Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, Psy.D.
(117 total credits)
Marywood University's APA-accredited* doctoral program in clinical psychology prepares students to provide evidence-based and culturally-sensitive clinical services to diverse populations.
*For further information about the accreditation status of this program, please contact the APA Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, American Psychological Association, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC20002-4242. Phone: 202-336-5979.
The specific goals of the program are as follows:
- To provide students with foundational knowledge of the field of psychology in general and clinical psychology in particular.
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To help students advance from novice to the early stages of competent clinician status in research ethical and legal standards; individual and cultural diversity; professional values and attitudes; communication and interpersonal skills; assessment; intervention supervision; and, consultation and interprofessional/interdisciplinary skills.
- To teach students to view themselves as being lifelong learners while also giving them the skills necessary to be critical and sophisticated consumers of research, so that they may be able to independently and effectively apply future developments in the field to clinical practice.
Psy.D. Program Philosophy and Training Model
In accordance with Marywood University’s tradition of service, the clinical psychology doctoral program follows the Vail model, training students to be scholar/practitioners. The Psy.D. program includes foundation courses in psychology and both academic and applied training in the substantive area of clinical psychology. The use of empirically-supported assessments and intervention techniques is emphasized, as well as a focus on outcome assessment. Although not designed to produce researchers, the Psy.D. program teaches students to be educated consumers of research. To reach this goal, they have both academic training and personal experience in research and statistics. An empirical master’s thesis or professional contribution is required, as well as a dissertation which is empirically-based. In addition, students complete three courses in research and statistics. This strong scholarship component is consistent with our scholar-practitioner model, as opposed to the more practice-oriented practitioner-scholar or local clinical scientist models.
The program is full-time, with required coursework during the first two traditional academic semesters and required first summer PSC practica. We generally admit 10-12 students annually at the post-bachelor’s level. These students are in residence for 4 years prior to internship and are also awarded a master’s degree (M.A. in Psychology, Clinical Services) upon degree requirement completion, typically after their second year.
Admission Application Process
See the application materials for deadline and mailing address information. All applicants must provide the completed application form, official undergraduate/ graduate transcripts, a current curriculum vitae, three letters of recommendation (at least two from psychologists), and a personal statement. All these materials must be sent by the application deadline. The general GRE (taken within the last 5 years) is required.
Prerequisites
Admission to the Psy.D. program requires at least 18 credits of Psychology coursework at the undergraduate level, including: statistics, experimental methods/research design, and abnormal/psychopathology. A major in Psychology is preferred. A minimum overall GPA of 3.30 on a 4.00 scale is expected, for both general curriculum and Psychology courses.
Transfer Credits
As the curriculum is very structured and sequential, we accept only up to 15 graduate transfer credits. These credits must reflect at least a “B” grade, be from a regionally accredited institution, be similar in content and demand of equivalent Marywood courses, and have been earned within the preceding 5 years. The Director of Clinical Training must approve all transfer credits.
Admission Post-Master’s
We also typically admit up to 2 students per year at the post-master’s level. Requirements for admission at this entry point are quite stringent, essentially replicating the majority of the courses taken by the post-bachelor’s entry students in their first two years as well as requiring an empirical master’s thesis or professional contribution. These students are also required to pass the Master’s Comprehensive Exam upon admission. Once admitted, they join students entering their third year of the program for the final two years of full-time coursework and remain in residence for two years prior to the internship year. For a post-master’s application to be considered, coursework equivalent to that of the first two years of the Psy.D. program (see below under “sample schedule”) must have been completed at the master’s level with a grade of “B” or better.
For a post-master’s application to be considered, all of the following courses (or their equivalent) must have been completed at the master’s level (unless otherwise indicated) with a grade of “B” or better:
Advisement and Student Progress Evaluation
With the exception of electives, the curriculum plan for each student is structured by the Director of Clinical Training who functions as the students’ academic advisor. Annual written evaluations of the student’s progress in the program are provided by the Director of Clinical Training. Community practicum and internship site preparation and selection occur under the guidance of the Associate Director of Clinical Training.
Continuation in the Psy.D. program is contingent upon: successful completion of coursework and other program requirements, conduct that is ethical and professional, and demonstration of appropriate clinical aptitude and skills. A Corrective Action Plan will be implemented, should there be significant areas of concern in the student’s performance. Refer to the Psy.D. Student Handbook for further information.
Curriculum
The Psy.D. curriculum is sequential, cumulative, increasing in complexity, and designed to prepare the student for further formal training. The program requires 117 total credits.
The Psy.D. program is full-time, with required coursework scheduled during daytime and evening hours within the traditional two academic semesters (fall, spring). In addition, continuing clinical work in the Psychological Services Center is required during the first summer sessions. Subsequent summer practicum work in the PSC is optional. All students are encouraged to complete practicum hours during the summer months at community sites, beginning with the second summer. Students may choose to fulfill some of their electives during the summer months, as well.
The on-campus practicum series builds from the pre-practicum and introductory practicum courses in the first year with work in the Psychological Services Center (PSC) to later work in the Counseling and Student Development Center or other community practicum sites during the third year, and the provision of clinical supervision to junior Psy.D. students on work in the PSC in the fourth year. Additionally, students are involved in two-semester community-based practica in their third and fourth years of training.
The Psy.D. curriculum includes significant training in both assessment and intervention strategies. The curriculum builds from foundation courses to more specific application courses and experiences. There are opportunities for coursework and applied practice with children, adolescents, and adults. Required courses allow for training as a generalist, with elective selection providing the opportunity for focus on child or adult populations. The Psy.D. program emphasizes evidenced-based interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy. Students are also exposed to other therapeutic approaches, including couple/family therapy.
The Marywood Psy.D. program follows the guidelines for clinical training as set forth by the American Psychological Association and the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology.
Licensure and Credentialing
The Psy.D. program meets the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards/National Register of Health Services Providers in Psychology “Guidelines for Defining ‘Doctoral Degree in Psychology.’” Therefore, graduates of this designated program who decide to apply for licensing as psychologists 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 or provincial 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©. For further information, consult the National Register’s website: www.nationalregister.org.
Comprehensive Examination
During the summer of the second year and upon successful completion of the master’s foundational core courses (21 credits), students are required to pass a Comprehensive Examination. This exam consists of questions from each of the seven core courses. Successful completion of the Comprehensive Examination is required for receipt of the master’s degree and for continuation in the doctoral program.
Qualifying Clinical Examination
During the third year, students are required to pass a Qualifying Clinical Examination (QCE), involving a written case study presentation and oral examination by core clinical faculty. Students are required to successfully pass the QCE prior to applying for internship.
Sample Schedule
YEAR 1
Fall Semester (16.5 credits)
Spring Semester (15 credits)
Summer (3 credits)
YEAR 2
Fall Semester (15 credits)
Spring Semester (15 credits)
| PSYC 522 | Cognitive/Affective Bases of Behavior | 3 |
| PSYC 524 | History and Systems of Psychology | 3 |
| Continuation of Professional Contribution | 0 |
| PSYC 562 | Cognitive Assessment | 3 |
| PSYC 580 | Assessment of Adult Personality andýPsychopathology | 3 |
| PSYC 587 | Practicum II | 3 |
YEAR 3
Fall Semester (13 credits)
Spring Semester (14.5 credits)
YEAR 4
Fall Semester (9.5 credits)
Spring Semester (9.5 credits)
YEAR 5
Fall Semester (3 credits)
Spring Semester (3 credits)
PSYC 660A: Students will register for Elective Seminars covering a range of pertinent topics.