Every Wright State psychology doctoral student lands competitive clinical internship

All 22 fourth-year doctoral students in Wright State University’s School of Professional Psychology matched to a clinical internship this year — a milestone that few doctoral programs in the country can claim.

Wright State’s 100% match rate surpasses this year’s national average of 84.7% for doctoral clinical psychology programs.

For Wright State students, the result capped years of rigorous training and marks a required step before they can earn their doctorates and pursue licensure as psychologists.

Placements spanned the country, from major academic medical centers to VA hospitals close to home. Students matched with sites including Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta/Emory University, Kennedy Krieger/Johns Hopkins University, Vanderbilt University, Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Medical Center and VA Medical Centers in Cincinnati, Chillicothe and Cleveland.

“Achieving a 100% match rate in such a competitive process speaks to the quality of our students and the strength of our training,” said Jeremiah Schumm, Ph.D., clinical professor and director of clinical training at the School of Professional Psychology. “We were one of the first programs in the country to offer the Psy.D. degree, and we’ve built a strong national reputation. Internship programs know our students — and they are eager to work with them.”

Wright State’s perfect match rate demonstrates the dedication of faculty, staff and students in the School of Professional Psychology, said Cassandra Linares, a fourth-year clinical psychology doctoral student who matched with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta/Emory University School of Medicine.

“It highlights students’ commitment, faculty support and the valuable guidance from supervisors and mentors,” she said. “This achievement reflects the strong community at the School of Professional Psychology and shows how well the program prepares students for long-term success in psychology.”

Cassandra Linares, a fourth-year clinical psychology doctoral student who matched with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta/Emory University School of Medicine.

Linares was drawn to the Atlanta facility for its integrated primary care model, which aligns with her interest in serving underserved families, including the opportunity to train in Spanish.

“Primary care often serves as the first point of contact for underserved families,” she said, “making it essential that care in these settings is both culturally responsive and equitable.”

During her internship, Linares will pursue certification in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and parent-child interaction therapy to strengthen her comprehensive assessment skills and gain experience working with children and families with medically complex needs.

“Above all, I am committed to meeting families where they are and ensuring they receive the most appropriate and culturally responsive care,” she said.

The nationally competitive match process is administered by the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers. Wright State students compete against doctoral candidates from programs across the United States and Canada. Students must participate in a clinical internship to obtain a doctorate in clinical psychology.

“Before our students ever set foot in an internship, they’ve already logged more than 2,000 hours of clinical training through field placements throughout Ohio,” Schumm said. “They graduate with well-rounded generalist skills, three specialty areas, and training in individual and cultural diversity, allowing students to effectively work with a wide range of individuals. That combination makes them competitive anywhere in the country.”

Linares said Wright State’s investment in students’ growth, both professionally and personally, played a significant role in her success.

“The program’s emphasis on diversity, strong clinical training and early completion of dissertation requirements helped me become a competitive applicant,” she said. “Equally important was the support from faculty and supervisors, who provided mentorship, research opportunities and encouragement throughout the process.”

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects job openings for psychologists to grow by approximately 6% over the next decade. Many internship sites recruit their own interns for full-time psychologist positions, and completing a clinical internship also positions graduates to apply for post-doctoral training.

About the School of Professional Psychology

Wright State’s School of Professional Psychology offers a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree with a focus on generalist clinical training, while preparing students across nine core competency areas, including assessment, intervention, research and individual and cultural diversity. Students may pursue added depth in three specialized areas: child psychology, forensic psychology and health, rehabilitation and neuropsychology. Among the first programs in the country to develop a practitioner model curriculum, the school has been continuously accredited by the American Psychological Association since 1982.

Learn more at wright.edu/sopp.