The Baylor College of Medicine Board of Trustees, Academic Council and Faculty Senate have approved a new Clinical Psychology Program, which will award a Doctor of Philosophy degree through the School of Health Professions. The program is now accepting applicants for the inaugural class, scheduled to matriculate in fall semester of 2026 with an anticipated cohort of 10 students.
The five-year program follows the scientist-practitioner approach, focusing on the advancement of research and evidence-based practice within clinical psychology. The curriculum is designed to develop core scientific competencies in health service psychology and clinical practice in alignment with American Psychological Association standards.
"There is a shortage of psychologists throughout Texas and the U.S. more broadly. This program will engage expert Baylor College of Medicine psychology faculty in addressing this problem by training learners in a rigorous curriculum focused on evidence-based psychological assessment and intervention," said Dr. Eric Storch, professor and vice chair in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Baylor.
Students will focus on one of three areas of emphasis: general clinical psychology, clinical neuropsychology or clinical health psychology. Didactic curriculum will span the first three years of study. Clinical practicum will begin in the second year, leading to an internship in the fifth year of the program. Students will take on an active caseload under faculty supervision during their training and will focus on skill refinement, diagnostic assessment, treatment planning and intervention and clinical decision making.
During the second year of study, students will begin a formal mentored research apprenticeship. The doctoral program culminates with a dissertation in which students will contribute to current literature through an original research project.
"The program is committed to fostering a learning environment that empowers trainees to develop knowledge, skills and abilities to excel as clinical psychologists and to serve high-need communities," said Dr. Wayne Goodman, professor and D.C. and Irene Ellwood Chair in Psychiatry in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Baylor.
Students in the program will train with faculty across Baylor College of Medicine departments at affiliate hospitals in the Texas Medical Center. They will learn from experts in a wide range of fields including neuropsychology, behavioral health, PTSD and trauma, addiction and substance use, obsessive-compulsive and anxiety related disorders, serious mental illness, community participatory research and more. Within the first two years of the program, students will develop foundational skills at a community and training clinic, integrating didactic learning and hands-on clinical experience. Students will serve a broad and diverse client base, providing them with exposure to a wide range of psychological issues.
"The Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program is fully aligned with the School of Health Professions strategic plan. We are excited to expand our family of exceptional graduate health professions programs and to amplify the impact of the school to include the training of mental healthcare providers and researchers," said Dr. Todd Reinhart, dean of the School of Health Professions. "This program will serve many communities within the Baylor, Texas Medical Center and Greater Houston ecosystems."
The program is pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. This new program is not accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). The program plans to seek APA accreditation and will submit an application at the earliest eligible opportunity.
The program is funded in part by the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium, which is committed to improving mental healthcare and systems of care for the children and adolescents of Texas including expanding the mental health workforce in the state. Learn more about the program and how to apply here.
