The Doctoral Respecialization Program in Clinical Psychology (DRP) is designed for applicants who hold doctorates (PhD, EdD, PsyD) in other areas of psychology from accredited institutions and who wish to specialize in clinical psychology. This program is ideal for psychologists who wish to gain additional clinical skills or to meet the requirements for licensure.
Based upon the student’s background, a DRP curriculum is tailored to include both academic work and clinical training experiences (16-24 hours per week) appropriate for licensure. The program generally is completed in two to three years (about 60 course units).
Typical course requirements for a respecialization student include:
- Clinical and Ethical Issues
- Theory and Technique of Clinical Practice
- Intelligence Assessment
- Psychodiagnostic Assessment
- Advanced Clinical Seminars
- Advanced Clinical Skills
- Psychopharmacology.
Depending upon the individual’s background, some of the following additional may be included:
- Psychopathology
- Observation and Interviewing
- Intercultural Awareness
- Sociocultural Diversity
- Supervision/Consultation/Management
DRP students may also be required to complete the Clinical Proficiency Progress Review (CPPR), an examination of clinical skills at the end of their training.
DRP students seeking licensure in California or elsewhere are responsible for:
- Determining with the California Board of Psychology (or other states’ licensing boards if they wish to practice in other states) that their prior doctoral degree meets the requirements for eventual licensure as a psychologist in the state.
- Registering as a psychological assistant with the California Board of Psychology before beginning clinical training hours through CSPP to ensure that the hours will be counted towards the Board of Psychology’s postdoctoral training requirement for licensure.
Every effort is made to ensure that training obligations (practica and internships from 16-24 hours per week) meet the licensing standards of the California Board of Psychology and the regulations of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) or the California Association of Psychology Internships Council (CAPIC). Respecialization students seeking clinical licensure must contact the Board of Psychology to be sure that their prior doctoral degree meets licensing requirements and to register with the Board as a psychological assistant so that training hours completed through CSPP can be counted toward licensure in CA.