Clinical Neuropsychology PhD Programs in North America

[Steph93]

Hi everyone! I'm fairly new to the Grad Cafe, and am looking into a doctoral program in Clinical Psychology (to start in Fall 2018), specializing in the field of neuropsychology.

I am Canadian, but will be applying to schools all throughout North America. I don't know much about schools with this program in the United States, and was hoping some of you could shed light on some good schools with a great clinical neuropsych program. 

What are some of the schools you applied to for a clinical neuropsych program in North America and why?

[8BitJourney]

That isn't my field so I may be mistaken but i believe most people go for a clinical/counseling psychology program that either has a neuropsych track or neuropsych faculty and then specialize through externship, internship, and postdoc. After they become Board certified neuropsychologists. For example I know both uMass Boston and Drexel have something akin to neuropsych tracks in the clinical psych department but you wouldn't have that title upon graduating; you'd just be a clinical psychologist till you specialized.

[ellieotter]

I'm not completely sure how big of a focus neuro is at U of Rhode Island but when I was interviewing for the clinical dept, there was quite a few clinical applicants applying to work with people who specialize in neuro research. Funding there is a little sketch, just a warning, but worth a look!

Edited April 4, 2017 by ellieotter
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[Jay's Brain]

Hi,

Clinical Neuropsychology is rather niche in Canada, and there are definitely more programs in the US (Drexel comes to mind). However, I would suggest you take a look at York University, University of Windsor, University of Victoria, and University of Montreal if you want to start locally. Of these, York University and Montreal are the only two in Canada that are fully accredited CN programs, with the other two being streams within their general clinical psychology programs. Of these two York is the only English accredited Clinical Neuropsychology program in Canada (Montreal is French-based).

The best way to approach the burgeoning programs of neuropsychology would be to first look at what the program offers in terms of finding practicum/internship placements in neuropsychology and the faculty members within those institutions and what potential research training you can expect. I'm fairly biased, but there are certain hubs in Canada where neuropsychology/neuroscience research are very prominent and Toronto is one of them. Finding faculty members/schools with access to these training hospitals and research facilities will be beneficial to both your clinical and research training. 

If you have any other specific questions, feel free to send me a PM

[Clinapp2017]

There are several clinical programs in the USA that have broad foci with "neuropsych tracks." I, in particular, am interested in neuropsych of aging, neurodegenerative disease, and neurorehab. However, I think broad clinical training is important because neuropsych is niche. PM me if you want my list of schools and PIs which have neuropsych tracks, including the institution I'll be starting at this fall. 

[neuronet]

I applied to neuropsychology programs and had compiled a list of schools that have that track. I'm sure this is not a comprehensive list of schools, so you'll have to confirm those. If you go to DIV 40's website they have a list of schools/internships that are neuropsychology focus (might be outdated or not up to date). 

PhDs: SDSU-UCSD, Georgia State, Northwestern U, UConnecticut, LSU, Drexel, Temple, UMass Amherst, Washington U, UWisconsin-Milwaukee, Rosalind Franklin/Chicago Medical School, Queens College, WSU, Fordham, UFlorida, Ohio U, UHouston, Suffolk. 

PsyDs: Roosevelt U, Widener, Pacific U, Argosy Atlanta, MSPP/William James, The Chicago School (Chicago Campus), Florida Institute of Tech, Argosy Chicago. 

As for looking for good programs, I have to second the comments above regarding looking for professors who are in the area of your research interest, combined with the APA internship match and EPPP scores. Make sure you get neuropsychology experience for practicum in those programs!

[Plasticity]

Right now the shift is going back to training you as a clinical psychologist first with some neuropsych experience, and then you specialize on internship, post-doc, etc. So neuropsych training is really 7-8 years. You really need to find an advisor who is a neuropsychologist and a program that offers some neuropsych training in its in-house clinic (you want a program with an in-house clinic!). It does not need to be a "neuropsych track", just an advisor and some experience within the program.

Second, you need to look at what type of training model the school practices, clinical science, Boulder, etc. and if that aligns with your interests and career plans. Be warned, if you are into research, clinical science programs are more difficult because not only are your program benchmarks/comps about clinical training, but you also have to incorporate research into those program milestones. Students in my program are publishing 1-2 articles per year during their training on top of all the coursework and clinical hours.