Overview of training
The PsyD clinical program follows the Vail practitioner-scholar model and the standards of education adopted by the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology (NCSPP).
In brief, the program prepares students with a solid foundation in scientific research methodology, training in the application of research to issues and cases, and preparation for clinical proficiency. Students complete a doctoral research project, not a traditional dissertation, and enroll in a 16-credit professional concentration that focuses on a specialty area of clinical practice and/or clinically oriented research. The program places special emphasis on the breadth and depth of its clinical training in assessment and therapy, as well as other practitioner skills, such as teaching, supervision, consultation, management, research, and evaluation. Some students in the Psy.D. program are jointly admitted to the School of Public Health in order to pursue dual doctoral degrees, Doctor of Psychology and Doctor of Public Health (Preventive Care).
Sample progression through the program:
Year 1
Take foundational coursework and begin preparation for clinical practica in year 2.
Year 2
Begin clinical training in the psychology services clinic and complete course sequence in therapeutic methods and assessment.
Year 3Complete courses required for professional concentration and finish core courses. Clinical training at one of our external practicum sites.
Year 4Finish remaining courses, clinical training at a pre-internship site, and doctoral project.
Year 5Internship year ending in graduation.
Time to program completion
The expected time to program completion is 4 years, plus an additional year for the predoctoral internship.
PostgraduateTo obtain licensure in California, graduates must receive an additional year of postdoctoral training (typically a paid) and supervised clinical experience. After taking the examination for professional practice in psychology (national examination) and the exam offered by the California Board of Psychology, graduates become licensed professional psychologists.
Financial
There are federal grants and student loans available through student finance and financial aid. You can work as a research assistant or teaching assistant on an hourly basis with one of the professors in his/her lab. These positions become available after acceptance and arrival here on campus following orientation in the Fall. If/when you are accepted you might want to contact the professor in your research area of interest and approach them by phone or e-mail showing your interest for a TA or RA job. There are numerous part-time jobs, campus wide and in the nearby communities that could be worked into a busy student schedule. Your first year you don't want to get too overwhelmed since it will be graduate school level studies.
We are on Block Tuition: Fall quarter costs $6,750, Winter quarter costs $6,750, Spring quarter costs $6,750, and Summer quarter costs $4,250. The total annual cost is $24,500. One year of internship costs is $1,535 per quarter, times 4 quarters. The advantages of block tuition are: a) students can take a full academic load or more each quarter, b) consistency from quarter to quarter with Financial Aid, and c) will expedite the completion of the degree program in a timely manner. However, the disadvantage will be that a student who does not take a full load will end up spending more money for his/her degree.
In addition to tuition, the University charges a quarterly fee of $430.00 that includes student health insurance and membership to Drayson Center (the University's health fitness center).
Example, based on normal progression through the program:
Psy.D. degree, 4 years x $24,500 = $98,000.00, plus 1 year of internship at $6,140.00, plus 5 years of university fees = $8,600.00 = Total cost of $112,740.
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