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Washington State University
College of Arts and Sciences Department of Psychology

Clinical Psychology Program Requirements

The courses required for the clinical program are noted below. Popular elective courses are listed as well. This curriculum was developed to be consistent with our training model and to meet APA accreditation requirements. Although it meets the licensure requirements for most state psychology boards, there is no guarantee that it will meet the requirements for all states. Information about specific licensure requirements by state may be found at Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB).

Skills Courses
PSYCH 508 Clinical Skills (1 hour course; 2 semesters) – Required
PSYCH 505 Teaching Introductory Psychology – Required before teaching

History and Systems of Psychology
PSYCH 504:  History of Psychology: Theoretical and Scientific Foundations – Required

Research Methodology and Techniques of Data Analysis
PSYCH 511:  Analysis of Variance and Experimental Design – Required
PSYCH 512:  Correlation, Regression, and Quasi-Experimental Design – Required
PSYCH 515:  Multilevel and Synthesized Data – Elective
PSYCH 516:  Applied Structural Equation Modeling with Current Software – Elective

Social Aspects of Behavior
PSYCH 550:  Social Psychology – Required

Biological Aspects of Behavior
PSYCH 575:  Foundations of Neuropsychology – Required
PSYCH 574:  Clinical and Experimental Biopsychology – Elective

Note: Students with interests in clinical neuropsychology should take PSYCH 574 and PSYCH 575.

Cognitive and Affective Aspects of Behavior
PSYCH 592:  Cognition and Affective Basis of Behavior – Required 

Developmental Aspects of Behavior
Coun Psy 516:  Life Span Development and Counseling Issues – Required

Note: New PSYCH course in development to launch in 2018-19

Professional Standards and Ethics
PSYCH 530:  Professional, Ethical, and Legal Issues – Required

Individual Differences in Behavior
PSYCH 533   Adult Psychopathology – Required
 
Measurement Theory and Individual Assessment
PSYCH 535:  Personality Assessment and Diagnosis – Required
PSYCH 539:  Cognitive and Neuropsychological Assessment – Required
PSYCH 514:  Psychometrics – Required

Diversity Issues in Psychology
PSYCH 552:  Diversity Issues in Psychology – Required

Individual and Group Intervention
PSYCH 520:  Adult Psychotherapy – Required
PSYCH 543:  Developmental Psychopathology and Evidence-Based Assessment for Children –Required
PSYCH 544:  Clinical Health and Primary Care Psychology – Required
PSYCH 542: Evidence-Based Therapy for Children and Adolescents – Elective (expected for students interested in clinical child and adolescent psychology)
PSYCH 534:  Clinical Psychopharmacology – Elective

Clinical Practica
PSYCH 546:  Counseling Service Practicum (2 semesters)

Minimum of four additional semesters of practicum from:

PSYCH 545:  Psychology Clinic Assessment and Psychotherapy Practicum
PSYCH 546:  Counseling Service Practicum
PSYCH 547:  Clinical Health and Primary Care Psychology Practicum
PSYCH 548:  Clinical Externship

Note: If students are involved in clinical work at an off-campus agency (e.g., VA in Spokane), then students need to register for PSYCH 548 or one of the other appropriate practicum placements. The DCT will advise on practicum/externship registration. Most students complete two practica placements each semester, as well as practicum during the summer months (course enrollment not required), to obtain the necessary hours for their internship applications.  Students must be involved in a minimum of one practicum placement each semester in the program at the start of the second year.
 
Independent Study
PSYCH 600: Independent Study

Note: You may sign up for 600 credits when you are working on research projects with a faculty member.

Thesis
PSYCH 700: Master’s Research, Thesis, and/or Examination

Note: Minimum of 4 credits.  You must sign up for a minimum of 1 credit each semester until the master’s thesis is completed and 2 credits in the semester you have the final defense of the master’s thesis.  Also, please note that the number of credits that you list on your program of study will be the number the Graduate School will require you to take; thus, the department recommends listing only 4 credits on your Program of Study to avoid complications.  Students who enter the program with a master’s degree but who did not have an approved empirical master’s thesis must register for PSYCH 700 and complete a master’s thesis at WSU (and will obtain a second master’s degree en route to the Ph.D.).

Dissertation
PSYCH 800:  Doctoral Research, Dissertation, and/or Examination
 
Note: You need a minimum of 20 credits of PSYCH 800 and should begin accumulating these credits after completing your master’s thesis.  You do not need to complete your preliminary examination before registering for PSYCH 800 credits.  After completing your master’s thesis, you must sign up for a minimum of 1 credit of PSYCH 800 each semester until the dissertation is completed.

Clinical Internship
PSYCH 595: Clinical Internship in Psychology
 
Note: You will enroll in two credits of PSCYH 595 during the summer session prior to the start of the internship year. Due to limitations on tuition waivers in the summer, you will probably have to pay for these credits.  To reduce the number of credits required and for which you must pay over the internship year, a grade of X will be assigned for the course for that initial summer until you complete the internship.  You should file the internship leave approval form the semester before leaving for internship http://gradschool.wsu.edu/facultystaff-resources/18-2/.  Enrolling in the summer and completing the leave form will allow you to waive student service fees during the year you are on internship. Once internship is successfully completed, a change of grade form will be submitted to change the PSYCH 595 grade from X to S (satisfactory, or pass).