banner image

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