Clinical Major Areas of Study & Dual Degree Ph.D. / M.P.H.

Students have the option of specializing in the clinical geropsychology or clinical child and family major areas of study, as well as completing a MPH in Public Health. These options are a unique feature of our clinical science program and offer students concentrated research and clinical experiences.

These major areas of study enrich our program overall by providing a life-span developmental emphasis. All students in the clinical science program enroll in the same core courses and bring perspectives from both ends of the life-span. Thus, everyone benefits from the distinct major areas of study even if not formally enrolled in them.

The geropsychology and child-family areas of study, and the MPH program are overlays on top of the core of clinical coursework. Students are not required to designate one of these areas — they may concentrate in general clinical psychology. Moreover, beyond the specific areas of study, students also have the option of developing areas of research concentration drawing on domains of faculty expertise that don’t fall into the designated areas of study.

  • The clinical science program offers a major area of study in clinical geropsychology that provides research training in the science of clinical psychology and aging along with sound clinical training in work with older adults. Both research and clinical training experiences emphasize interdisciplinary work and cooperation with colleagues from related research fields and professions. USC is one of the first clinical geropsychology programs in the country. Faculty and graduates are among the leaders in the field.

    Clinical geropsychology students take coursework in adult development and aging to become familiar with normal aging (cognitive changes, biomedical aspects, and social context and policy) and with developmental research methodology. For clinical geropsychology students, approximately half of the  practicum work in assessment and psychotherapy required by the clinical science program involves older adult clients, primarily seen through the Older Adult Counseling Center located in the Psychology Services Center. The Older Adult Counseling Center affords experience in therapy with individuals and families and with assessment of cognitive disorders.

    For further information, contact Dr. Chris Beam.

  • This major area of study offers students research and clinical training in work related to children, adolescents, couples and families. The program emphasizes a developmental psychopathology perspective, incorporating a focus on both normal and abnormal development as related to family, community, school, and cultural context. Faculty interests span culturally-responsive community based treatments for ethnic minorities, peer relationship problems including aggression and victimization, biopsychosocial factors surrounding the transition to parenthood and infant development, longitudinal sequelae of early adversity, and legacies of aggression in couple and family relationships.  Developmental science and relationship science guide our research and clinical work with youth and families in an urban environment.

    Students in this major area of study enroll in courses in normal cognitive and social development, longitudinal research methods, cultural context, and a seminar in clinical interventions with children.  Additional coursework on policy affecting youth and families is available in social work, education and law.  Required practicum work involves a year-long course in intervention with couples, children and families involving applied work in our own Psychology Services Center.  Additional assessment and intervention practicum experiences are available in schools, hospitals and mental health clinics that provide services to youth and families.

    Drs. Huey, Margolin, Saxbe and Schwartz are affiliated with this major area of study; however all faculty in the clinical science program can also advise students who enroll in this area of study. In addition, students also interact with faculty throughout the department (and particularly in the developmental area) as well as faculty in other schools (e.g., Social Work) and affiliated settings (e.g., Los Angeles Children’s Hospital.

    For further information, contact Dr. Gayla Margolin.

  • USC allows students to work simultaneously toward the Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (Clinical) and the Master of Public Health. The Ph.D./M.P.H. dual degree combines knowledge of clinical psychology research and practice with an understanding of health from a population perspective. The student enrolls primarily in the Clinical Psychology doctoral program. During the second and subsequent years, course work is taken in both programs. The dissertation is undertaken through the Department of Psychology. Interested applicants must apply directly to the PhD program in Clinical Science first. During the first year of graduate school, students will be provided with additional information about this opportunity and will be given the opportunity to apply for the Dual Degree program.