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Academics » Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology

The Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology degree program consists of 122 credit hours of course work and a non-credit course in library and information use and research.  All students will earn a master’s in clinical psychology as a part of their doctoral education.  This course work consists of 98 credit hours in psychology, eighteen (18) credit hours in integrative studies, and six (6) credit hours of dissertation. Students must also complete 1,000 hours of clinical externship, pass a series of comprehensive exams, author and defend a doctoral dissertation, and complete a pre-doctoral internship. Typically students will also complete additional clinical placements in other sites outside of the Institute.

Please click here for a PDF document of the Degree Requirements and Program Curriculum.

Goals of the Psy.D in Clinical Psychology Program

Doctor of Psychology Degree Program in Clinical Psychology

The educational objectives of the Psy.D. degree program in clinical psychology include and expand on the educational objectives of the M.S. degree program in clinical psychology. Students are expected to:

• Obtain a rigorous knowledge of and appreciation for the methods and theoretical perspectives of both basic and applied clinical psychology and the contributions of these perspectives to our understanding of the human person;
• Develop a sophisticated understanding of Catholic Christian anthropology and its implications for the science and practice of psychology;
• Gain familiarity and experience in clinical interviewing and the administration and interpretation of personality and cognitive assessment instruments for purposes of diagnosis and treatment planning;
• Master fundamental clinical skills relevant to a variety of empirically-supported interventions for individuals, couples and families;
• Acquire knowledge of laws and ethical principles governing the practice of psychology;
• Accumulate the knowledge and experience necessary to pursue doctoral studies in clinical psychology;
• Acquire a sound foundational knowledge in a number of additional basic content areas of psychology including developmental psychology, social psychology, biological bases of behavior, and learning/cognition;
• Acquire knowledge and skill mastery related to conducting research, including such areas as critically reviewing the psychological literature, research design, statistical analysis, and presentation and defense of research findings;
• Develop advanced knowledge and basic mastery of skills in the areas of interviewing, diagnosis and psychological assessment;
• Develop advanced knowledge and basic mastery of clinical skills related to psychotherapy with children, adults, couples, and groups;
• Acquire a mature understanding of the ways in which Catholic personality theory can be integrated with psychology; and will be able to demonstrate this understanding in the areas of research and clinical practice.
• Acquire professional-level knowledge of ethics and legal issues relevant to the field of psychology; and will be able to apply such knowledge in the provision of clinical services.
• Upon graduation, students, possess the professional knowledge and skills required for successfully obtaining licensure, as well as serving as a foundation for a successful career; and
• Display evidence of leadership skills and accomplishment in the field of psychology.