Program Overview

Introduction to the Doctor of Psychology Program

The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology program at Mount Saint Mary's University is designed to provide professional psychological services to a variety of populations, including Spanish-speaking clients. The program offers two cutting-edge emphases: Latinx Mental Health and Diverse Populations.

Program Description

The PsyD program is a five-year, full-time program that requires the completion of 120 instructional units and 9 internship units. The program is designed to meet the needs of a multicultural environment with a strong focus on social inclusiveness. The curriculum is structured to provide students with a comprehensive education in clinical psychology, including coursework, practicum training, clinical exams, and a dissertation.

Program Mission Statement

The PsyD program trains the next generation of ethical and socially-just health service psychologists who strive for cultural humility while integrating the practice and science of psychological services. The program incorporates the spirit of the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJ) and partners with the CSJs in their commitment to "deepen our awareness of our complicity and work toward dismantling interlocking systems of oppression" and to "use our collective voice to accompany others in speaking their truth."

Curriculum

The PsyD curriculum is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in clinical psychology. The curriculum includes:

• Integration of empirical evidence and practice
• Training that is sequential, cumulative, graded in complexity, and designed to prepare students for practice or further organized training
• Respect for and understanding of cultural and individual differences

Coursework

The program requires the completion of 120 instructional units, which includes coursework, practicum training, and a dissertation. The curriculum is structured to provide students with a comprehensive education in clinical psychology, including:

• General psychology courses
• Clinical psychology courses
• Research methods courses
• Statistics courses
• Electives

Practicum Training

The program requires students to complete practicum training in the second, third, and fourth years. The practicum functions as supervised clinical experience, allotting students real-world experience in clinical settings before they engage in the full-time internship in the final year.

Internship

The program requires students to complete a full-time, one-year clinical internship in the fifth year. The internship provides students with hands-on experience in a clinical setting, allowing them to apply the skills and knowledge they have acquired throughout the program.

Dissertation

The program requires students to complete a dissertation, which is a critical component of the PsyD degree. The dissertation provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to conduct original research and contribute to the field of clinical psychology.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the PsyD program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• A baccalaureate or professional degree (or equivalent foreign credential) from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university
• Completion of 18 semester units of psychology courses with a letter grade of "B" or better
• Minimum 3.0 cumulative grade-point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale for undergraduate work
• Application essay
• Letters of recommendation
• Resume/Curriculum vitae
• Official transcript(s)

Application Essay

The application essay should describe the applicant's professional goals and aspirations in undertaking the profession of clinical psychology. The essay should include answers to the following questions:

• Why are you interested in pursuing a PsyD in Clinical Psychology?
• Why are you interested in pursuing this degree at Mount Saint Mary's University?
• Please explain why you decided upon a PsyD vs. PhD?
• Also, please explain why you decided upon pursuing a doctorate vs. a master's degree?
• Describe your career goals and how this degree will benefit you.
• Tell us about your undergraduate/graduate academic experience, including a description of both your academic strengths and weaknesses.
• Address any grade deficiencies or additional length of time to complete your degree and how you will manage any previous struggles in our program.
• How will you manage attending classes, completing homework, clinical placements, and home responsibilities?
• Tell us about your personal qualities that will benefit you in being successful in our doctorate program and as a clinical psychologist after graduation.
• Describe times in your life when you experienced challenges/struggles and how you were able to overcome these obstacles?
• How were you able to problem solve and manage these difficulties?
• As a psychologist, you will interact with various populations and work in a variety of different settings. What are your thoughts and feelings about working with individuals who are different than you in a multitude of ways (SES, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender diversity, etc.)?

Emphases

The PsyD program offers two cutting-edge emphases: Latinx Mental Health and Diverse Populations.

Latinx Mental Health

The Latinx Mental Health emphasis is designed to train mindful psychological clinicians to work in underserved, Spanish-speaking mental health communities. Students enrolled in this emphasis will focus their dissertation research, practicum, and internships with Spanish-speaking populations.

Diverse Populations

The Diverse Populations emphasis is designed to train students to work with a variety of clients. Students enrolled in this emphasis will focus their dissertation research, practicum, and internships serving a variety of clients. Students are trained in the application of critical theories and may elect to develop expertise in serving specific populations.

Research Labs

The program offers research labs that afford students the opportunity to join faculty-led research groups. Students contribute to a more extensive research team while learning new research directions and methodologies. Students also participate in various aspects of research and have the opportunity to build a collaborative and collegial relationship with faculty members.