PVAMU Clinical Adolescent Psychology Program

General Program Information

The program focuses on understanding and addressing the mental health and wellness needs of adolescents, particularly youth from underserved and underrepresented communities, through evidence-based clinical practices and research.
The program offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Adolescent Psychology with a pass through Master’s degree.

Admission Requirements

Applicants need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in psychology or a related field, a strong academic record, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and relevant research and/or clinical experience.
A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is generally required, though competitive applicants typically have higher GPAs.
No, GRE scores are not required.
The program admits a limited number of students each year to ensure a low student-to-faculty ratio, typically around 3-5 students.

Curriculum and Training

The curriculum includes coursework in developmental psychology, clinical assessment, evidence-based interventions, research methods, and cultural competence. It also involves clinical practica and a dissertation. You can find the entire curriculum here.
Yes, students engage in supervised clinical practica at various sites, including schools, hospitals, and community mental health centers. Students are eligible for licensure in the state of Texas after successful completion of this program.
Students can participate in ongoing research projects led by faculty members and are encouraged to develop their own research studies. Note that students typically participate in research assistantships during most semesters to earn a stipend.

Faculty and Resources

Stacie Craft DeFreitas, Anne Lippert, Rasheda Perine, Temilola Salami, and Bridgette Tate are the core faculty members. Core faculty include licensed clinical psychologists and researchers with expertise in adolescent psychology, cultural competence, and mental health interventions. Detailed faculty bios can be found on the program’s faculty and staff website.
Students have access to research labs, clinical training facilities, library resources, and various student support services, including academic advising and career counseling.

Financial Information

Tuition and fees vary by residency status. Up-to-date information on tuition and fees can be found on the university’s financial services webpage. At this time 100% of students in good standing receive complete funding of their tuition and fees.
Yes, funding opportunities include graduate assistantships, fellowships, scholarships, and research grants. Students are encouraged to apply for external funding as well.

Program Outcomes

Graduates are prepared for careers in academia, clinical practice, research, and policy-making. They can work in settings such as universities, hospitals, mental health clinics, and government agencies. Students are eligible for licensure in the state of Texas after successful completion of this program.
The program typically takes 5-7 years to complete, including coursework, clinical practica, internship, and dissertation research.

Application Process

The application deadline for the Graduate School is May 1st for fall admission. However, our program begins to evaluate applications in March. Therefore, it is best to submit by the end of February.

Applications can be submitted online through the ApplyTexas portal. Students must also submit a departmental application, which can be obtained by emailing scdefreitas@pvamu.edu.

Yes, selected applicants will be invited for an interview as part of the admission process. Interviews may be conducted in person or virtually.
Additional information about the program can be found on the Psychology Department Webpage and in the University Catalog. The Graduate School Admissions page may also have other information that would be of value to you.
At this time, the program is not APA accredited.