Program Overview
Introduction to the PsyD Clinical Psychology Program
The Graduate School of Professional Psychology at the University of Denver offers a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) program, which aims to train doctoral-level practitioner/scholars with foundational interpersonal and scientific skills. The program's mission is to prepare students to contribute to the common good through their interpersonal awareness and skill.
Program Overview
The PsyD program is committed to providing broad-based training that provides students with the basis for general practice, with an adequate foundation to pursue specialty training. The 135-credit program covers various areas of psychological study, including:
- Theoretical & Scientific Bases
- History and Systems of Psychology
- Social Bases of Behavior
- Cognitive & Affective Bases of Behavior
- Physiological Psychology
- Developmental Bases of Behavior
- Relational Psychotherapy Theory & Practice
- Research Methodology & Data Analysis
- Statistics for the Clinician I & II
- Research Methods
- Program Evaluation Techniques
- Doctoral Paper
- Assessment
- Psychometrics
- Cognitive & Academic Assessment
- Personality and Psychopathology Assessment
- Projective Testing
- Clinical Neuropsychology
- Advanced Assessment Electives
- Ethical Issues in Psychology
- Ethical Issues in Psychology
- Individual & Cultural Diversity
- Foundations of Multicultural Psychology
- Culturally Responsive Psychology
- Special Topics in Psychotherapy: Diverse Populations
- Diagnosis & Psychopathology
- Psychopathology Diagnosis & Classification
- Supervision & Consultation
- Supervision
- Business Issues in Psychology
- Supervision Practicum
- Effective Therapeutic Interventions
- Clinical Foundations
- Overview of Theoretical Orientations
- Trauma-Informed Practice
- Relational Psychotherapy & Practice
- Electives - Special Topics in Psychotherapy: Various modalities, Various orientations & Diverse Populations
Specialty and Focus Area Coursework and Practicum
The program offers training in various specialty and focus areas, including:
- Military Psychology
- Child and Adolescent Psychology
- Health Psychology
- Advanced Assessment
- Forensic Psychology
- Substance Use
- Theoretical orientations (relational, psychodynamic, humanistic, ACT, CBT, DBT, and others)
- Modalities (e.g., individual, group, family, couple, play therapies)
Clinical Experience
Clinical practice begins in the first quarter of the program at the University of Denver's community-based Professional Psychology Clinic (PPC). Additional external practicum opportunities are available through partnerships at 130 different sites.
Career Preparation
The program connects students with internships, mentorships, and professional development opportunities to help ensure professional success.
Course of Study
The program includes a Clinical Competency Exam, which is generally taken in the second year to ensure students demonstrate minimum standards for clinical skill and scholarship. The exam is comprised of three sections: clinical vignettes, clinical case conceptualization, and clinical intervention strategies.
Doctoral Paper
The doctoral paper requires students to make an original contribution to psychological scholarship. They may choose to do a qualitative or quantitative research project or select another form of scholarship, such as developing a case study or treatment protocol.
Clinical Training
The program includes clinical training at the Professional Psychology Clinic (PPC) and community practicums. Students also participate in a doctoral internship, which is a vital part of the program.
Accreditation
The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA).