Program Overview

The primary purpose of the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology degree program is to educate and train students in the major aspects of clinical practice. To help to ensure that students are prepared adequately, the curriculum integrates theory, training, research, and practice, preparing students to work with a wide range of populations in need of psychological services and in a broad range of roles. Students who complete the clinical psychology program earn a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree. The awarding of this degree indicates that the recipient has mastered the fundamental academic and experiential elements of clinical psychology.

In contrast to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree, which is primarily a research degree attainable in a variety of academic disciplines, the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree program combines relevant research, applied theory, and field experience and is designed to prepare the graduate to apply psychological knowledge in a variety of settings and roles.

The program accepts students who have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. Although prior degrees need not be in psychology, some psychology courses are required (as foundation courses), and some experience in psychological services is desirable.

All Argosy University campuses use the same fundamental practitioner-scholar model for training and evaluation. In addition to the prescribed coursework, the required curriculum for all students includes practicum field experiences and an internship. To complete the doctoral program successfully, students must demonstrate competency in a number of specific clinical and conceptual skills, and must complete a Clinical Research Project in the area of applied clinical psychology.

Graduates are trained in the science and practice of psychology, and are able to apply the clinical skills of observation, assessment, intervention, and evaluation to help different segments of our ever-changing society. The areas of competency are modeled, in part, after those specified by the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology and the standards of the American Psychological Association.

Included among the basic objectives of the program are the following:

• Preparing practitioners to deliver basic diagnostic and therapeutic services to diverse populations, whether on an individual, family, or group basis
• Enabling practitioners to integrate biological, psychological, and sociocultural aspects of human functioning into their clinical approach
• Assisting practitioners to assume leadership positions within the healthcare delivery system
• Training psychologists to work with professionals from other disciplines as part of an effectively functioning healthcare team
• Preparing practitioners to evaluate and use clinical research applications of psychology

The Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology degree programs at Argosy University, Atlanta; Argosy University, Chicago; Argosy University, Hawai’i; Argosy University, Northern Virginia; Argosy University, Orange County; Argosy University, Phoenix; Argosy University, San Francisco Bay Area; Argosy University, Schaumburg; Argosy University, Tampa; and Argosy University, Twin Cities are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA). . Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation: Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, American Psychological Association, 750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002 Phone: (202) 336-5979 / E-mail: apaaccred@apa.org Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation.

Matriculation through the PsyD in Clinical Psychology degree program curriculum is designed to help prepare students to sit for the national licensure examination. Licensure requirements and standards for professional practice vary from state to state; therefore, prospective and enrolled students are urged to examine the requirements of the specific state in which they plan to practice. State licensure requirements may be obtained from:

Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards
P.O. Box 4389
Montgomery, Alabama 36103
332.832.4580
www.asppb.org

Admission Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or an appropriately certified foreign institution
• An undergraduate degree grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0)
  -or-
• A graduate grade point average of 3.25 (on a scale of 4.0)
• A minimum score on an Argosy University pre-approved English language proficiency test is required for all applicants whose native language is not English or who have not graduated from an institution at which English is the language of instruction as specified in Section Five, Admission Policies, “English Language Proficiency Policy .”
• Completion of an interview with a member of the program Admissions Committee.*

* Out of state applicants to Argosy University, Hawai’i may be given the option to complete a telephone interview.

All applications for admission must be submitted to the Admissions Department of the campus to which application is being made. An admissions representative is available to help interested applicants complete the following required documentation:

• Completed Application for Admission Form
• Admission Application Fee* (Non-refundable, except in Arizona. In the state of Arizona, the application fee* is refundable if the application is canceled within three business days of the applicant signing the Enrollment Agreement.)
• Personal/professional goal statement with a self-appraisal of qualifications for the profession
• Current résumé (or career summary)
• Three completed Applicant Recommendation Forms
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended

On rare occasions, an applicant with a grade point average lower than the stated admission requirements may be considered for admission if the applicant provides documented evidence of interest, ability, and aptitude for doctoral study in clinical psychology. All admission exceptions must be documented, recommended by the program admissions committee, and approved by the Program Dean.

Optional Admission Material

Applicants may submit their scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).

Committee Decisions

All applicants will receive written notification of the Admissions Committee’s decision. Admissions Committee decisions are final and are not subject to appeal. Accepted applicants are required to remit a non-refundable deposit of $200.00 to reserve a place in the entering class. This deposit will be applied toward the tuition of the student’s first semester. An applicant, if rejected, can reapply by following the reapplication policy.

Course/Credit Transfer

Transfer of Courses/Credit in the PsyD in Clinical Psychology Degree Program from other Graduate Programs

Students who have completed graduate coursework at another institution, including another Argosy University campus, may petition for transfer of courses in the PsyD in Clinical Psychology degree program up to a maximum of 30 credit hours (10 courses). For a course to be considered eligible for transfer, the following conditions must be met:

• Courses used to transfer a required course must be equivalent in content to the course being transfered. It is the responsibility of the student to document course equivalency.
• The course must have been taken no more than five years prior to enrollment unless the student can present evidence of ongoing work experience or continuing education in that area.
• The course must have been a graduate-level course, taught by a doctoral-level instructor, and taken for graduate-level credit at a regionally accredited institution. In the case of an institution outside of the United States, the appropriate state or national accreditation is required.
• The course(s) submitted for credit transfer of a 3-credit hour course must be at least 3 credit hours.
• The student must have earned a grade of “B” or above in the course.
• Practicum, practicum seminars and the first-year Professionalization Group are not eligible for transfer.
• All transfer requests must be submitted within one year of matriculating into the PsyD in Clinical Psychology degree program.
• In special circumstances, a maximum of two courses can be submitted to transfer one 3 credit hour course. The total number of credit hours of the two courses must be equal to, or greater than 3 credit hours.
• Transfer credit is granted if there is an 80 percent overlap in course content and objectives between the course submitted for transfer credit and the course offered.

Students are strongly encouraged to submit transfer requests before or during the first semester of enrollment in the program. The transfer request must be accompanied by a transcript reflecting completion of the course and the grade received, along with other supporting documentation, such as course description, syllabus, and work samples. No transfer credit will be given for courses taken elsewhere after matriculation into a degree program at Argosy University.

Graduation Requirements

To receive the Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology degree, the student must fulfill the degree requirements of their campus. Graduation requirements include, but not limited to:

• Satisfactory completion of all requirements in the program of study
• Satisfactory completion of 98 credit hours
• A minimum grade point average as defined by the campus of attendance
• Completion of these requirements within seven years of matriculation into the program
• A completed Petition to Graduate submitted to campus administration

For more detailed information concerning graduation requirements, refer to the program information published in the campus-specific program descriptions.

Academic Warning

Students enrolled in the clinical psychology programs will receive a letter of academic warning for:

• Receipt of a grade of “F”
• Receipt of a grade of “NC”
• Receipt of a second grade below “B-“

In addition, students placed on warning may be referred to the Student Professional Development Committee (SPDC) and/or the Academic Affairs Committee for evaluation.

Other Reasons for Dismissal

Students enrolled in the clinical psychology programs are dismissed from the program for:

• Receipt of a second grade of “F”
• Receipt of a second grade of “NC”
• Receipt of a grade of “F” and a grade of “NC”
• Receipt of two grades below “B-” during the same semester
• Receipt of a third grade below “B-“
• Dismissals due to failures of the CCE and CPE are determined by each program. See program description for more details.
  • Practicum is a field experience that spans over the academic year. In order for a student to successfully progress through practicum they must pass both practicum segments within the year. If a student receives a grade of NC in the second segment of the yearlong practicum, a grade of NC will be awarded in both sections of the practicum sequence. This will count as one NC for dismissal purposes.

Residency Requirements

PsyD in Clinical Psychology degree program students are required to complete a minimum of three full-time academic years of graduate study (or the equivalent thereof) and completion of an internship prior to awarding the degree. At least two of the three academic training years (or the equivalent thereof) must be completed at the campus from which the degree is granted, and at least one year of which must be in full-time residence (or the equivalent thereof) at that same campus.

Program Requirements - Based on Campus Requirements

The curriculum offered within the doctoral degree program consists primarily of courses that are required of all graduate students. Some of these required courses cover the major theories of historical and modern psychology and their application in current practice; the stages of the developmental process, and the basis for behavior; psychopathology; and a series of courses dealing with the administration and interpretation of various forms of assessment. Students are also required to participate in two years of practicum field experience and the seminar that accompanies each practicum. Various elective courses cover a wide range of areas, including advanced therapy and the treatment of special populations. A one-year internship or its equivalent is the final stage in the training process. Program-specific requirements and options may change from time to time. For campus-specific program information, refer to campus-specific program requirements.

Professionalization Group Requirements

During their first year, doctoral degree program students participate in Professionalization Groups that focus on topics related to professional psychology. Through independent reading and discussions led by faculty members, students begin to develop a professional identity and become familiar with current issues in clinical psychology. The groups are designed to provide a comfortable environment in which students can freely exchange concerns, questions and issues relevant to their studies and their future careers.

More detailed information on Professionalization Groups can be found in the campus-specific program descriptions.

Practicum Requirements

Students in good academic standing participate in the practicum, as approved by faculty and staff responsible for field training. The practicum is a field experience that spans 9 - 12 months for approximately 16 - 20 hours per week during the academic year. The specific clinical focus of the practicum varies according to the student’s program, training needs, interest, and the availability of practicum sites. Because of the critical nature of practicum experience in the training of a clinical psychologist, students are not released from the practicum requirement, regardless of prior work experience. In addition, to help to ensure that the practicum experience is dedicated exclusively to training, students may not complete the practicum in their place of employment. Students are advised to review the campus-specific program descriptions available at each campus for more information on practicum requirements.

Practicum Seminar Requirements

Students participating in the practicum are enrolled concurrently in a regularly scheduled practicum seminar that meets throughout the academic year. The content and emphasis of the seminars vary according to the practicum setting of the enrolled students and the professional expertise of the faculty member leading the group.

The seminars offer a variety of valuable experiences, which include an analysis of audio/video material covering diagnostic interviewing and therapy, skills development in diagnostic interviewing, and training in a wide variety of therapy techniques. Students are evaluated in the seminar. These evaluations are included in the student’s academic record. Students should consult their program descriptions for specific information concerning various practicum experiences.

Comprehensive Examination Requirements

At certain Argosy University campuses, students must successfully complete a Comprehensive Examination to demonstrate that they have mastered the fundamental theories and concepts required of a clinical psychologist. The time and format of the Comprehensive Examination is determined by each campus. Adequate advance notice is provided to each student preparing for the Comprehensive Examination. Further information on the Comprehensive Examination can be found in the campus-specific program descriptions.

Clinical Competency Examination Requirements

The Clinical Competency Examination (CCE), which is also referred to as the CEC, and/or CPE, or PCE at some Argosy University campuses, is a series of competency-based tasks in which students demonstrate to the faculty a mastery of major clinical assessment and therapy skills. The purpose of this evaluation is to monitor the student’s growth and development of clinical competence in accordance with the standards of the profession and to ensure student acquisition of appropriate skill levels for subsequent internship training and clinical practice. In this evaluation, students may be required to demonstrate clinical competency in the following clinical areas:

• Diagnostic interviewing
• Psychodiagnostic scoring
• Psychodiagnostic interpretation
• Psychotherapy
• Professional ethics

Approval for an internship is based upon faculty evaluation of the student’s total performance on clinical tasks. A student who does not demonstrate proficiency in the overall CCE performance may not begin an internship. The faculty may require further intensive training and demonstration of competency before approving a student’s enrollment in an internship. Refer to the campus-specific program descriptions for further information on CCE requirements.

Internship Requirements

The Director of Clinical Training at each campus help the student identify an appropriate location for internship and prepare the documentation necessary for internship application. During the course of the internship, those responsible for training continue to monitor the progress of the student and maintain contact with the student and his or her supervisor.

Since the needs of students differ during the internship process, all internship sites must receive the approval of the training staff. While an internship may be a paid position, the internship site may not be the student’s regular or prior place of employment. Refer to the campus-specific program descriptions for further information on internship requirements.

Clinical Research Project

Each doctoral degree program student is required to develop a Clinical Research Project (CRP) as a requirement for graduation. The CRP is intended to be a scholarly work that provides students an opportunity to deepen their knowledge and thought about a particular clinical area; to demonstrate the ability to analyze methodological issues; and to produce an original piece of scholarly work in the field of clinical psychology. Assisting the student in this process is a committee of faculty members who will review the material and make recommendations and suggestions to the student. The student should plan to spend a minimum of 9 - 12 months completing the CRP. Most campuses require the initiation of CRP prior to the start of internship, even though the required dates for completion may vary.

Throughout the CRP, the student works closely with the committee chairperson and other committee members in order to develop a proposal and complete an original and scholarly work. Refer to the campus-specific program descriptions for further information on Clinical Research Project requirements.

Concentrations in the Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology Degree Program

At some campuses, the following optional concentrations are offered to PsyD in Clinical Psychology degree program students to provide more intensive training in a specialty area.

Child & Adolescent Psychology

Child & Family Clinical Practice

Child & Family Psychology

Client-Centered and Experiential Psychotherapies

Clinical Health Psychology

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Diversity in Clinical Practice

Diversity & Multicultural Psychology  

Family Psychology

Forensic Psychology

General Adult Clinical

Geropsychology

Health & Neuropsychology

Health Psychology

Marriage/Couples & Family Therapy

Neuropsychology

Neuropsychology/Geropsychology

Psychoanalytic Psychology

For complete information on available concentrations and the requirements for fulfilling a concentration, consult the campus specific program requirements.

Qualifying for the Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology Degree as a Student in the Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology Degree Program

Students in the Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology degree program, who wish to earn the Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology degree while working toward the doctoral degree, must petition for the degree and complete the courses and clinical training requirements as specified by each of the Clinical Psychology programs. For more information, consult campus specific qualification requirements.

Campus-Specific Program Requirements

To review program requirements for a given campus, click on the relevent link below:

Argosy University, Atlanta

Argosy University, Chicago

Argosy University, Hawai’i

Argosy University, Orange County

Argosy University, Phoenix

Argosy University, San Francisco Bay Area

Argosy University, Schaumburg

Argosy University, Tampa

Argosy University, Twin Cities

Argosy University, Northern Virginia

Gainful Employment Information

The following links provide program duration, tuition, fees and other costs, median debt, salary data, alumni success, and other important information for the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology degree programs offered at Argosy University: