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Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology
From the beginning, the purpose of Forest Institute has
been to provide an alternative to traditional Ph.D. programs
- whose primarily training develops researchers and academicians.
The Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology) is uniquely a practitioner-oriented
degree that prepares individuals to be direct providers of
mental health services in clinical settings. The program
is based on a generalist educational philosophy which presumes
that competency as a generalist is a prerequisite for the
future development of expertise as a specialist and for adopting
diverse leadership and professional roles. The model of education
and training follows the eight competency areas of the National
Council of Schools and Programs in Professional Psychology
(NCSPP) which emphasize the importance of broad, general
training and prioritization of the integration of science
and practice through its view of the practitioner as a “local
clinical scientist”.
Student learning is emphasized through multiple ways of
knowing and an integrative pedagogy. Thoughtfully structured,
sequenced coursework and internal practica experiences foster
integration of academic and practical knowledge and skills,
self-reflection and critical thinking, and open-mindedness,
intellectual curiosity, respect for individual and group
differences, and other appropriate attitudes. Assessment
of knowledge and skills is measured by both Academic and
Clinical Comprehensive Examination, and by completion of
a scholarly doctoral dissertation on an issue related to
the practice of clinical psychology.
The Psy.D. program requires successful completion of 136
credit hours of coursework, Practicum (about 1,200 hours),
Doctoral Dissertation (prior to internship), and APA or APPIC accredited Internship (2,000
hours), Comprehensive Exams, a minimum GPA of 3.0, and full-time
residency for one year. Click
here to see the recommended
sequence of coursework and practica rotations. An Individual
Education Plan serves as a guide for individual students
in completing these requirements based on factors such as
career goals and educational background.
On average, students complete the core requirements of the
Psy.D. in four years, and spend the fifth year on internship
(4+1 model). Some students, particularly those with transfer credits from other graduate work, complete the program in 3 years on-site with the 4th year on Internship. Some students with considerations such as family
or employment may choose to move at a more flexible pace,
completing program requirements in more than four but less
than ten years. Faculty advisement and annual student review
processes ensure that students complete all requirements
in a timely, meaningful manner.
En-route graduate certificates are available in:
Additionally, students may emphasize their degree in areas
such as Corrections, Forensics, Marriage
and Family Therapy,
Child Therapy, Neuropsychology, Pain
Management, or Psychology
of Religion.
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