National award spotlights MSU’s excellence in clinical psychology education
Contact: Sarah Nicholas
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Emily Stafford, associate clinical professor in Mississippi State’s Department of Psychology, has earned an inaugural national award for Best Clinical Foundations Course in a clinical psychology doctoral program.
Presented by the Council of University Directors of Clinical Psychology, the honor recognizes excellence and innovation in doctoral-level clinical psychology education.
Stafford was selected for her Scientist Practitioner I-IV course sequence at MSU, which prepares doctoral students for ethical, effective clinical practice through a strong emphasis on theory, skill development and professional identity. The course will be featured on the CUDCP website as a model for clinical psychology programs across the country.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to bring national attention to the excellent work being done by the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program and the Department of Psychology at MSU,” Stafford said. “This course sequence allows students to take classroom learning and immediately apply it within the health service psychology environment. As a result, members of the community have access to quality low- or no-cost mental healthcare services in their local area. After the first year of this course sequence, students enter the clinic with a full year of exposure to the treatment environment and are poised for the next stage of their clinical training.
Stafford also serves as director of the university’s Psychology Clinic, where she oversees clinical training and community services while mentoring graduate students throughout their doctoral education.
CUDCP is composed of leaders from clinical psychology doctoral programs who work collaboratively to advance excellence in education, training and professional development within the field.
For more information about MSU's College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of psychology, visit www.cas.msstate.edu and www.psychology.msstate.edu.
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.