KUALA LUMPUR, 3 July 2026 – As mental healthcare continues to evolve in response to increasingly complex psychological needs, the demand for highly trained clinical psychologists with advanced expertise in assessment, intervention and research has become more significant than ever. Addressing this need, the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) at Universiti Sains Malaysia Kuala Lumpur (USM@KL) attracted the interest of experienced practitioners and prospective doctoral candidates during the USM@KL Open Day held today.

The programme was among the doctoral offerings presented at the Open Day, providing visitors with opportunities to engage directly with academic experts and gain a comprehensive understanding of the programme’s advanced clinical training, research focus and professional development pathways.

Designed for qualified practitioners seeking to further strengthen their clinical competencies, the programme integrates advanced psychological theory, evidence-based practice and applied research. It aims to develop clinical psychologists who can provide high-quality psychological services, contributing to scientific knowledge and assuming leadership roles within healthcare, academia and professional practice.

According to Dr. Azizah Othman, Programme Coordinator, Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Psychology), Universiti Sains Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, the programme is particularly meaningful not only because it is the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, but also because of the visible impact of its graduates in real-world settings. She said the programme, which is fully accredited by MQA and strengthened through collaboration with Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, provides a rigorous yet supportive environment for experienced practitioners to grow as advanced clinicians, researchers and leaders. She added that seeing graduates contribute to better mental healthcare, train future professionals and serve their communities is a testament to the programme’s vision of developing clinical psychologists who create lasting change.

Throughout the Open Day, visitors also received personalised academic consultations and admissions guidance, enabling them to explore the programme’s curriculum, research opportunities and pathways for advanced professional practice.

Graduates of the programme are well positioned to assume leadership roles in hospitals, universities, specialist healthcare institutions, research organisations and professional psychological practice, where they can influence clinical excellence, education and evidence-based mental healthcare.

Through the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Psychology), USM@KL continues to develop clinical leaders and scholar-practitioners who advance psychological science, strengthen professional practice and contribute meaningfully to the future of mental healthcare.

Text: Theva Sarma Gopala Krishnan, Executive Officer/Editing: Associate Professor Dr. Shaik Abdul Malik Mohamed Ismail, Senior Editorial Consultant @ MPRC, USM/Photo: Muhamad Faris Darwisy Muhammad Rafiq