MISSION
The mission of the Psy.D. program in Clinical Psychology at Albizu University, Miami Campus, is to train professionally and culturally competent clinical psychologists with special emphasis on the training of a diverse psychologist workforce prepared to serve a growing multicultural population.
PHILOSOPHY OF TRAINING
The philosophy of training for the Psy.D. Program is based on the belief that the needs of a multicultural society are best served by psychology professionals who are culturally competent and inclusive. In accordance with this belief, the program seeks to provide students with rich exposure to culturally and individually diverse populations through its academic training and applied experiences. It also seeks to train students who have been underrepresented in the field.
TRAINING MODEL
The Psy.D. Program is designed to train students as health service psychologists with an emphasis on clinical psychology. The program prepares students to provide comprehensive psychotherapeutic and psychodiagnostic services, assume administrative and supervisory positions in mental health programs, and provide professional psychological consultation.
The doctorate in clinical psychology program trains students in the theories and concepts of cultural and individual diversity and their application to the practice of professional psychology. It also trains students to be consumers of research and base their work on the foundation of scientific evidence and scholarly works.
PROGRAM AIMS
- Prepare culturally competent, compassionate, self-aware, and scientifically-informed health service psychologists.
- Foster an attitude toward lifelong learning.
PROGRAM COMPETENCIES
Upon successful completion of academic requirements, students will demonstrate competency in:
- Research
- Ethical and legal standards
- Individual and cultural diversity
- Professional values, attitudes, and behaviors
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Assessment
- Intervention
- Supervision: Demonstrate knowledge of supervision models and practice
- Consultation and interprofessional/interdisciplinary skills
These competencies are consistent with the Commission on Accreditation’s Standards of Accreditation in Health Service Psychology.
CURRICULUM PLAN
The curriculum of the Psy.D. Program is derived from its mission, philosophy, aims, and competencies. The Psy.D. Program offers a generalist curriculum along with electives that invite students to focus their area of study on any of these areas: Clinical Neuropsychology, Health Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Addictions Psychology, and Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. Students also have the option of taking a variety of elective courses across specialty areas, thereby enriching their generalist training. Upon successful completion of the program, students will have completed 99 credits.
It is important to note that students who began the Psy.D. Program prior to Fall 2019 were under the previous 134-credit curriculum. These students transitioned into the 99-credit curriculum and were at different levels in the program so that they will complete the program with more than 99 credits.
Upon satisfactory completion of all 40 credits in sessions 1-4, with the exception of PSYD840, students may apply for the en route Master of Science in General Psychology by completing an application form at the Registrar’s Office along with the payment of a processing fee.
Training in the doctorate in clinical psychology program is sequential, cumulative, and increasing in complexity. It is designed to prepare students for professional practice in Health Service Psychology and for training at the post-doctoral level. First-year students are exposed to foundation courses that prepare them to work with clients and to develop a graduate-level understanding of human behavior and dysfunction. Once students complete the foundation courses (ethics, cognitive-affective bases of behavior, psychopathology, and clinical interviewing), they continue their clinical courses (Evidenced Based Practice I: CBT), and begin their assessment training (Intellectual and Cognitive Assessment, Personality Assessment I). They also begin practicum (Practicum I and Practicum Seminar) in the final semester of the first year. Research course also begins this year (Applied Statistics and Psychometrics).
During the second and third years, students learn and apply intermediate skills in psychotherapy and assessment. They enroll in more advanced clinical courses (Evidenced Based Practice II: Psychodynamic and Humanistic Theory, Couples and Family Therapy, Group Therapy, Diversity and Culture in Clinical Practice, Clinical Supervision and Consultation) and enroll in advanced assessment Courses (Personality Assessment II, Integrative Assessment). Students continue to apply the skills learned in practicum and practicum seminars (PRAC702-707). Research courses also continue (Research Methods, Doctoral Project Seminar, Doctoral Project).
In the fourth and fifth years, the Doctoral Project continues, Elective courses are taken, and students begin Clinical Internships.
The program offers specialties/tracks (Neuropsychology, Health, Child, and Forensic) in any of the above areas of study to students who meet all of the following requirements. Please note that the specialty/track area will be listed on the student’s transcript but not on the diploma.
- Complete, i.e., pass with a grade of “A” or “B”, four (3-4) courses in one specific area of study (e.g., Clinical Neuropsychology). This criterion can be met if the student earns an “A” or “B” upon repeating a course.
- Complete an earn a “Pass” in every semester of a practicum rotation and/or clinical internship of which a major area of focus or rotation is in the specialty/track area.
- His/her doctoral project topic must lie within the scope of the specialty/track area.
Program Details
Credits
99 credits
Academic Level
Doctoral degree
Duration
5 years
Request Information
Academic Program Director
Dr. Gilda Rodriguez Diaz
(305) 593-1223, ext. 3129
[email protected]
2173 NW 99th Ave
Miami, FL 33172-2209
Important Documents:
TESTIMONIAL
“Based on my experiences working with other clinicians from other doctoral programs, I would say Albizu University distinguishes itself based on multiple factors. 1. The multicultural training and experiences set me apart from other program trainees, especially in rural Ohio where I completed my internship. 2. The extensiveness of courses dedicated to testing and assessments put me over the curve compared to my peers and colleagues from other programs. 3. The smaller cohort allowed me to have a closer connection with faculty members, that in turn, allowed me to engage in research, publications, and teaching opportunities that made me stand out for internship applications, but also for job applications as a psychologist. 4. The practicum training sites that Albizu University has agreements with allowed me to train at some of the leading hospitals and organizations that are considered “giants” in the fields of neuropsychology and rehabilitation psychology.”
Derek Ream, Psy.D., M.S.
Albizu University Graduate
Program Highlights
- This program offers elective courses in neuropsychology, health psychology, child psychology, and forensic psychology. Additional elective courses include bilingual assessment and treatment, clinical practice management, human sexuality, and addiction—all taught by licensed psychologists who practice in these fields.
- Most of the courses in the program have an experimental component (e.g., role play and presentations).
- Our Psy.D graduates secure gainful employment as psychologists, with our most recent alumni survey showing 92% of respondents working in the field.
In Focus
- The program is taught on campus.
- Our faculty members are practicing professionals in neuropsychology, child and family therapy, behavioral medicine, forensic psychology, addiction, and bilingual assessment and treatment. They also have a strong record of publications and presentations at national and international conferences.
- Students complete at least three (3) practicum semesters at the Goodman Psychological Services Center (GPSC), where they might interact with speech and language pathology students.
Choosing the right university matters.
Please note that preference is given to applicants whose grade point average (GPA) exceed what is shown below. Applications with scores or GPA that do not meet the following criteria will still receive thorough consideration for acceptance.
- Overall GPA of 3.25
- A completed and signed application form accompanied by the appropriate fee prior to the established deadline dates.
- Official transcripts from all previous undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) institutions attended, showing that the following conditions have been met:
- Previous academic work must include courses in statistics, research methods, abnormal psychology, and developmental psychology.
- The transcripts need to include any degree received.
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education is required.
- Applicants enrolled in an institution of higher education outside the United States whose standards of training are substantially equivalent to the standards of training of those institutions in the United States will also be considered. A foreign evaluation must be provided by an approved agency by NACES (https://www.naces.org/members).
- Two letters of recommendation from current or past professional contacts. Letters must be on letter head with a wet signature. Send letters to [email protected]
- A current curriculum vitae or resume summarizing the applicant’s credentials
- Personal Statement: In an essay of 750 – 1000 words, please address the following aspects:
- Discuss personal and professional experiences that influence your career and academic goals.
- What made you choose clinical psychology and our program?
- Describe your career goals and research interests/experiences.
- Describe the role of diversity and culture in your life and in the work of a clinical psychologist.
- Discuss some of your strengths and challenges in regards to psychology, academia and research.
- After the Office of Enrollment Management has received and reviewed all documentation and credentials, the applicant’s file is forwarded to the Psy.D. Program Director and Faculty. Faculty review files, fill out a rubric, and offer their recommendation to proceed with an interview. When selected for an interview, applicants will be invited to attend the program on the Interview Days as assigned. They will take place on March and April. Selected applicants will be informed of the day, time, and place for the interview. The decision to interview a prospective student does not indicate or imply acceptance. After the interview, the applicant’s performance will be evaluated on all admissions variables: GPA, GRE, Letters of Recommendation, Personal Statement, Writing Sample, Interview, etc. The faculty along with the Psy.D. Program Director selects candidates for admission based on the scores from the interview and admission materials submitted, each applicant is ranked, and offers are made in ranked-number order. The Office of Enrollment Management uses the ranking to notify top-ranking candidates. Every applicant receives a letter from the Office of Enrollment Management containing the decision of the Faculty and Director on his or her admission. Applicants who are accepted for admission are required to confirm acceptance within three weekdays by submitting a non-refundable deposit to be applied to fees and tuition. Please note that the Psy.D. Program requires fingerprint analysis and background screening of all students before they can receive clearance to interview, evaluate and/or treat clients at the Goodman Psychological Services Center (AU’s on-site training clinic), and/or other external practicum sites.
Your application deadline midndinght EST on April 30, 2024.
Students are admitted only once per year for classes that start in the Fall semester.
The Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D) in Clinical Psychology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation (CoA) of the American Psychological Association (APA).
For information about accreditation, please contact:
APA Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
750 First St. NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
Phone: (202) 336-5979
Email: [email protected]
The university has established the following requirements for awarding the doctoral degree:
- Meeting the Minimum Level of Achievement (MLA) in each of the Standards of Accreditation for Health Service Psychology’s nine (9) profession-wide competencies required by the American Psychological Association’s Commission on Accreditation.
- Grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale.
- Compliance with the program residency requirement.
- Satisfactory completion of all academic courses and laboratories, as applicable. Students obtaining a grade of “C” in any courses are expected to repeat the course to demonstrate minimum level of achievement in the content area.
- Satisfactory completion of the required supervised practicum hours and internship. Students obtaining a “No Pass” in practicum or internship will need to repeat it to obtain a “Pass” grade.
- Passing scores (70% or above) on the Doctoral Comprehensive Examination.
- Demonstrated competence in APA style for publications.
- Satisfactory completion and approval of a Doctoral Project.
- Satisfactory completion of a doctoral internship in clinical psychology on a full-time basis (40 hours/week) during a one-year period or part-time (20 hours/week) during a two-year period in a facility approved by the Program.
- Current good standing in the Program, i.e., no disciplinary action pending, or academic or clinical probation.
- Recommendation from the program faculty for the doctoral degree. Students seeking a doctoral degree must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the faculty those professional, ethical, and personal qualities and attributes described in the current General Policies and Disciplinary Procedures Manual.
- Completion of all degree requirements by the last day of the drop/add period of the following semester.
Applying for this program?
