PhD in Clinical Psychology: Program Courses

Note: Curriculum and course availability are subject to change.

The PhD program is a full-time program and requires a minimum of three years in residence. The program is structured to be completed in five years: three years for academic coursework, one year for the dissertation and one year for internship.

The program of study for the PhD is informed by the American Psychological Association’s (APA’s) guidelines for doctoral education in clinical psychology and emphasizes the integration of scientific research and clinical practices. The PhD program includes intensive study in five areas: Basic theoretical concepts in psychology, research, psychological evaluation, psychotherapy theory and process, and clinical foundations and field experience. In addition, students have the opportunity to focus a minimum of 18 units of elective course work in specific areas of interest. The five areas of required courses are:

Psychological Science Foundation

Graduate course work in psychological theory provides a firm grounding in scientific psychology and places current theory and research in the larger context of the history of psychology as a discipline. The curriculum examines human behavior from many perspectives. Courses address the biological, cognitive, and affective bases of behavior, social and cultural influences on human development and behavior, individual differences, as well as the psychology of multi-cultural and special interest groups. The graduate courses required in this area are:

Course		Units
PSYS800	Psychological Sciences I: History & Systems	3
PSYS801	Psychological Sciences I: Child & Adolescent Development	1.5
PSYS802	Psychological Sciences I: Cognitive Bases of Behavior I	2.5
PSYS804	Psychological Sciences II: Affective Bases of Behavior I	2.5
PSYS805	Psychological Science II: Bio-Bases I: Biological Psychology	2.5
PSYS807	Psychological Sciences III: Adult Development & Aging	1.5
PSYS809	Psychological Science III: Bio Bases of Behavior II: Psychopharmacology	2.5
PSYS811	Psychological Science III: Social & Personality Psychology	3
CLIN825	Prof. Standards in Clinical Psychology I: Identity, Discipline, Culture	1
CLIN826	Prof. Standards in Clinical Psych.II: Practicum Prep. & Advising	1
CLIN827	Prof. Standards in Clinical Psych.III: Internship Prep. & Advising	1
CLDV800	Cultural Differences: Cross-Cultural Issues in Psychology	3
Total		25

Research

Course work in both quantitative and qualitative research methods and statistics prepares students to critically evaluate current research and to undertake dissertation research. After successfully completing the Research Methods and Statistics courses in the first year, students are required to pass the Research Competency Examination.

Participation in small faculty-led research labs involves students in ongoing research projects, facilitates development of mentoring relationships, and assists students in dissertation planning. Six consecutive quarters of research lab participation (generally taken in the second and third academic years) are required. Dissertation units are typically completed during the fourth academic year. The graduate courses required in this area are:

Course		Units
MTHD808	Research Methods and Statistics I	4
STAT809	Research Methods and Statistics II	4
STAT810	Research Methods and Statistics III	4
RSGP8xx	Research Lab	6
DISS800	Dissertation	30
Total		48

Psychological Evaluation

The curriculum in psychological evaluation and assessment includes basic concepts in psychopathology and clinical diagnosis, theoretical bases of testing and test construction, and practical training and experience in the administration, scoring and interpretation of tests. Psychopathology course work (ASMT800, ASMT818, and ASMT819) is usually completed in the first year, while psychological assessment courses (ASMT800, ASMT826, and ASMT815) are completed in year two. Demonstration of competency in Psychopathology and Psychodiagnostics is measured by passing grades on all three courses (i.e., B- or above) and is included in the Clinical Competency, a requirement prior to starting Practicum 2 at The Gronowski Center. Demonstration of Assessment Competency is measured by achieving passing grades (i.e., B- or above) on all three required courses. The graduate courses required in this area are:

Course		Units
ASMT800	Psychopathology and Psychodiagnostics I*	3
ASMT818	Psychopathology and Psychodiagnostics II: Child and Adolescent Disorders*	1.5
ASMT 819	Psychopathology and Psychodiagnostics II: Personality Disorders*	1.5
ASMT810	Psychometric Theory	4
ASMT809	Intellectual Assessment	4
ASMT826	Assessment of Psychopathology	3
ASMT815	Assessment of Personality	3
Total		20

Psychotherapy Theory and Process

The curriculum in psychotherapy theory and process requires the completion of five courses that survey a variety of theoretical perspectives, clinical orientations, and treatment modalities. These courses are generally completed during the first and second academic years. The graduate courses required in this area are:

Course		Units
CLIN800	Ethics in Clinical Psychology*	3
CLIN801	Clinical Interviewing *	3
CLIN802	Introduction to Psychotherapy: Evidence Based Approaches*	3
CLIN803	Psychodynamic Psychotherapy I	3
CLIN806	Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy I	3
CLIN809	Introduction to Child, Adolescent, and Family Psychotherapy	3
CLIN896	Supervision, Consultation and Program Evaluation	3
Total		21

Classes marked with an asterisk (*) contribute to the demonstration of Clinical Competency and must be passed by a grade of B- or better prior to starting Practicum 2 at the Gronowski Center.

Clinical Practice

After passing the clinical courses in first year, students begin practicum. These practica provide diverse training opportunities integrating academic skills with experiential learning and preparing students for a full clinical internship in year five. The initial clinical practicum experience takes place in The Gronowski Center, PAU’s own outpatient community clinic, under the direct supervision of the school’s faculty. Student are required to complete 24 practicum units before advancement to candidacy, accumulating nine units in Practicum 2A, 2B, and 2C at The Gronowski Center and fifteen units in the third year in Practicum 3A, 3B, and 3C at one of many external practicum sites approved for PAU PhD students.

The graduate courses required in this area are:

Course		Units
PRAC800	Clinic Practicum 2A	3
PRAC801	Clinic Practicum 2B	3
PRAC802	Clinic Practicum 2C	3
PRAC804	Practicum 3A	5
PRAC805	Practicum 3B	5
PRAC806	Practicum 3C	5
PRAC830	Practicum Forum	0
INTR800	Pre-Doctoral Internship	12
Total		36

Elective Courses

In addition to the required course work detailed above, PhD students must complete a minimum number of 18 units of electives, but may choose to take more. These elective units may be focused in a particular area of emphasis (depth of training) or may be used to gain additional training in a variety of areas (breadth of training).

Course		Units
ASMT830	Forensic Assessment	3
ASMT841	Child Assessment	3
ASMT850	Assessment and Treatment of Trauma in Adults	3
ASMT851	Trauma in Children and Adolescents	3
ASMT860	Neuropsychological Assessment I	3
ASMT861	Neuropsychological Assessment II	3
ASMT862	Clinical Neuropsychology I	3
ASMT863	Clinical Neuropsychology II	3
ASMT864	Neuroanatomy & Neuroimaging	3
ASMT865	Cognitive Rehabilitation	2
CLIN807	Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy II	3
CLIN810	Transdiagnostic Approach to Child and Family Psychotherapy	3
CLIN823	Evidence-Based Internet Intervention	3
CLIN830	Advanced Ethical and Professional Issues in Forensic Psychology	3
CLIN831	Forensic Psychology I	3
CLIN832	Forensic Psychology II	3
CLIN833	Advanced Forensic Psychology Seminar	3
CLIN835	Supervision, Administration, and Management in Behavioral Health	3
CLIN838	LGBTQ	3
CLIN839	Substance Use and Addictive Disorders	3
CLIN845	Family Therapy I: Family Systems Therapy	3
CLIN848	Developmental Psychopathology I: Conception to Pubescence	3
CLIN849	Developmental Psychopathology II: Adolescent through Emerging Adulthood	3
CLIN851	Health Psychology I	3
CLIN852	Health Psychology II	3
CLIN855	Pediatric Mental Health: Chronic Illness	3
CLIN859	Clinical Emergencies: Suicidal Patient	3
CLIN860	A Survey Course on Trauma: Assessment & Treatment Considerations	3
CLIN864	Foundations of Clinical Trauma Psychology	3
CLIN865	Treatment of Trauma in Adults	3
CLIN866	Treatment of Trauma in Children and Adolescents	3
CLIN867	Substance Use Disorder and Treatment in Adolescents	3
CLIN868	Professional Issues in Clinical Child Psychology	3
CLIN880	Community Mental Health I	3
CLIN881	Community Mental Health II	3
CLIN882	Serious Mental Health Illness and Risk Management	3
CLIN883	Mental Health Disparities	2
CLIN884	Introduction to Global Mental Health	3
PSYS820	Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Seminar	3
DISS805	Dissertation Prep	0
PSYS835	Psychology of Mindfulness and Meditation	3
STAT825	Structural Equation Modeling	3
STAT 820	Bayesian Statistics	3
	Grand Rounds Speaker: Neuropsychology	0

Other Electives

Course		Units
PRAC803	Clinic Practicum 2D	0
PRAC807	Practicum 3D	0
PRAC809	Practicum 4A	0
PRAC811	Practicum 4B	0
PRAC814	Practicum 4C	0
PRAC808	Practicum 4D	0
PRAC815	Supplemental Practicum Training	0
PRAC819	Practicum Electives	0
	Independent Study	Variable 1 - 6
	Special Topics in Psychology	3

Total PhD Course Unit Summary

	Units
Psychological Theory	25
Research	48
Psychological Evaluation	20
Psychotherapy Theory and Process	21
Clinical Practice	36
Electives	18
Total	168

Free Continuing Education Courses for all Students

Students in all programs are encouraged to supplement their curriculum with courses from PAU's Continuing and Professional Studies Division. This extensive catalog of on-demand courses is free to students!

Continuing & Professional Studies Forensic Courses Counseling Practice and Essentials