Collaborators Faculty and Interest

Yes. Our program was accredited within its first five years of operation. It was granted its first accreditation for a three-year period after which a re-accreditation process needs to occur for accreditation to be maintained.

How is APA accreditation of benefit to students?

APA does a thorough evaluation of each program requesting accreditation prior to granting such distinction. Therefore, the curriculum, the policies and procedures, the training model and the administrative processes of APA accredited programs are consonant with APA’s view of excellence in teaching and in preparing Clinical Psychologists. Students who apply to APA accredited programs may expect quality education and the availability of resources to complete their training in a timely manner. Student who successfully complete and approve an APA accredited program qualify for admission in the best pre doctoral internships and post doctoral fellowships in the nation. Likewise, they will qualify for certain jobs that require an academic background from accredited institutions.

Is this a full-time program?

Yes. The doctoral program in Clinical Psychology is a full-time program. Students in attending classes, doing assigned readings, writing papers and reports, as well as doing clinical practice usually invest over 30 hours per week. Some semesters include training in psychological testing and assessment, a process that increases the amount of time the student needs to commit to the program. Therefore, students who engage in full time work outside the program find it difficult to cope with the demands of the program and the demands of their employment. A work commitment that exceeds 10 to 15 hours per week is usually too burdensome for anyone undergoing doctoral training in Clinical Psychology.

How is my academic program determined each semester? Do I make my own course itinerary?

The curriculum of PSM’s PsyD program is based on a lock-step model, that offers courses in a logically arranged sequential manner each semester. Students take courses and go through clinical experiences in a progressive manner and are therefore provided a pre-arranged academic program for each semester. However, the curriculum allows students to take multiple elective courses during their fourth year. Advance standing students, which are those entering with a Master’s program from another institution, arrange their academic program each semester according to the courses transferred into our program.

Is anyone assigned to talk to the students about the academic program and/or his/her particular needs?

Yes. All students are assigned to an Academic Advisor. Each student should meet with his/her advisor at least once per semester.

Can I choose my practicum and internship sites?

Student interests are taken into consideration when assigned to a practicum site. Most students are assigned to their first or second choice. Each student selects an internship program consonant with his/her interests. Our program operates an internship program in combination with the Psychiatry Department of the School. There are a few independent internship sites operated by the psychiatric hospitals of the island and by various agencies and community-based mental health programs. There are many excellent internship sites in continental USA to which our students apply.

Are students with previous graduate education accepted to the program?

Yes. Up to 24 credits may be transferred from another closely related field of study and graduate programs.

Can I get credit for previous clinical training performed while pursuing a Master’s degree program?

No. Clinical experiences are not transferred from the Master’s to the doctoral program.

Do I need a Master’s degree to be admitted to the program?

No. You will be accepted with evidence that your BA or BS will be completed by the summer of the year you plan to begin in our program.

Do I need a bachelor’s degree in Psychology to be accepted?

No. Your BA or a BS may be in any discipline. However, the criteria for admission specifies a number of core psychology courses which every student must have taken prior to beginning in our program. Students coming with a bachelor degree in Psychology may find it easier to tackle some of the material presented through our classes. However, students being accepted with the minimum requirements in Psychology and with a BA from another field, usually overcome any limitations by the second or third year in the program.

May I visit the program and the School’s facilities?

Yes. An Open House is scheduled during the month of March through which prospective students get information about the program and visit the School’s facilities and labs.

Is there a minimum GPA for acceptance to the program.?

The minimum GPA is 2.7. However, the average GPA of accepted students is over 3.25 with over 3.33 for undergraduate major.

Are new students accepted to begin in the spring semester?

No. Students are only accepted to begin in the fall semester.