Clinical Respecialization Program

The Clinical Respecialization Program is not accepting applications this year.

The Clinical Studies Respecialization Program provides clinical training for individuals holding a PhD in a basic area of psychology from a regionally accredited university (or foreign equivalent). Individuals who are already licensed in psychology or who hold an applied degree (e.g., EdD, PsyD) are not appropriate for this program. Upon satisfactory completion of core clinical courses, practica, and internship, the Respecialization student receives a certificate from the University of Hawai'i Graduate Division and is competitive for clinical research and teaching positions as well as eligible to sit for licensure in most states.

Clinical Training

Respecialization students are enrolled in practicum courses in their first year whenever feasible. Students receive training offered at a variety of settings in Honolulu, such as the Department of Psychology's Center for Cognitive Behavior Therapy, the state hospital, mental health centers, schools, hospitals and medical centers, a veterans outpatient clinic, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Health, and Mental Health Clinics. Each student will be affiliated with a clinical training center for 10-20 hours per week for at least two academic years, although extensive summer training is sometimes possible. These centers provide experiences with a variety of populations and behavior problems such as children, families, veterans, outpatient and inpatient adults, substance abuse, eating disorders, medical/psychological disorders (e.g., pain, headaches, hypertension, smoking), school behavior problems, depression, and marital and family distress.

The required clinical core courses are as follows and typically require two years of on-campus training in the conceptual, practical and empirical bases of clinical psychology:

  • PSY 670: Introduction to Clinical Psychology
  • PSY 671: Introduction to Assessment I
  • PSY 672: Introduction to Assessment II
  • PSY 675: Treatment Research
  • PSY 676: Psychopathology
  • PSY 677: Child Practicum and/or 678 Adult Practicum (total of four semesters)
  • PSY 771: Child Treatment/or 772 Adult Treatment: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
  • PSY 778: Internship in Clinical Psychology

After completing Assessment I and II (PSY 671, 672) and Child and Adult Treatment (PSY 771, 772), students must complete a minimum of two advanced assessment and treatment courses selected from an array of courses, one of which will be offered each semester on a rotating basis.  These courses will include PSY 673 Introduction to Assessment III: Behavior Assessment, and seminars in Neuropsychological Assessment, Child Psycho-educational Assessment, Marital and Family Treatment, Psychopharmacology, Behavioral Medicine, and other topics to be arranged.

The Respecialization student is required to complete a 2000-hour APA-approved internship in clinical psychology (PSY 778). The number of APA-approved internships in Hawai'i is extremely limited and individuals should be prepared to go elsewhere for this aspect of training. Students may apply for a non-APA approved internship only after successfully petitioning the CSP faculty.

Admission Procedures

Admission to the Clinical Studies Respecialization program is competitive. Application forms and related information may be accessed via the Department of Psychology and Graduate Division websites:

Individuals should apply as a Special Nondegree Student. Application deadlines are the same as those for graduate student application. All regular application materials are required, with the exception of GRE scores.