New UTRGV Doctorate Program Approved

Psychology program focuses on Hispanic cultures

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New UTRGV Doctorate Program Approved

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has received approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to establish a new degree program for a Doctor of Philosophy degree in clinical psychology.

The new PhD program will focus on producing clinical psychology scientist-practitioners with knowledge about Hispanic cultures in the Rio Grande Valley and the United States.

“Providing new educational opportunities for the students of the Rio Grande Valley is one of UTRGV’s core priorities, so we’re excited to get this program underway,” UTRGV President Guy Bailey said. “Furthermore, the Valley needs more clinical psychologists to meet demand, and this new program should address that.”

Before the program can be offered at UTRGV, it must receive approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. SACSCOC is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states.

The proposed Ph.D. program consists of 96 semester credit hours for students entering with a bachelor’s degree, and 81 SCH with a master’s degree. A minimum of five full-time years of coursework, research training, clinical training, and a one-year pre-doctoral internship, will be required for graduation from the program.

In addition, an Integrated Behavioral Health Care option will be offered in collaboration with the UTRGV School of Medicine, which will provide training in the integration of behavioral healthcare with medical care provided in primary care settings. The option also will provide opportunities for research and treatment program development in the predominantly Hispanic region.

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