History

Since September 1976, the University of Denver Graduate School of Professional Psychology (GSPP) has offered a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology. The PsyD degree at the University of Denver focuses on scientifically based training for applied professional work rather than on the more traditional academic-scientific approach to clinical training. The main emphasis is on general clinical psychology with opportunities for some limited degrees of specialization. A 1972 NIMH-sponsored conference on patterns and levels of professional training in psychology strongly supported the development of PsyD programs. The Federation of Regional Accrediting Commissions in Higher Education has recommended the development of content-oriented doctoral programs for applied professional training, with the PhD to be awarded by primarily research-oriented programs.

The Graduate School of Professional Psychology has carried the University of Denver's regional accreditation since its inception; in 1978 the Colorado Department of Education approved the program for the training of doctoral-level school psychologists. The GSPP Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program has maintained accreditation by the American Psychological Association (APA Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242, Phone: 202-336-5979, TDD/TYY: 202-336-6123, Fax: 202-336-5978) since 1979, and the GSPP is a member of the National Council of Schools of Professional Psychology. The PsyD degree qualifies a person for admission to licensing or certification examinations. Individuals with PsyD degrees are eligible for third party payments and are listed in the National Register for Health Service Providers in Psychology.

GSPP introduced the Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology in 1999, the Master of Arts in International Disaster Psychology in 2005, the Master of Arts in Sport and Performance Psychology in 2007, the Master of Arts in Sport Coaching (online) in 2015, the Graduate Certificate of Strength and Conditioning and Fitness Coaching (online) in 2018, the undergraduate minor in Kinesiology and Sport Studies in 2021, and the undergraduate major in Kinesiology and Sport Studies in 2023.