Curriculum
This is an example. Please note that the most current and official curriculum information is found in our Course Catalog.
The Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology is comprised of 120 credit hours. Course sequence is an alternate way of viewing program degree requirements by program year.
| Course | Description | Category |
|---|---|---|
| SCIENTIFIC FOUNDATIONS | ||
| PSYC 721 | History and Systems of Psychology. A study of the history of psychology, with particular emphasis upon understanding contemporary thought in the philosophy of science, and its implications for our understanding of the history and current status of the discipline. (3) | Requirement |
| PSYC 753 | Psychopathology. Doctoral-level examination of the categorization, diagnosis, etiology, and maintenance of abnormal behavior. (3) | Requirement |
| PSYC 754 | Biological Bases of Behavior. Covers the core knowledge in the biological bases of behavior for the practicing psychologist. (3) | Requirement |
| PSYC 755 | Cognition and Emotion. Examines contemporary perspectives on thought, memory, emotion, and other higher mental processes. Prerequisite: PSYC 754. (3) | Requirement |
| PSYC 773 | Lifespan Development. Development throughout the lifespan from infancy through old age; focus on prominent developmental theories; protective and risk factors in atypical development. (3) | Requirement |
| PSYC 774 | Advanced Social Psychology. Advanced topics of relevance to understanding human behavior in its social context. (3) | Requirement |
| PSYC 837 | Developmental Psychopathology. A foundational course providing an overview of developmental clinical child psychology.Emphasis will be given to an understanding of theology and developmental theories and research in relation to child psychopathology and clinical practice. (3) | Elective |
| PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT | ||
| PSYC 743 | Psychological Assessment I: Cognitive Foundations. An examination of the history of testing, and basic measurement theory and psychometrics. Includes exposure to the theory of intellectual and educational assessment with children and adults, and development of skills in administration, scoring, and interpretation of intellectual tests. (3) | Requirement |
| PSYC 744 | Psychological Assessment II: Personality Foundations. An examination of the theory and practice of personality assessment with children and adults. Covers objective and projective assessment methods, and development of skills in administration, scoring, and interpretation of these instruments. Prerequisite: PSYC 743. (3) | Requirement |
| PSYC 745 | Psychological Assessment III: Integrative Assessment. A clinical skill course focusing on the development of competency in integrative report writing, including the synthesis of testing data and information. Includes coverage of cultural issues in testing, interviewing and screening approaches, and the formulation of diagnosis and recommendations for intervention. Prerequisites: PSYC 743 and 744. (1) | Requirement |
| PSYC 843 | Neuropsychological Assessment.　Introduction to theory and practice of domain based assessment of cognitive functioning, its behavioral correlates, and relationship to underlying brain structure. (3) | Elective |
| PSYC 844 | Child Psychological Assessment.　A clinical skill course focusing on the administration, scoring, and interpretation of child psychological assessment strategies. Specific developmental considerations in assessment of this population will be examined. (3) | Elective |
| APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY RESEARCH | ||
| PSYC 746 | Research and Statistics I.　An introduction to statistical methodology, with an emphasis on cultivating students' basic conceptual understanding of statistics and research methods, as well as foundational skills in conducting analyses and participation in a research team. This includes exposure to parametric, non-parametric, and multivariate statistical approaches to data analysis. (3) | Requirement |
| PSYC 747 | Research and Statistics II: Analysis.　An introduction to research design which includes quantitative statistical research designs, with an emphasis on establishing a strong conceptual framework for understanding the range of research designs and how to select or match a design to research question/problem. Program evaluation methodology is also included. (3) | Requirement |
| PSYC 748 | Research and Statistics III: Data Interpretation & Qualitative Analysis.　An introduction to basic approaches of qualitative analysis and a focus on interpretation and reporting of qualitative data. Prerequisites:　PSYC 746 and PSYC 747.　(3) | Elective |
| PSYC 761 | Research Lab I. Research Lab I is the formal mechanism by which students' involvement in original empirical research is formulated and guided. The Research Lab 1 is the first of a formal academic sequence involving statistical analysis, research design and research application in a clinical context. Participation in the Research Lab I will help students' to build the necessary skills to generate and evaluate original research. The research lab supports dissertation process as part of the research and statistics sequence. (1) | Requirement |
| PSYC 762 | Research Lab II. Research Lab II is the formal mechanism by which students' involvement in original empirical research is formulated and guided. The Research Lab II is the second of a formal academic sequence involving statistical analysis, research design and research application. Participation in the Research Lab II will help students' to build the necessary skills to generate and evaluate original research. The research lab supports dissertation process as part of the research and statistics sequence. (1) | Requirement |
| PSYC 763 | Research Lab III. Research Lab III is the formal mechanism by which students' involvement in original empirical research is formulated and guided. The Research Lab III is the third of a formal academic sequence involving statistical analysis, research design and research application. Participation in the Research Lab III will help students' to build the necessary skills to generate and evaluate original research. The research lab supports dissertation process as part of the research and statistics sequence.(1) | Requirement |
| PSYC 764 | Research Lab IV. Research Lab IV is the formal mechanism by which students' involvement in original empirical research is formulated and guided. The Research Lab IV is the fourth of a formal academic sequence involving statistical analysis, research design and research application. Participation in the Research Lab IV will help students' to build the necessary skills to generate and evaluate original research. The research lab supports dissertation process as part of the research and statistics sequence. (1) | Requirement |
| CLINICAL DISSERTATION | ||
| PSYC 898 | Clinical Dissertation.　Degree requires a total of ten credits for the clinical dissertation. (1, 2, 3, 4) (13 credits total required for degree) | Requirement |
| PSYC 899 | Clinical Dissertation Continuation - FT.　(Full-time). (0) | Other |
| PSYC 899 | Clinical Dissertation Continuation - PT.　(Part-time). (0) | Other |
| ETHICAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT | ||
| PSYC 714 | Professional Development and Ethics I.　An introduction to the practice of professional psychology, and to the ethical, legal, and professional issues confronting psychologists. Emphasis will be on fostering students’ knowledge of the profession’s ethics code and guidelines and on developing professional goals and behaviors. Special attention will be paid to the integration of Christian faith in accordance with the program’s mission statement. (3) | Requirement |
| PSYC 782 | Clinical Supervision and Consultation.　Introduction to practice of effective supervision and training of mental health professionals and the skills needed to provide consultations with other professionals and organizations. Prerequisites:PSYC 796 – Practica I & II (3) | Requirement |
| CLINICAL TRAINING | ||
| PSYC 716 | Basic Clinical Interviewing Skills.　A doctoral level skill course in clinical interviewing strategies and challenges will providing requisite foundational skills to the work of a clinical psychologist. (3) | Requirement |
| PSYC 795 | Practicum Seminar I, II, III, IV. A seminar group designed to facilitate the personal, professional, and spiritual formation of doctoral students who are concurrently in practica placements. Required attendance at both individual and group meetings. Required with PSYC 796. Graded pass/fail. (1 credit each) | Requirement |
| PSYC 796 | Practica I, II, III, IV.　A doctoral-level practicum covering assessment, treatment planning, case management, and psychotherapeutic intervention. (2 credits each) | Requirement |
| PSYC 798 | Practicum V/VI. An advanced doctoral-level practicum covering assessment, treatment planning, case management, and psychotherapeutic intervention. Prerequisite: eight credit hours of　PSYC 796. Graded pass/fail. (0) | Other |
| PSYC 881 | Advanced Practicum I.　This advanced clinical experience emphasizes the development of assessment, diagnosis and intervention through supervised practice at a variety of field settings. Concurrent enrollment in PSYC 882 - Advanced Practicum Seminar I. Meetings include didactic learning, case presentations and team meetings. Prerequisites: eight credit hours of PSYC 796 and 4 credits of PSYC 797. Graded pass/fail. (2). | Requirement |
| PSYC 882 | Advanced Practicum Seminar I. This seminar supporting advanced clinical experiences emphasizes the development of assessment, diagnosis and intervention through supervised practice at a variety of field settings. Concurrent enrollment in PSYC 881 - Advanced Practicum I. Meetings include didactic learning, case presentations and team meetings. Prerequisites: eight credit hours of PSYC 796 and 4 credits of PSYC 797. Graded pass/fail. (1) | Requirement |
| PSYC 883 | Advanced Practicum II. This advanced clinical experience emphasizes the development of assessment, diagnosis and intervention through supervised practice at a variety of field settings. Concurrent enrollment in PSYC 884 - Advanced Practicum Seminar II. Prerequisites: PSYC 881. Graded pass/fail. (1) | Requirement |
| PSYC 884 | Advanced Practicum Seminar II. This seminar supporting advanced clinical experiences emphasizes the development of assessment, diagnosis and intervention through supervised practice at a variety of field settings. Concurrent enrollment in PSYC 883 - Advanced Practicum II. Meetings include didactic learning, case presentations and team meetings. Prerequisites: PSYC 881 and PSYC 882. Graded pass/fail. (1) | Requirement |
| PSYC 891 | Advanced Clerkship I. Supervised advanced clinical experience in an approved setting. Prerequisites: eight credit hours of PSYC 796 and PSYC 881 - 884. Attendance at Grand Rounds is required. Graded pass/fail. (0) | Other |
| PSYC 892 | Advanced Clerkship II.　Supervised advanced clinical experience in an approved setting. Prerequisites: eight credit hours of　PSYC 796　and 881-884　and 2 semesters of　PSYC 891. Attendance at Grand Rounds required. Graded pass/fail. (0) | Other |
| PSYC 896 | Clinical Internship.　Degree requires registration in this course for two semesters and one summer. Graded pass/fail. (0) | Requirement |
| INTEGRATION OF CHRISTIAN FAITH & CLINICAL PRACTICE | ||
| PSYC 701 | Foundations of Integration. A course in which an understanding of social, cultural, and spiritual context is developed to facilitate an integrated view of the person and of mental health practice. Emphases include historical, philosophical, theological perspectives, application of faith practice integration to the treatment of marginalized populations and service to the church worldwide. Prerequisites: PSYC 714 (3) | Requirement |
| PSYC 731 | Spirituality I. An introduction to spiritual formation and spiritual practices for developing clinical psychologists in the Christian tradition. This course will focus on spiritual practices and disciplines important to developing the relationship between human beings and a triune God. (1) | Requirement |
| PSYC 732 | Spirituality II. The second course in a sequence intended for spiritual formation and spiritual practices for developing clinical psychologists in the Christian tradition. This course will focus on spiritual practices and disciplines important to self-care. (1) | Requirement |
| PSYC 733 | Spirituality III. The third course in a sequence intended for spiritual formation and spiritual practices for developing clinical psychologists in the Christian tradition. This course will focus on spiritual practices and disciplines relevant to healthy community. (1) | Requirement |
| PSYC 734 | Spirituality IV. The fourth and final course in a sequence intended for spiritual formation and spiritual practices for developing clinical psychologists in the Christian tradition. This course emphasizes spiritual practices and disciplines focusing on Biblical justice . (1) | Requirement |
| BITH 561 | Theological Anthropology. A theological examination of the nature of persons with special reference to issues raised by modern philosophy and psychology. (2) | Requirement |
| BITH 565 | Christian Theology.　An introduction to the methods of systematic theology and the major topics within the biblical revelation. Special attention is given to the rationale for these Christian doctrines, their systematic interconnections, as well as their development within the history of Christian thought, and their contemporary challenges. (4) | Requirement |
| BITH 566 or BITH 576 | Foundations for Biblical Interpretation.　A survey of the principles, methods, and issues of biblical and theological interpretation in the past and present. Intended for students in non-theological disciplines, as well as for those in Biblical and Theological studies who have limited theological preparation. (4) or History of Christianity to 1900.　An introduction to the history of Christianity from the age of the apostles through the nineteenth century. The course addresses the development of institutions, doctrines, and interactions with culture. It is divided into approximately equal sections on the early church, the church in the middle ages, the era of the reformation, and the period 1600-1900. (4) |
Requirement |
| BITH 622 | Theological and Religious Issues in Psychotherapy.　A study of the religious issues that are confronted in psychotherapy, with an emphasis on the practical clinical applications and implications of Christian theology. The role of the psychologist as a healer and minister of grace will be considered, as well as topics such as sin and evil, confession, redemption, forgiveness, and the use of prayer and Scripture. (For Psy.D. students or with permission of instructor and department chair.) (2) | Requirement |
| PSYC 861 | Spiritual Direction and Care of the Soul.　An introduction to the contemporary and classical literature and traditions of Christian spirituality and spiritual direction and their relevance to the helping professions. The spiritual life and the church's tradition of soul care is addressed/explored. (3) | Elective |
| INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOTHERAPIES | ||
| PSYC 736 | Cognitive-Behavioral Theory and Practice. A core theory and clinical skill course in the cognitive-behavioral tradition. Covers the range of topics from traditional behavior modification to social-cognitive and cognitive views as well as third-wave therapies. (3) | Requirement |
| PSYC 737 | Psychoanalytic and Contemporary Psychodynamic Theory and Practice.　A core theory and clinical skill course in the psychodynamic tradition. Covers the range of topics from classical psychoanalysis through contemporary object-relations, self psychological, and relational psychoanalytic views. (3) | Requirement |
| CHILD, ADOLESCENT, COUPLE & FAMILY PSYCHOTHERAPIES | ||
| PSYC 738 | Family Systems Theory and Therapy.　A core theory and clinical skill course in the family systems tradition. An overview of the major approaches to family therapy with an emphasis on developmental and systemic models, and development of family assessment, conceptualization, and intervention skills. Prerequisites:　PSYC 716,　PSYCH 736,　PSYC 737. (3) | Requirement |
| PSYC 833 | Couple Therapy.　A core theory and clinical skill course in the field of couple therapy. Covers a range of views including the behavioral, family systems, and psychodynamic. Prerequisite:　PSYC 738.(3) | Elective |
| PSYC 838 | Advanced Couple and Family Therapy.　An advanced seminar focusing on integrative models of couple and family therapy with a special emphasis on issues of ethnicity and gender. Students will develop the skills important in working with multiproblem couples and families. Students will also be introduced to models of couple and family supervision. Open to both M.A. and Psy.D. Clinical Psychology students. Prerequisites: Psy.D. PSYC 738, PSYC 833; M.A. CMHC 633, 636. (3) | Elective |
| PSYC 845 | Child & Adolescent Interventions.　A clinical skills course introducing students to evidence-based intervention strategies targeting commonly seen diagnoses in children and adolescents. Developmental, cultural, and familial considerations in treatment are emphasized. Prerequisites:　PSYC 716, 736, 737. (3) | Elective |
| PSYC 849 | Sexuality and Sex Therapy.　An advanced elective introducing the student to the assessment and treatment of sexual dysfunction using a biopsychosocial model. Open to both M.A. and Psy.D. Clinical Psychology students. (3) | Elective |
| SPECIAL POPULATIONS | ||
| PSYC 717 | Class, Gender, Race, Religion & Sexual Identity.　An introduction to the diverse populations psychologists serve and the clinical competencies necessary for effective psychologists. (3) | Requirement |
| PSYC 739 | Community and Preventive Psychology.　An examination of community and interpersonal factors causing and maintaining psychological dysfunction and well-being. Studies the preventive modes of mental health intervention. (3) | Requirement |
| PSYC 846 | Geropsychology.　 Assessment and treatment of older adults and associated issues, including neuropsychological assessment and different diagnosis. Open to both M.A. and Psy.D. Clinical Psychology students. (3) | Elective |
| CLINICAL SUBSPECIALTIES | ||
| PSYC 850 | Collaborative Psychological Practice in Primary Care. An advanced clinical course introducing students to the role of the mental health professional in the primary health context. Diagnostic, intervention and interdisciplinary consultation skills necessary for effective practice in fast-paced, high-volume interdisciplinary healthcare settings are taught with an emphasis on Motivational Interviewing and brief interventions for change. Contextual focus is placed on the value of collaborative approaches with underserved communities and populations. (3) | Elective |
| PSYC 851 | Substance Abuse.　A survey of basic issues surrounding the conceptualization, etiology, progression, assessment, and treatment of chemical abuse, dependence, and addiction, including the study of the family of the chemically dependent individual. (3) | Elective |
| PSYC 853 | Behavioral Medicine and Health Psychology.　 A contemporary theory and practice course exploring the relationship of psychological and behavioral change in relation to medical and other health-related matters. Prerequisite:　PSYC 754. (3) | Elective |
| PSYC 893 | Seminar: Advanced Topics in Clinical Psychology.　Advanced topics in clinical psychology presented and discussed in a two-full-day seminar. Readings required prior to attendance. Graded pass/fail. Open to both M.A. and Psy.D. Clinical Psychology students. Program limit: M.A. 4 hours; Psy.D. 12 hours including PSYC 895 hours. (1) | Elective |
| MILESTONES | ||
| PSYC 991 | Comprehensive Exam.　Objective written comprehensive exam – the 1st qualifying exam. Pass/fail. Prerequisites:　PSYC 714,　715,　716,　717,　721,　731, 732, 736, 737,　738,　739,　743,　744,　745,　746,　747,　　753,　754,　755,　773,　774, (0) | Requirement |
| PSYC 992 | Professional Qualifying Exam (PQE).　Professional clinical qualifying exam – the 2nd qualifying exam. Pass/fail. Prerequisites:　PSYC 991　unless petitioned to Psy.D. Program Clinical Training Committee. (0) | Requirement |
| PSYC 993 | Clinical Dissertation Proposal.　Clinical Dissertation Proposal defense. Pass/fail. Prerequisites:　PSYC 991. (0) | Requirement |
