Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology degree program is designed to prepare learners for professional clinical psychology practice and eligibility to apply for clinical psychologist licensure in many states. Learners engage in a competency-based, scholar-practitioner curriculum that provides them with advanced practice preparation emphasizing the incorporation of scientific knowledge and inquiry into the development, application, and evaluation of ethical and culturally sensitive psychological assessments and interventions. The curriculum provides both online coursework and face-to-face residencies that focus on ethics, multicultural perspectives, supervision, clinical interviewing skills, cognitive and personality assessment, diagnosis and psychopathology, psychotherapy theory and treatment, and psychological report writing. Coursework, residency experiences, clinical training, and research are sequential, developmental, and graded in complexity to ensure that successful graduates gain the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to form effective professional relationships; conduct appropriate psychological assessments; successfully implement evidence-based interventions; evaluate the outcomes of programs and therapeutic interventions; and engage in supervision, consultation, and advocacy related to the practice of clinical psychology.
Personal Suitability and Fitness for the Profession
Capella embraces the principles and guidelines set forth by the Council of Chairs of Training Councils (CCTC) related to professional psychology programs in that the faculty, training staff, supervisors, and administrators in the PsyD Clinical Psychology specialization have a professional, ethical, and potentially legal obligation to ensure, insofar as possible, that all learners have the competence to manage professional relationships in an effective and appropriate manner and that they possess the emotional maturity, interpersonal stability, and intellectual judgment required to work with vulnerable populations. Personal suitability and fitness for the profession includes but is not limited to demonstration of sufficient interpersonal and professional competence; self-awareness, self-reflection, and self-evaluation; openness to processes of supervision; and resolution of issues or problems that interfere with professional development or functioning in a satisfactory manner. Throughout the graduate training of each learner, faculty and staff are responsible for educating and assessing learners with regard to their personal suitability and fitness for the profession.
Residency Requirement(s)
Clinical Psychology year-in-residence. See university policy 3.04.05 Attendance at Residencies and the Residencies page on Campus for more information. Also see the PsyD Year-in-Residence section, below, and the Clinical Psychology year-in-residence courses.
Clinical Training Requirement(s)
Minimum of 1,000 practicum hours and 2,000 pre-doctoral internship hours. See the PsyD Clinical Training section, below, for more information.
Additional Program Requirements
| PSY8001 | Orientation to Professional Psychology | 5 |
| PSY5120 | Social Psychology | 5 |
| PSY5410 | History and Systems of Psychology | 5 |
| PSY5420 | Multicultural Perspectives in Human Behavior | 5 |
| PSY6015 | Lifespan Development | 5 |
| PSY7320 | Advanced Biological Psychology | 5 |
| PSY7421 | Cognitive/Affective Psychology | 5 |
| PSY7610 | Tests and Measurements | 5 |
| PSY8220 | Advanced Psychopathology | 5 |
| PSY8251 | Neuropsychological Assessment | 5 |
| PSY8310 | Theories of Psychotherapy | 5 |
| PSY8371 | Strategies of Clinical Supervision and Consultation | 5 |
| PSY8501 | Advanced Research Methods and Statistics for Professional Psychology | 5 |
| PSY8502 | Advanced Research Design and Methodology for Professional Psychology | 5 |
| PSY9909 | Clinical Psychology Dissertation Preparation | 5 |
| PSY-R8200 | The Helping Relationship and Techniques in Clinical Psychology | 5 |
| PSY-R8203 | Psychological Assessment 1: Cognitive, Achievement, and Adaptive Behavior | 5 |
| PSY-R8206 | Psychological Assessment 2: Personality and Mental Health | 5 |
| PSY-R8209 | Integrated Psychological Report Writing and Case Conceptualization | 5 |
| PSY-R8212 | Theory and Evidence-Based Practice in Clinical Psychology | 5 |
| PSY-R8215 | Ethics and Standards of Professional Practice in Clinical Psychology | 5 |
Learners must register for PSY8950 a minimum of three times to fulfill their program requirements.
| PSY8950 | Clinical Psychology Doctoral Practicum | 4 |
Learners must register for PSY9960 a minimum of two times to fulfill their program requirements.
Learners must register for PSY9962 a minimum of four times to fulfill their program requirements.
| PSY9962 | Clinical Psychology Doctoral Internship | 3 |
Two Elective Courses
At least 10 quarter credits
Choose at least two from the following courses:
| PSY-R8218 | Advanced Residency Applications | 2 |
| PSY5115 | Human Sexuality | 5 |
| PSY5125 | Introduction to Sex Therapy | 5 |
| PSY5135 | Issues and Trends in Addiction-Related Treatments | 5 |
| PSY6210 | Introduction to Psychopathology | 5 |
| PSY6505 | Principles of Family Psychology | 5 |
| PSY6810 | Principles of Sport Psychology | 5 |
| PSY6820 | Performance Enhancement in Sports | 5 |
| PSY6830 | Applied Sport Psychology | 5 |
| PSY6840 | Current Issues in Sport Psychology | 5 |
| PSY6910 | Psychology and the Law | 5 |
| PSY6920 | Techniques of Forensic Practice | 5 |
| PSY6930 | Current Issues and Trends in Forensic Practice | 5 |
| PSY7310 | Biological Basis of Behavior | 5 |
| PSY7330 | Psychopharmacology | 5 |
| PSY7510 | Psychology of Personality | 5 |
| PSY7708 | Basic Foundations in Applied Behavior Analysis | 5 |
| PSY7709 | Advanced Concepts in Applied Behavior Analysis | 5 |
| PSY8610 | Principles of Health Psychology | 5 |
| PSY8770 | Psychology of Motivation and Performance | 5 |
Total
At least 145 quarter credits
One or more courses in this program may require a prerequisite(s). Refer to the course descriptions for details.
Learners who do not complete all program requirements within quarter credit/program point minimums will be required to accrue such additional quarter credits/program points as are associated with any additional or repeat coursework necessary for successful completion of program requirements.
This program is not accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Capella University cannot guarantee eligibility for licensure, endorsement, other professional credential, or salary advancement. State licensing regulations and professional standards vary; learners are responsible for understanding and complying with the requirements of the state in which they intend to work. For more information, see the professional licensure disclosures for this program on Capella’s website.
PsyD Clinical Psychology Year-in-Residence
For more detailed information on residencies, learners should refer to the Clinical PsyD Program Manual.
PsyD Clinical Training
Overview of Practicum
The practicum is a training experience that occurs in the second or third year of the program and provides the opportunity for learners to receive professional clinical training. Practicum is a part-time, on-site commitment that takes place over a minimum period of nine months and includes registration for the accompanying practicum courses.
All practicum learners must follow the practicum application process and completion guidelines stated in the Clinical PsyD Program Manual, available on Campus. The director of clinical training works closely with learners to identify potential practicum sites in their local community that meet the criteria outlined by the clinical training department. All practicum placements must be approved by the director of clinical training.
Practicum Requirements
- Approved practicum application.
- Part-time site placement with a minimum of 1,000 hours and coursework in a minimum of three quarters of the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Practicum (PSY8950).
Overview of Internship
The pre-doctoral internship is the last opportunity for learners to gain professional clinical experience prior to the granting of the degree. The internship requires a full-time (one year) or part-time (two years) on-site commitment of a minimum of 2,000 hours and includes registration for the accompanying internship course. The predoctoral internship is viewed critically by licensing boards and future employers. All internship learners must follow the internship application process and completion guidelines stated in the Clinical PsyD Program Manual, available on Campus.
Internship Requirements
- Learner demonstrates readiness for internship.
- Approved internship application.
- Full-time site placement with a minimum of 2,000 hours, completed sequentially over a one-year period, or part-time site, two-year placement with a minimum of 2,000 hours, at least 20 hours per week, not to exceed eight sequential quarters, and registration of a minimum of four times in the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Internship (PSY9962).
Clinical training hours and supervisor credential requirements for licensure or certification vary across states and Canadian provinces. Learners are responsible for determining the specific licensing requirements for any state or province in which they plan to seek licensure.