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Clinical Psychology, Doctor of Psychology

The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology degree program has been designed to prepare prospective psychologists in the delivery of ethical, culturally-competent and evidence-based diagnostic, intervention and assessment services that effectively meet the needs of diverse populations in diverse settings. To help to ensure that students are adequately prepared, the curriculum is designed to provide for the meaningful integration of theory, training, and practice and emphasize the development of attitudes, knowledge, and skills essential to the training of clinical psychologists who are committed to the ethical provision of quality services.

To receive a Doctor of Clinical Psychology (PsyD) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses, consisting of 101 units of graduate-level courses and two thousand (2000) hours of clinical practice. In addition to coursework, the PsyD doctoral degree requires graduate students to engage in practicum and/or clinical experiences, to demonstrate a high level of competency in their field, and to engage in research and scholarship.

In addition to University Requirements:

Complete individual plan requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion	101
Additional Admission Requirements	Required
Fieldwork Experience/Internship	Required
Research	Individualized research is required.
Licensure	This program may lead to licensure.
Clinical Competency Exam	Required

Purpose Statement

The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology degree program has been designed to prepare future psychologists in the delivery of ethical, culturally-competent and evidence-based diagnostic, intervention and assessment services that effectively meet the needs of diverse populations in diverse settings. Students learn to provide continuing and comprehensive mental and behavioral health care to address issues that occur across the lifespan for individuals and families. To help to ensure that students are adequately prepared, the curriculum is designed to provide for the meaningful integration of theory, training, and practice. The PsyD in Clinical Psychology degree program is designed to emphasize the development of attitudes, knowledge, and skills essential to the training of clinical psychologists who are committed to the ethical provision of quality services. Specific goals of the program include the following:

Student Learning Outcomes

The program aim is to prepare prospective psychologists in the delivery of ethical, culturally-competent and evidence-based diagnostic, intervention and assessment services that effectively meet the needs of diverse populations in diverse settings.

Profession-wide Competencies:

Research/Science foundation - demonstrates understanding and respect for research, research methodology, techniques of data collection and analysis, biological bases of behavior, cognitive-affective bases of behavior, and development across the lifespan.
Ethical and legal standards -Demonstrates application of ethical concepts and awareness of legal issues regarding professional activities with individuals, groups, and organizations.
Individual and cultural diversity – Awareness, sensitivity and skills in working professionally with diverse individuals, groups and communities who represent various cultural and personal backgrounds and characteristics defined broadly and consistent with APA policy/guidelines.
Professional values, attitudes and behaviors - Adherence to professional values including self-reflection, integrity, professional identity and comportment, accountability and concern for the welfare of others.
Communication and interpersonal skills -Develop individual and group interpersonal skills to improve and foster participation and interaction critical for achieving individual, group and diverse community goals. Able to demonstrate verbal and non-verbal congruency and ability to demonstrate engagement
Assessment - Able to assess and diagnose problems, capabilities and issues associated with diverse individuals, groups and/or organization. Able to demonstrate conceptualization of problems considering the context and other relevant factors.
Intervention - Able to plan, implement and evaluate interventions designed to alleviate suffering and to promote health and well-being of diverse individuals, groups and organizations. Able to demonstrate conceptualization of problems considering the context and other relevant factors
Supervision - Able to guide, support and direct the integration of research and clinical expertise in the context of patient factors.
Consultation and interprofessional/interdisciplinary skills - The ability to provide expert guidance or professional assistance in response to a client’s needs or goals. Able to use interpersonal skills needed to collaborate well with others.

Graduate Admission Information

The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.

Admission requirements include the following:
- Transcripts.
- Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.
Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.

Ready to apply? Begin your application now.
International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.

Additional Admission Requirements

Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

- 3 letters of recommendation with at least two from faculty.
- Completion of bachelor's degree in psychology, or closely-related field; or a master's degree in psychology or closely-related field.
- A sample of professional writing, or writing from recent coursework.
- A personal statement.
- An interview.
If your undergraduate GPA is less than 3.00, a graduate GPA of a 3.25 is acceptable (minimum 18 units competed as part of a master's degree).

Students who do not have an undergraduate degree in psychology will need to complete at least five undergraduate or introductory graduate courses that are primarily psychological in content and must address these three required areas*:
- Introduction to psychology or general psychology
- Abnormal, psychopathology, or maladaptive behavior
- Statistics or research methods
*Two additional courses in field of psychology must also be completed. In addition, students who have not taken courses in the required areas must complete these courses early in their program as these courses serve as prerequisites.

Doctoral Requirements

Take the following 101 units:

Assessment Requirements (13 units)
- CPP 673, CPP 737, CPP 738, CPP 739

Clinical Electives (9 units)
- Elective coursework chosen in consultation with your advisor.

Clinical Intervention and Psychotherapy Requirements (24 units)
- CPP 602, CPP 603, CPP 604, CPP 605, CPP 621, CPP 700, CPP 736, CPP 740

Clinical Psychology Practicum (12 units)
- CPP 701, CPP 702, CPP 703, CPP 704

Clinical Research Project Requirements (3 units)
- CPP 789

Consultation and Supervision Requirements (3 units)
- CPP 735

Ethics and Professional Conduct Requirements (5 units)
- CPP 670, CPP 711, CPP 712

Human Development Requirements (3 units)
- CPP 601

Internship (2 units)
- CPP 796

Psychology Foundations: Basic Science/Psychology Requirements (12 units)
- CPP 606, CPP 609, CPP 706, CPP 708

Psychopathology Requirements (6 units)
- CPP 680, CPP 683

Statistics and Research Methods Requirements (9 units)
- CPP 627, CPP 664,CPP 727

Additional Information

Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

Program Fee Information

Program fees are established by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR). A program fee has been approved for this program. See program fee details. Program fees are subject to change and updated July 1 for the next academic year.