A Perfect Match

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Posted on March 25, 2024

Lance Crawford

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For the ninth consecutive year, the University of South Alabama’s clinical and counseling psychology Ph.D. program enjoyed a 100 percent match rate for students applying for their off-site clinical internships, meaning all applicants landed their first choice for clinical placement.

“This match rate reflects the faculty's commitment and dedication to our students, the quality of the program we've built and our ability to attract and develop exceptionally qualified students,” said Dr. Phillip Smith, professor in the department of psychology and director of clinical training.

The six Ph.D. candidates in this year’s cohort are Nanako Hawley, neuropsychology; Jasmin Pizer, pediatric neuropsychology; Katey Hayes, youth coping and resilience; Haley Adams, parent-child relationships; Sarah Salcone, spirituality and mental health; and Paola Fernandez, military mental health.

Hayes, who is from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and plans to become a pediatric psychologist, will serve her internship at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.

“The clinical and counseling psychology program has afforded me so many opportunities for becoming a well-rounded researcher and clinician,” she said. “My successful match was the direct result of the CCP community and support provided by all of my professors and colleagues.”

Students apply for clinical internships in their fourth year in the program. Typically, submitting applications to between 10-15 sites. They then interview with placements, submit their rankings and, finally, wait to be told if and where they have been matched. 

Fernandez was a U.S. Army reservist before applying to grad school. She aspires to eventually work as a behavioral health officer in the Army and will serve her internship at the Madigan Medical Center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, Washington.  

“Dr. Smith has been instrumental as director of clinical training to guide and assist our cohort in the CCP program,” she said. “I was in the Army Reserves during my first two years of the program, and he provided support to be able to succeed in both my academic and military efforts.”

The program’s success matching students with their top choices is leading to a more competitive environment.

Smith says the Ph.D. program routinely receives more than 100 applications for about a half dozen available spots.

“I see more and more applicants who have some pretty incredible experiences. Everything from extensive experience working in research labs, having already presented or published research at professional conferences and in peer-reviewed journals, to those with master's degrees in counseling or other applied disciplines and who have been working as mental health providers,” he said. 

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