Degree Requirements Department of Clinical Psychology, 2005/2006

Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology

PsyD – 120 Credits, or 114 with half-time internship in year 4

The PsyD Program in Clinical Psychology is a five-year, full-time program that includes the completion of a year-long internship (which may be done half-time over two years). Full-time study is defined as the completion of 30 credits within a calendar year (or 24 credits plus a half-time internship). This model provides approximately the same number of academic credits and contact hours per year as do more conventional programs in two academic semesters. In addition to 28 to 30 semester hours of classes taken on Mondays, Tuesdays, and during the week at practicum placements, students are also required to take at least two weekend courses or Supervised Independent Studies (1 weekend = 1 semester hour credit) over each program year. The requirements outlined also show how our program meets the requirements for accreditation by the American Psychological Association (APA) and our National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology (NCSPP) educational model with its seven competencies. The program’s curriculum customarily prepares students to be eligible for licensure in psychology. It remains for the student to ensure they are eligible for licensing in the specific state(s) in which they intend to practice. The program also meets the requirements for the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology, which has included the program in its list of Designated Doctoral Programs in Psychology. (The courses labeled “E” are elective.)

Relationship (NCSPP):

  • Fundamental Clinical Skills I and II (1 credit each)
  • Second Year Clinical Practicum (6 credits)
  • Third Year Clinical Practicum (6 credits)
Biological Aspects of Behavior (APA, NCSPP):

  • Biological Foundations of Clinical Psychology (2 credits)
  • 1 credit selected from the following electives:
    • Advanced Seminar: Clinical Psychopharmacology (3 credits)
    • Advanced Seminar: Clinical Neuropsychology (3 credits)
    • Clinical Psychopharmacology (1 credit)
Cognitive and Affective Aspects of Behavior (APA, NCSPP):

  • Cognitive Aspects of Behavior (3 credits)
Social Aspects of Behavior (APA, NCSPP):

  • Social Psychology and Social Responsibility (2 credits)
History and Systems of Psychology (APA, NCSPP):

  • Historical and Social Contexts of Psychology (2 credits)
Psychological Measurement (APA, NCSPP):

  • Tests and Measurements in Psychology (3 credits)
Research Methodology, Techniques of Data Analysis and Evaluating the Efficacy of Interventions (APA, NCSPP):

  • Tests and Measurements in Psychology (3 credits)
  • Research Methods and Statistics I and II (3 credits each = 6 credits)
  • Doctoral Research Seminar I, II, III, IV
    (1 credit, 1 credit, 2 credits, 2 credits = 6 credits)
Individual Differences (APA, NCSPP):

  • Personality: Theory and Assessment (3 credits)
Human Development (APA, NCSPP):

  • Psychological Development (3 credits)
Dysfunctional Behavior or Psychopathology (APA, NCSPP):

  • Psychopathology and Behavioral Disorders (3 credits)
Professional Standards and Ethics (APA, NCSPP):

  • Professional Seminar I and II: Roles and Ethical Issues (3 credits each)
Theories and Methods of Assessment and Diagnosis (APA, NCSPP):

  • Methods of Psychological Assessment I and II (3 credits each)
  • Tests and Measurements in Psychology (3 credits)
Effective Interventions (APA, NCSPP):

  • Psychotherapeutic Intervention I and II:
    Individual and Family (3 credits each)
  • Psychotherapeutic Intervention III:
    Group (2 credits)
  • Psychotherapeutic Intervention IV:
    Special Topics in Intervention (2 credits)
  • Professional Seminar III and IV:
    Case Conceptualization (3 credits each)
  • Case Conference I and II (3 credits each )
  • Second Year Clinical Practicum (6 credits)
  • Third Year Clinical Practicum (6 credits)
Consultation and Education (APA, NCSPP):

  • Consultation: Theory and Practice I and II (2 credits total)
Management and Supervision (NCSPP):

  • Public Policy, Advocacy, and Health Service Delivery (2 credits)
  • Supervision (2 credits)
  • Management (1 credit)
  • Organizational Issues (1 credit)
Cultural and Individual Diversity (APA, NCSPP):

  • Human Diversity and the Clinical Enterprise (3 credits)
A total of six 3-credit advanced seminars such as the following elective courses that have been regularly offered:
Advanced Seminar:

  • Advanced Projective Testing
  • Aftermath and Treatment of Trauma
  • Brief Psychotherapy
  • Clinical Child Psychology Psychopathology and Assessment (3 credits)
  • Clinical Neuropsychology
  • Clinical Psychopharmacology
  • Cognitive-Behavior Therapy
  • Contemporary Psychoanalytic Practice
  • Empirically Supported Treatments
  • Forensic Psychology
  • Family Therapy
  • Health Psychology
A minimum of two weekend courses or SISs per year in the program
(1 credit each)
Practicum (600 hours of approved practicum during each of the second and third years) (APA, NCSPP):

  • Second Year Clinical Practicum (6 credits)
  • Third Year Clinical Practicum (6 credits)
Professional Seminar and Case Conferences (continuous enrollment required)

  • Professional Seminar I and II:
    Roles of Psychologists and Ethical Issues (3 credits each)
  • Professional Seminar III and IV:
    Case Conceptualization (3 credits each)
  • Case Conference I and II (3 credits each)
2,000 hours of internship within twenty-four consecutive months, beginning in the fourth or fifth year.
Satisfactory performance on the Qualifying Examination with one part at the beginning and another at the end of the third academic year.
Satisfactory completion of a doctoral dissertation which demonstrates doctoral level scholarship.
Students have a maximum limit of seven years from the date of entry to complete all degree requirements, including the dissertation and internship, and 120 to 128 semester hour credits (or 114 credits minimum if a half-time internship is done in the fourth year).