Doctor Of Psychology Degree In Clinical Psychology (PSY.D.)

Coordinator, Jed Yalof, Psy.D., ABPP, ABSNP

The Psy.D. program in Clinical Psychology, accredited by the American Psychological Association, is grounded in the practitioner- scholar model of professional psychology. The Psy.D. program is committed to the education and training objectives for doctoral programs set forth by The American Psychological Association (APA) and has been influenced by the values of The National Council of Schools and Programs in Professional Psychology (NCSPP). Students are instructed intensively in psychotherapy, psychodiagnostics and in other areas pertinent to the practice of clinical psychology. The Psy.D. program fosters the development of research skill through coursework, independent projects under faculty direction, and dissertation. Program graduates are prepared to practice at the doctoral level, make scholarly contributions to the professional community, and take leadership positions in the mental health field. All course scheduling is done with advisement. As an evening program, the Psy.D. curriculum was developed to address the educational needs and objectives of students who are working, and whose lifestyles do not permit attendance at daytime classes.

The Psy.D. program is distinct from all other department programs in its goals, objectives, and competencies. Students work only toward the doctoral degree and do not study for a master’s degree simultaneously. Students in the Psy.D. program are referred to the Psy.D. Handbook and the Dissertation Handbook, which delineate additional aspects of the doctoral program, including philosophy, goals, competencies, curriculum, dissertation, comprehensive examination, practica, and internship.

Program Goals And Objectives

1. The Psy.D. program is committed to the goal of fostering personal growth in its student body through exposure to professional socialization, positive faculty and supervisory role models, new knowledge, and strategies for self awareness. The program’s objective is to deepen students’ appreciation for the complexity and spirit of the human condition.
2. The Psy.D. program is committed to the goal of fostering the maturation of conceptual and technical skills relevant to the delivery of clinical psychology services. The program’s objective is to provide students with a well rounded understanding of multiple models of client change and the techniques necessary to facilitate such change. The application of technique to diverse clinical settings and shorter term models is discussed in relation to client service. Students gain foundational experience in developing teaching skills by leading class discussion and seminar presentations on concepts related to clinical psychology research and practice. Students will also graduate skilled in the diagnosis of various forms of psychological disturbance and will have acquired the ability to make such diagnoses from psychological test, measures and clinical interviews.
3. The Psy.D. program is committed to the goal of nurturing a strong ethical base in its students. The objective is to provide students with an understanding of psychology ethics and professional standards of conduct. Students are taught professional ethics and standards in the classroom and through application of case material and dilemmas arising in work with supervised clients. There is also a strong commitment to teaching ethical conduct through faculty role modeling in the context of instructional, advisory, and mentoring roles and responsibilities.
4. The Psy.D. program is committed to the goal of teaching its students multiple strategies for identifying, defining, studying and analyzing research data. The program’s objective is to provide students with the skills needed to support scholarship, conduct research, and to foster a desire for systematic inquiry that complements the inquiry of clinical problems through psychotherapy and psychodiagnostic processes.
5. The Psy.D. program is committed to the goal of program diversity in a broad sense, including diversity among faculty, students and curriculum. The objective is to broaden student knowledge, sensitivity, and competence. Faculty bring uniqueness to the classroom and to their exchange with students. Students are invited to participate in identifying field sites that speak to their diverse needs. The non-discriminatory policy of the university invites individuals from all walks of life to seek admissions, teaching opportunities and supervisory roles. The range and depth of course offerings include specific courses in Human Diversity, Human Sexuality, Social Psychology, and Gender Psychology; in addition, efforts are made to integrate diversity applications throughout the curriculum.
6. The Psy.D. program is designed to move students toward state psychology license requirements. The objective is to support student attainment of a psychology license for independent practice. Course content and fieldwork lay the pre-doctoral foundation for licensure eligibility in Pennsylvania. Program graduates have passed the state licensing examination.
7. There is a strong commitment to the goal of helping students meet scheduling needs. The objective is to support degree attainment through program flexibility. Students take one to three courses each semester including a minimum of two consecutive semesters of three courses each. Courses are scheduled in a manner that allows students to meet pre-requisite needs as well as study together. The four-semester academic calendar permits flexibility and predictability in scheduling. Advisement occurs regularly in order to help students meet their short-term and long-term scheduling goals. Students have eight years to complete the requirements for the Psy.D. degree.
8. The Psy.D. program is also committed to the goal of encouraging professional exchange among students, faculty and members of the psychology community. The objective is to provide students with opportunities to dialogue with psychologists working in the field who have areas of special interest. Faculty are encouraged to make presentations at professional meetings, to publish, and to involve students in professional activities.
9. The Psy.D. program is committed to the goal of timely program review and revision. The objective is to provide students with qualified teaching faculty, and with a model of education and training that is updated, contemporary, and responsive to program needs. Students continually evaluate faculty teaching performance, are invited to evaluate field sites and are periodically surveyed about program-related matters. Program publications are reviewed at regular intervals and updated to reflect change in program direction.

Program Competencies And Expected Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students are expected to have demonstrated competency in the following areas:

1. Case conceptualization and diagnoses through application of clinical strategies for problem analysis.
2. Addressing client problems through multiple psychotherapeutic strategies.
3. Sensitivity to ethnic, gender, and racial diversity in clinical practice.
4. Understanding of the impact of clinician thoughts, feelings and behavior on client dynamics in individual, group, supervisory and consultative settings.
5. Responding from an informed ethical base that demonstrates understanding of ethical code and state law governing psychology practice.
6. Development of relevant research hypotheses and methods of problem analysis through multiple methods of research inquiry and analysis.
7. Select, administer and analyze a wide range of assessment techniques to facilitate problem understanding and recommendations.
8. Understanding of normal and atypical patterns of development and behavior across the life span of clientele, including children, adolescents, adults, and elderly clients.
9. Understanding of psychophysiological, neuropsychological and pharmacological considerations in relation to diagnostic understandings.
10. Understanding of human sexuality in relation to diversity of expression and treatment implications.
11. Understanding of historical and contemporary factors that have helped to define psychology as a scientific and professional discipline.
12. Understanding of social psychology principles that shape individual and group psychology.
13. Understanding of practice issues in the private sector.
14. Instructional skill through the organization and dissemination of clinical literature and data in conjunction with leading discussions and presentations in classroom settings and seminars.

Full-Time Requirement

Doctoral students must complete a minimum of two consecutive semesters full time (nine credits per semester) as amatriculated student at the start of the program. All courses required for the Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology must be taken at Immaculata unless waived on admission into the Psy.D. program. The department reserves the right to adjust requirements in response to program need during a catalog period.

Certificates Of Advanced Proficiency In Clinical Psychology

Students enrolled in the Psy.D. program in clinical psychology may earn an advanced proficiency certificate in one of the following four areas as part of their program of study:

• Drug and Alcohol Education and Counseling
• Psychological Testing
• Integrative Psychotherapy
• Human and Cultural Diversity
• Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
• Neuropsychological Assessment

Requirements are outlined in the Psy.D. Handbook.