PsyD Concentrations

Clinical Psychology

Those who seek a concentration in Clinical Psychology will focus on the science of psychology to treat complex human problems and mental disorders.  In addition to foundational courses, students will complete additional course work designed to provide them with knowledge and skills to address behavioral and mental health issues faced by individuals across the lifespan including:

• Adjustment issues and traumatic stress reactions,
• Emotional and psychological problems, including serious mental illness and crisis intervention,
• Interpersonal or social problems and dysfunction, and
• Behavioral problems including substance abuse and dependence, intellectual, cognitive, and neurological conditions.

Counseling Psychology

Those who seek a concentration in Counseling Psychology will focus on facilitating personal and interpersonal functioning across the lifespan.  In addition to foundational courses, students will complete additional course work designed to provide them with knowledge and skills to focus on normative developmental and mental health issues and challenges faced by individuals across their lifespan, as well as systemic challenges (such as prejudice and discrimination) experienced in groups, workplaces, organizations, institutions, and communities. They will use strengths-based perspectives and practices to prevent and ameliorate emotional, relational, physical/health-related, social, cultural, vocational, educational, and identity-related problems.

School Psychology

Those who seek a concentration in School Psychology will focus on work in schools and related systems of care to support the behavioral/mental health and educational success of children and youth. In addition to foundational courses, students will learn to use their knowledge and skills to provide services to learners and the systems and agencies that serve them and their families including:

• Individuals from birth to young adulthood presenting learning or behavior problems, mental disorders evident in infancy, childhood, or adolescence, and those with specific disabilities, chronic, or acute conditions of childhood and adolescence,
• Families who request services and assistance with academic and behavioral problems at home and at school, and
• Organizations and agencies, teachers, and other adults to enhance healthy relationships and environments that promote learning and development.

The curriculum is designed with academic and experiential components to ensure alignment with requirements of the American Psychological Association (APA), APA’s Commission on Accreditation (CoA), and the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Program Approval Board (School Psychology concentration only) and lead to licensure/credentials in the appropriate concentration. Students in the Combined Health Service Psychology Psy.D. program should expect to develop critical thinking and application skills to prepare them to complete a year-long internship as part of their curricular requirements.  This internship, completed under supervision of licensed professionals, will allow students to further develop their knowledge and skills in health service psychological provision to address the needs of a variety of individuals.

Students can earn a Master of Science in Health Services Psychology or School Counseling or Educational Specialist in School Psychology while completing the Psy.D. program if desired.