Phd Program

The applications for the Ph.D. Clinical Psychology – Geropsychology and Ph.D. Clinical Psychology – Trauma Psychology programs are the same. We utilize a holistic approach to our admissions process in our doctoral program such that each applicant receives a review that takes into consideration an applicant's range of qualifications, professional, and personal experiences.

ALL application materials (online graduate application, personal statement, vita or resume, four letters of recommendation, and all transcripts) are due on November 15^th for consideration of admission the following Fall.

Ph.D. Interview Day will be on Friday, January 27, 2023. If you are chosen to interview, attendance is required.

All applications are completed online at the UCCS Graduate School website.

Application requirements for the Ph.D. Clinical Psychology – Geropsychology and Ph.D. Clinical Psychology – Trauma Psychology are as follows:

• Complete the online graduate application and pay the application fee.
• Obtain four letters of recommendation from professors (or employers) through the online application.
• Attach a personal statement describing your interests, background (including your educational, personal, cultural, economic, or social experiences that shaped your academic journey), and your career aspirations in an increasingly culturally diverse world.
• Attach an up-to-date vita or resume.
• Attach unofficial transcripts or submit official transcripts (see below) from EVERY college or university attended. If you are admitted to the program, official transcripts will be required.

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is strongly recommended for all applicants. Applicants do not need to submit the original application to the department. Instead, have your results sent to UCCS at school code 004509.

How to Submit Official Transcripts

Electronic Submission: Official transcripts can be submitted electronically if the issuing institution is contracted with a secured server. Electronic transcripts should be sent directly to ugapp@uccs.edu.

By Mail: Any application materials that need to be mailed in should be sent to the following address:

Office of Admissions & Records
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway
Colorado Springs, CO 80918-3733

Applicants to the PhD degree program at UCCS are evaluated once each year (no rolling admissions).  All application information must be complete and have been received by December 1st for a candidate to be considered for admission.

Applicants should have the following:

1. Completed UCCS Graduate School application form.

2. A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution will be considered (i.e., B.S. or B.A. degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university).

3. An overall average of 3.0 on a 4.00 point scale ("A" is equivalent to 4.0) or above in all undergraduate courses, and 3.5 or better on graduate coursework.

4. The GRE will not be required or recommended for Fall 2023 graduate student applications at this time. This applies to all psychology programs applications: PhD, MA Clinical, and MA Psychological Science.

5. An adequate undergraduate program in psychology including college-level mathematics, statistics, experimental psychology, and some background in the biological, physical, and social sciences.

6. Letters of recommendation from four persons familiar with the applicant's academic background and aptitude for graduate study and future performance as a psychologist.

7. Applicants should have career goals consistent with the program focus in Geropsychology or Trauma psychology. Promising students who do not meet all of the requirements may be considered as applicants.

NOTE: Students already holding the MA or MS in psychology from a regionally accredited institution may also apply to the PhD program. The master's degree must be commensurate with the MA program in Clinical Psychology at UCCS and involve the successful completion of an empirically-based thesis project. Students possessing a master's degree without an empirically-based thesis will be required to complete an empirically-based thesis before being admitted to doctoral candidacy. 

Training and Graduate level courses completed prior to admission may be transferable into the program.  Upon matriculation at UCCS, students may petition to have these credits applied toward their degree requirements.  While such credits are not automatically transferred and must be approved by the Director of Clinical and an additional faculty member (typically the professor who teaches the course under petition).  A review of their transcript and related materials will occur to determine whether specific courses or thesis requirements may be waived.

In order to be considered for the Ph.D. program, one needs to have an undergraduate major in Psychology or an "adequate background" in Psychology. For people who have only had general psychology, we recommend the following additional courses:

* PSY 2100 Introduction to Psychological Statistics
* PSY 2110 Introduction to Psychological Research and Measurement
* PSY 3130 Learning and Cognition
* PSY 3270 Introduction to Biopsychology
* PSY 3280 Abnormal Psychology
* PSY 3400 Social Psychology
* PSY 4510 Seminar in History of Psychology

* Course numbers are from UCCS

Be informed that doctoral training in clinical psychology requires a full-time clinical internship and typically includes community practicum placements in local agencies who partner with us for training opportunities. Many  of these institutions require a legal background check to ensure all employees and trainee meet current standards. In addition, licensure boards usually require applicants to report on their legal background. As such, certain types of criminal backgrounds will prevent applicants from being able to complete program requirements or to attain licensure as a psychologist in some states. Please disclose relevant background information accordingly.

The American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (CoA) accredits doctoral programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology, as well as predoctoral internship and postdoctoral residency training programs in accordance with published guidelines and procedures.

Since 2007, the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs has been an APA accredited program built on the Boulder Scientist/Practitioner Model.

Graduating from an APA-accredited program provides an educational and scientific foundation on which to build a career in psychology, providing evidence-based clinical service to the public.

Why APA accreditation matters?

*Questions related to the program's accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 1st Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 336-5979
Email: APAAccred@apa.org
Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

Program statistics such as Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data are available.

Although not set as a firm limit (exceptions may arise), a typical Geropsychology cohort will consist of three to five students while a typical Trauma Psychology cohort will consist of two to four students. Students may expect to be funded by research, teaching, or clinical assistantships and fellowships.

Mr. David DuBois
Program Assistant I
Psychology Department
Office: Columbine Hall 4037
Phone: (719) 255-4500
Email: ddubois@uccs.edu