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.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology, students will be able to:

  1. An aim of the PsyD program is to produce clinical psychologists who possess enhanced clinical skills (including knowledge and professional attitudes) to implement a broad spectrum of psychological interventions to meet the needs of society (ULO 1).
  2. An aim of the PsyD program is to produce clinical psychologists who can demonstrate a requisite ability in research or other scholarly activities, which ultimately can serve psychological practitioners and society at large. (ULO 2).
  3. An aim of the PsyD program is to produce clinical psychologists who, by knowledge and training, can meet the psychological needs of the Christian community (ULO 3).

Each Program Learning Outcome (PLO) listed above references at least one of the University Learning Outcomes (ULO 1, 2, 3), which may be found in the General Information section of this catalog.

Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology

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.
Core Requirements
RSDS 711Doctoral Research Seminar I1
RSDS 712Doctoral Research Seminar II2
RSDS 713Doctoral Research Seminar III2
RSLB 705Brief Psychotherapies3
RSLB 707Cognitive Behavior Therapy3
RSPY 501Introduction to Psychotherapy1
RSPY 502Advanced Statistics3
RSPY 504Evidence-Based Practice: Beyond Treatment Manuals2
RSPY 506Program Evaluation and Consultation3
RSPY 515Introduction to Psychopathology3
RSPY 530History and Systems of Psychology2
RSPY 561History of Psychoanalytic Thought2
RSPY 601Research Design3
RSPY 603Cognitive-Affective Aspects of Behavior3
RSPY 607Biological Aspects of Behavior2
RSPY 608Social Psychology3
RSPY 615Advanced Developmental Psychology3
RSPY 623Seminar in Multicultural Issues I 11
RSPY 624Seminar in Multicultural Issues II 11
RSPY 625Multicultural Issues in Clinical Psychology3
RSPY 641Measurement and Assessment I: Cognitive Assessment3
RSPY 642Measurement and Assessment II: Personality3
RSPY 643Measurement and Assessment III: Performance-Based Measure (Rorschach)3
RSPY 681Pre-practicum I1
RSPY 682Pre-practicum II2
RSPY 688Practicum Consultation 20
RSPY 691Practicum I3
RSPY 692Practicum II3
RSPY 693Practicum III3
RSPY 694Practicum IV3
RSPY 695Practicum V3
RSPY 696Practicum VI3
RSPY 711Seminar in Ethical and Professional Issues3
RSPY 713Principles and Practices in Clinical Supervision2
RSPY 715Training Therapy (Interpersonal) 30
RSPY 716Training Therapy (Individual) 30
RSTH 515Theological and Psychological Anthropology I2
RSTH 516Theological and Psychological Anthropology II2
RSTH 540Theology I: Theoretical Foundations of Integration2
RSTH 550Theology II: Spiritual Theology and the Dynamics of Change3
RSTH 613Theology III: Spiritual Theology and the Dynamics of Change II3
RSTH 614Theology IV: Biblical Interpretation and New Testament Psychology3
RSTH 615Theology V: The Kingdom of God and Human Flourishing3
RSTN 731Full-Time Internship in Clinical Psychology 40
RSTN 733Internship in Clinical Psychology-Continuation0
RSTP 500Psychotherapy and Religion1
Elective Requirements
Students must take the following for elective credit:
RSPY Psychology Electives9
RSTP Integration Electives9
RSLB Psychotherapy Lab Electives15
Total Credits133
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.