Clinical Psychology

Integrating science and practice to enhance psychological knowledge, health, and well-being.

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The Clinical Studies Program (CSP) at the University of Hawaii has been accredited by the American Psychological Association since 1972. Questions can be addressed to the Commission on Accreditation, American Psychological Association, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242, or (202) 336-5979. Browse a list of APA-accredited doctoral programs in psychology. CSP is also a member of the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science which is an alliance of leading, scientifically oriented, doctoral training programs in clinical and health psychology in the United States and Canada. Academy membership is open to doctoral programs with strong commitments to, and established records of successful clinical science training.

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Psychological Clinical Science at UH

The Clinical Studies Program broadly focuses on developing, testing, and applying psychological theories, principles, processes, and methods to address mental health challenges. Research in the CSP spans the translational spectrum and includes theory development, etiology, assessment, treatment, implementation, and dissemination. Given that our goal is to use psychological clinical science to alleviate human suffering for all, this necessarily includes addressing systemic inequities that continue to affect historically marginalized groups.

The CSP takes an integrative approach to clinical science training. We train doctoral-level clinical scientists to develop new knowledge using the scientific method and to integrate scientific knowledge in applied work. Our graduates acquire a broad skill set that includes research, teaching, clinical service, data science, program development and evaluation, and policy-making, which positions them to be leaders across diverse professional settings, including academia, healthcare systems, government, and industry.

This mission aligns closely with that of the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science.

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The Clinical Studies Program

The Clinical Studies Program at the University of Hawaiʻi is a clinical science program whose mission is to train culturally competent clinical scientists who function at the highest standards of clinical practice across all aspects of health service psychology in public service institutions, such as hospitals, mental health centers and organizations, colleges, and universities. Three tenets guide the doctoral training in clinical psychology at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa: (1) Clinical practice should be based on the knowledge derived from basic areas of psychological inquiry (e.g., social psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, psychobiology, and learning); (2) Practice, research, and training in clinical psychology should be sensitive to individual differences; and (3) Principles of accountability and scholarship should be reflected in clinical practice. Clinical practice should be empirically based and clinicians should engage in ongoing assessment of clients throughout treatment.

• For a detailed description of the CSP program, please review the CSP Manual.
• For a detailed description of the CSP practicum, please review the CSP Practicum Handbook.
• Review Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data (pdf)
• Review Professional Licensure Disclosure
• Learn about the Clinical Respecialization Program
  • Note: The Clinical Respecialization Program is not accepting applications this year.

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The Center for Cognitive Behavior Therapy

The Center for Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CCBT) is a training, service and research university-based clinic housed in the Department of Psychology at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. The CCBT provides practicum training to UH Psychology Clinical Studies Program graduate students and post-doctoral residents, under the supervision of Department faculty members who are also licensed clinical psychologists in Hawaiʻi. Consulting and clinical assessment and intervention services are provided to clients, their families, and community organizations. CCBT research has contributed to the advancement of knowledge at the local, national and international level.

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Undergraduate Prerequisites

Admissions criteria include research and clinical experience, grades, GRE Psychology Subject Test scores, and letters of recommendation (preferably from professors and those who have supervised applicants in a research setting). Applicants must also demonstrate a strong background in psychology at the undergraduate level, with coursework in statistics, methodology, and abnormal psychology. Applications are competitive with less than one in ten applicants gaining admission each year.

In addition, we are seeking applicants who can demonstrate foundational knowledge in up to six areas of Discipline Specific Knowledge (DSK). These include; (1) Affective Aspects of Behavior, (2) Biological Aspects of Behavior, (3) Cognitive Aspects of Behavior, (4) Developmental Aspects of Behavior (over the complete lifespan), (5) Social Aspects of Behavior, and (6) History of Psychology.

Foundational knowledge may be demonstrated in three ways.

1. By passing an upper level undergraduate course from an accredited 4-year institution with a grade of B or better that specifically focuses on a particular DSK knowledge area.
   • In some cases, multiple classes might be submitted to fulfill a requirement, (e.g., submitting a child & adolescent development course along with a course on adult development to fulfill the Developmental Bases of Behavior requirement)
2. By passing a graduate course from an accredited institution that provided a broad survey of the scope of knowledge in a particular DSK knowledge area with a B or better.
3. By passing the GRE Psychology Subject Test with a subtest score greater than or equal to the 50^th percentile in a particular knowledge area. Please note:
   • The GRE Psychology Subject Test only provides subtest scores in Biological, Cognitive, Developmental, and Social Aspects of Behavior. There are no subtest scores for Affective Bases of Behavior or the History of Psychology.
   • The GRE Psychology Subject Test is not required for admission but is one way a student might meet foundational requirements. 

Applicants may mix and match methods to demonstrate foundational knowledge in each knowledge area to create a portfolio unique to their own experience.

Prior to the end of the semester of their first year of admission, syllabi for classwork submitted in fulfillment of foundational knowledge requirements in each DSK knowledge area will be reviewed by the Director of the Clinical Studies Program, who will consult with UH Mānoa Psychology Department faculty who teach equivalent courses in assessing whether classes submitted meet requirements.  What constitutes classwork in this area is defined by the American Psychological Association’s Commission on Accreditation in the Implementing Regulation called “C-7 D. Discipline-Specific Knowledge” found here: Section C: IRs Related to the Standards of Accreditation.

NOTE: Candidates who have deficits in meeting any DSK foundational knowledge requirements will still be considered for admission. In this case, if a student is offered and accepts admission into the Clinical Studies Program, the student must develop a plan to fulfill these requirements with their advisor before students end their first semester. The plan may be executed through work completed at UH Mānoa or another institution, through taking the GRE Psychology Subject test, or some relevant combination.

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Program Course of Study (Overview)

All CSP students take graduate courses in core clinical topics, statistics and research methodology, history and systems, basic areas of psychology, plus clinical and other elective courses. Students complete at least four semesters of clinical practicum training, one-year of internship and a clinical comprehensive exam. Students complete empirical master’s theses and doctoral dissertations and are encouraged and supported to conduct clinical research throughout their graduate years.