Dissertations for PhD in Clinical Psychology

Candidates for the PhD degree at CSPP are required to complete a dissertation.

Completion of this requirement demonstrates that the student has learned investigative techniques, has made a contribution to knowledge and has developed skills that will prove useful in assuming a professional role.

A dissertation committee, composed of a chairperson and two other members, helps each student develop the dissertation proposal, reads and passes on the quality of the final dissertation, and administers and evaluates the student’s oral examination.

Each doctoral student is responsible for enlisting a core or research faculty member to serve as dissertation committee chairperson. Other members of the committee consist of core faculty, adjunct faculty, or consultants with special expertise in the dissertation area. All members of the dissertation committee must hold earned doctorates or have recognized expertise in the student’s chosen area of study. Exceptions to these requirements may be made by the appropriate administrator of each program.

Some students finish their dissertations by the end of the final year of their classroom work. The majority, however, continue their dissertation work beyond completion of other coursework. Extensions of one to three years may be granted to students demonstrating sufficient need and continued progress toward completion of the dissertation.  Extensions beyond this may not be granted and timelines for finishing the dissertation set by each Program are strictly adhered and enforced.  During each semester of a dissertation extension, students are required to register (except summer) for campus-specified dissertation extension units and pay the appropriate tuition.