The Department of Clinical Psychology is the only one of its kind in Bangladesh offering postgraduate studies (MS, MPhil, PhD) and training in clinical psychology at international standards and producing professional Clinical Psychologists for the country. With tireless efforts of the late Professor Anisur Rahman and support from Dr. Graham E. Powell, a practicing British clinical psychologist, this postgraduate 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. The motto of the Department is – “Promoting Mental Health and Well Being”.
Before establishing the Department, the study of psychology in Bangladesh went through two distinct phases of development which can be characterised as the age of philosophy (1921 – 1965) and the age of basic psychology (1966-1996). The introduction of Clinical psychology initiated the age of applied psychology (1997 onward) in Bangladesh. It also triggered the growth of other applied psychology areas and interest groups among professionals and public in Bangladesh, e.g., Educational and Counselling psychology, School psychology, Organizational psychology, and Mental Health in general.
As a key stakeholder in health andmental health, the Department works closely with government and non-government organisations (local and international) to provide service, offer training, conduct research, organise conferences (national and international), create awareness, and make policyfor improving mental health in Bangladesh and quality of life of it’s peoples.
Academic Programs
The Department offers a three and a half years integrated training 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.
Awards and Fellowship
Quinn-Hallway foundation scholarship. This is research scholarship where funding is provided for research in the area of neuropsychology
Azizunnessa Memorial Gold Medal. A gold medal awarded every year for the best scorer of MS in clinical psychology.
MPhil Research Fund. Every year the department offer one fellowship to deserving MPhil candidate for two years. It includes a monthly stipend of approximately Tk.5000. The funding money is arranged by the department though its various income generating activities.
Bilkis Jahan and Mahbubul Haque Scholarship. One student from the MS in clinical psychology will receive this scholarship. The details are currently being processed.
Dhaka University MPhil Research Fellowship. University has its own research fellowship for MPhil researchers. Students from the department of clinical psychology are among the major recipients of this fund.
Activities of the Department
The department in collaboration with Bangladesh Clinical Psychology Society (BCPS) regularly organizes large scale programs targeted to general public, professionals and academic audience. Celebrating World Mental Health Day, arranging trainings on clinical and research skills for professionals and academicians, organizing conferences are all part of regular activities of the department.
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. A sample set of admision test questions can be downloaded from
https://ssl.du.ac.bd/fontView/images/file/1635744095SampleQuestions.docx
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
Kamal Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury
Dr. Mumammad Kamruzzaman Mozumder
S.M. Abul Kalam Azad
Mosammat Nazma Khatun
Jobeda Khatun
Dr. Md. Shahanur Hossain
Farzana Akter
Dr. Parveen Huque
Part-time Faculties
Dr. A A Munib
Dr. Jhunu Shamsun Nahar
Tarun Kanti Gayen
Salma Perveen
Visiting Faculties
Dr. Graham E. Powel
Dr. David A Quinn
Dr. Glenda Fredman
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