Clinical Psychology, Psy.D. - Florida School of Professional Psychology
The primary purpose of the Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology degree program is to educate and train students in the major aspects of clinical practice. To help ensure that students are prepared adequately, the curriculum integrates theory, training, research, and practice, preparing students to work with a wide range of populations in need of psychological services and in a broad range of roles.
The Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology degree program combines relevant research, applied theory, and field experience and is designed to prepare the graduate to apply psychological knowledge in a variety of settings and roles.
In addition to the prescribed coursework, the required curriculum for all students includes practicum field experiences and an internship. To complete the doctoral program successfully, students must demonstrate competency in a number of specific foundational, clinical, conceptual, and professional skills.
Graduates are trained in the science and practice of psychology, and are able to apply the clinical skills of observation, assessment, intervention, and evaluation to help different segments of our ever-changing society. The areas of competency are modeled, in part, after those specified by the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology and the standards of the American Psychological Association. Completing the clinical psychology program indicates that the recipient has mastered the fundamental academic and experiential elements of clinical psychology.
For more information on state licensure and certification information please visit NLU’s Public Disclosures page.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):
- Demonstrate the ability to select and deliver effective diagnostic and therapeutic interventions to diverse populations.
- Understand and apply the biological, psychological and social bases and theories of human functioning.
- Be able to evaluate and use the existing and evolving body of knowledge and methods in the practice and science of psychology.
- Be able to demonstrate effective group leadership skills in health care or any organizational setting.
In addition to the College of Professional Studies and Advancement Graduate Admission Requirements, applicants must:
- Submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Submit a personal/ professional goal statement with a self-appraisal of qualifications for the profession
- Submit a minimum of three professional letters of recommendation, addressing topics/questions as established and periodically revised by the faculty. Letters of recommendation must be written by individuals who know the candidate from an academic or professional perspective and are able to comment on the candidate’s capacity for undertaking graduate studies.
- Complete an interview with members of the program Admissions Committee
- Have successfully completed a minimum of five undergraduate courses, with a grade of "B" or better, that serve as a basic foundation for coursework in clinical psychology. Several of these courses serve as direct prerequisites to the Florida School of Professional Psychology courses. The following three courses are required:
- Introduction to psychology or general psychology (may be waived if the applicant has completed a Bachelors or Masters degree in Psychology or related mental health field)
- Abnormal, psychopathology, or maladaptive behavior
- Statistics or research methods
- Two additional courses in the field of psychology
Note: All applicants are automatically admitted to both degrees, M.A. and Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology, if admission criteria are met and acceptance by the Program Admission’s Committee is granted. Undergraduate students who apply for the Psy.D. degree, can choose to be considered for acceptance into the M.A. program if not granted acceptance into the Psy.D. program. Those students who are offered admittance into the M.A. program in place of the Psy.D. program can re-apply for the Psy.D. program during year two of the M.A. program. For Psy.D. Admission, an undergraduate degree grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) or a conferred graduate degree grade point average of 3.25 (on a scale of 4.0) is required.
Program Details:
- Requires 98 SH for completion, including practicum and concentration hours (if student chooses to complete a concentration)
- Requires successful completion of the Comprehensive Examination
- Requires successful completion of all sections of the Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation (CCE) – Diagnostic and Intervention
- Requires successful completion of a one-year, 2000 hour, full-time pre-doctoral internship
- Requires successful completion and defense of the Clinical Research Project
- Requires completion of all core courses with a grade of "B" or better with an overall program GPA no lower than 3.0 on a scale of 4.0
- Requires completion of all program requirements within seven years of matriculation into the program
- Students may transfer a maximum of 30 semester hours of graduate level degree coursework, certain rules apply
Required Courses
Core Courses - 71 SH
| PSYD 700 | History and Systems | 3 |
| PSYD 701 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| PSYD 704 | Cognition and Affective Processes | 3 |
| PSYD 706 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSYD 710A | Professional Issues: Ethics, Conduct, and Law | 1.5 TO 3 |
| PSYD 710B | Professional Issues: Ethics, Conduct, and Law | 1.5 TO 3 |
| PSYD 711 | Professionalization Group I | 0 TO 1 |
| PSYD 712 | Professionalization Group II | 0 TO 1 |
| PSYD 720 | Statistics and Research I | 3 |
| PSYD 726 | Statistics, Research, and Psychometrics | 3 |
| PSYD 730 | Psychopathology I | 3 |
| PSYD 731 | Psychopathology II | 1 TO 3 |
| PSYD 736 | Clinical Interviewing | 1.5 TO 3 |
| PSYD 737 | Cognitive Assessment | 3 |
| PSYD 740 | Issues in the Assessment and Treatment of Diverse Populations | 1 TO 3 |
| PSYD 744 | Issues in the Assessment and Treatment of Diverse Populations II | 1.5 |
| PSYD 750 | Consultation and Supervision | 3 |
| PSYD 751 | Physiological Psychology | 3 |
| PSYD 760 | Clinical Psychopharmacology | 3 |
| PSYD 771 | Objective Personality Assessment | 3 |
| PSYD 772 | Projective Personality Assessment | 3 |
| PSYD 773 | Integrative Assessment | 3 |
| PSYD 801 | Integrative Approaches to Therapy | 3 |
| PSYD 838 | Interventions I | 3 |
| PSYD 839 | Interventions II | 3 |
| PSYD 860 | Group Psychotherapy | 3 |
| PSYD 871 | Geriatric Assessment/Introduction to Neuropsychological Screening | 3 |
| | or | |
| PSYD 875 | Child Assessment | 3 |
| | or | |
| PSYD 810 | Family and Couples Assessment | 3 |
Practicum and Seminar Requirements - 14 SH
| PSYD 820 | Diagnostic Practicum and Seminar I | 3 |
| PSYD 821 | Diagnostic Practicum and Seminar II | 3 |
| PSYD 822 | Diagnostic Practicum & Seminar II ? Extended | .5 TO 1 |
| PSYD 823 | Intervention Practicum and Seminar I | 1 TO 3 |
| PSYD 824 | Intervention Practicum and Seminar II | 1 TO 3 |
| PSYD 825 | Intervention Practicum and Seminar Extended | .5 TO 1 |
Clinical Research Project Requirements - 4 SH
| PSYD 850 | Clinical Research Project Seminar | 1 TO 2 |
| PSYD 851 | Clinical Research Project | 1 TO 3 |
Note:
PSYD 851 must be taken for a total of 3 SH.
Electives - 9 SH
Students are required to complete 9 SH of advanced skills elective coursework listed below, 3 SH can be used for additional practicum experience.
Optional Concentrations
Students may also choose to complete one of the following Concentrations:
Child and Adolescent Psychology
Geropsychology
| PSYD 871 | Geriatric Assessment/Introduction to Neuropsychological Screening | 3 |
| PSYD 877 | Geropsychology | 3 |
| | and | |
| PSYD 810 | Family and Couples Assessment | 3 |
| | or | |
| PSYD 869 | Human Sexuality | 0 TO 3 |
Couples and Family Therapy
Neuropsychology
| PSYD 871 | Geriatric Assessment/Introduction to Neuropsychological Screening | 3 |
| PSYD 872 | Neuropsychological Assessment I | 3 |
| PSYD 873 | Neuropsychological Assessment II | 3 |