PhD in Clinical Psychology
Program Overview
Dr. Kimberly A. Gamble
Associate Director of Clinical Training
(757) 823-9440
kagamble@nsu.edu
Program Website
https://nsu.edu/psychology
We See Your Achievements in Exploring the Human Mind and the Motivations for Human Behavior
The Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program aligns with Norfolk State University's mission to empower students to reach their full potential as well-rounded, resourceful leaders. The core mission of the program is to graduate scientist-practitioners who approach their work with cultural humility as they pursue careers in research and clinical service. In response to regional and national needs, the curriculum prepares graduates to deliver ethical, evidence-based clinical care to various urban and rural populations, with particular attention to the Hampton Roads region. In doing so, the program prepares graduates to generate and integrate innovative research, deliver high-quality psychological care, and serve as transformative leaders in academic and clinical settings.
Inaugural Cohort Applications Open
- Priority Deadline: December 15, 2026
- Academic Term: Fall 2027-Summer 2028
Apply Online to Norfolk State University - Norfolk State University
At A Glance
Model: Scientist-Practitioner
Target Enrollment: 6 students
Format: In residence, Full-time, year-round
Degree Requirements: Bachelor's or Master's degree in psychology (or closely related field)
Ph.D. Program Faculty
Dr. Andrew Franklin
Dr. Kimberly Gamble
Dr. Olasunkanmi Kehinde
Dr. Trevor Lies
Recruitment & Virtual Information Session
Prospective applicants are invited to attend our upcoming Virtual Information Session. Scan the QR code to register.
Date: November 19, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM EST
Visit Campus
Launch a virtual tour or schedule an in-person visit here.
Accreditation
The Ph.D. Program in Clinical Psychology at Norfolk State University is not currently accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). Our curriculum is designed in alignment with APA standards as we actively work toward submitting our application for initial accreditation.
Additional questions and information regarding APA accreditation may be directed to:
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: 202-336-5979
Fax: 202-336-5978
Email: apaaccred@apa.org
Important Note: At this time, our program cannot accommodate international applicants who require visa sponsorship to study in the United States.
Program description
The doctoral program follows a scientist-practitioner model, preparing graduates to conduct rigorous psychological research and competently deliver evidence-based clinical services. Students are trained to view research and practice as mutually informative disciplines. This integration is cultivated through sequenced coursework in the biological, cognitive, social, affective, and developmental bases of behavior, alongside advanced statistics and research design.
Cultural humility is not treated as a standalone course or a single diversity requirement, but rather as an essential thread woven through the entire curriculum. This commitment spans from assessment and diagnosis training, which critically examines how instruments and diagnostic criteria perform across varied cultural and socioeconomic contexts, to practicum supervision, which requires students to continually examine their own positionality relative to the clients they serve.
The program is intentionally designed around the societal realities of the Hampton Roads region, a demographically multifaceted, military-connected metropolitan area navigating systemic barriers to culturally attuned behavioral healthcare. Students complete practicum placements and community-engaged research in environments encompassing two primary populations with distinct, well-documented needs:
- Historically Underserved Communities: The Hampton Roads regional population is composed of nearly 50% racial and ethnic minorities, making it one of the most racially and ethnically diverse metropolitan areas in Virginia and the Southeastern United States. Black residents comprise nearly one-third (~31%) of the regional population, representing the largest minority group in Hampton Roads, a proportion more than double the national average and substantially higher than the statewide average of approximately 19%. This is complemented by an additional 11% ethnic minority representation, including nearly 7% Hispanic/Latino and almost 4% Asian populations which in recent times have required specialized psychological support. The needs of these communities are set against significant regional and state mental health workforce shortages, particularly in youth services. Students train to deliver assessment and treatment strategies that account for the compounding effects of limited provider access, transportation barriers, and medical mistrust rooted in historical inequities, while contributing original research on relevant socio-cultural factors and health outcomes.
- Military-Connected Communities: As home to the world's largest naval complex and one of the highest concentrations of active-duty service members, veterans, and military families in the nation, the military presence serves as a primary driver of the region's cultural diversity. Students have the opportunity to work alongside service members, veterans, and military families addressing a wide spectrum of clinical needs, including deployment-cycle stress, community reintegration, military sexual trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the specialized psychological needs of military-connected children and spouses.
All students complete required coursework in ethics, assessment, intervention, psychopathology, and research methods; a series of supervised practica beginning early in training; a qualifying examination; an original dissertation; and a full-time, year-long predoctoral internship in health service psychology prior to degree conferral.
Consistent with Norfolk State University's legacy of cultivating transformative leaders, the program is committed to expanding the representation of psychologists, particularly psychologists of color, equipped to advance research, deliver clinical care, and evaluate services across settings, with an enduring dedication to historically underserved populations.
In compliance with federal disclosure regulations, the Ph.D. program provides all prospective students with information regarding the degree to which the Program meets the educational requirements for professional licensure in the U.S. (states, territories, and the District of Columbia) on the NSU website at www.nsu.edu/accreditation/license-disclosure.
Application Information
Applications must be submitted online. The priority application deadline for Fall 2027 entry has been extended to December 15, 2026, and the final application deadline is January 5, 2027.
We are currently accepting applications for the Fall 2027–Summer 2028 academic year. Prospective students may apply through the NSU Online Application Portal at www.nsu.edu/Admissions-Aid/Apply-Online
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explore our curriculum
Summary of Graduation Requirements
| Subject Area |
Credits |
| Core Courses |
30 |
| Research Courses |
26 |
| Dissertation Courses |
12 |
| Practicum |
33 |
| Internship |
12 |
| Electives |
9 |
| Total Credit Hours |
122 |
Sample Schedule (Odd year enrollment)
| Odd Year |
Fall |
Spring |
Summer |
| Year 1 |
Intellectual Assessment 3
Psychopathology 3
Clinical & Ethical Practice 3
Analysis of Variance 4
|
Personality Assessment 3
Research Methods 3
Regression/Correlational Design 4
Clinical Practicum 3
|
Research in Clinical Psychology 3
Clinical Practicum 3
|
| Year 2 |
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy 3
Empirically Supported Therapies 3
Research in Clinical Psychology 3
Clinical Practicum 3
|
Developmental Psychology 3
Social & Affective Bases of Behavior 3
Research in Clinical Psychology 3
Clinical Practicum 3
|
Research in Clinical Psychology 3
Clinical Practicum 3
|
| Year 3 |
Mulitcultural Issues in Psychology 3
Reearch in Clinical Psychology 3
Advanced Clinical Practicum 6
COMPS COMPLETED
|
Bio/Cognitive Aspects of Behavior 3
Elective 3
Advanced Clinical Practicum 6
|
Dissertation 3 |
| Year 4 |
Advanced Practicum 3
Dissertation 3
Elective 3
|
Advanced Practicum 3
Dissertation 3
Elective 3
|
Dissertation 3 |
| Year 5 |
Internship 4 |
|
|
Program admissions
Term of Entry: Fall admission only (beginning Fall 2027)
Format: Full-time, year-round, in-residence degree-seeking program
Target Cohort Size: 6 students
Degree Length: 4 years in residence, plus equivalent of 1 year of internship
Degree Requirements: Bachelor's or Master's degree (entry with a clinical master's degree may result in an accelerated completion timeline)
Application Fee: $50
Application Deadlines: December 1 (Please note the deadline has been extended to December 15)
Application Requirements
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Curriculum Vitae or Resume
- Personal Statement
- Diversity Statement
- Three Letters of Recommendation:
Minimum of one academic reference
Additional references may be professional, clinical, or supervisory (from paid or unpaid experiences)
Prerequisite Coursework
Required Courses (foundational psychology courses):
- Introduction to Psychology
- Statistics
- Experimental Design / Research Methods
- Introduction to Psychopathology
- Physiological or Biological Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
Recommended Courses:
- Cultural / Diversity Issues
- Learning / Memory / Cognition
- History and Systems of Psychology
- Psychological Testing
- Research with Laboratory
Tuition & Funding Opportunities
For detailed information regarding tuition, fees, and institutional funding opportunities, please visit the Graduate Admissions | Norfolk State University Catalog.
Applicants are also encouraged to explore external funding opportunities, such as:
Southern Regional Education Board (SREB): Doctoral Scholars Program
Thurgood Marshall College Fund: Open Scholarships