Baylor launches Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program, welcomes first cohort
This fall, the inaugural cohort of Baylor’s new Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program began classes, marking a milestone in addressing the mental health workforce crisis in Texas. According to the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis, Texas’s psychology workforce meets less than half of the state’s demand, and a 2025 Mental Health America survey ranked Texas 50th among U.S. states in access to care.
Program Director Andrea Bradford, Ph.D., associate professor of Medicine, says the stakes go beyond mental health alone.
Meeting an Urgent Need
“Mental health and behavior are determinants of overall health, and thus are essential components of a modern healthcare system,” Dr. Bradford said.
To address the looming shortages, fix mental health issues and provide excellent care, Texas needs more clinical psychologists with doctoral-level training. These professionals have the expertise to translate evidence into practice and evaluate what is and isn’t working—critical skills in the face of emerging challenges that need innovative, data-driven solutions.
“That integration of research and practice is where I predict our graduates will really shine,” Dr. Bradford said.
A Strong First Class
Thirteen students make up the Program’s first class, selected from roughly 60 applicants. Collectively, the cohort has research and clinical experience spanning areas like obsessive-compulsive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and neuroimaging.
The curriculum is designed to satisfy Texas licensure requirements and align with American Psychological Association standards for doctoral programs. Students will concentrate on coursework in Year 1 before progressively taking on clinical training and original research in later years, guided by Baylor faculty who are leaders in their fields.
A Personal Mission
For Dr. Bradford, her role as program director is the culmination of 15 years practicing psychology in medical settings, often as the only psychologist on her team. Patients would frequently ask whether there were other professionals who could provide the same kind of care.
“Yes, but not enough,” she would tell them.
The shortage was something she saw firsthand throughout her career. Those conversations stayed with her. When the opportunity arose to help build this program and train the next generation of clinical psychologists, she saw a chance to help change that answer.
Her goals for this first cohort are to build a supportive, rigorous training culture grounded in safety and transparency. Students will be embedded with other health professions trainees from the beginning of their training, with future placements across Baylor Medicine, the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the Menninger Clinic and other Baylor affiliates.
Looking ahead, securing accreditation from the American Psychological Association is a top priority—a process that requires implementing the program and gathering outcome data from at least two cohorts before a formal self-study and site visit can begin. Baylor’s Office of Accreditation and Education Effectiveness is supporting that effort.
Dr. Bradford welcomes alumni involvement in spreading the word about the new program.
“My door and my inbox are always open if you would like to talk about ideas and opportunities,” she said.
If you would like to learn more about the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program, click here.
