Convention Main Page

Keywords: Education, Graduate School, Professional Development

Panel Moderators:

Debora Bell, Ph.D., University of Missouri-Columbia

Karen Christoff, Ph.D., University of Mississippi

Panel Members:

Colleen Carney, C.Psych., Ryerson University

Hilary Vidair, Ph.D., LIU Post, Brookville, NY

David J. Hansen, Ph.D., University of Nebraska, Lincoln

Cynthia Brown, M.A., University of Missouri-Columbia

Mitchell Prinstein, Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

This session brings together the perspectives of well-established graduate program directors, faculty mentors, and current graduate students to provide useful information about graduate school to prospective and early-career graduate students, as well as the opportunity for attendees to interact with directors of specific graduate programs. The panelists include representatives from U.S. clinical psychology Ph.D. and Psy.D. programs and Canadian Ph.D. programs.

Panelists will provide information about the graduate school application process, including how undergraduate students and other prospective applicants can: (a) select a graduate degree and graduate program that meets their training and career goals, (b) best prepare themselves to be successful applicants to graduate programs, and (c) effectively navigate the application process. Panelists will also discuss how, once enrolled in graduate school, students can capitalize on the skills that got them there by focusing on their work ethic, love of learning, and passion for research or practice, and channel those skills to build a vita and set of experiences that will prepare them for success at each future step of their graduate training and careers.

The panel will be followed by a question-and-answer session and by a "Graduate Programs on Parade" session where representatives of graduate programs (typically 30-35 programs) will be available to discuss their particular programs with interested applicants. Several student members and new member professionals will be available to answer questions about their experiences applying to and participating in graduate programs. Attendees are encouraged to attend the ABCT SIG Expo immediately following this session. ABCT has over 40 different Special Interest Groups, many of which will be presenting research at the Expo. This is an excellent opportunity to meet students and professionals in specific areas of the behavioral therapies.

Participants are encouraged to visit www.abct.org and take advantage of ABCT's resources for students, including information on getting into graduate school and what to expect as a graduate student in CBT, internships, grants, mentorships, postdoctoral fellowships, featured labs, and a student awards program.

At the end of the session, the learner will be able to:

• Provide information about activities one could engage in as an undergraduate student that will best prepare him/her for graduate school in psychology.
• Provide information about selecting graduate programs, filing applications, completing a personal statement, and interviewing.
• Provide information about strategies for surviving the first year in a graduate program.