Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
With Curricular Emphasis in Geropsychology
ABOUT UCCS
Founded in 1965 and located at
the foot of Pikes Peak, UCCS
has been one of the fastest
growing campuses in
Colorado.
UCCS offers 34
Bachelor’s degrees, 19 Master’s
degrees and five Doctoral
programs. There are six
academic colleges on campus:
Business, Education,
Engineering and Applied
Science, Public Affairs, Letters,
Arts and Sciences, Nursing and
Health Sciences. U.S. News
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Our scientist-practitioner
program trains students in
mental health assessment and
intervention for adults and
older adults, and in basic and
applied research on the
psychological functioning of
adults and aging individuals.
Aging is integrated into the
curriculum in a systematic
way, with a 2 semester core
sequence of psychology of
aging and a 2 semester core
sequence of clinical
geropsychology in addition to
specialty seminars.
Upon completion of the
program, students will be trained to work in a range of settings, including mental health
clinics and clinical practices, hospitals, nursing homes, colleges and universities, state
offices, research institutes, and as consultants to a wide variety of housing and social
service providers to older adults. Our program is accredited by APA.
and World Report have named
UCCS a top Western public
university.
CONTACT INFORMATION
UCCS Psychology Department
1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway
RESEARCH AND CLINICAL TRAINING
Extensive training occurs at the UCCS Aging Center, which is a geriatric mental health clinic
located in the community, run by faculty, staff, and students in our department. Rotations
include: Neuropsychological assessment, Memory clinic, Caregiver services program,
Psychotherapy program, At-Home mental health service program, and integrated mental
health services with primary care at Peak Vista Community Health Clinics.
Faculty research related to adult development and aging includes areas of specialization in
cognition and memory, personality and personality disorders, clinical assessment and
treatment, aging families, health traumas, late-life depression, suicide resilience,
neuropsychological assessment for older adults, behavioral management of problem
behaviors, behavioral medicine, communications and care technologies, senior housing, and
longitudinal methodologies.
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
David DuBois
Program Assistant I
Office: Columbine Hall 4037
Phone: (719) 255-4500
Fax: (719) 255-4166
Email: ddubois@uccs.edu
http://www.uccs.edu/psych
TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES
Our Psychology Department offers a graduate-level course entitled “Teach More Effectively”
to train students in the teaching of psychology. This applied course includes discussions of
the methods and strategies for teaching effectively and teaches students classroom
management.
Students in this class create a portfolio to include a teaching statement, exams, syllabi, and
resource guide in their area of interest. The class culminates in students teaching a class.
Advanced graduate students also have opportunities to be the primary instructor for an
undergraduate course.
Visit our website for more information:
http://www.uccs.edu/psych/graduate/phd-program/phd-clinical-psychology-geropsychology.html
FACULTY & SPECIALIZATIONS
Charles C. Benight, PhD Counseling & Health Psychology
Frederick L. Coolidge, PhD Behavior Genetics, Cognitive Archeology
Elizabeth Daniels, PhD Developmental Psychology w/Gender, Media, Body
Image & Positive Youth Development
Hasker P. Davis, PhD Biopsychology, Experimental Neuropsychology
Robert L. Durham, PhD Psychometrics, Statistics, Program Evaluation
Leilani Feliciano, PhD Clinical Psychology, Mental Health & Aging,
Behavioral Gerontology
Brandon E. Gavett, PhD Clinical Neuropsychology
Edie L. Greene, PhD Social Psychology, Psychology & Law
Lori E. James, PhD Cognitive Psychology, Cognitive Aging
Michael A. Kisley, PhD Cognitive Neuroscience, Attention
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Students will develop foundational skills in the science and practice of
clinical psychology with emphasis on aging. They will be prepared to
provide services, conduct research, educate, and provide leadership.
Specifically, the program goals are listed here:
Goal #1: Produce graduates who have the requisite knowledge
and skills for entry into the professional practice of clinical
psychology
Objectives for Goal #1:
1-A: Acquire knowledge and skill in clinical assessment
1-B: Acquire knowledge and skill in psychological and
psychotherapeutic interventions
1-C: Acquire knowledge of the ethics of clinical practice, including
ethical practice with diverse populations
1-D: Acquire knowledge of clinical supervision and consultation that is
commensurate with level of training
Goal #2: Produce graduates who are capable of conducting,
evaluating, and disseminating research
Objectives for Goal #2:
2-A: Acquire attitudes and skills essential for life-long learning and
scholarly inquiry
2-B: Acquire knowledge and skills to conduct empirical psychological
research
2-C: Acquire knowledge and skills to disseminate research effectively
to professional and lay audiences
Goal #3: Produce graduates who demonstrate competence in
knowledge and skills in geropsychology
Objectives for Goal #3:
3-A: Acquire knowledge and skills in professional practice consistent
with competencies associated with graduate training within the Pikes
Peak Model of Training in Geropsychology
3-B: Acquire knowledge and skills to conduct empirical research in
geropsychology
Andrew Lac, PhD Psychometrics, Research Methods & Statistics
Molly Maxfield, PhD Clinical Psychology w/Emphasis in Geropsychology
Thomas A. Pyszczynski, PhD Social Psychology, Clinical Applications
Sara H. Qualls, PhD Clinical Psychology, Adult Development & Aging
Kristin Samuelson, PhD Trauma, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Daniel L. Segal, PhD Clinical Psychology, Mental Health & Aging
Sandy K. Wurtele, PhD Child Clinical Psychology
Application deadline: December 1
Apply online at:
http://www.uccs.edu/graduateschool/prospective-students/
admissions.html
FAQs about the UCCS Psychology Department Graduate Program:
http://www.uccs.edu/psych/graduate/graduate-program-faqs.html