Graduates of the Eastern Michigan University doctoral program in clinical psychology have passed the national licensing exam with a 100 percent pass rate over the last five years.
Ellen Koch, director of clinical training for the doctoral program, said EMU’s faculty works hard to train clinicians and researchers who are well rounded.
“We completed a comprehensive self study and had a site visit by three faculty members from other institutions in 2010 and received re-accreditation for seven years, which is the maximum allowed,” she said. “The licensing exam rates and accreditation results both reflect the quality of our training in clinical psychology.”
The exam covers eight areas and is made up of multiple choice questions. The results are detailed in an annual report by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards.
EMU’s scores were highest in the state for growth and lifespan development with 76 percent correct, and treatment/intervention with 82 percent correct.
EMU is the only clinical psychology Ph.D. program in Michigan with a perfect pass rate. Other universities to have taken the exam are Central Michigan University, Michigan State University, Western Michigan University, the University of Michigan and the University of Detroit Mercy.
“Generally, exam scores and placement rates for the pre-doctoral internship (also very competitive, with nearly 1,000 students not being placed per year) are significantly better for small university-based programs,” Koch said in an email. “Applicants should be cautious with applying to large private-based programs (typically offering a Psy.D. instead of a Ph.D.) because the placement and exam passing rates are significantly lower and students from these programs will tend to be significantly in debt from their graduate training (no or minimal financial aid provided compared to university-based programs) without good internship or employment prospects.”
The pass rate includes all candidates who have taken the exam over the last five years and not just those taking it for the first time. If someone took the test more than once in the five-year period, all attempts would be recorded. The data includes scores for 23 EMU students.
Koch said clinical psychology works with people who are experiencing psychological stress.
“Clinical psychology involves training in clinical work as a therapist, a researcher or a combination of both,” she said.
The program at EMU was developed “to graduate license-eligible clinical psychologists with state-of-the-art knowledge relating to the psychological practice of assessment, therapy, research and program development and evaluation,” the department’s website said.
The program is designed to be completed in five years with full-time enrollment (no part-time students are accepted). Graduating classes only range from eight to 12 students, and out of 144 applications in 2012, only 10 students were offered admission.
Koch said compatibility with faculty members is important when choosing applicants to admit because much of the instruction is one-on-one.
“We consider several factors in admission including GRE scores, GPA, letters of recommendation, prior clinical and research experiences, etc.,” she said. “In addition to these criteria, we look carefully at applicants who are a good fit for the faculty accepting students that year.”
