- Fully funded, APA-accredited, PhD in Clinical Psychology while receiving pay as an active duty Navy Officer
- Open to civilian and military applicants
- 2 individuals are accepted into the Navy program per year
- Program is 4 years with 1 year of internship (guaranteed slot)
- Officers incur a 7-year active duty Navy commitment upon successful completion of internship.
During graduate school:
- Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP):
- Funds either the final 2 or 3 years of academic coursework (not internship year) while enrolled in an APA-accredited PhD or PsyD program in Clinical or Counseling Psychology
- Includes payments for tuition, book stipend, fees, and a monthly stipend (as of 2021, more than $2,300 per month)
- Must have 1st year of program completed prior to applying
- 2 separate scholarships (must apply to just one). 2 year: funds the last two years of academic coursework (so years 3 and 4 if you are completing a 5 year program with internship as your final year). 3 year: funds the last 3 years of coursework (so years 2, 3, and 4 if you are completing a 5 year program with internship as your final year)
- Those who receive the scholarship will likely have the ability to complete Active Duty Training (ADT) during the summer and receive pay as an Active Duty officer during this time
- Receiving the HPSP scholarship guarantees placement at a Navy internship (at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth VA)
- Applicants must meet the medical and administrative qualifications to serve as an active duty Navy officer.
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/1035247696628151
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/HPSPStudentsAndPhysicians
- Division 19 Navigating HPSP
Predoctoral Internship:
- 1-year, APA-accredited training in providing evidence-based, clinical psychological services within the military healthcare system. Support provided to licensure. Selectees who join for completion of internship typically incur a 3-year active duty obligation.
- Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, VA
- Naval Medical Center San Diego, CA
- https://walterreed.tricare.mil/About-Us/Navy-Psychology-Training-Programs/Navy-Doctoral-Internships-In-Clinical-Psychology
- Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD
- Internships Email StudentAffairs@militarypsych.org to request an internship mentor
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Clinical Psychology:
- 1-year, APA-accredited fellowship to prepare for licensure, while serving as an active duty Naval Officer with guaranteed postdoctoral supervision.
- Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, VA
- https://www.appic.org/Postdocs/Universal-Psychology-Postdoctoral-Directory-UPPD/Detail/id/4388
- https://walterreed.tricare.mil/About-Us/Navy-Psychology-Training-Programs/The-Navy-Post-Doctoral-Fellowship-in-Clinical-Psychology
- https://walterreed.tricare.mil/Portals/126/Documents/Postdoc%20Training%20Manual%202019.pdf?ver=PHqZ5aeR8mA84mHrmq0XXQ%3D%3D
Post-Licensure:
- Direct Accession: Available for licensed Psychologists to join following licensure for competitive early career pay and benefits and unique clinical opportunities.
- Accept applications on an on-going basis
- Must have graduated from an APA-accredited doctoral-level clinical and/or counseling psychology program (PhD or PsyD)
- Must have graduated from an APA-accredited doctoral internship. This may be waived if applicant is Board Certified from American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP)
- Must have an unrestricted psychology licensed from any US state
Postdoctoral Fellowships:
The Navy offers 1-2 year specialty postdoctoral fellowships at various locations to active duty Navy psychologists who have obtained independent licensure and have completed at least their first duty assignment. Navy psychologists are selected to attend fellowships and typically incur an additional 2-4 year active duty obligation. Following fellowship, a “utilization tour” is completed in which the psychologist practices in the specialty.
- Operational Psychology (1 year): Advanced training in a wide range of applications of operational psychology principles in practice, specifically within Navy Psychology.
- Completed through rotations with various civilian and military federal government agencies in the National Capital Region.
- Can be completed at any approved, accredited civilian institution.
- Can be completed at any approved civilian institution.
- Completed through the Chicago School of Professional Psychology , Chicago, IL
- Conducted in partnership with the Army’s forensic psychiatry fellowship at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center , Bethesda, MD
Additional information:
For more information on the process for pursuing any of these options, visit the Navy Psychology Recruitment page
To contact a Navy Officer Recruiter, go to: http://www.navy.com/careers/healthcare
Click on “Find a Recruiter” located at the bottom of the page. Type in the zip code where you will be located at the time you would like to work with a recruiter. Click on “Officer Recruiter.”
When contacting a Navy recruiting office, ask specifically to speak with a Medical Programs Officer Recruiter. Small recruiting offices may not have Medical Programs Officer Recruiters, but they can easily direct you to the nearest one.
Or you can also contact Dr. John Ralph, PhD at john.a.ralph.civ@mail.mil (National Director for Navy Psychology Training Programs).
Become an Air Force Psychologist
Ways they serve:
Air Force officers may serve in a variety of psychology-related fields at locations stateside and abroad in a variety of settings, conducting traditional clinical work, as well as operational psychological support services.
Behavioral Science/Human Factors Scientist:
- Focus on basic and applied research in areas of behavioral science and human factors in order to enhance the safety and effectiveness of Airmen to complete their respective missions.
- Requires a Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline such as behavioral sciences, psychology, anthropology, sociology, sociology and anthropology or rural sciences and a minimum 24 months of experience in a Behavioral Influence Specialist position or a master’s degree in approved disciplines
Clinical Psychology:
- Focus on the diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders, as well as the application of psychological science within an organizational and operational setting.
- Requires a doctoral degree in Clinical or Counseling Psychology (PhD or PsyD), completion of a clinical internship and ability to obtain an unrestricted state licensure as a Psychologist.
What they do:
- Traditional clinical work including therapy, assessment, and diagnosis
- Health psychology
- Assessment and selection of personnel
- I/O assessments and recommendations
- Executive coaching and command consultation
- Embedded operational clinical and organizational interventions
- Policy making and program development
- Officership and leadership (e.g. Element Lead, Flight Command, Squadron Command)
- Teaching and education (e.g. Uniformed Services University, Air Force Academy)
- Population health initiatives
- Prevention/resilience building
- Disaster Mental Health
Where they serve:
- Hospitals and clinics
- Embedded with operational commands (e.g., aircraft, security forces, intelligence squadrons)
- The Pentagon and The White House
When and how to join:
Prior to graduate school:
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS): a 4-year, APA-accredited PhD program in clinical psychology, with emphasis areas in medical and military psychology; get paid as an active duty Air Force Officer while in school, with a guaranteed internship spot and postdoctoral supervision.
- For more information
During graduate school:
- Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP): receive funding and military training during graduate school, with a subsequent guaranteed internship spot and postdoctoral supervision as an active duty officer following completion of your academic program.
- For more information :
- https://www.facebook.com/USAF-Clinical-Psychology-HPSP-CPIP-Current-Residents-282453348577129
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/11213314209
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/HPSPStudentsAndPhysicians
- Division 19 Navigating HPSP
- Email div19studentrep@gmail.com to request an HPSP mentor
Predoctoral Internship:
- 1-year, APA-accredited training in providing evidence-based, clinical psychological services within the military healthcare system. Support provided to licensure. Selectees who join for completion of internship typically incur a 3 year active duty obligation.
- Malcolm Grow Clinics and Surgery Center, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland
- Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center , Joint Base San Antonio, Texas
- Wright Patterson Medical Center , Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
- https://www.appic.org/Internships/Match/About-The-APPIC-Match/Military-Internships
- https://www.usafpsychologists.com/usaf-resident-sites
- Email StudentAffairs@militarypsych.org to request an internship mentor
Postdoctoral Residency (Pre-Licensure):
- “Notch” Fellowship – Program available for individuals who have graduated from an APA accredited program, but are not yet licensed.
- Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center , Joint Base San Antonio, Texas
Post-Licensure:
- Direct Accession: Available for licensed Psychologists to join following licensure for competitive early career pay and benefits and unique clinical opportunities.
Postdoctoral Fellowships:
The Air Force offers 1-2 year specialty postdoctoral fellowships at various training sites to active duty Air Force psychologists who have obtained independent licensure and have completed at least their first duty assignment. Air Force psychologists are selected to attend fellowships and typically incur an additional 2-3 year active duty obligation. Following fellowship, a “utilization tour” is completed in which the psychologist practices in the specialty. Postdoctoral training spots are offered based on need and not all specialty fellowships are available each year.
- Aviation Psychology (1 year): Advanced training for psychologists to provide direct aeromedical support to aircrew and act as a human factors/safety expert, with emphasis on the overlap between aircrew and mental health related conditions, aeromedical waivers, prevention / intervention / optimization of aircrew with emphasis on utilizing mental health provider skillsets in operational aviator environments, and assessment and selection of aircrew and special operators. The fellowship trains a psychologist to provide direct support to Air Force Safety Investigation Boards, conduct aerospace and organizational safety assessments, conduct human factors research, and apply psychological principals for mishap prevention.
- USAF Safety Center, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico
- Joint Special Operations Command, Ft Bragg, NC
- Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center , Joint Base San Antonio, Texas
- Brook Army Medical Center , Fort Sam Houston Texas
- Division 19 USAF Careers Webinar
To contact an Air Force Health Professionals Recruiter, go to www.airforce.com/#connect
- Click on “Find a Recruiter.” Type in the zip code where you will be located at the time you would like to work with a recruiter. Select “Healthcare student or professional.” You will be provided with an address and phone number of the closest Health Professions Recruiter. You will also have the opportunity to “Chat Live” with a Recruiting representative.
If you experience challenges or desire assistance in the commissioning process, contact Dr. Ann Hryshko-Mullen, PhD at ann.s.hryshko-mullen.civ@mail.mil (Air Force Internship Training Director).
Additionally, you can reach out to airforcepsychology@gmail.com for additional information and assistance.
Become an Army Psychologist
Ways they serve:
Army Psychologists may serve in a variety of psychology-related fields at locations stateside and abroad in a variety of settings, conducting traditional clinical work, as well as operational psychological support services.
Research Psychology:
- Focus on research examining how physiological, psychological, and social variables impact the health and performance of Army members.
- Help develop programs, such as interventions and prevention training, to improve the health and lives of Soldiers and their Families.
- PhD scientists with specialization in any number of non-clinical branches of psychology and related fields, including cognitive, experimental, social, industrial/organizational, human factors, engineering, personnel, neuroscience, and physiology.
Clinical Psychology:
- Focus on the diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders, as well as the application of psychological science within an organizational and operational setting.
- Requires a doctoral degree in Clinical or Counseling Psychology (PhD or PsyD), completion of a clinical internship and ability to obtain an unrestricted state licensure as a Psychologist.
What they do:
- Traditional clinical work including therapy, assessment, and diagnosis
- Health psychology
- Assessment and selection of personnel
- I/O assessments and recommendations
- Executive coaching and command consultation
- Embedded operational clinical and organizational interventions
- Policy making and program development
- Officership and leadership
- Teaching
- Preventative resilience building
- Psychological first aid
Where they serve:
- Hospitals and clinics
- Embedded with operational commands (e.g., special forces units, aircraft squadrons)
- Deployments with ground troops
When and how to join:
Prior to graduate school:
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS): a 4-year, APA-accredited PhD program in clinical psychology, with emphasis areas in medical and military psychology; get paid as an active duty Naval Officer while in school, with a guaranteed internship spot and postdoctoral supervision.
- For more information
During graduate school:
- Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP): receive funding and military training during graduate school, with a subsequent guaranteed internship spot and postdoctoral supervision as an active duty officer following completion of your academic program.
- For more information
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/2352068180
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/HPSPStudentsAndPhysicians
- Division 19 Navigating HPSP
- Email StudentAffairs@militarypsych.org to request an HPSP mentor.
Predoctoral Internship:
- 1-year, APA-accredited training in providing evidence-based, clinical psychological services within the military healthcare system. Support provided to licensure. Selectees who join for completion of internship typically incur a 3-year active duty obligation.
- Brooke Army Medical Center , Fort Sam Houston, Texas
- Madigan Army Medical Center , Joint Base Lewis-McCord, Washington
- Tripler Army Medical Center , Honolulu, Hawaii
- Womack Army Medical Center , Fort Bragg, North Carolina
- Email StudentAffairs@militarypsych.org to request an internship mentor.
Postdoctoral Residency in Clinical Psychology:
- 1-year, APA-accredited postdoctoral residency is offered at each of the 4 Army internship sites, providing guaranteed postdoctoral supervision and support for licensure.
- Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas
- Madigan Army Medical Center, Joint Base Lewis-McCord, Washington
- Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
- Womack Army Medical Center, Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Post-Licensure:
- Direct Accession: Available for licensed Psychologists to join following licensure for competitive early career pay and benefits and unique clinical opportunities.
Postdoctoral Fellowships:
The Army offers 24-month specialty postdoctoral fellowships at various training sites to active duty Army psychologists who have obtained independent licensure and have completed at least their first duty assignment. Army psychologists are selected to attend fellowships and typically incur a 4 year active duty obligation. Following fellowship, a “utilization tour” is completed in which the psychologist practices in the specialty.
- Clinical Child/Pediatric Psychology: APA-accredited program in advanced training in child/pediatric psychology. Program emphasizes general clinical child psychology services as well as focus on work in a medical setting with medically ill children.
- Tripler Army Medical Center , Honolulu, Hawaii
- Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston Texas
- Tripler Army Medical Center , Honolulu, Hawaii
- Tripler Army Medical Center , Honolulu, Hawaii
- Brooke Army Medical Center , Fort Sam Houston Texas
- Walter Reed National Military Medical Center , Bethesda, Maryland
- Brooke Army Medical Center , Fort Sam Houston Texas
- Division 19 Successful preparation for US Army internships webinar
- Division 19 In-Uniform Clinical Psychology Webinar
For more information on the process for pursuing any of these options, visit the Army Clinical Psychology page
To contact an Army Health Care (AMEDD) Recruiter, go to https://www.goarmy.com or call 1-888-550-ARMY. If you encounter issues or need assistance navigating the commissioning process, you can reach out to Dr. Patrice Shanahan, PhD at Patrice.e.shanahan.mil@mail.mil (Army Psychology National Training Coordinator).
Become a Non-Uniformed Military Psychologist
Psychologists serve the military psychology community in a number of diverse capacities, in diverse ways that impact active duty service members, veterans, and their family members:
Department of Defense:
- Civilian positions with USN, USMC, USA, USAF – government Service (GS) and Contract positions available at a wide variety of positions with each of the branches for fully licensed Psychologists at clinics and hospitals providing medical treatment
- Air Force Family Support Program: non-medical counseling
- Army Military Family Support Services: non-medical counseling
- Fleet and Family Support Program: non-medical counseling
- Marine Corps Community Services: non-medical counseling
- Military and Family Life Counselors: non-medical counseling
- Preservation of the Force & Family (POTFF)
Department of Veteran Affairs:
Training opportunities: the VA is the largest provider of training in Psychology in the nation, most of which are APA-accredited.
- Clinical Practicum Training : predoctoral, supervised clinical training offered at many VA medical centers throughout the country.
- Internships : 711 positions across 133 programs located in all US states and territories.
- Postdoctoral Fellowships: 454 positions at 145 programs.
- https://www.va.gov/OAA/Advanced_Fellowships/Home.asp
Additional information:
- Division 19 How to get a VA internship Webinar
- Clinical work
- Research
Civilian arenas:
- Academic institutions (research and clinical/academic services to AD, veterans, and family members)
- Private institutions (research and clinical services to AD, veterans, and family members
Research institutes
(advancing psychological science that impacts AD, veterans, and family members)
- Air Force Research Laboratory https://www.afrl.af.mil/
- Naval Research Laboratory
- Postdoctoral Fellowship Program : approximately 40 fellowship appointments per year for individuals to received advanced training in areas of interest and relevance to the Navy at various laboratory locations throughout the US.
Resources
Free Military Psychology Training
- Division 19 Student Affairs Webinar Series
- Center for Deployment Psychology: in-person and online webinars, courses, CEs, etc.
- University of Denver Psychology Department Webinar Series
Academic Programs with Military Psychology Specialty Programs
- Alliant International University, Certificate in Fundamentals of Military and Veteran Psychology
- Arizona State University, Certificate in Working with Military Families
- Fayetteville State University, Certificate in Military Behavioral Health
- Temple University, Certificate in Military Counseling
- University of Northern Iowa, Certificate in Military Psychology
- Liberty University, BS in Psychology with a Military Resilience Emphasis
- United States Military Academy West Point, BS in Psychology with Emphases in Applied and Organizational Psychology
- Adler University, MA in Military Psychology
- Colorado State University Global, MS in Military and Emergency Responder Psychology
- Walden University, MS in Forensic Psychology Military Specialization
- Austin Peay State University, PsyD with Concentration in Serving Military Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families
- University of Denver, PsyD with Military Psychology Specialty
- William James College, PsyD with Military and Veterans Psychology Area of Emphasis
- Steven A. Cohen Military Family Center Training Programs at NYU Langone; Psychology Externships and Postdoctoral Fellowships Specializing in Clinical Services with Veterans and Familie s
Conferences
- APA
- Advocacy in Military Psychology Summit – International Applied Military Psychology Symposium
- International Conference on Military Psychology and Psychiatry
- International Military Testing Association (IMTA)
Podcasts
Other Resources
- Books
- DVBIC Psychological Health Centers of Excellence (PHCoE)
- SIOP Military and Veterans’ Initiative Task Force
