Program Description
The Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) is the highest degree for those who wish to apply their knowledge as practicing clinicians. The Clinical Psychology doctoral program at the Chicago Campus is accredited by the American Psychological Association and qualifies graduates to sit for the national licensure exam. The program has been nationally recognized for its excellent training in culturally competent service provision and offers students a remarkably wide variety of training opportunities. Students are placed in internships at prestigious clinics, hospitals, mental health centers, and governmental agencies.
Chicago students complete foundational coursework in four intervention orientations (Cognitive Behavioral, Psychodynamic, Humanistic Existential, and System) and select one in which to specialize and take advanced coursework in that theory.
Master's degrees are awarded midway through the Clinical Psy.D. program (after completing 48 semester hours of required coursework, including two semesters of practicum). Students may complete additional specific coursework to be eligible to sit for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) exam in Illinois.
Optional Track:
Child and Adolescent Track
Optional Concentrations:
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Neuropsychology
Psychotherapy and Spirituality
Creative Arts Psychotherapy
Health Psychology
International Populations and Human Rights
Child and Adolescent
Forensic Psychology
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND DATA ABOUT THE CHICAGO CAMPUS’ APA ACCREDITED CLINICAL PSY.D. PROGRAM:
The American Psychological Association
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
750 First Street, NE
Washington, D.C. 20002-4242
202.336.5979
Department
Clinical Psychology
Concentrations
Licensure
Qualifies students to sit for the national licensure exam.
Total Credits
106
Fieldwork Requirements
Sample Courses
Advanced Psychopathology
Advanced Psychopathology builds on students’ understanding of concepts and diagnostic issues presented in Basic Psychopathology as they have gained clinical and training experiences throughout their first year and a half of doctoral studies. Advanced Psychopathology will explore psychopathology and diagnostic issues from applied, multi-dimensional perspectives, adding layers of treatment planning and critical considerations to clinical case material. Students in Advanced Psychopathology will be expected to discuss diagnostic and treatment planning aspects of cases introduced by the instructor (e.g., via written material, oral presentation and other media) and by students themselves. Students will also learn to conceptualize client’s concerns from biopsychological, empirically supported, and theory-specific approaches, with particular attention to the theory students identify as their curricular track.
Diversity in Clinical Psychology
This course lays a theoretical and experiential foundation for students in multicultural psychology. The course blends exposure to theory and literature, cross-cultural immersion, and personal introspection. It provides a basic framework for understanding privilege and power, systems of oppression and domination, worldview, cultural competency, and identity. It will explore the impact and social construction of culture, gender, ethnicity, religion/spirituality, class, race, abledness, and immigrant status. Students will address the intersection of multiple identities and will explore the impact of their own culture and held personal stereotypes, beliefs and assumptions.
Gender Identity: Development, Expression and Clinical Considerations
This course begins with an overview of the biological and physiological underpinnings of gender. Students will then examine the development of gender identity expectations and the systems that reinforce traditional presentations. Social contexts and issues impacting the gender roles of females, males, and transgender and intersex individuals will be explored. Gender development theories will be examined and integrated with clinical perspectives. The unique challenges encountered when working with clients for whom gender identity and/or gender expression do not fit into a binary system will be discussed.
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