The Department of Clinical Psychology is the only one of its kind in Bangladesh offering postgraduate studies and training in clinical psychology at international standards and producing professional Clinical Psychologists for the country. With tireless effort of the late Professor Anisur Rahman and support from Dr. Graham E. Powell, this post graduate professional training program was initiated as a new stream at the Department of Psychology in 1996 under a link project between the University of London and the University of Dhaka. The Department of Clinical Psychology was established later as a new discipline under the Faculty of Biological Sciences in 1997.

Vision

• Excellence in clinical Psychology by promoting quality in training, research and practice.

Mission

• Promoting Health and Psychological Wellbeing.
• Bringing global standard of Clinical Psychology teaching-training, research and practice in Bangladesh.

Aims

With the overarching objective to contribute to the psychological health of the nation, the department aims to achieve the followings,

• To produce qualified Clinical Psychologists.
• To contribute to the enhancement of efficiency in psychiatric, psychological, rehabilitative, and other allied health services.
• To broaden perspectives in the prevention of disease and promotion of wellbeing.
• To produce high quality research targeted to contribute in the enhancement of knowledge and practice related to health and mental health.
• To contribute in drafting and updating of policies relevant to health and mental health in Bangladesh.

Academic Programs

The Department offers a three and a half years integrated course (though two degrees - M.S. and M. Phil) as the qualifying degree in Clinical Psychology. Based on the scientist practitioner model, the courses incorporate a blend of intensive academic, clinical and research activities. Throughout the years the students engaged themselves in rigorous clinical work and receive in depth clinical supervision on their work with patients. The students gradually assume greater clinical responsibilities with increasing experience, knowledge and skills over the years as they pass through MS to MPhil course. The department is also offering PhD in Clinical Psychology as a post-qualification research degree.

Departmental orientation with a strong commitment to the training of clinical scientists as its foundation. With dual emphasis of developing clinical as well as research skills among the students, the department uses a combination of coursework, hospital-based clinical practices, and intensive research work. During the training, the students are placed at government institutions and provide physical health and mental health service to a diverse client population with a wide range of problems and needs. List of problem that is dealt by them include but are not limited to  anxiety disorders, somatoform disorders, depression and other mood disorders, suicide, sleep disorders, sexual disorders, personality disorders, adjustment disorders, schizophrenia, paranoid disorders, dementia, diabetes, headaches, disorders of eating and weight, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, chronic pain, drug and alcohol problems, disorders of childhood and adolescents, intellectual disabilities, problems of old age, marital conflicts etc. All the clinical activates carried out by the students are supervised by assigned clinical supervisors.

The students and graduates of the department are well versed and equipped with skills related to psychological assessments (e.g., questionnaires, and psychometric tests) and therapeutic intervention (e.g., Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Behavioural approaches, Systemic and Family therapy, Psychodrama).

MS in Clinical Psychology program is targeted to train the students on treating full spectrum of mental health problems among adults. They learn treating mental health problems of the children and adolescents during their MPhil years along with carrying out specialist mental health placements (e.g., drug addiction, health psychology, psychosexual dysfunctions, trauma, and neuropsychology)

Core Competencies of the Graduates

Though the process of intensive professional training and supervision, the trainees acquire several core skills which includes but are not limited to the following

• Knowledge.  Being connected with updated knowledge and research findings, aspiring to attend workshop, seminar or training to enhance skills and knowledge.
• Assessment.  Being able to explore clients’ problem with suitable tools learning to use and interpret psychometric tools.
• Formulation. Being able to understand and formulate the clients’ problems,
• Treatment.  Being able to devise treatment plan, provide intervention, assess progress, prepare for termination, and plan for relapse prevention.
• Work load. Managing appropriate caseloads and keeping records as per suggested guidelines.
• Supervision. Acknowledging need for supervision, acquiring ability to understanding and seek supervision.
• Professional behaviour.  Being reliable, trustworthy, being respectful to clients and colleagues, following the code of conduct, establishing and maintaining working professional relationships and communication.
• Independence. Becoming independent in thinking, planning, solving problems; using creativity and innovation; being able to transfer and use skills in different contexts.

Facilities at the Department

• Prof. Roquia Begam Research Laboratory. Eight workstations exclusively for student enrolled in advanced research degree (MPhil and PhD).
• Prof. Anisur Rahman Resource Centre. A rich library with updated books and reference materials on clinical psychology and related areas.
• Nasirullah Foundation Conference Hall. A modern conference hall suitable for arranging seminar, training and workshop with seating arrangement for 50-70 individual.  
• Clinical Consultation Room. A small room for conducting clinical sessions and psychological assessment. Opportunities of clinical consultation is also available through the Psychological Assessment Clinic and Nasirullah Psychotherapy Unit at the department of Clinical Psychology.

Admission to the department

Enrolment in Clinical Psychology program is competitive. Students are enrolled through an admission examination process.  Anyone with a bachelor in Psychology interested to develop career in application of psychology in mental health and having care for the distressed are encouraged to apply. Admission process starts between September-October with an announcement for application at the leading daily newspapers in Bangladesh. The announcement is also forwarded to the major psychology departments accord the country. Those interested can contact departmental office anytime for early information and preparation for admission test. Potential candidates are recommended to seek appointment with any teacher of the Department through the office to get advice and relevant information regarding the program and culture of the Department.

Eligibility

 Four-year Bachelor degree in Psychology with a high second class from any recognized University. Students with three-year Bachelor degree in psychology can also apply in they also hold M.Sc. in Psychology. Students who have appeared in the 4th year final examination in Psychology are also eligible to apply.

Application form

The prospective candidates are advised to collect application form from the Departmental office, Room no. 5017, Arts Building, 4th floor, University of Dhaka after the announcement for admission is published.

Admission test

As Clinical Psychology is a post-graduate program, the student’s enrolled need to have a sound knowledge in psychology. A written test is designed to asses knowledge and understanding on basic psychological concepts, theories, psychometrics, research methods and abnormal psychology. A separate multiple choice questions test is also used to test psychology knowledge. Apart from these, the admission test also involves testing for analytical ability and language comprehension both in English and Bengali. Those who pass the written test are invited for viva-voce where further assessment of their suitability for clinical psychology program is assessed.

Admission Timeline

Admission announcement  : September – October

Admission test                    : October – November

Class begins                       : January

Faculty Members

We have ten full-time faculty members, three visiting faculty members and four [art-time faculty members. The name of the honourable academic persons is given below.

Full-time Faculties

• Dr. Mohammad Mahmudur Rahaman
• Kamal Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury
• Dr. Farah Deeba
• Dr. Mumammad Kamruzzaman Mozumder
• S.M. Abul Kalam Azad
• Mosammat Nazma Khatun
• Jobeda Khatun
• Md. Shahanur Hossain
• Farzana Akter
• Dr. Parveen Huque

Visiting Faculties

• Dr. Graham E. Powel (UK)
• Dr. David A Quinn (UK)
• Dr. Glenda Fredman (UK)

Part-time Faculties

• Dr. A A Munib
• Dr. Jhunu Shamsun Nahar
• Tarun Kanti Gayen
• Salma Perveen

For more information please contact: Department of Clinical Psychology Room no. 5017, Arts Building, 4th floor, Dhaka University, Dhaka-1000 Phone: +88-02-9661920-73, Ext 7800 & 7801 E-mail: clinpsy@du.ac.bd