Admissions Requirements
All PsyD applications are processed through PsychologyCAS, APA's central application service. GRE tests are no longer required.
Prerequisites
Admission to the Psy.D. program requires at least 18 credits of Psychology coursework at the undergraduate level, including: statistics, experimental methods/research design, and abnormal/psychopathology. A major in Psychology is preferred. A minimum overall GPA of 3.30 on a 4.00 scale is expected, for both general curriculum and Psychology courses.
Transfer Credits
As the curriculum is very structured and sequential, we accept only up to 15 graduate transfer credits. These credits must reflect at least a “B” grade, be from a regionally accredited institution, be similar in content and demand of equivalent Marywood courses, and have been earned within the preceding 5 years. The Director of Clinical Training must approve all transfer credits.
Letters of Recommendation
Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation, with two of the letters being from psychologists (PsyD, PhD, or EdD) who are familiar with the applicant’s work.
Transcripts
Applicants must submit official transcripts of all completed coursework with their application.*
Timeline
Applicants selected for interviews will be notified in January/early February. Interviews will be conducted remotely in February/early March.
Facilities & Technology
McGowan Center for Graduate and Professional Studies
The McGowan Center for Graduate and Professional Studies, located on the corner of University and North Washington Avenues, contains classrooms and related clinical/professional space for Communication Sciences and Disorders, Psychology and Counseling, Education, and Business students. The Marywood Market is also located here.
The McGowan Center is home to the School of Education and the School of Business and Global Innovation. The Counseling/Student Development Center is also located here.
The building has modern classrooms, computer labs, and controlled lab settings for the Psychology and Communication Sciences and Disorders programs. Students from the School of Education may utilize the Curriculum Lab, which houses hundreds of school textbooks, teacher manuals, and other teaching materials.
Market Marywood is a convenience store located on the first floor of the McGowan Center. It features favorite beverages, snacks, Ben and Jerry's ice cream, on-the-go sandwiches, fruit, and salads.
McGowan Center Classrooms
The McGowan Center for Graduate and Professional Studies, located on the corner of University and North Washington Avenues, contains classrooms and related clinical/professional space for Communication Sciences and Disorders, Psychology and Counseling, Education, and Business students.
The Communication Sciences and Disorders program has many facilities and features a Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, where students have the opportunity to work with individuals with speech, language, and hearing difficulties. The clinic is equipped with video monitors and a complete audiological evaluation facility.
The Psychology and Counseling program features distinctive teaching and research facilities to support counseling and psychology students.
The School of Business and Global Innovation operates facilities such as The Wall Street West Financial Lab and a Flight Simulator for students in Aviation Management.
The School of Education maintains a curriculum lab of texts, manipulative materials, and software designed for K-12 programs. For those interested in working with infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children, there are ample opportunities to observe and teach right on campus.
Psychological Services Center
The Psychological Services Center (PSC), located in Room 1009 in the McGowan Center for Graduate and Professional Studies, is a clinic and training facility. It serves the community as an outpatient mental health clinic that provides services to individuals across the life spectrum from young children to older adults. The entry of the PSC is privately located on the north side of the McGowan Center on Marywood's campus. The PSC is composed of several individual, couple, family, and group therapy rooms, as well as a reception area and waiting room.
- Individual Therapy
- Marital/Couples Therapy
- Family Therapy
- Child Play Therapy
- Parent Training
- Educational & Geriatric Assessment
- Psychological and Personality Assessment
The PSC is not able to provide emergency services. If you have a life threatening emergency, please go directly to your nearest emergency room or dial 911.
Faculty
Dr. Matthew J Schaffer
Director of Clinical Training | Clinical Supervisor | Assistant Professor of Practice
Leah M Popple
Assistant Director of Clinical Training | Assistant Professor of Practice | Clinical Supervisor
Dr. Bradley A Janey
Professor
Dr. Lindsay C Morton
Associate Professor
Dr. Janet L Muse-Burke
Professor
Dr. Kelsey A Allison
Lecturer
Dr. Stuart B Badner
Associate Professor of Practice
Dr. Cheryl Patchcoski Banull
Instructor (Pro-Rata)
Dr. Jennifer S Barna
Professor
Kimberly E Bolesta
Lecturer
Sr. Gail Cabral
Professor Emeritus | Lecturer
Dr. Catherine Estelle Campenni
Associate Professor
Dr. Brooke J Cannon
Professor
Santina Renee Cilento
Lecturer
Gail S Clark
Lecturer
Dr. Edward J Crawley
Associate Professor
Christine E DeSousa
Lecturer
Cara-Jean N Dougherty
Lecturer
Dr. Mindy M Farley
Assistant Professor of Practice
Heather Lynne Fiedler
Lecturer | Lecturer
Samantha Lynn Fitz-Gerald
Lecturer
Allison R Fruehan-Nah
Instructor (Pro-Rata)
Karen A James
Lecturer
Caroline M Johanson
Lecturer
Amanda Y Katchur
Lecturer
Deborah S Katz
Lecturer
Michael R Lavin
Lecturer
Dr. Brittany N Lippert
Lecturer
Fauve Luckey
Lecturer
Kelly A Meek
Lecturer
Meagan Molina
Lecturer
Sara E Nardone
Lecturer
Derek J Parker
Lecturer
Heather Rakestraw
Assistant Professor of Practice
Bree H Riley
Lecturer
Karen Rossmell
Administrative Assistant
Randi M Spiker
Assistant Professor
Alexa Angela Strelecki
Lecturer
Noelle T Torres
Lecturer
Katie Ann Trinovitch
Instructor (Pro-Rata)
Kevin Washington
Lecturer
Christopher M Wessinger
Lecturer
Jenny Wildrick
Assistant Professor of Practice
Michelle Zapotoski
Lecturer
Chiara A Zigray
Lecturer
Courses & Curriculum (117 Total Credits)
Marywood University's APA-accredited* doctoral program in clinical psychology prepares students to provide evidence-based and culturally-sensitive clinical services to diverse populations.
*For further information about the accreditation status of this program, please contact the APA Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, American Psychological Association, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC20002-4242. Phone: 202-336-5979.
The specific goals of the program are as follows:
-
To provide students with foundational knowledge of the field of psychology in general and clinical psychology in particular.
-
To help students advance from novice to the early stages of competent clinician status in research ethical and legal standards; individual and cultural diversity; professional values and attitudes; communication and interpersonal skills; assessment; intervention supervision; and, consultation and interprofessional/interdisciplinary skills.
-
To teach students to view themselves as being lifelong learners while also giving them the skills necessary to be critical and sophisticated consumers of research, so that they may be able to independently and effectively apply future developments in the field to clinical practice.
Psy.D. Program Philosophy and Training Model
In accordance with Marywood University’s tradition of service, the clinical psychology doctoral program follows the Vail model, training students to be scholar/practitioners. The Psy.D. program includes foundation courses in psychology and both academic and applied training in the substantive area of clinical psychology. The use of empirically-supported assessments and intervention techniques is emphasized, as well as a focus on outcome assessment. Although not designed to produce researchers, the Psy.D. program teaches students to be educated consumers of research. To reach this goal, they have both academic training and personal experience in research and statistics. An empirical master’s thesis or professional contribution is required, as well as a dissertation which is empirically-based. In addition, students complete three courses in research and statistics. This strong scholarship component is consistent with our scholar-practitioner model, as opposed to the more practice-oriented practitioner-scholar or local clinical scientist models.
The program is full-time, with required coursework during the first two traditional academic semesters and required first summer PSC practica. We generally admit 10-12 students annually at the post-bachelor’s level. These students are in residence for 4 years prior to internship and are also awarded a master’s degree (M.A. in Psychology, Clinical Services) upon degree requirement completion, typically after their second year.
Admission Application Process
Prerequisites
Admission to the Psy.D. program requires at least 18 credits of Psychology coursework at the undergraduate level, including: statistics, experimental methods/research design, and abnormal/psychopathology. A major in Psychology is preferred. A minimum overall GPA of 3.30 on a 4.00 scale is expected, for both general curriculum and Psychology courses.
Transfer Credits
As the curriculum is very structured and sequential, we accept only up to 15 graduate transfer credits. These credits must reflect at least a “B” grade, be from a regionally accredited institution, be similar in content and demand of equivalent Marywood courses, and have been earned within the preceding 5 years. The Director of Clinical Training must approve all transfer credits.
Advisement and Student Progress Evaluation
With the exception of electives, the curriculum plan for each student is structured by the Director of Clinical Training who functions as the students’ academic advisor. Annual written evaluations of the student’s progress in the program are provided by the Director of Clinical Training. Community practicum and internship site preparation and selection occur under the guidance of the Associate Director of Clinical Training.
Continuation in the Psy.D. program is contingent upon successful completion of coursework and other program requirements, conduct that is ethical and professional, and demonstration of appropriate clinical aptitude and skills. A Corrective Action Plan will be implemented, should there be significant areas of concern in the student’s performance. Refer to the Psy.D. Student Handbook for further information.
Curriculum
The Psy.D. curriculum is sequential, cumulative, increasing in complexity, and designed to prepare the student for further formal training. The program requires 117 total credits.
The Psy.D. program is full-time, with required coursework scheduled during daytime and evening hours within the traditional two academic semesters (fall, spring). In addition, continuing clinical work in the Psychological Services Center is required during the first summer sessions. Subsequent summer practicum work in the PSC is optional. All students are encouraged to complete practicum hours during the summer months at community sites, beginning with the second summer. Students may choose to fulfill some of their electives during the summer months, as well.
The on-campus practicum series builds from the pre-practicum and introductory practicum courses in the first year with work in the Psychological Services Center (PSC) to later work in the Counseling and Student Development Center or other community practicum sites during the third year, and the provision of clinical supervision to junior Psy.D. students on work in the PSC in the fourth year. Additionally, students are involved in two-semester community-based practica in their third and fourth years of training.
The Psy.D. curriculum includes significant training in both assessment and intervention strategies. The curriculum builds from foundation courses to more specific application courses and experiences. There are opportunities for coursework and applied practice with children, adolescents, and adults. Required courses allow for training as a generalist, with elective selection providing the opportunity for focus on child or adult populations. The Psy.D. program emphasizes evidenced-based interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy. Students are also exposed to other therapeutic approaches, including couple/family therapy.
The Marywood Psy.D. program follows the guidelines for clinical training as set forth by the American Psychological Association and the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology.
Licensure and Credentialing
The Psy.D. program meets the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards/National Register of Health Services Providers in Psychology “Guidelines for Defining ‘Doctoral Degree in Psychology.’” Therefore, graduates of this designated program who decide to apply for licensing as psychologists typically will meet the educational requirements for licensing. However, in each jurisdiction there may be additional requirements. For exact information, please contact the state or provincial licensing board in the jurisdiction in which you plan to apply.
Once licensed, graduates are eligible to apply for credentialing as a Health Service Provider in Psychology. Graduation from a designated program ensures that the program you completed meets the educational requirements for credentialing by the National Register. However, there are additional requirements that must be satisfied prior to being credentialed by the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology©. For further information, consult the National Register’s website:
www.nationalregister.org
.
Comprehensive Examination
During the summer of the second year and upon successful completion of the master’s foundational core courses (21 credits), students are required to pass a Comprehensive Examination. This exam consists of questions from each of the seven core courses. Successful completion of the Comprehensive Examination is required for receipt of the master’s degree and for continuation in the doctoral program.
Qualifying Clinical Examination
During the third year, students are required to pass a Qualifying Clinical Examination (QCE), involving a
written case study presentation and oral examination by core clinical faculty. Students are required to
successfully pass the QCE prior to applying for internship.
Sample Schedule
YEAR 1
Fall Semester (16.5 credits)
|
PSYC 503 |
Research Methods and Statistics I |
3 |
|
PSYC 508 |
Biological Bases of Behavior |
3 |
|
PSYC 531 |
Psychopathology |
3 |
|
PSYC 532 |
Child Psychopathology |
3 |
|
PSYC 559A |
Prepracticum |
0 |
|
PSYC 571 |
Introduction to Individual Psychotherapy |
3 |
|
PSYC 700A |
Professional Ethics Part 1 |
1.5 |
Spring Semester (15 credits)
|
PSYC 504 |
|
3 |
|
PSYC 517 |
Personality Theories in Psychology |
3 |
|
PSYC 514 |
Human Development |
3 |
|
PSYC 564 |
Introductory Practicum |
1.5 |
|
PSYC 700B |
Professional Ethics |
1.5 |
|
PSYC 815 |
Child Psychotherapy |
3 |
Summer (3 credits)
|
PSYC 564A |
Summer PSC Practicum |
0 |
|
PSYC 564B |
Summer PSC Practicum |
1.5 |
YEAR 2
Fall Semester (12 credits)
|
PSYC 521 |
Social Psychology |
3 |
|
PSYC 555 |
Professional Contribution |
0 |
|
PSYC 561 |
Introduction to Psychological Testing |
3 |
|
PSYC 574 |
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy |
3 |
|
PSYC 577 |
Practicum (Group) |
3 |
|
PSYC 704 |
Multicultural Issues in Psychology |
3 |
Spring Semester (15 credits)
|
PSYC 522 |
Cognitive/Affective Bases of Behavior |
3 |
|
PSYC 524 |
History and Systems of Psychology |
3 |
|
|
Continuation of Professional Contribution |
0 |
|
PSYC 562 |
Cognitive Assessment |
3 |
|
PSYC 580 |
Assessment of Adult Personality and Psychopathology |
3 |
|
PSYC 587 |
Practicum II |
3 |
YEAR 3
Fall Semester (13 credits)
|
PSYC 611 |
Advanced Statistical Analysis I |
3 |
|
PSYC 660A |
Special Topics Seminar |
1.5 |
|
PSYC 706 |
Supervision and Consultation Seminar |
1.5 |
|
PSYC 660A |
Special Topics Seminar |
1.5 |
|
PSYC 660N |
ST: Dialectical Behavior Therapy |
3 |
|
PSYC 880A |
Community Practicum I |
3 |
|
PSYC 895 |
Dissertation |
3 |
Spring Semester (14.5 credits)
|
PSYC 660 |
|
1.5 |
|
PSYC 572 |
Introduction to Group Psychotherapy |
3 |
|
PSYC 802 |
Couples & Family Therapy |
3 |
|
PSYC 880B |
Community Practicum I |
1.5 |
|
PSYC 801 |
Advanced Psychopharmacology |
3 |
|
PSYC 895 |
Dissertation |
3 |
YEAR 4
Fall Semester (9.5 credits)
|
PSYC 660A |
Special Topics Seminar |
1.5 |
|
PSYC 870 |
Supervision Training Practm I |
3 |
|
PSYC 881A |
Community Practicum II |
2 |
|
PSYC 895 |
Dissertation |
3 |
Spring Semester (9.5 credits)
|
PSYC 660A |
Special Topics Seminar |
1.5 |
|
PSYC 871 |
Supervision Training Practcm II |
3 |
|
PSYC 881B |
Community Practicum II |
1.5 |
|
PSYC 895 |
Dissertation |
3 |
YEAR 5
Fall Semester (3 credits)
|
PSYC 897A |
Internship (predoctoral) |
0 |
Spring Semester (3 credits)
|
PSYC 897B |
Internship (predoctoral) |
1 |
|
PSYC 897C |
Internship (predoctoral) |
0.5 |
PSYC 660A: Students will register for Elective Seminars covering a range of pertinent topics.
Program Learning Outcomes
The specific goals of the program are as follows:
1. To provide students with foundational knowledge of the field of psychology in general and clinical psychology in particular.
2. To help students advance from novice to the early stages of competent clinician status in research ethical and legal standards; individual and cultural diversity; professional values and attitudes; communication and interpersonal skills; assessment; intervention supervision; and, consultation and inter-professional/inter-disciplinary skills.
3. To teach students to view themselves as being lifelong learners while also giving them the skills necessary to be critical and sophisticated consumers of research, so that they may be able to independently and effectively apply future developments in the field to clinical practice.
Student Resources
From #DayOne , Marywood is here for you each step of the way.
