Clinical Psychology, Psy.D.

Mission

The mission of the Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology is to produce graduates who can integrate the science and practice of psychology with Christian theology, and who are prepared to meet the psychological needs of the world in general and the Christian community specifically through professional service and scholarship.

Although Rosemead does not offer a terminal Master's program, a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology is granted after the completion of the first two years of either the Ph.D. or Psy.D. curriculum, including:

1. A minimum of 45 semester credits in psychology (including practicum and psychotherapy lab courses).
2. A minimum of 9 semester credits in theology, 3 credits in statistics, and 3 credits in ethics.
3. A minimum of one year of resident graduate work (the final semester must be in residence).
4. A transfer maximum of 9 credits in psychology may be counted toward the M.A. in Clinical Psychology.

Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology

1. Residence and Course Work
   Normally, four years of residency are required unless transfer of credit is brought in and advanced standing granted. While the doctorate is not awarded simply for completion of stated course work, there are basic credit requirements for the degree (133 semester credits). Each student is assigned a faculty advisor who assists in the planning of each semester's schedule of courses and supervises the student's progress in the program. For transfer credit, see General Academic Information.
   Psychology: Psy.D. students must complete a minimum of 79 semester credits of psychology. These 79 credits must include 52 credits of required courses, 18 credits of practicum, and 9 credits of psychology elective courses. Students may apply up to 6 credits of graduate course work from the Cook School of Intercultural Studies toward the total psychology elective hours requirement.
   Psychotherapy Laboratory: Students in the Psy.D. program must complete 21 credits selected from psychotherapy lab courses. These are taken in the second, third, and fourth years.
   Theology: All students must complete 18 credits in theology. These 18 credits consist of Theological and Psychological Anthropology I & II, and the Theology I-V required sequence.
   Integration Seminars: All students participate in a series of seminars (10 credits) devoted to the integration of a variety of theological and psychological concepts in research, theory, and practice.
   Dissertation Research: Students in Rosemead's Psy.D. program may fulfill their program's research component by completing an empirical study, program evaluation, or theoretical synthesis dissertation and successfully completing the doctoral research seminar sequence (5 credits). In Doctoral Research Seminar II, students are administered the research proficiency examination in which students demonstrate their ability to critically evaluate a clinically relevant psychological empirical journal article.
2. Progress Evaluations
   Each year students are evaluated on their general progress toward completion of degree requirements. These evaluations include review of each student's academic skills, clinical skills, and personal/interpersonal/spiritual growth as required by the program. Because all of these areas are integral to the practice of clinical psychology and the distinctive of Rosemead's program, deficiencies in any of them may result in program termination. However, the general objective of such evaluation is to provide feedback conducive to continued growth and development toward successful completion of the degree, high quality of service to clients, and high level of professional competence. Procedures and processes for the evaluations are specified in the Rosemead Student Handbook.
3. Comprehensive Examinations
   All students must pass a set of doctoral-level comprehensive examinations covering the following areas: (1) psychological assessment and intervention, (2) integration of psychology and theology, and (3) ethics.
   These examinations are scheduled annually and serve as the major means of evaluating a student's suitability to continue studies toward the doctorate. The examinations may be taken after completion of 75% (100 credits) of the course work and must be successfully completed prior to the Professional Qualifying Examination.
   Only one retake of the examination is allowed. The dates of the Comprehensive Examinations are specified in the Academic Calendar.
4. Admission to Candidacy
   Official candidacy for the doctorate signifies an advanced stage in the student's progress. In order to be admitted to candidacy the student must have:
   • Successfully completed the Second Year Evaluation
   • Passed the Comprehensive Examinations
   • Received approval of the dissertation proposal by the Doctoral Committee or completed the three-semester, 5-credit Doctoral Research Seminar and successfully passed the research proficiency examination
   • Completed training therapy experience
5. Professional Qualifying Examination
   All doctoral students must successfully complete an examination that evaluates the student's readiness for a full-time internship. It may be taken any time after the comprehensive examinations have been passed and must be completed prior to acceptance of an internship. Only one retake of the exam is allowed. The examining committee may require the student to complete additional course work, practicum, or other professional growth experiences prior to beginning the internship. See the Professional Qualifying Examination Guidelines in the student handbook for further details.
6. Internship
   All students are required to successfully complete a one year, full-time clinical internship prior to graduation. All internships are to be approved in advance by the Clinical Training Committee. For further details, refer to the Internship Guidelines in the student handbook. Also, all students need to meet with a graduate academic records and degree specialist in the Office of the Registrar to have their internship eligibility confirmed one year prior to their internship. Internship fees are listed in the Internship course section (RSTN 731). There is some provision for students to complete this requirement in two years at half-time.
7. Completion of Training Therapy
   All students must receive certification of completion of training therapy from the Director of Clinical Training. 86 hours of training therapy is required, at least 50 of which must be individual therapy. See Training Therapy Guidelines in the student handbook for further details.
8. Dissertation or Research Consumership Sequence
   All Psy.D. students must demonstrate doctoral-level mastery of a research area in clinical psychology. This is accomplished by completing a dissertation and research consumership sequence. The research consumership sequence is composed of:
   1. A three-semester, 5-credit doctoral research seminar focusing on the critical evaluation and utilization of clinical research;
   2. A dissertation involving an empirical study, program evaluation, or a critical review and synthesis of research on a selected, psychologically relevant topic; and
   3. A clinical comprehensive research proficiency examination evaluating the student's ability to critically evaluate current clinical research. The research proficiency exam is taken in conjunction with the second semester of the doctoral research seminar. Psy.D. students must register for 5 credits for the doctoral research seminar.
9. Final Examination
   The final examination for Psy.D. students is an oral defense of the dissertation before the doctoral committee and other invited professionals.

¹

Must be taken during the first year.

²

Must be taken six times alongside RSPY 691, RSPY 692, RSPY 693, RSPY 694, RSPY 695, and RSPY 696. In addition, it must be taken with any Practicum Electives (RSPY 697, RSPY 698, or RSPY 699).

³

Must be taken at least two times.

⁴

Will be taken twice.