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).
Curriculum
Skills Courses
PSYCH 517: Clinical Skills (1-hour course; 2 semesters) – Required
PSYCH 505: Teaching Introductory Psychology – Required before teaching
PSYCH 510: Introduction to Online Instruction – Required before teaching Global Campus courses
History and Systems of Psychology
PSYCH 504: History of Psychology: Theoretical and Scientific Foundations – Required (but may possibly be met if previously taken at the undergraduate level)
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 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 (this course also meets the Advanced Integrative Knowledge of Basic Discipline-Specific Content requirement)
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* * Students have to earn a B- or better on the cognitive and the affective components of the course (graded separately) respectively.
Developmental Aspects of Behavior
PSYCH 518: Lifespan Developmental Psychology – Required
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 542: Evidence-Based Therapy for Children and Adolescents – Elective (expected for students interested in clinical child and adolescent psychology)
PSYCH 544: Clinical Health and Primary Care Psychology – Elective (expected for students interested in clinical health/primary care psychology)
Clinical Practica (18 credits minimum required)
PSYCH 546: Counseling and Psychological Services Practicum (6 credits)
PSYCH 537: Psychology Clinic Assessment Practicum (6 credits)
PSYCH 545: Psychology Clinic Assessment and Psychotherapy Practicum (6 credits)
Clinical Externship
PSYCH 548: Clinical Externship
Note: If students are involved in clinical work at a practicum other than the WSU Psychology Clinic or WSU Counseling and Psychological Services, then students need to register for PSYCH 548. 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 during summer), 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: You need a minimum of 4 credits of PSYCH 700. 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.). Because PSYCH 700 course requirements involve activities in the Major Professor’s lab beyond the individual student’s Master’s project, a related contract outlining these additional responsibilities is developed by the Major Professor and reviewed with the student every semester (See Appendix B for an example contract).
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 PSYCH800credits. After completing your master’s thesis,you must sign up for a minimum of 1credit of PSYCH 800 each semester until the dissertation is completed. Because PSYCH 800 course requirements involve activities in the Major Professor’s lab beyond the individual student’s Master’s project, a related contract outlining these additional responsibilities is developed by the Major Professor and reviewed with the student every semester (See Appendix B for an example contract).
Clinical Internship
PSYCH 595: Clinical Internship in Psychology
25
Note: You will enroll in two credits of PSYCH 595 during the spring semester prior to the start of the internship year. 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 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 spring 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).