The Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology requires four years
of full-time course work and practicum experience in addition to
successful completion of a Master's Thesis (PSY 900, Masters
Research), comprehensive examination, clinical internship, and
dissertation (PSY 950, Doctoral Research). Students are evaluated
after completing each level to determine their eligibility to
progress to the next level.
The program is designed to provide a logical progression of
course work over Levels I-IV. The first two levels are directed at
imparting the basic principles and skills in assessment,
statistics, foundations, and psychotherapy. In addition, there are
courses in research methodology that are structured in such a way
as to enable the student to generate a dissertation proposal by the
end of Level II. The student is expected to submit a dissertation
proposal for approval during Level III; an approved proposal is
required prior to submission of internship applications. The
student's progress toward completion of the dissertation
requirement will be evaluated each semester; failure to make
satisfactory progress may result in termination from the
program.
Students begin their clinical practicum training during Levels
I-II at our training clinic, the St. John's University Center for
Psychological Services and Clinical Studies. During Levels III and
IV there is further development of various clinical skills through
concentrated work in clinical externship settings and related
course work, and continuation of clinic practicum work at our
training clinic. The Comprehensive Examination is taken in the
summer following Level III. Students will be afforded two
opportunities to pass the examination, and successful completion of
the exam is required for continuation in the program. Upon passing
the exam, the student must register for Doctoral Research (PSY 950)
in the spring of Level IV.
The fifth year of the program is normally devoted to a full-time
clinical internship which has been approved by the department.
During the internship year, the student must register for PSY 903
and PSY 904 (which carry no academic credit) and PSY 950. There is
a charge of $100 per semester for PSY 903 and PSY 904. Instead of
embarking on an internship during the fifth year, students may
elect to work toward completing their dissertation research and
defer their internships for a year. Clinical child track students
must complete an approved internship that provides substantial
exposure to working clinically with children and families.