Catalog 2015-2016 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Clinical Forensic Psychology: PsyD, Los Angeles
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The American Psychology-Law Society (APLS/APA Division 41) defines forensic psychology as professional practice in “any subdiscipline of psychology (e.g., clinical, developmental, social, cognitive) when applying the scientific, technical, or specialized knowledge of psychology to the law to assist in addressing legal, contractual, and administrative matters.”
Students of the California School of Forensic Studies Clinical Forensic PsyD program receive a foundational education in clinical psychology via course work in fundamental psychological theory; assessment; intervention; ethics; multiculturalism; research design and statistics; biological basis of behavior; cognitive affective basis of behavior; developmental psychology; social psychology; and psychopathology. Additionally, foundational knowledge of the justice system is garnered through coursework that focuses upon legal systems and research, the rules of evidence and discovery, examination and cross-examination, and expert witness testimony. The application of core clinical and forensic principles is advanced through courses which focus on specific content areas such as police stress, addiction, sex offenders, domestic violence, juvenile delinquency, stalking, multiple homicide offenders and victimology. Students also receive more than 3,000 hours of practicum and internship experience to develop their clinical competency in forensic settings, such as correctional facilities and community-based victim services centers.
Whereas the Clinical Forensic PhD program places greater emphasis on the production of research, the Clinical Forensic PsyD program places greater emphasis upon practice.
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Goals and Objectives
Students of the California School of Forensic Studies Clinical Forensic PsyD Programs support students to develop competency in 11 core clinical areas that are essential to the practice of professional psychology:
• Professionalism
• Reflective Practice/Self-Assessment/Self Care
• Scientific Knowledge and Practice
• Relationships
• Individual and Cultural Diversity Awareness
• Ethical Legal Standards and Policy
• Assessment
• Intervention
• Supervision
• Management and Administration
• Advocacy
Foundational education in clinical psychology is advanced through courses which focus on psychological theory; assessment; intervention; ethics; multiculturalism; research design and statistics; biological basis of behavior; cognitive affective basis of behavior; developmental psychology; social psychology; and psychopathology. Students also receive more than 3,000 hours of practicum and internship experience to develop their clinical competency in forensic settings, such as correctional facilities and community-based victim services centers.
Training Model: A Practitioner-Scholar Program
Students receive more than 3,000 hours of practicum and internship experience to practice as clinical psychologists, primarily in forensic settings, such as correctional facilities and community-based victim services centers.
The second and third years provide students with opportunities to apply the psychological and forensic principles acquired during their coursework through a first year and/or second year practicum experience. These experiences entail 10-20 hours per week at one of CSFS community training partners, which include adult and youth correctional facilities, department of mental health agencies and community organizations throughout California. Through these experiences, students are introduced to the role of professional psychologists, exposed to a range of populations and mental health issues and are provided with direct experience in clinical interviewing, cognitive and personality assessment and evidenced-informed and based treatment interventions.
The fourth year, students enter their internships meet or exceed the 1,500 hours of pre-doctoral internship hours required for licensure by the California Board of Psychology. Specialized Admissions Requirements
The Clinical Forensic Psychology Program: PsyD, Los Angeles program is not currently accepting students at this time. Curriculum and Degree Requirements
130 units are required for the PsyD in Clinical Forensic Psychology. The PsyD program is a offered via a year-round, full-time curriculum of 4 years duration. In addition to the coursework, practicum and internship, student are required to:
• Receive 30 hours of individual psychotherapy with a licensed psychologist.
• Complete a dissertation.
• Successfully pass comprehensive examinations in the G2 and G3 years. Non-terminal Master’s Degree
All Clinical Forensic Psychology doctoral students have the option to apply for a Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Forensic Psychology.
Requirements to qualify for the non-terminal master’s degree:
- Student is in good academic standing in both the semester in which the application is being submitted and in overall GPA.
- Student has completed G1 and G2 coursework to include a minimum of 60 hours at Alliant International University, California School of Forensic Studies.
- Student is clear of all university holds with no outstanding fiscal responsibilities due.
- Student’s dissertation proposal has been approved and documentation is in the student’s academic record.
- For campuses where a Master’s Thesis is required, the thesis must be approved and on file in the student’s academic file.
- Clearance from the Program Director
Curriculum Plan
Courses are three units unless otherwise indicated.
Los Angeles Clinical Forensic Psychology PsyD Faculty
Core faculty for the Los Angeles Clinical Forensic Psychology PsyD program are listed below:
Kyle Boone, PhD, Professor
Diana Concannon, PsyD, Associate Professor and Associate Dean
Annette Ermshar, PhD, Associate Professor
Debra F. Glaser, PhD, Associate Professor
Deborah S. Miora, PhD, Associate Professor
For a detailed description of program faculty background and research interests, please see the alphabetical listing of faculty for the California School of Forensic Studies.
Licensure
All psychologists who offer direct services to the public for a fee must be licensed or certified by the state in which they practice. Applicants for licensure in the state of California must hold an earned doctoral degree in psychology, educational psychology, education with a specialization in counseling psychology, or education with a specialization in educational psychology from an approved or accredited educational institution. They also must have completed 3,000 hours of supervised professional experience (of which at least 1,500 must be postdoctoral) and have taken and passed the national Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and the California Psychology Supplemental Examination (CPSE). In addition, they must submit evidence of having completed coursework in human sexuality, child abuse, substance abuse, spousal abuse, and aging and long-term care. Continuing education is required to maintain the license. CSFS doctoral course requirements are designed to fulfill the programmatic requirements for licensure in California, and in some cases they exceed the requirements.
Every state has its own requirements for licensure. Therefore, it is essential that all CSFS Clinical Forensic PsyD and PhD students who plan to apply for licensure in states other than California contact the licensing board in those states for information on state requirements (e.g., coursework, practicum and internship hours, supervision, or nature of the doctoral project or dissertation). Students seeking licensure in other states should plan ahead to ensure they meet all of those states’ requirements.
For further information on licensure in California or other states contact:
Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards
PO Box 241245
Montgomery, AL 36124-1245
(334) 832-4580, asppb@asppb.org
or
California Board of Psychology
2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1400
Sacramento, CA 95815
(916) 263-2699, bopmail@dca.ca.gov
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