Clinical & Research Training

Students receive intensive and in-depth clinical training during at least three yearlong clinical practica, as well as a full-time clinical internship. We offer a wide range of clinical training opportunities that are consistent with the Major Areas of Study offered within the program:

• Behavioral Medicine or Health Psychology
• Clinical Adult Psychology
• Clinical Child Psychology
• Clinical Neuropsychology
• Forensic Psychology

In addition to our Major Area of Study in Behavioral Medicine, we have a certified Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program. The Behavioral Sleep Medicine (BSM) Training Program at Northwestern University is accredited by the Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine to provide training in preparation for Board Certification in Behavioral Sleep Medicine (Diplomate in Behavioral Sleep Medicine). Graduate and postdoctoral students who complete the BSM Training Program will qualify under the Standard Track as part of the eligibility requirements, which is considerably more efficient than the qualifying under the alternative track. Please visit the Board of Behavioral Sleep Medicine for more information.

Internship Placement

Our students successfully compete for internship positions for their fifth or sixth year at the most competitive institutions nationally and locally. The doctoral program has the highest 10-year match rate out of all 18 clinical psychological doctoral programs in the state of Illinois.

View a list of recent student internships.

See the breakdown of the clinical curriculum by year on our program timeline.

Students receive intensive research training throughout the course of the program. In addition to coursework and other educational opportunities, students complete research apprenticeships within their primary mentor's lab. Students contribute 20-30 hours a week to a research lab for at least four years, with additional opportunities available depending on funding and the award of training grants.

Our primary mentors and their research labs are organized to reflect the Major Areas of Study offered within the program (see our Faculty Mentors page). The program also offers a research focus area in policy.

In addition to actively contributing to their primary mentor's research, students are required to complete a master's thesis and doctoral dissertation, as well as submit for a competitive internal or external research grant (e.g., T32, F31). Students are also expected to directly contribute to scientific progress through presentations at national and international conferences, and by authoring and co-authoring publications in scientific journals.

Research Qualifying Paper & Master's Degree

This project, part of the second and third years of the program, is an original empirical study that is modest in scope, often using existing data within the research lab, and is conducted with substantial support from the student’s research mentor. A modified version of the paper can be used to obtain a master’s degree in clinical psychology on the way to obtaining the doctorate.

See the breakdown of the research curriculum by year on our program timeline.