Jill Wanner sitting in an empty classroom

Practical Knowledge

The science-practitioner model used by TU's graduate psychology programs allowed Jill Wanner, 2009 PhD graduate in clinical psychology, to start training in practical applications of psychological techniques before finishing her degree.

The science-practitioner model used by TU's graduate psychology programs allowed Jill Wanner, 2009 PhD graduate in clinical psychology, to start training in practical applications of psychological techniques before finishing her degree. This head-start was invaluable to the successful beginning of her career as a professional psychologist, as was the department's emphasis on training students in the ethical application of their craft.

Jill's outstanding commitment to the program enabled her to secure one of the first Bellwether Fellowships for doctoral students nearing the completion of their degree. The Bellwether Fellowship allowed her to focus all of her attention on applying the lessons learned in her graduate coursework and its internship requirements to perfecting her dissertation.

Jill cited the clinical psychology program's science-practitioner model, the University's high academic standards, and excellent professor-student relations as the reason TU was the "logical" choice for her.

"I found the professors to be especially encouraging mentors, always willing to take time in and out of class to talk and offer advice," she said. "My time at TU opened my eyes to many different areas of study under the broad category of clinical psychology and allowed me to receive an education of the highest quality."

Jill's research interests while at TU included forensics, schizophrenia, psychological effects of racism among minorities, personality, and assessment. She is currently employed as a psychologist at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, where she works in an inpatient psychiatric unit for returning veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with PTSD.

The reasons graduate students select TU are often the very reasons they decided to pursue graduate studies in the first place. Our graduate students want to...

  • Be exposed to some of the best minds in their chosen field.
  • Learn as much as they can in that field.
  • Advance in their careers.

TU is in a unique position to offer our graduate students the best features of a small college and a large, comprehensive university.

Small size and close student-faculty interaction

Our graduate students are integral and vital members of research teams, and work individually with faculty members who are on the cutting edge of their fields. They also work closely with faculty members in charting their course for their graduate studies in completing their master’s or doctoral degrees.

Flexible programs and professional opportunities

TU is large enough to provide a wide variety of course offerings, faculty and professional advising, student services and extensive research opportunities.

At TU, graduate students have opportunities to participate in research, internships or practica that give them first-hand experience in a particular discipline, while also affording them opportunities to publish their findings and present their research at conferences.

Our students know what it is like to work in their field before they enter it as a professional. And in many cases, they have an offer to work in that field before they graduate.