Clinical Care Providers
“…the real benefit is, you get plenty of opportunities to travel, plenty of opportunities to do new things, and plenty of opportunities to move up from basic clinical skills into leadership positions where you may run clinics.”
Clinical Psychology
Key Details:
Pay:
Most Sailors and Marines face demanding work. On a typical day, they deal with stresses unseen in civilian jobs. Psychologists are a critical resource for young heroes who seek professional expertise to maintain their mental health.
Job Description
Join approximately 130 clinical psychologists who work near and far — in military hospitals and clinics in the United States, overseas, aboard aircraft carriers and with special operational units. Wherever you’re stationed, know this: You can make a tremendous difference in the quality of life for our brave servicemembers.
There could be opportunities to teach at the Naval Academy or supervise training at the Navy’s APA-approved internship programs in San Diego, Calif., and Bethesda, Md.
In addition, you could enjoy access to outstanding continuing educational activities and become eligible for fellowships at prestigious universities in pediatrics and neuropsychology.
Educational/Financial Benefits
Wherever you are in your professional career, the Navy can help ease your financial burdens and advance your career with generous financial assistance and continuing education programs.
Practicing Professionals
Get Help Repaying Educational Loans
There’s an alternative to spending years paying down the cost of your graduate education. If you’re currently a practicing professional:
Navy Health Professions Loan Repayment Program — Receive up to $120,000 to help repay your graduate school loans by applying to receive $40,000 each year for up to three years.*
To be eligible, you must serve as an Active Duty Medical Service Corps Officer for each year you receive the loan payment.
Offers have many variables. To get details and find out which offer would benefit you most, request that a Navy Officer Recruiter contact you.
*Offer depends on specialty and service requirement.
Other Benefits
A career here offers comprehensive benefits, including a competitive salary, full medical and dental coverage, a generous retirement income and much more. Explore comprehensive benefits for the Navy Medical Service Corps.
Qualifications
Besides requirements for Active Duty employment consideration in the Navy Medical Service Corps, there are additional requirements for Navy Clinical Psychology that apply.
Specific Requirements
Internship:
- Completion of all academic requirements for a doctoral degree in clinical psychology or counseling psychology from a university or professional school program accredited by the American Psychological Association
- Completion of all other requirements, including doctoral committee approval of dissertation topic
- Applicants are encouraged to visit at least one of the two internship sites in Bethesda, Md., and San Diego, Calif.
- Applications must be completed by December 1 (Selection board meets in late January, with applicants informed of its decision the second Tuesday of February; date is set nationally for internships by the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers [APPIC])
Direct Accession:
You may also seek appointment as an Officer directly into Active Duty service.
- Doctoral degree in clinical or counseling psychology from a program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA)
- Current state license to independently practice as a clinical psychologist
- A doctoral degree from the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (USUHS). A bachelor’s degree is required to enter this five-year program. Upon completion, you are commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Navy.
Preferred Requirements
Internship:
- GPA 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Completion of doctoral dissertation
- Experience with inpatient and outpatient care (either as part of training or employment), as well as assessment (testing)
- Health psychology/behavioral medicine experience
Direct Accession:
- Inpatient and outpatient experience
- Experience in crisis intervention, disaster mental health or working with individuals who have been traumatized
- Health psychology/behavioral medicine experience
- Professional references that indicate superior clinical knowledge and supervisory/leadership skills
Career Outlook
Want to explore further? Check out the Health Care Opportunities area to learn more about the overall mission of Navy Health Care. Or get a specific picture of the unrivaled experiences and real people representing today’s Navy Medical Service Corps.
Questions? Get more information now. Provide brief information so that a Navy Medical Recruiter can contact you. Answer your questions. And help make the application process as seamless as possible if you choose to move forward.