PREPARING PROFESSIONALS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE. College of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences

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1 D o c t o r o f P s y c h o l o g y ( P s y D ) i n C l i n i c a l P s y c h o l o g y P r o g r a m PREPARING PROFESSIONALS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE College of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences

2 3 S u s a n S a n c e s D e a n, C o l l e g e o f P s y c h o l o g y a n d B e h a v i o r a l S c i e n c e s THE PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY AT ARGOSY UNIVERSITY Dear <Fname>, Argosy University Preparing practitioners of clinical psychology to ethically and effectively deliver diagnostic and therapeutic services to diverse populations. As you make the choice to pursue your doctoral degree in psychology, I invite you to take a closer look at the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology program offered at The Professional Schools of Clinical Psychology at Argosy University. For more than 30 years, we have been training professional psychologists who have benefitted from the unique value of Argosy University s emphasis on research-based practice. This practitioner-scholar model of training integrates sound scientific theory with the development of the skills and attitudes needed to be a clinical psychologist. Argosy University is committed to training psychologists who will have a positive impact in the world and on the field of psychology. Our program is academically challenging while encouraging your development as a person and a professional. We believe in high standards, faculty mentorship and opportunities to learn while you practice with experienced supervisors in the field. Our graduates are prepared to provide ethical and quality services in a variety of settings, and many of our alumni are engaged in work that has expanded the impact of psychology on the world. You can learn more about the advantages of Argosy University in the following pages. Then let us know how we can assist you in achieving your professional goals. Sincerely,

3 4 P r a c t i t i o n e r- S c h o l a r M o d e l The ethical practice of clinical psychology not only requires applying theory and research in clinical settings, but also demands the effective application of skills that enable the practitioner to conduct accurate assessments and therapeutic interventions. The Professional Schools of Clinical Psychology at Argosy University, Phoenix s PsyD in Clinical Psychology program is grounded in theory but also consists of experiential elements that allow the student to learn by relevant research, applied theory and field experience. This integrated program design, known as the practitioner-scholar model, is an essential component in preparing aspiring psychologists for clinical practice. Professional development is led and supported by mentoring relationships with our practitioner-scholar faculty who embody the knowledge, skills, ethics and professional attitudes required of clinical psychologists. Our faculty guide students through their clinical and community accomplishments as they set the standards for excellence and act as role models. NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED Faculty Expertise to Argosy University s PsyD faculty include nationally recognized experts in their field. Our faculty specialize in a diverse range of clinical areas, including forensic psychology, eating disorders, multicultural issues and emotion-focused therapy. Our PsyD faculty have established themselves as teachers, authors and leaders. Many serve as peer editors of professional journals, maintain noted private practices, and serve as officers in state psychological associations. Community Outreach The primary strength of our campus is our commitment to diversity through the design of our academic and training curricula. At Argosy University, Phoenix, you will find an environment that offers students the opportunities to develop the skills and attitudes essential to working with diverse populations. Dr. Louise Baca is a Professor of Clinical Psychology who embodies this strength of diversity through her background, research and roles at Argosy University, Phoenix. Her research experience includes co-developing a substance abuse intervention project to benefit Mexican- American teens. She is currently Co-Chair of the Diversity Community Forum at Argosy University, Phoenix. In 2008, Dr. Baca was a nominee for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Living the Dream Award. EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING The goal of this model is to produce competent clinicians who are able deliver basic and effective care in professional settings and to meet our PsyD core objectives: Prepare practitioners to deliver basic diagnostic and therapeutic services to diverse populations Enable practitioners to integrate biological, psychological and sociocultural aspects of human functioning into their clinical approach Assist practitioners in assuming leadership positions within the healthcare delivery system Train psychologists to work with professionals from other disciplines as part of an effectively functioning healthcare team Prepare practitioners to evaluate and use clinical research applications of psychology Students are expected to demonstrate these proficiencies whether they are working with individuals, families or groups in clinical settings. Diversity, the essential component of this learning, requires students to understand different social, ethnic, economic and educational perspectives prior to concluding the PsyD program. Students are also encouraged to engage in community outreach programs, individually or as a group, to broaden their exposure to operant cultural influences. The practitioner-scholar model gives students the advantage of an environment where they can learn while practicing and applying the skills of a professional clinician. This approach allows for the integration of knowledge within responsibly mentored clinical experiences. PROGRAM OVERVIEW The Professional Schools of Clinical Psychology at Argosy University, Phoenix s Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology program is designed to educate and train students to function effectively as clinical psychologists. The program is grounded in theory and supported by appropriate practicum sequences for experiential learning through relevant research, applied theory and field experience. Through personalized oversight and instruction by faculty, students develop the attitudes, knowledge and skills essential to the practice of clinical psychology. The PsyD in Clinical Psychology degree program is 98 semester credit hours. The program s curriculum encompasses the science of psychology, clinical practice and professional development. Students also complete required coursework in: Intervention and supervision Research methodology Diversity studies Clinical research Clinical knowledge and psychotherapy During their clinical studies, students advance through progressively challenging levels of practica. At each level, a student s progress is assessed in multiple ways by faculty members and field supervisors. PsyD in Clinical Psychology students generally complete their practicum in the second and third years of the program, with an optional advanced practicum in the fourth year, and their predoctoral internship in the fifth year. In addition, students must successfully complete the Clinical Competency Examination (CCE) as part of their practicum training. PsyD at a glance Our formal curriculum provides a meaningful integration of theory, research and practice. Students will acquire didactic knowledge in these areas: History of thought and development in the discipline of psychology Cognitive and affective bases of human functioning Biological bases of human behavior and social bases of individual and group behavior Human development Foundations of measurement theory and research methods Whether a student s professional emphasis is developmental, therapeutic or preventative, the key to their effectiveness lies in the expert support and guidance of Argosy University, Phoenix s accomplished faculty. Through these relationships, students apply their theoretical knowledge, implement clinical techniques and integrate research findings to enhance their competence as a clinician. As a result, students gain experiences that will better prepare them to acquire the abilities to conduct assessments and interventions, as well as maintain ethical relationships with patients and colleagues. This program is designed so that it can be completed in as little as five years but must be completed in no longer than seven years. Graduates of our program can be prepared to pursue a position as a licensed clinical psychologist provided they pass the appropriate licensure within one or two years of completing their degree. The Professional Schools of Clinical Psychology at Argosy University was one of the first academic institutions in the U.S. to embrace the PsyD degree as an alternative to the traditional PhD in clinical psychology, training practitioners through the practitioner-scholar instructional model. For more than 30 years, Argosy University s programs, faculty and graduates remain at the forefront of growth in clinical psychology. In the PsyD in Clinical Psychology degree program, you may select a concentration in the following areas: The Sport-Exercise Psychology concentration provides students with a knowledge base in sport-exercise psychology, including theory, research and professional practice. Students study the nature of the settings in which sport psychology is practiced and how psychologists function in such settings. The concentration includes a supervised practicum in an applied sport psychology setting. The Neuropsychology concentration focuses on the foundations for the practice of neuropsychology and understanding brain-behavior relationships. Students will examine the various ways to assess cognitive functioning and become familiar with the most widely used neuropsychological tests. Students are required to complete a practicum and clinical research project in the area of neuropsychology. 5

4 6 7 FACULTY FOCUS ARGOSY UNIVERSITY, PHOENIX PRIVATE AND PERSONAL TRIUMPHS THE STORY OF LOUISE M. BACA, PHD Louise M. Baca, PhD, is a Professor of Clinical Psychology at The Professional Schools of Clinical Psychology at Argosy University, Phoenix. She completed her PhD in clinical/community psychology from Arizona State University, Tempe. Prior to graduation she completed an internship at Arizona State University. Her training included the areas of individual, couples and group therapy, as well as supervision, outreach and consultation. At Argosy University, Phoenix, Dr. Baca teaches various psychology courses and is a member and chair of many student clinical research project committees, Co-Chair of the Diversity Community Forum, and Chair of the Faculty Search Committee. Simultaneously, her experience in consultation continues through the Indian Medical Center, Phoenix Children s Hospital, Arizona State University and other school systems in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Dr. Baca s research experience involves serving as a Supervisor and Co-Developer of the Hispanic Family Project group intervention for substance-abusing Mexican-American teens. She was also Principal Investigator of a study of children s distress following father death or divorce and Principal Investigator of a research project that explored predictors of satisfaction with social support using a community mental health sample. As a Research Assistant at Arizona State University, Tempe s Department of Psychology, she conducted data analysis using an Arizona statewide survey to test theoretical constructs pertaining to the course of psychopathology in lowincome, relocated individuals. Dr. Baca has written widely published works, including Group Therapy with Mexican American and Mexican Adolescents: Focus on Culture, 2008; Chicana Group Therapy, 2004; and other works on culturally responsive group counseling models. Dr. Baca has been noted for her dedication as a professional and faculty member on numerous occasions. In 2010, she received the Argosy University Outstanding Faculty Award. In 2008, she was a nominee for the Martin Luther King Jr. Living the Dream Award, and in 2007, she was a nominee for the Samuel M. Turner Mentor Award. She has also received the Student Affairs Status Award for Outstanding Service to Students and the ACCTA Diversity Mentorship Award, among others. The Professional Schools of Clinical Psychology at Argosy University, Phoenix is located in north Phoenix, Ariz., one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the country. In addition to the many facilities that offer practicum opportunities, there are many attractions in the Phoenix area that can influence your personal development while you prepare professionally. Phoenix is famous for its authentic Mexican food, but the diversity of the population offers many culinary options to enjoy. For inspiration, or to let your mind wander away from your studies, absorb the beauty of Phoenix s parks, the Desert Botanical Garden, the Phoenix Zoo or any of the other many treasures located here. 17 Black Canyon Fwy. N. Black Canyon Hwy. Black Canyon Access Rd. W. Dunlap Ave. N. 25th Ave. N. 26th Ave. W. Townley Ave. W. Alice Ave. W. Diana Ave. W. Orchid Ln. W. Freeway Ln. W. Seldon Ln. N. 23rd Ave. Phoenix Campus 2233 West Dunlap Avenue Phoenix, AZ (480) Passcode: <6dcode> See auprograms.info for program duration, tuition, fees, and other costs, median debt, federal salary data, alumni success, and other important info. PSYDM

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