Learn to deliver effective and ethical psychological care to diverse clients.
The Psy.D. Applied Clinical Psychology post-master’s program at The Chicago School's Southern California campuses will train you to be an informed and critical practitioner who possesses broad knowledge of scientific and theoretical principles and the ability to apply it to specific clinical situations.
Our actively engaged practitioner-scholar faculty incorporate a wide variety of clinical examples into classroom activities, while integrating Core Competencies from the National Council of Schools and Program of Professional Psychology. You will become well prepared for your career through rigorous coursework, practicum training, an immersive internship experience, and by completing a dissertation project, synthesizing your educational achievements.
Upon successful completion of this 3-year Psy.D. program, you will be able to:
- Deliver effective and ethical psychotherapeutic services.
- Conduct culturally competent interviews, goal-setting, and treatment with diverse clients.
- Balance ethical, legal, and professional standards of psychotherapy.
- Critically evaluate research in clinical psychology for practice and broader communication.
Sean Sterling, Ph.D., ABPP
Licensure
For information on where The Chicago School meets, does not meet, or has not determined if the Psy.D. Applied Clinical Psychology program meets licensure eligibility requirements for the state in which you wish to be licensed, please visit our licensure page.
Admissions Requirements
Application to The Chicago School’s Psy.D. Applied Clinical Psychology program is open to any person who has earned a master's degree in a mental health field from an institutionally accredited institution and who meets other entrance requirements. Applicants must demonstrate an under graduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher for consideration.
Students applying to the Psy.D. Applied Clinical Psychology program must submit the following:
- Application
- Application Fee: $50
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Two essays
- Letters of recommendation
- Official College/University Transcripts
Send materials to:
Admissions Operations
c/o The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
203 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 1900
Chicago, IL 60601
Fieldwork Experience
Practicum Experience
The practicum is an integral component of clinical training. It provides a closely supervised clinical experience in which students use the knowledge obtained in the classroom to understand their clients and to develop skills in assessment, psychotherapy, and other discipline related areas. As such, the practicum serves to integrate the theoretical and practical aspects of the education of the professional psychologist. It allows students to become familiar with professional collaboration and consultation in a clinical setting.
All students are required to complete an 800-hour practicum as part of this program.
Internship
All students are required to complete a 1,500-hour internship following the completion of all course work, practicum, and dissertation requirements. On internship, students integrate academic knowledge with clinical skills and demonstrate the effective and ethical use of these skills in clinical practice. Through intensive supervised training, students gain direct experience in applying their knowledge with a clinical population.
Additional Program Components
Comprehensive Examination
The Applied Clinical Psychology Comprehensive Exam will focus on the eight areas of professional psychological practice identified by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards:
- Biological Bases of Behavior
- Cognitive-Affective Bases of Behavior
- Social and Cultural Bases of Behavior
- Growth and Lifespan Development
- Assessment and Diagnosis
- Treatment, Intervention, and Prevention and Supervision
- Research Methods and Statistics
- Ethical/Legal/Professional Issues
The Comprehensive Exam will evaluate the student’s knowledge of the above domains as well as competency to practice at an internship level in an ethical and culturally sensitive manner. Ultimately, the Comprehensive Exam allows the department to assess the student’s abilities as a future clinical psychologist.
Dissertation
The dissertation is an essential aspect of a student’s academic experience. The dissertation evaluates the student’s ability to contribute to the field by applying theory and research to areas of clinical psychology, thinking critically and creatively about professional psychology, and demonstrating self-direction and professional and scholarly writing.
Sample Courses
Below are a few examples of courses offered to students enrolled in the 3-year Psy.D. Applied Clinical Psychology program.
Advanced Legal and Ethical Principles
Analysis of the application of advanced legal and ethical issues in clinic psychology to such topics as clinical interventions, research, and teaching. This course will address the role and process of developing clinically competent decision-making skills in all aspects of a clinical psychologist’s role.
Trauma and Crisis Intervention
This course addresses various types of trauma, the lasting effects of trauma exposure, and the implications for treatment of individuals, groups, and diverse populations. A variety of theoretical frameworks and intervention approaches will be explored. The course will also promote the development of skills focused on both the prevention of and response to various types of crisis events.
Sport Psychology
This course will provide an overview of the psychological principles of sport, exercise, and recreational activity. Emphasis is given to the conceptual frameworks and the applied aspects of sport performance enhancement and mental skills, exercise behavior and motivation, sociological factors, and overall health and well-being. Critical elements such as anxiety, self-confidence, goal setting, leadership, and group dynamics across settings (individual or group sports settings, recreational or competitive activities, etc.) will be explored.
Career Pathways
The Chicago School’s Psy.D. Applied Clinical Psychology program equips graduates with the skills necessary to work in a variety of professional settings, such as:
- Clinics
- Private practice
- Hospitals
- Government agencies
- Nonprofit agencies
- Educational institutions
Financing Your Education
The Chicago School is dedicated to keeping our academic programs accessible to anyone, regardless of financial status. In addition to the scholarships that may be available, our Financial Aid Department will provide you with information to determine what financial arrangements are right for you.
