................................................ 31
B. Clinical Case Conference (takes place within the context of CRIS) ................................................. 31
C. Research Competence and the Master’s Thesis ................................................................................. 31
D. Qualifying Examination........................................................................................................................ 31
E. Timeline for Meeting Program Requirements ................................................................................... 32
YEAR ONE ...................................................................................................................................... 32
YEAR TWO ...................................................................................................................................... 32
YEAR THREE .................................................................................................................................. 33
YEAR FOUR or YEAR FIVE ........................................................................................................... 33
YEAR FIVE or YEAR SIX ................................................................................................................ 33
F. MASTER’S THESIS............................................................................................................................. 33
Proposal Stage ................................................................................................................................ 34
Defense Stage.................................................................................................................................. 35
Earning a Master’s Degree ............................................................................................................ 35
H. DOCTORAL CANDIDACY ................................................................................................................ 41
I. Dissertation Research .................................................................................................................................. 42
J. Internship ............................................................................................................................................... 43
V. BEYOND COURSEWORK: RESEARCH, TEACHING, AND OTHER
EXPERIENCES .......................................................................................................................... 46
B. Students Engaging in Global Health Research .................................................................................. 47
C. Teaching Experiences ........................................................................................................................... 48
D. Membership in Professional Organizations........................................................................................ 48
, 3
VI. BEYOND COURSEWORK: APPLIED CLINICAL TRAINING IN UMD
PSYCHOLOGY CLINIC INTERNAL PRACTICA AND EXTERNAL CLINICAL
PRACTICA (EXTERNSHIPS).................................................................................................. 49
D. UMD Psychology Clinical Internal Practica (PSYC 629 Supervision Courses) ............................. 51
F. Nature and Responsibilities of the Agency/Placement for External Practica (Externship Sites) .. 53
Criteria for Approving an Externship Site .................................................................................... 53
I. Involvement and Role of Mentor in the External Clinical Practicum (Externship) ............................. 55
J. Timeline and Order of Steps for External Clinical Practica (Externships) .................................... 56
VII. CLINICAL PROGRAM GOVERNANCE....................................................................... 56
A. Student Representative ......................................................................................................................... 56
D. Clinical Program Meetings................................................................................................................... 58
VIII. STUDENT RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND PROGRESS ................................. 58
J. Student Support Committees ............................................................................................................... 58
K. Grievance Procedures ........................................................................................................................... 59
O. Grades and Incompletes ....................................................................................................................... 62
P. University and Department Requirements ......................................................................................... 63
Q. Continuous Registration ....................................................................................................................... 63
R. Leave of Absence ................................................................................................................................... 64
S. Student Evaluations .............................................................................................................................. 64
T. Malpractice Insurance .......................................................................................................................... 65
U. Office Space ........................................................................................................................................... 65
IX. STUDENT RESOURCES .................................................................................................... 67
X. IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN PURSUING
EXTERNSHIPS/INTERNSHIPS AT VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA) MEDICAL CENTERS
....................................................................................................................................................... 68
XI. APPENDICES....................................................................................................................... 70
, 4
Handbook of the Clinical Psychology Graduate Program
2021-2022
Last Updated: August 4th, 2021
I. WELCOME TO OUR PROGRAM
The Department of Psychology and the Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology (i.e.,
Clinical Program) welcomes you to graduate study at the University of Maryland (UMD) at
College Park. From the outset, you should appreciate that graduate education involves an open
collegial relationship among faculty and students who share responsibility for the learning
process. This Handbook presents a summary of the Clinical Program, Psychology Department,
and University requirements for obtaining the doctoral degree. You should review the
Handbook’s contents throughout the course of your study and be familiar with its contents
throughout your tenure in the Clinical Program. In addition, you should make certain that you
have an up-to-date copy of the UMD Graduate Catalog and the Schedule of Classes for the
coming semester. Nothing in this Handbook supersedes the regulations established by the UMD
Graduate School or the Department of Psychology.
The Department publishes the Graduate Manual which summarizes the requirements for
obtaining a doctoral degree. Should these requirements change after you enter the department,
you should assume that the requirements in effect at the time of your admission apply (unless
you formally adopt the new manual requirements in their entirety). You should discuss the
implications of any change with your mentor and/or the Director of Clinical Training (DCT). A
copy of the Graduate Manual is available on the Department’s web page. If students have any
questions regarding policies and procedures that they refer to the Department's Graduate
Manual, the Graduate School, and or email the Graduate Studies Office
(). While there are many resources at your disposal, questions about
program requirements should always be discussed with your mentor and/or the DCT.
You should note the location of your mailbox in the main Psychology Department. Please
check your mailbox and your e-mail daily to remain informed about program and department
events and important issues. Many Department and Clinical Program communications are sent
only through e-mail and you will be responsible for complying with and/or responding to any
communications sent via e-mail. In using e-mail, students are required to use their official UMD
e-mail account (@umd.edu or @terpmail.umd.edu). By using the University system this ensures
accurate e-mail delivery and avoids complications in tracking multiple, and changing, e-mail
addresses through other e-mail systems (e.g., gmail). Although students may use other e-mail
systems for personal communications, the Clinical Program will only use the address issued by
the UMD Psychology Department.
For students involved with the Psychology Clinic, there are mailboxes for paperwork and
communications with the clinical staff located in the Psychology Clinic. This mailbox should be
checked weekly when you are registered for Clinical Laboratory, seeing clients, and/or
conducting research in the Psychology Clinic. Email addresses, phone numbers, and office
locations for Faculty and Staff are posted on the UMD Psychology website.
