Clinical Psychology Training Program

The UCSF Clinical Psychology Training Program (CPTP) offers a two-year fellowship comprised of a one-year general clinical psychology internship (APA-accredited) and a one-year postdoctoral clinical and clinical research fellowship, based on the scientist-practitioner model. Graduates are expected to pursue careers emphasizing research and training in academic/research settings, including those affiliated with health and mental health service systems.

Over the last ten years, 90% of our graduates have obtained research or academic positions upon leaving our program.

The program is designed to train clinical psychologists who:

  • are committed to an academic and/or research career
  • have a strong record of both clinical and research experience
  • are research oriented and want to work sensitively and competently with underserved and vulnerable populations, including minorities, low-income individuals, persons with chronic mental illness, victims of violence, children, the elderly, and primary care medical patients
     

In addition to training in health service delivery in a wide variety of clinical settings, the program provides specialized research training in:

  • ADHD/disruptive behavior disorders
  • autism spectrum disorders
  • eating disorders
  • early childhood trauma
  • juvenile justice and behavioral health
  • neuropsychology
  • substance use disorders and intervention development with minoritized populations
     

Requirements

Applicants for the program should have completed the following requirements:

  • A minimum of 400 practicum hours
  • Comprehensive exams passed
  • Dissertation proposal approved
  • A minimum of three years of graduate training
  • Doctoral degree program must be PCSAS-, CPA-, or APA-accredited in clinical psychology
  • Official graduate degree(s) transcripts
     

How to apply

Our deadline for receipt of applications is November 1, 2023.

The UCSF Clinical Psychology Training Program follows the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) match policies. As part of the APPIC Match, applicants must submit the APPIC Application for Psychology Internship (which requires official transcripts as part of the application process).

Contacts

Linda Pfiffner, PhD, Director
Hugo Sosa, Program Administrator

Clinical Psychology Training Program
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences
University of California, San Francisco
675 18th Street, Box 3134
San Francisco, CA 94143
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (415) 476-7712

Program faculty

Download: Internship admissions, support and initial placement data
 

Internship accreditation

The UCSF Clinical Psychology Training Program Doctoral Internship Year is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association. The next site visit will be in 2027. Questions related to the program’s accreditation status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 1st Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
(202) 336-5979
[email protected]

Website: accreditation.apa.org