The University Bulletin lists program requirements and brief descriptions of courses offered in the Psy.D. Program. These descriptions are under review for the 2008-2009 Bulletin; the listing here reflects the most current set of requirements and courses offered. Not all courses listed in the Bulletin are offered every year, and new courses not yet listed in the Bulletin may be added. Students may access Course Registration Numbers (CRNs) and other registration data through the online at schedule at www.gwu.edu/~schedule.

The University Bulletin also lists general rules of the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences for continuing enrollment and satisfactory academic progress.

Course Requirements Including One Prerequisite
Prior to enrollment in the Psy.D. program, students are expected to have completed an introductory level statistics course. Once enrolled in the program, Psy.D. degree candidates must complete a total of 83 credits to earn the Doctor of Psychology degree. Students typically take 10 credits each fall and spring, and variable credits each summer, throughout their 3-year course of studies.

Transfer Credits
On a case-by-case basis, students may receive approval for graduate transfer credits. Transfer credits must be approved by the program after review by the student's advisor.

PSY.D. CURRICULUM

Courses that Psy.D. degree candidates take fall into three categories: core courses, track courses, and elective courses. The specific course requirements and the typical sequence for the Psy.D. Program are as follows (courses are 3 credits unless otherwise indicated):

First Year, Fall
201: Sec 10 Psychological Assessment
204: Sec 10 Biological Bases of Clinical Psychology
205: Sec 10,11 Psychodynamic Psychopathology
203: Sec 10,11,12 Practicum/Lab in Clinical Psych. Assessment (1 credit)

First Year, Spring
202: Sec 10,11 Psychological Assessment II
207: Sec 10,11 Group and Organizational Dynamics
270: Sec 10 Empirical Research
203: Sec 10,11,12 Practicum in Clinical Psych. Assessment (1 credit)

First Year, Summer
220: Sec 10,11 Psychodynamic Psychotherapy I
270: Sec 10 Psychological Assessment III
203: Sec 10,11,12 Practicum in Psychotherapy (1 credit)

Second Year, Fall
221: Sec 10,11 Psychodynamic Psychotherapy II
225: Sec 10,11 Theories of the Mind I
Track course (Child track takes PsyD 264)
203: Sec 13,14,15 Practicum In Clinical Psychology (1 credit)

Second Year, Spring
226: Sec 10,11 Theories of the Mind II
Track course (Child track takes PsyD 262)
Elective course
203: Sec 13,14,15 Practicum In Clinical Psychology (1 credit)

Second Year, Summer
206: Sec 10 Cognitive Bases of Clinical Psychology
209: Sec 10 Advanced Statistics
Track or Elective course

Third Year, Fall
222: Sec 10 Cognitive and Behavioral
260: Sec 10 Life Span Human Development
270: Sec 10 Supervision
270: Sec 11 Major Area Paper (1 credit)
203: Sec 16,17,18 Practicum In Clinical Psychology (1 credit)

Third Year, Spring
227: Sec 10 History and Systems of Clinical Psychology
246: Sec 10 Consultation Course (Spring or Summer of 3rd year)
Track or Elective course
203: Sec 16,17,18 Practicum In Clinical Psychology (1 credit) 203: Sec 19,20,21 Supervision, Consultation or Research practicum (1 credit)

Third Year, Summer
210: Sec 10 Ethics & Professional Issues
270: Sec 10 Consultation Course (Spring or Summer of 3rd year)
203: Sec 12,13,14 Supervision, Consultation or Research practicum (1 credit)
270: Sec 13 Major Area Paper (1 credit)

 

Total Credit Hours in Curriculum: 83

 

CORE COURSE OFFERINGS

 

All students in the program complete the following courses:
PsyD 201, 202, 270 Psychological Assessment I, II, III
PsyD 204 Biological Bases of Clinical Psychology
PsyD 205 Psychodynamic Psychopathology
PsyD 206 Cognitive Bases of Clinical Psychology
PsyD 207 Group and Organizational Dynamics
PsyD 209 Advanced Statistics
PsyD 210 Ethics & Professional Issues
PsyD 220, 221 Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
PsyD 225, 226 Theories of the Mind
PsyD 227 History and Systems of Clinical Psychology
PsyD 260 Life Span Human Development
PsyD 246 or 270 Consultation
PsyD 270 Supervision
PsyD 270 Empirical Research

 

Track and Elective Course Offerings and Associated Major Tracks
(Note that the elective opportunities indicated in the schedule above may be selected from the offerings in any track, or from Interdisciplinary offerings throughout the CCAS.)
Selection of Track Courses At the beginning of the second year of studies, students are asked to complete a Major Track Form which identifies their choice of track. Four courses chosen from the Track constitutes a "major" in that Track. Required courses within each track are noted.

 

Adult Track Courses
PsyD 222 Behavioral and Cognitive (Required)
PsyD 240 Group Psychotherapy*
PsyD 231 Short Term Psychotherapy*
PsyD 265 Family Therapy*
PsyD 233 Gender Development
PsyD 215 Adolescent Psychopathology
PsyD 270 Attachment
PsyD 270 Trauma
PsyD 270 Severe Psychopathology
* = At least one of the three starred courses must be taken by Adult Track students.

 

Child and Adolescent Track Courses
PsyD 222 Behavioral and Cognitive (Required)
PsyD 262 Child and Adolescent Psychopathology (Required)
PsyD 264 Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy (Required)
PsyD 252 Child and Adolescent Assessment
PsyD 233 Gender Development
PsyD 215 Adolescent Psychopathology
PsyD 265 Family Therapy
PsyD 266 Learning Disabilities/Schools
PsyD 270 Attachment

Assessment Track Courses
PsyD 222 Behavioral and Cognitive (Required)
PsyD 252 Child and Adolescent Assessment
PsyD 255 Forensic Assessment
PsyD 250 Neuropsychological Assessment
PsyD 266 Learning Disabilities/Schools

 

Independent Study
PsyD 270 Independent Study

 

Interdisciplinary Study
Courses relevant to a student's studies may be taken in another CCAS program or department.

 

Additional Program Requirements are as Follows:
· Attendance at the colloquium series during the first 2 years of study
· Students are expected to participate in a Group Relations Conference during their first year in order to further their understanding of unconscious group processes. The Conference is experiential, that is, students explore their thoughts, feelings, and behavior while participating in groups. Faculty and non-faculty serve as consultants to the groups. If students wish not to participate in the conference, they need to discuss it with their advisor.
· Successful completion of the General Examination, or "comps" (taken in the third year, near the beginning of the fall term).
· Completion of the "Major Area Paper" (completed and approved by the end of the spring term in the third year)
· A 1-year, full-time internship at an institution approved by the program faculty (normally begun after the third year of full-time study, once all coursework has been completed satisfactorily)
Students must also conform to the standards set forth by the University and by the Columbian School of Arts and Sciences. For details, please refer to the University Bulletin.