An integral part of the doctoral program is the acquisition of practical skills gained in field placements. Ongoing involvement in community service and clinical activities at professional training sites, including the School's Psychological Services Center, gives students the closely supervised opportunity to apply and further develop the knowledge, skills, values, and competencies they gain in course work. Practica training requirements begin with a first year Community Service Practicum that focuses on developing skills related to community-based interventions, advocacy, social justice, and systemic interventions that benefit human welfare and well-being. Students then complete clinical training that focuses first on developing skills and providing experience in psychological assessment and second on developing skills related to intervention/treatment. Because the focus is on integrating doctoral level education with licensed doctoral-level supervised clinical training, no transfer credit is granted for practica credits earned elsewhere or in a previously completed Adler M.A. program. Students must successfully complete course prerequisites prior to being approved to begin their first practicum.

 

First year students will spend 8-10 hours per week over the course of six months at an approved Community Service Practicum site while concurrently enrolled in required coursework. A minimum of 200 clock hours is required. Students are expected to gain the minimum required hours over a six month period and no less. The following courses must be taken prior to or concurrently with Community Service Practicum I & II: Community Psychology and Mental Health (350), Professional Development, Issues and Ethics (505), Introduction to Adlerian Psychology and Psychopathology (402), and Social Psychology and Individual Differences (641).

 

Second and third year doctoral students should expect to spend at least two days per week over the course of at least nine months at an approved clinical practicum site and must concurrently enroll in Practicum Seminars throughout their field training. A minimum total of 1,500 clock hours of clinical practica is required. Most doctoral students complete more than the minimum number of hours prior to beginning their internship. Students may elect to complete an advanced practicum during their fourth year of study to obtain additional specialized or in-depth training to strengthen their learning experience. Advanced practicum students must complete a minimum of 600 clock hours of practicum over the course of at least nine months at an approved practicum site, and must concurrently enroll in Practicum Seminars throughout the training year.

 

The Director and Associate Director of Training and Community Service work in collaboration with students in identifying clinical experiences which meet the standards and requirements of the program. Students should refer to the Practicum Handbook, available on Moodle, for detailed information.