Research Training

Research training in the CSPP Fresno PhD Clinical Program occurs through three sets of activities; formal courses, a two-year research practicum and dissertation. Students begin their research training with a year-long course that covers univariate techniques of data analysis, research design, and research methodology during their first year. Students choose two additional research methods courses that best fit their career goals and take a grant writing and management course. Beginning in the second semester of their first year students participate in a two-year research practicum designed to provide them with a working knowledge of research from initial design through presentation and publication. Finally, students are required to complete a dissertation. Students have the opportunity to engage in qualitative or quantitative research for their dissertation. PhD dissertations are chaired by core faculty to insure quality and increase communication between dissertation students and the program.

The research training in the CSPP Fresno PhD Clinical Program is mapped out to give students increasing responsibility in the research they participate in as they progress through the program. Students learn to be competent consumers of research as well as to complete independent research projects. The two-year long research practicum provides a long-term mentoring process whereby students build strong relations with faculty.