Clinical Psychology, PsyD

I. Core Course Work (54 cr.)

The core courses are required of all students. These courses cover several areas of psychology and provide the scientific basis for professional practice.

II. Elective Course Work/Special Proficiency: (9 cr.)

Students select advanced courses in consultation with an advisor. 

III. Practicum, Internship, and Professional Issues (30 cr.)

Students will typically register for practicum experience throughout their program with sampling from diverse settings. During the final year, a full-time professional internship emphasizing depth and long-term involvement is required.

• PSYC 920 - Professional Issues and Ethics I Credits: 1
• PSYC 921 - Professional Issues and Ethics II Credits: 1
• PSYC 922 - Professional Issues and Ethics III Credits: 1
• PSYC 976 - Introduction to Supervision & Consultation Credits: 3

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• Internal Practicum (12 cr. required):

• PSYC 971 - Therapy Clinic I Credits: 3

• or

• PSYC 972 - Therapy Clinic II Credits: 3

• or

• PSYC 973 - Assessment Clinic I Credits: 3

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• PSYC 993 - Advanced Psychological Practicum Credits: 1-21
• PSYC 994 - Internship Credits: 3

IV. Doctoral Project (9 cr.)

• PSYC 995 - Doctoral Dissertation Credits: 3-9

V. Comprehensive Academic and Professional Examinations (0 cr.)

Each year, an evaluation of clinical and professional competence will be made. This evaluation data will be shared with the student as feedback, and a joint effort will be made to remediate any deficiencies.

Students must also pass a preliminary examination and a research proficiency evaluation covering basic knowledge appropriate for a professional psychologist.

The Clinical Proficiency Evaluation is completed during the third year on campus. Students present assessment and therapy work samples to a committee of faculty members.

Satisfactory performance on both the preliminary examination and the professional evaluations must be achieved before candidacy for the doctorate will be recommended. Serious deficiencies may result in recommendations for remedial work, reexamination, delay of candidacy, or termination from the program.

VI. Master’s and Doctoral Candidacy

Students will routinely obtain the master’s degree en route to the doctorate. Requirements for candidacy for the MA degree include the successful completion of 24 credits of approved graduate course work with a grade point average of 3.0 and the recommendation of the Clinical Training Committee based on satisfactory academic and professional evaluations. The 54 credits for the MA must include nine hours of practicum and 45 hours of the core course work of the PsyD degree.

The candidacy for the PsyD will be awarded following the completion of all MA requirements plus a minimum of an additional nine credits, successful performance on the preliminary examination and research proficiency evaluation, and satisfactory annual academic and professional evaluations. A grade point average of 3.0 is required for candidacy.

VII. Transfer of Graduate Credit

Applicants who have completed course work at other institutions may request transfer of credit. A maximum of 36 semester hours of credit may be approved. A portion, but not all, of the practicum requirements may be transferred for equivalent supervised experience.

VIII. Progression through the Program

All students complete a Plan of Study, which will include a detailed semester-by-semester outline of proposed course work and completion dates for exams, doctoral project, and internship. All requirements must be completed within seven years. No classes are offered online.

Other Policies

The Psychology Department has established guidelines for the registration and completion of the doctoral project, academic good standing, full-time student status, an appeals process, and other academic matters. These guidelines are explained in the Psychology Graduate Student Handbook.