Clinical Psychology

Lauren Breithaupt, Clinical PhD Student

Laura Breithaupt, a PhD student in Psychology with a research specialization in Clinical Psychology, awarded the National Science Foundation's Graduate Research Fellowship. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services/George Mason University.

 

We believe that clinical psychologists have a responsibility to have a positive impact on individuals and communities. We emphasize theoretically informed, applied research that is capable of producing results with meaningful implications for positive change at the level of the individual, family, and community.

As a member of the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science (APCS), the clinical psychology concentration is committed to the clinical science model. Our goal is to train clinical psychologists who are capable of integrating research and applied clinical activities. We believe that the best clinical skills are grounded in empirical and theoretical knowledge, and clinical application continuously informs the evolution of clinical theory and research.

Research

Every day, Mason faculty and students help solve pressing problems, illuminate important issues, and shape conversations. We work to answer questions of relevance through research, scholarship, and creative endeavors—any enterprise offering the chance to break new ground and have a meaningful impact. Most Clinical faculty members employ cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal approaches to research and clinical practice, but students also receive exposure to humanistic, existential, and psychodynamic perspectives.

Learn more about how our faculty are collaborating with other students in their research labs. At all levels, our students are able to provide valuable input to the research process resulting in award-winning publications and presentations at research symposiums.

The clinical psychology concentration is committed to the clinical science model. Our goal is to train clinical psychologists who are capable of integrating research and applied clinical activities. We provide rigorous training in scientific methods and clinical activities, with an emphasis on those that are informed by empirical research. We emphasize theoretically informed, applied research that is capable of producing results with meaningful implications for positive change at the level of the individual, family, and community. Many of our faculty approach clinical psychology from social psychological and contextual perspectives. A social psychological approach uses theory and research from social psychology to understand emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and interpersonal functioning. A contextual perspective stresses the impact of social and cultural factors on the individual and vice versa.

We are strongly committed to promoting diversity and training early career scientists of diverse backgrounds. We encourage students from backgrounds historically underrepresented in the sciences to apply, including but not limited to BIPOC, LBGTQIA+, first generation college students, and those of low socioeconomic status.

The clinical psychology program has been APA-accredited since 1987. Our accreditation was most recently renewed in 2015 for the maximum 7-year period.

At Mason, we prepare our students for success in life and in their careers. While students may only earn a degree at the Ph.D. level, the Clinical program aims to encourage students at all levels to be integrative and innovative while guided by the principles of science and ethics. Meet a student (Bachelors, Doctoral) or an alum, and learn more about how Mason is making an impact.  

 

George Mason's clinical psychology program has been continuously accredited by the American Psychological Association since 1987. For information about the accreditation of our clinical psychology program, please contact:

Commission on Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 First Street NE
Washington DC 20002-4242
202-336-5979