For 50 years, our Combined Psychology Doctoral Program has been dedicated to excellence in education, research, and service. First accredited by the American Psychological Association in 1975, the program was established to meet the growing demand for trained professionals who could address mental health challenges with evidence-based interventions and a deep understanding of diverse human experiences.
Join us in celebrating 50 years of innovation, inclusion, collaboration and caring! We will have alumni spotlights, Continuing Education opportunities, social gatherings and more throughout the 2025 academic year, so check back with us, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
Our History
Our Combined PhD program was first accredited in 1975. Originally called the Professional Scientific PhD program and later named the Combined Clinical-Counseling-School PhD program, the core mission of our program has been to integrate doctoral level training across the lifespan and across the disciplines of health services psychology in a way that supports both research and applied practice. In 2017, the combined program took on its current form, combining the disciplines of clinical and counseling psychology in integrated doctoral training. Graduates from the past 50 years will recognize and identify with our ongoing commitment to broad training across the sub-disciplines of applied psychology.
Over the past 50 years, our faculty and students have consistently contributed to groundbreaking research, spanning areas such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), evidence-based interventions, identity development, behavioral medicine, geriatric neuropsychology, and much more. These efforts have not only advanced the field but also influenced how mental health services are delivered in community, clinical, and research settings.
Our Alumni
Over the years, our alumni have made significant contributions to both academia and clinical practice, holding leadership roles across the country. They have made significant strides toward improving mental health services and contributing to policy development worldwide. As part of our anniversary celebration, we are excited to feature alumni interviews that capture the diverse journeys and contributions of our graduates. These stories showcase how our alumni are applying the skills and knowledge gained at Utah State University to make a lasting impact in their fields and communities.
Kurt is a leading expert in rural mental health and adolescent suicidology with over two decades of experience in academia, research, and clinical practice. After earning his PhD from Utah State University, he spent years at Appalachian State University, where he built a nationally recognized program in school mental health and rural healthcare. Kurt has published widely on suicide prevention and rural mental health. He now brings his expertise to The Jed Foundation, focusing on improving suicide prevention systems, postvention policies, and lethal means safety, with a particular emphasis on the Rocky Mountain region.
Our Next 50 Years!
As we celebrate 50 years of excellence, we reflect on our history with pride and look forward with a renewed commitment. Our combined approach to clinical and counseling psychology has equipped generations of professionals with the adaptability, compassion, and expertise needed to address the evolving challenges in psychological practice. Looking to the future, we remain dedicated to innovation and growth. By integrating emerging evidence-based practices, expanding our understanding of mental health, and enhancing our community partnerships, we are preparing our students to be leaders and changemakers.
As we celebrate this milestone, we remain deeply committed to meeting the evolving needs of the psychology field. Our faculty and staff continue to drive innovation, ensuring that the Combined Clinical/Counseling Psychology doctoral program stays at the forefront of education and research. We are excited to carry this legacy forward, building on our contributions to the field of psychology and promoting the well-being of individuals and communities for the next 50 years and beyond!
How You Can Get Involved
New Scholarship
To honor the past 50 years we are starting a scholarship so we can support the next generation of students in the Combined Clinical Counseling Program. Learn more about the importance of scholarships and how you can help our students succeed.
APA Social
Please join us at the annual American Psychological Association conference in Denver in August 2025, where the Combined PhD program will host a social event. We would love for our alumni, colleagues, and friends to join us as we reminisce about the past 50 years.
Stay tuned for more information about this event!
October CE Event and Dinner
Join us in person at the USU Logan Main campus in October, for a full-day continuing education event and dinner. This will be an opportunity to connect with alumni from across the decades and to learn from fellow alumni and current faculty. We are excited for the opportunity to celebrate our alumni, faculty, community, and program’s successes over the past 50 years, and to reinforce our promising future as a community of colleagues and friends.
CE Credit Opportunities
We are using this celebration not only as an opportunity to connect with each other and the community, but as a chance to further learning. Fellow alumni have generously offered to provide a series of online one-hour continuing education webinars. Visit our calendar of Continuing Education events for more information on how to register.
We Want to Hear From You!
Since reaching this milestone, we have been reflecting on the history of our program and the unique experiences of our students and community members. We would love to take this opportunity to hear from you and join in celebrating your accomplishments since graduation!
If you’re interested, please use this form to share a few sentences about how you’ve used your degree, and we’ll feature you on our website.