The Institute
About the Institute
Vision
The Institute for the Psychological Sciences will be an international scholarly center dedicated to the development of a psychology grounded in the integral view of the human person. Maintaining the highest academic standards it will educate new generations of psychologists and open new areas of research for psychological theories that explore the relationship of psychology and the Christian understanding of the human person.
Mission
The Institute for the Psychological Sciences, an institution of higher education offering Master’s and Doctoral degrees, affiliated with the Legionaries of Christ, is dedicated to the renewal of the Christian intellectual tradition and the development of a psychology consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church and in constructive dialogue with the modern world.
The Institute seeks to provide an effective academic and educational environment that supports the integration of the psychological sciences with the Catholic understanding of the person through teaching and learning both knowledge and necessary clinical skills and assists students intellectually and professionally as they prepare themselves to respond to their calling as mental health professionals.
Integral to the Institute’s mission is the development of Catholic approaches to psychology within the broader professional community, both nationally and internationally.
Objectives
- Through its Master of Science Program in Clinical Psychology, the Institute provides students with a solid theoretical foundation and training in clinical skills consistent with Catholic approaches to clinical psychology so as to prepare them for further graduate training.
- The Master of Science in General Psychology program provides students with the academic background necessary for pursuing careers in the mental health field, as well as in business or government, and for Psy.D. or Ph.D. studies in clinical psychology or other areas of psychology.
- Through its Doctor of Psychology Program in Clinical Psychology, the Institute forms highly skilled clinical psychologists who have the leadership skills necessary for promoting Catholic approaches to the psychological sciences.
Degree-Granting Authority
The Institute for the Psychological Sciences was formed, chartered, and established in the Commonwealth of Virginia, has maintained a main campus under the same ownership for 10 years, has remained fully accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and is therefore exempt from the requirements of certification or approval by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). The exemption entitles IPS to conduct academic affairs or business without seeking or obtaining SCHEV approval. The resulting scope of the institutional autonomy includes:
- Offering courses or programs for degree credit;
- Enrolling students in courses or programs;
- Conferring or awarding degrees;
- Initiating other programs for degree credit at a new or additional level; and
- Offering instruction at additional or new locations.
Accreditation
The Institute for the Psychological Sciences is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award masters and doctorate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of the Institute for the Psychological Sciences.
ASPPB/National Register Designated Program
The Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) program meets the Association of State & Provincial Psychology Boards/National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology “Guidelines for Defining ‘Doctoral Degree in Psychology.’” Therefore, graduates of this designated program who decide to apply for licensing as a psychologist typically will meet the educational requirements for licensing. However, in each jurisdiction there are additional requirements that must be satisfied. For exact information, please contact the state, provincial, or territorial licensing board in the jurisdiction in which you plan to apply.
Once licensed, graduates are eligible to apply for credentialing as a Health Service Provider in Psychology. Graduation from a designated program ensures that the program you completed meets the educational requirements for credentialing by the National Register. However, there are additional requirements that must be satisfied prior to being credentialed by the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology.
Degrees Offered
The Institute offers the Master of Science in Clinical Psychology, Master of Science in General Psychology, and the Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology.
Academic Excellence
The governing Board of Directors, the Faculty, Staff, and the Administration of the Institute are committed to maintaining the highest academic standards in teaching and clinical training. In pursuit of academic excellence, the Institute commits itself to:
- Continually strengthening the quality of its teaching by supporting innovative programs and through an ongoing process of evaluation by its students, faculty, and consultants.
- Providing instruction in accordance with the teaching of the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.
- Encouraging and fostering the spiritual formation of its students through opportunities to participate in spiritual direction, retreats, conferences, and religious services.