Clinical Training The emphasis of the program is to train clinicians who are ethically and culturally competent. Students complete practicum experiences in the community starting in the second year. Clinical practicum experiences are available in a wide variety of inpatient and outpatient settings such as hospitals, community mental health clinics, wellness centers, health maintenance facilities, group homes, drug treatment facilities, rehabilitation centers, correctional facilities, and gerontology programs. Students complete a doctoral internship during the final year. Throughout their clinical practicum and internship experiences, students receive a comprehensive foundation in theory, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Faculty also share their unique clinical and research experiences with students, in ways that will help inform, strengthen, and complement classroom-based activities. Scholarship and Research All students receive mentoring in conceptualizing, planning, and conducting research and scholarship that furthers the development of evidence-based psychological practice. From the first semester of the program, students engage in faculty research labs. As students progress through the program, they will have the opportunity to develop independent or collaborate on research with a faculty mentor, culminating in the dissertation. Clinical Practica Requirements Clinical practicum begin in the fall of the second year. Students are expected to complete a minimum of 1800 hours of supervised clinical training, or approximately 600 hours per year for three years. Each practicum experience is designed to assist students in preparing students for the doctoral internship and moving toward achieving competence as health-service psychologists. Internship Requirements During students' final year in the Psy.D. program, they participate in a year long, full-time, supervised doctoral internship, as required by the American Psychological Association (APA). The doctoral internship affords students the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills developed during their doctoral studies under the supervision of licensed psychologist. Students are expected to participate in the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Center’s (APPIC) match program. Professional liability coverage is provided by the University as part of an umbrella policy in the amount of $2 million per occurrence and $4 million aggregate.
