Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Combined Health Service Psychology

The Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree in Combined Health Service Psychology is an applied clinical doctorate degree that focuses on providing health service training for those who wish to become practicing psychologists. Upon successful completion of the program, students will possess the skills necessary to provide psychological health services to diverse populations in a variety of applied settings (e.g., in-patient and out-patient medical settings, non-profit organizations, government agencies, private companies, educational settings). Students will complete course work in foundational and discipline-specific psychology, problem-solving to address psychological needs of diverse clientele, and application of research design, data collection, and analysis techniques culminating in a capstone project.

Students in the program select a concentration in Clinical, Counseling, or School Psychology.  They may also select courses for an emphasis (Clinical and Counseling only), an experience, or an exposure.   It is important to note that, in some cases, the selection may require additional hours beyond the required for the Psy.D. degree.

Earning a Psy.D. degree in Combined Health Services Psychology with concentrations in Clinical, Counseling, and /or School Psychology can create numerous career opportunities in the field of psychology. The program is designed to prepare graduates to become licensed clinical psychologists and provide quality care to individuals, families, and communities. Students in a Psy.D. program can expect to receive comprehensive training in clinical assessment, intervention, and psychotherapy, among other areas. The program emphasizes the importance of applying psychological principles to real-world problems, and graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to provide effective treatment and improve mental health outcomes. Pursuing a Psy.D. degree can lead to rewarding careers in private practice, community mental health centers, hospitals, and other healthcare settings.

Concentrations

Clinical Psychology

Those who seek a concentration in Clinical Psychology will focus on the science of psychology to treat complex human problems and mental disorders.  In addition to foundational courses, students will complete additional course work designed to provide them with knowledge and skills to address behavioral and mental health issues faced by individuals across the lifespan including:

• Adjustment issues and traumatic stress reactions,
• Emotional and psychological problems, including serious mental illness and crisis intervention,
• Interpersonal or social problems and dysfunction, and
• Behavioral problems including substance abuse and dependence, intellectual, cognitive, and neurological conditions.

Counseling Psychology

Those who seek a concentration in Counseling Psychology will focus on facilitating personal and interpersonal functioning across the lifespan.  In addition to foundational courses, students will complete additional course work designed to provide them with knowledge and skills to focus on normative developmental and mental health issues and challenges faced by individuals across their lifespan, as well as systemic challenges (such as prejudice and discrimination) experienced in groups, workplaces, organizations, institutions, and communities. They will use strengths-based perspectives and practices to prevent and ameliorate emotional, relational, physical/health-related, social, cultural, vocational, educational, and identity-related problems.

School Psychology

Those who seek a concentration in School Psychology will focus on work in schools and related systems of care to support the behavioral/mental health and educational success of children and youth. In addition to foundational courses, students will learn to use their knowledge and skills to provide services to learners and the systems and agencies that serve them and their families including:

• Individuals from birth to young adulthood presenting learning or behavior problems, mental disorders evident in infancy, childhood, or adolescence, and those with specific disabilities, chronic, or acute conditions of childhood and adolescence,
• Families who request services and assistance with academic and behavioral problems at home and at school, and
• Organizations and agencies, teachers, and other adults to enhance healthy relationships and environments that promote learning and development.

The curriculum is designed with academic and experiential components to ensure alignment with requirements of the American Psychological Association (APA), APA’s Commission on Accreditation (CoA), and the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Program Approval Board (School Psychology concentration only) and lead to licensure/credentials in the appropriate concentration. Students in the Combined Health Service Psychology Psy.D. program should expect to develop critical thinking and application skills to prepare them to complete a year-long internship as part of their curricular requirements.  This internship, completed under supervision of licensed professionals, will allow students to further develop their knowledge and skills in health service psychological provision to address the needs of a variety of individuals.

Students can earn a Master of Science in Health Services Psychology or School Counseling or Educational Specialist in School Psychology while completing the Psy.D. program if desired.

Admission Requirements

• A completed graduate application. Click HERE to access this directly.
• Statement of purpose detailing your professional goals and how those goals fit the program to which you are applying.
• Names and email addresses for three references including two professional contacts and one instructor/professor who can speak to your academic ability. The admissions office will send them a link to an online reference form. Do not list family members and please inform your references so they can expect to be contacted by the admissions office.
• A minimum 3.0 GPA (bachelor’s degree) for admission to M.S. programs and a recommended minimum 3.3 GPA (master’s degree) for admission to Ed.S. and Psy.D. programs.
• Participation in a campus visit and interview.
• Current medical immunization record.

All documentation and official transcripts must be submitted to the graduate school for the M.S., Ed.S., and Psy.D. degree programs.

Educational Requirements

The PsyD program is designed to meet the requirements of the American Psychological Association (APA), APA’s Commission on Accreditation (CoA), and the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Program Approval Board (School Psychology concentration only) to lead to licensure/credentials in the appropriate concentration. Students can choose one or more concentrations in Clinical, Counseling, or School Psychology.

Students in the program should expect to develop critical thinking and application skills to prepare them to complete 2000 hours of field experience as part of their curricular requirements. The curriculum includes academic and experiential components and culminates in a capstone or applied research project instead of a traditional dissertation. Graduates of the program will be eligible for licensure as a psychologist in Mississippi.

Admission to the program is evaluated based on qualitative and quantitative criteria, and applicants must have a degree in a related mental health field or education (e.g., social work, educational psychology, counseling, human services). Applicants must include a statement of purpose that explains why the applicant would like to pursue the degree, three letters of recommendation, and transcripts with their application. Upon review of materials, highly qualified applicants will also be invited to complete an interview (in-person or virtual) with faculty.

Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data

Data Coming Soon

1. Program Disclosures
2. Time to Program Completion
3. Program Costs (Tuition & Fees) and fellowships and other funding available
4. Internship Acceptance Rates
5. Student Attrition Rates
6. Licensure Outcomes

Handbooks

Partnerships

Faculty and Staff in MSU Meridian’s Division of Education are working to create partnerships for field experiences and internships.

Career Opportunities with the Doctor of Psychology

A PsyD degree prepares graduates for a variety of career opportunities in mental health counseling and therapy. Graduates can work in private practice, community mental health centers, hospitals, and other healthcare settings. Some of the job titles that graduates of a Psy.D. program can hold include licensed psychologist, clinical director, mental health program manager, clinical supervisor, therapist, and counselor. Graduates can specialize in a variety of areas, such as marriage and family therapy, substance abuse counseling, trauma counseling, and child and adolescent therapy. With the increasing demand for mental health services, there is a growing need for licensed psychologists with advanced training.

Required Courses

*Students must complete 2000 hours of field experience.
**Students will complete a capstone or applied research project in stead of a traditional dissertation. 

Faculty and Staff

Kimberly Hall, Ph.D., LPC-S, NCC, NCSC, ACS

• Professor and Associate Dean

khall@meridian.msstate.edu 601-484-0189

Tawny Evans McCleon, Ph.D., NCSP

• Associate Professor

tne1@msstate.edu 601-484-0467

Chase McCullum, Ed.D.

• Assistant Teaching Professor

601-484-0109

Kevin Entrekin

• Recruitment Coordinator

kre31@msstate.edu 601-484-0244