Program Overview

Doctor of Psychology in the Field of Clinical Psychology

The Doctor of Psychology in the Field of Clinical Psychology is offered through the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences’ social and behavioral sciences discipline. This professional psychology program teaches students clinical research methods for new discoveries, providing in-depth psychodynamic training that combines extensive practical experience with classes on scientific foundations of psychology taught by seasoned clinicians, scholars, and researchers.

Overview

Students in this program study cognitive behavioral, systems, and community consultation approaches, and have opportunities to learn group, family, and short-term interventions. They work in hospital, forensic, and school settings, gaining a substantive introduction to the basic science aspects of psychology and the skills required of a clinical psychologist. The curriculum includes foundation courses outlining biological, cognitive, social, and cultural foundations, as well as basic and advanced clinical courses, such as psychopathology, group dynamics, assessment, psychotherapy, supervision, and consultation. Research methods, statistics, history, and systems and ethics courses are also part of the program.

The advanced curriculum offers courses tailored within three broad tracks: adult, assessment, and child. In addition to coursework, students work with a diverse patient population at different public and private agencies, as well as at the department’s in-house clinic. Upon completion of curriculum requirements and prior to receiving the degree, students perform a one-year, full-time internship.

Admissions

• Admission deadlines:
  • Fall: December 1
• Standardized test scores:
  • GRE general test is not required
  • The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the PTE Academic is required of all applicants except those who hold a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a college or university in the United States or from an institution located in a country in which English is the official language, provided English was the language of instruction
  • Minimum scores for the Psy.D. program are:
    • Academic IELTS: an overall band score of 7.0 with no individual score below 6.0
    • TOEFL: 600 on paper-based or 100 on Internet-based
    • PTE Academic: 68
• Prerequisite requirements:
  • A bachelor’s degree in psychology with relevant background and experience, or a master’s degree in psychology
• Recommendations required:
  • Three (3) recommendations
• Prior academic records:
  • Transcripts are required from all colleges and universities attended, whether or not credit was earned, the program was completed, or the credit appears as transfer credit on another transcript
• Statement of purpose:
  • In an essay of 250 – 500 words, state your purpose in undertaking graduate study in clinical psychology, including your clinical and research interests and your career plans
  • In addition, as a window on your self-awareness, interpersonal perception, and understanding of other perspectives, in three 250-word essays:
    1. Describe yourself
    2. Describe someone you know well
    3. Describe how that person would describe you
• Interview:
  • A virtual interview is required

Requirements

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

• Satisfactory completion of at least 83 credits in approved graduate coursework
• A maximum of 12 credits can be taken in courses offered by the other affiliated members of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington DC Metropolitan Area
• Doctor of psychology students must complete all degree requirements within five years of matriculation in the program
• Successful completion of required courses, practical requirements, general examination, and major area paper

Course List

• Required Courses:
  • Core courses:
    • PSYD 8201: Psychological Assessment
    • PSYD 8202: Psychological Assessment
    • PSYD 8203: Practicum in Clinical Psychology
    • PSYD 8204: Biological Bases of Clinical Psychology
    • PSYD 8205: Psychodynamic Psychopathology
    • PSYD 8206: Cognitive Bases of Clinical Psychology
    • PSYD 8207: Group and Organizational Dynamics
    • PSYD 8209: Statistics and Research Design
    • PSYD 8210: Professional Issues
    • PSYD 8220: Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
    • PSYD 8221: Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
    • PSYD 8222: Behavioral–Cognitive Therapies
    • PSYD 8225: Theories of Mind
    • PSYD 8226: Ego Psychology/Object Relations Theory
    • PSYD 8227: History and Systems of Clinical Psychology
    • PSYD 8231: Short-Term Psychotherapy
    • PSYD 8240: Group Psychotherapy
    • PSYD 8246: Community Intervention (Consultation)
    • PSYD 8261: Life Span Development
    • PSYD 8270: Current Topics in Clinical Psychology
• Additional Coursework:
  • Sufficient courses chosen from one of three tracks (adult, assessment, or child and adolescent) to complete the minimum requirement of 83 credits in graduate courses

Practical Requirements

• Practicum:
  • Successful completion of the practicum seminar PSYD 8203 in the summer of the first year and each fall and spring semester thereafter, as well as an additional practicum during a summer session
• Externship:
  • Successful completion of an externship comprising a year-long, part-time supervised clinical assignment in two years of the program
• Internship:
  • Successful completion of a one-year, full-time internship at an institution approved by the program faculty
• General Examination:
  • Satisfactory completion of the general examination
• Major Area Paper:
  • Satisfactory completion of a major area paper

This program provides students with a comprehensive education in clinical psychology, preparing them for careers in research, practice, and academia. With its strong focus on both theoretical foundations and practical experience, the Doctor of Psychology in the Field of Clinical Psychology at the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences is an excellent choice for those seeking a rigorous and rewarding graduate program.