It’s a match for clinical psychology program

Ph.D. students accepted for internships

Bowling Green State University’s clinical psychology Ph.D. program continues proving its status as a top-caliber program in the country.

The program’s latest achievement is a 100 percent match rate – which means each of the program’s current nine doctoral students who applied for a one-year, pre-doctoral clinical internship was accepted at an Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) facility, explained Dr. Annette Mahoney, professor and director of clinical training for BGSU’s psychology department. 

A high match rate is a strong indicator that the program is doing a good job of preparing students for the one-year, intensive clinical internships, Mahoney said. These internships provide a variety of counseling experiences in hospitals, health centers and mental health counseling centers, and are required for students to earn a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. The year of practical experience focuses on refining advanced skills to become clinicians.

“Not only were our students placed in internships, but they also were matched with their top choices,” she said. Additionally, five of the nine individuals will be in East or West Coast programs, which is another gauge of BGSU’s formidable foundations in training. 

The clinical psychology match rate is compared to a medical residency match program, Mahoney said.  Competition is fierce, and recently, there were fewer internships available compared to the number of students applying. For example, APPIC statistics for 2015 indicate that 21 percent of applicants to its match system went unmatched. Failing to match can stall students’ educations.

“We are proud of our students who consistently demonstrate the value and quality of our program,” said Dr. Michael Zickar, chair of the BGSU Department of Psychology.  “Each year we pick the top six to 10 students out of a pool of 160 to ensure we have an excellent class of doctoral candidates. This year’s match rate indicates we are successful.”

The BGSU doctoral program in clinical psychology follows a scientist-practitioner model of training in which the development of research skills, coursework and clinical practica are integrated into a coherent program of study. The program has been accredited by the American Psychological Association since 1971.