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):

  1. Demonstrate the ability to select and deliver effective diagnostic and therapeutic interventions to diverse populations. 
  2. Understand and apply the biological, psychological and social bases and theories of human functioning.
  3. Be able to evaluate and use the existing and evolving body of knowledge and methods in the practice and science of psychology.
  4. Be able to demonstrate effective group leadership skills in health care or any organizational setting.

In addition to the College of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences 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 700History and Systems

3

PSYD 701Lifespan Development

3

PSYD 704Cognition and Affective Processes

3

PSYD 706Social Psychology

3

PSYD 710AProfessional Issues: Ethics, Conduct, and Law

1.5 TO 3

PSYD 710BProfessional Issues: Ethics, Conduct, and Law

1.5 TO 3

PSYD 711Professionalization Group I

0 TO 1

PSYD 712Professionalization Group II

0 TO 1

PSYD 720Statistics and Research I

3

PSYD 726Statistics, Research, and Psychometrics

3

PSYD 730Psychopathology I

3

PSYD 731Psychopathology II

1 TO 3

PSYD 736Clinical Interviewing

1.5 TO 3

PSYD 737Cognitive Assessment

3

PSYD 740Issues in the Assessment and Treatment of Diverse Populations

1 TO 3

PSYD 744Issues in the Assessment and Treatment of Diverse Populations II

1.5

PSYD 750Consultation and Supervision

3

PSYD 751Physiological Psychology

3

PSYD 760Clinical Psychopharmacology

3

PSYD 771Objective Personality Assessment

3

PSYD 772Projective Personality Assessment

3

PSYD 773Integrative Assessment

3

PSYD 801Integrative Approaches to Therapy

3

PSYD 838Interventions I

3

PSYD 839Interventions II

3

PSYD 860Group Psychotherapy

3

PSYD 871Geriatric Assessment/Introduction to Neuropsychological Screening

3

or

PSYD 875Child Assessment

3

or

PSYD 810Family and Couples Assessment

3

Note: PSYD 710A and PSYD 710B must be taken for 1.5 SH, PSYD 711 and PSYD 712 must be taken for 1 SH, and PSYD 740 must be taken for 1.5 SH.

Practicum and Seminar Requirements - 14 SH

PSYD 820Diagnostic Practicum and Seminar I

3

PSYD 821Diagnostic Practicum and Seminar II

3

PSYD 822Diagnostic Practicum & Seminar II – Extended

.5 TO 1

PSYD 823Intervention Practicum and Seminar I

1 TO 3

PSYD 824Intervention Practicum and Seminar II

1 TO 3

PSYD 825Intervention Practicum and Seminar Extended

.5 TO 1

Note: PSYD 823 and PSYD 824 must be taken for 3 SH.

Clinical Research Project Requirements - 4 SH

PSYD 850Clinical Research Project Seminar

1 TO 2

PSYD 851Clinical 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.

PSYD 805Family and Couples Therapy

3

PSYD 850Clinical Research Project Seminar

1 TO 2

PSYD 851Clinical Research Project

1 TO 3

PSYD 872Neuropsychological Assessment I

3

PSYD 873Neuropsychological Assessment II

3

PSYD 876Comprehensive Exam

0

Optional Concentrations

Students may also choose to complete one of the following Concentrations: 

Child and Adolescent Psychology
PSYD 733Child and Adolescent Psychopathology

3

PSYD 870Child Therapy

3

PSYD 875Child Assessment

3

Geropsychology
PSYD 871Geriatric Assessment/Introduction to Neuropsychological Screening

3

PSYD 877Geropsychology

3

and

PSYD 810Family and Couples Assessment

3

or

PSYD 869Human Sexuality

0 TO 3

Couples and Family Therapy
PSYD 805Family and Couples Therapy

3

PSYD 810Family and Couples Assessment

3

PSYD 868Couples and Marital Therapy

3

Neuropsychology
PSYD 871Geriatric Assessment/Introduction to Neuropsychological Screening

3

PSYD 872Neuropsychological Assessment I

3

PSYD 873Neuropsychological Assessment II

3