UC Boulder Clinical Psychology & Neuroscience Joint PhD

[whatishappeningpm]

Hello everyone! I am really interested in UC Boulder's Clinical Psych & Neuro combined PhD program (for anyone interested, they also do cognitive science/clinical psych, and a triple major cognitive science/psych/neuro), however their clinical psychology faculty isn't a 1:1 match for my research interests (though there are some faculty working with the population I'm interested in, in topics I'm adjacent to). Is anyone aware of other programs that offer similar set ups? The faculty I've found that have incredibly aligned interests with mine tend to be in programs that offer very little opportunity for neuro courses, which I'd like to have more access to, given that I've been out of school for 5 years and there's still a lot I have to learn.

Thank you!

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[PsyDr]

Hello everyone! I am really interested in UC Boulder's Clinical Psych & Neuro combined PhD program (for anyone interested, they also do cognitive science/clinical psych, and a triple major cognitive science/psych/neuro), however their clinical psychology faculty isn't a 1:1 match for my research interests (though there are some faculty working with the population I'm interested in, in topics I'm adjacent to). Is anyone aware of other programs that offer similar set ups? The faculty I've found that have incredibly aligned interests with mine tend to be in programs that offer very little opportunity for neuro courses, which I'd like to have more access to, given that I've been out of school for 5 years and there's still a lot I have to learn.

Thank you!

1) If you want a CLINICAL career: the juice probably ain't worth the squeeze. Years ago, neuropsychology decided that the proper course of training was: generalist psychologist training+post doc neuropsychologist training. When they did this, you saw all the neuropsychology PhD programs go away. This course of events might be useful when evaluating the extras in this UC program.

2) If you want a NEUROSCIENCE research career: Like two professors that are publishing in anything that is habitually seen at SNF, or in the NIH's plan. That's not a great sign.

3) If you want a NEUROPSYCHOLOGY research career: it's an okay place. There are programs that publish a lot more in neuropsychology, but there is a way that might be a positive.

 

[cotn_psych]

I am a graduate of this joint program. The neuroscience curriculum was interesting but I could have probably spent the time more wisely on a writing more papers rather than sitting in class.

I did mostly neuroimaging research in clinical populations so it made sense to get basic anatomy and neuroimaging classwork, however, the journal club for neuroscience was way outside my area and the upper level neuroscience courses were beyond the level I needed. Neuroanatomy with Dan Barth was incredible because he is such a good teacher, Steven Maier is pretty cool for all his stories on learned helplessness, and I was there with Tor Wager teaching neuroimaging (he is now at Dartmouth). I am not sure how many of the faculty on the clinical side are involved with neuroimaging any more so not sure how much access you would get. Research with the scanner takes a lot of money so you need a mentor with a large amount of funding for a project. It is a lot of extra coursework that takes you away from clinical work and research focus and you'd be better situated in the cognitive department if you are interested in taking neuroscience courses.

Feel free to DM with questions.

 

[whatishappeningpm]

I am a graduate of this joint program. The neuroscience curriculum was interesting but I could have probably spent the time more wisely on a writing more papers rather than sitting in class.

I did mostly neuroimaging research in clinical populations so it made sense to get basic anatomy and neuroimaging classwork, however, the journal club for neuroscience was way outside my area and the upper level neuroscience courses were beyond the level I needed. Neuroanatomy with Dan Barth was incredible because he is such a good teacher, Steven Maier is pretty cool for all his stories on learned helplessness, and I was there with Tor Wager teaching neuroimaging (he is now at Dartmouth). I am not sure how many of the faculty on the clinical side are involved with neuroimaging any more so not sure how much access you would get. Research with the scanner takes a lot of money so you need a mentor with a large amount of funding for a project. It is a lot of extra coursework that takes you away from clinical work and research focus and you'd be better situated in the cognitive department if you are interested in taking neuroscience courses.

Feel free to DM with questions.

This so helpful, I am going to reach out! Ty

 

[whatishappeningpm]

1) If you want a CLINICAL career: the juice probably ain't worth the squeeze. Years ago, neuropsychology decided that the proper course of training was: generalist psychologist training+post doc neuropsychologist training. When they did this, you saw all the neuropsychology PhD programs go away. This course of events might be useful when evaluating the extras in this UC program.

2) If you want a NEUROSCIENCE research career: Like two professors that are publishing in anything that is habitually seen at SNF, or in the NIH's plan. That's not a great sign.

3) If you want a NEUROPSYCHOLOGY research career: it's an okay place. There are programs that publish a lot more in neuropsychology, but there is a way that might be a positive.

Thank you for the reply, the research thing is something to consider. I like the clinical degree for its versatility. As someone's whose research interest is neuro of schizophrenia, research is very important to me but Def not something I want to be stuck in and not really harmonious with the life I want post grad. Right now the aim is to work in a hospital setting.

 

[Ollie123]

100% agree with PsyDr if you are looking for a predominantly clinical career. I don't know that this adds enough value to justify if your goals are clinical. If of sufficient personal interest and it makes grad school more fun/satisfying than go for it, but I wouldn't prioritize it.

If you want a mixed clinical/research split or want to be on the research side it is a strong program. I'm a research-focused faculty member whose NIH work is primarily neuroimaging (not schizophrenia). I know several of their faculty and several of their graduates. I'm sure you'd get very strong training.

 

[psych.meout]

Every program I applied to and those my friends and colleagues attended allowed students to take or audit courses from other departments. So I don't see what the incremental value is of this specific type of program over others that have neuro PhD programs and that are affiliated (or have their own) AMC.

 

[whatishappeningpm]

100% agree with PsyDr if you are looking for a predominantly clinical career. I don't know that this adds enough value to justify if your goals are clinical. If of sufficient personal interest and it makes grad school more fun/satisfying than go for it, but I wouldn't prioritize it.

If you want a mixed clinical/research split or want to be on the research side it is a strong program. I'm a research-focused faculty member whose NIH work is primarily neuroimaging (not schizophrenia). I know several of their faculty and several of their graduates. I'm sure you'd get very strong training.

Sorry if I wasn't clear, I am very interested in research. Thank you very much, that is very reassuring to hear!

 

[whatishappeningpm]

Every program I applied to and those my friends and colleagues attended allowed students to take or audit courses from other departments. So I don't see what the incremental value is of this specific type of program over others that have neuro PhD programs and that are affiliated (or have their own) AMC.

That's useful to know, thank you