1. Training Issues in Clinical Psychology
Created by Dr. Glenn Callaghan Edited by Dr. Steve Del Chiaro

2. Scientist-Practitioner (Boulder) Model
Developed by the American Psychological Association (APA) in 1949
Examined training issues for Ph.D.s
Attempted to join science and practice: scientist-practitioner model
Only when you practice can you know what needs to be researched; only if you research can you know how you’re practicing

3. Advantages to the Scientist-Practitioner Model
Develop science-based or evidenced-based treatments
Conduct individual level science on own practice
Use science to influence others’ practice
ACCOUNTABILITY

4. Scientist-Practitioner Model
The reality is that this doesn’t exist
Clinicians do not consume research (Cohen, Sargent, & Sechrest, 1986; Morrow-Bradley & Elliot, 1986)
Clinicians do not use empirical methods to evaluate their own treatments (Barlow, et al., 1987)
Clinicians do not contribute to the scientific community (Haynes, Lemsky, & Sexton-Radek, 1987)

5. Scientist-Practitioner Model
Set up a new distinction called the Clinical-Scientist Model by APS
Boulder model still most popular, but the APA has created a practice guild
Guild’s interests are not always in advancement of science

6. Professional Competence
Certification Process (licensing)
Attempt to protect the public by restricting the use of the title “psychologist”
Doesn’t restrict anybody from practicing as long as they don’t use the word “psychologist”
Some argue it just protects psychologists

7. Licensing
Protect the public by specifying the nature of “psychologist”, the training required for licensure, and what professional activities can be billed
Requirements for licensure often include:
Receiving training at an accredited program
For “Psychologist” - must have a doctorate
For psychotherapist - can another advanced degree

8. Licensing Done by states Term “psychologist” is protected
only those with Ph.D. and Psy.D. can use it
anyone can call him/her self a “counselor”
Requirements of licensing vary from state to state
Can require a Ph.D./Psy.D. in Clinical or Counseling psychology
but, “School Psychologist” = MA/MS
MFT, LCSW = MA/MS

9. Licensing Requirements of licensing
1-2 yrs post-degree supervised experience is required
3000 hours total for all licenses
Passing a written and/or oral examination
Being a resident of the state
Continuing education

10. Graduate Training in Clinical Psychology
Assumptions about graduate training
(explicit) This is trainable
(explicit) This requires training
(explicit) There is a knowledge base in clinical science that should be known
(explicit) Some of this cannot be trained in class rooms
(implicit) Some of this requires apprenticing
Art-type of clinical epistemology

11. Profile of Practitioners

12. Clinical Psychology Most common subspecialty of psychology
Focus on psychopathology and serious problems
Research, develop treatments, and intervene with depression, anxiety, personality disorders, etc.
Greatest proportion of Ph.D.s
Counseling Psychology is 2nd

13. Ph.D. Areas by Popularity

14. Counseling Psychology
2nd most common subspecialty of psych
Historically - roots in career development
Focus on “normative” issues
Vs. clinical focus on abnormal behavior/disorder
Adjustment focus vs. disorder
Career search
Coping with divorce
Coping with illness
Enhancing effectiveness
Building self-confidence

15. Training - Doctorate Education Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy)
Traditional research emphasis in addition
3-4 yrs coursework/practicum
1-? yrs dissertation research
1500 hours internship (similar to residency)
Psy. D. (Doctor of Psychology)

16. Coursework for PhD Training in statistics and research methodology
Training in theory
Training in psychotherapy
Conduct research (MA, then dissertation)

17. Coursework for PhD Clinical placement Do qualifying exams/comps
Clinical internship (1500 hrs)
Postdoctoral internship (1500 hrs)
Job?….

18. Training Example for Ph.D.
4 yrs Bachelor degree – Psychology, University of California, Irvine
1 yr Masters Program – MA Experimental Psych (CSU, Fullerton)
Research placement – UC Irvine Medical Center
5 yrs Doctoral Program – Clinical Psychology, University of Nevada
Assistantship – Psychological Services Clinic Assistant
Practicum – UNR Student Services
Practicum – Victims of Crime Treatment Center
1 yr dissertation
Development and testing psychotherapy coding system
1 yr internship
University of California, San Diego/San Diego Veterans Administration Hospital consortium
Depression, substance abuse and outpatients services

19. Dollars and cents

20. Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Model
Emphasis on the development of clinical skills and a relative de-emphasis on research competency
Heavy amount of clinical training
First developed at Univ. of Illinois in 1968
By 1998, 36 programs accredited in U.S.
Click here for the article: Appreciating the PsyD: The Facts

21. Psy.D Model Debate continues
Some argue PsyDs indistinguishable to PhD’s when applying for internship and may have an advantage for clinical jobs
Some argue PhDs do more scholarly work and may be better equipped to evaluate and be critical of ideas, techniques, or theories handed to them

22. Professional Schools
Schools that have no affiliation with universities that generally grant PsyD
Free-standing Universities
First was California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP)
By 1993, almost ½ doctorates in clinical psychology were awarded by professional schools

23. Professional Schools Pros Cons Lots of clinical training
Admit many students
Cons
Expensive
Usually not accredited
May be unstable (buyer beware)

24. Roles of Clinical & Counseling Psychologists
Research
Assessment
Treatment
Teaching
Consultation
Administration

25. Work Settings (PhD & PsyD)

26. Masters Level Degrees for Practice
MS  MFT
MSW  LCSW
others…

27. Training for Masters Education Masters level therapists
MS in clinical or counseling psychology
Marriage Family Therapists (MFT)
2-4 years coursework/practicum
2 years internship
Masters in Social Work
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

28. Coursework for Masters Level Clinicians
Some training in theory
Some training in applied research
Goal is to develop critical skills for consumers of research
Lots of training in psychotherapy
Do qualifying exams/comps
Pre-degree clinical placement/internship (750 hrs)
Post-degree internship (2250 hrs)
job?….

29. Training Example for MS
4 yrs Bachelor degree – Psychology, University of California Santa Cruz
2 yr Masters Program – MS Clinical Psychology, San Jose State University
Fieldwork placement – Family & Children Services, San Jose
2 yrs Internship
Franklin McKinley School
School problems, substance abuse, depression, anxiety

30. Masters Level Degrees Advantages If don’t want to do research
Less overhead
More likely to be employed conducting therapy than Ph.D.s

31. Masters Level Degrees Disadvantages Uncertain outcome
Lower rate of pay
Less skills with accountability (may be necessary skills)

32. Critical Thinking Moment
Requiring therapy for training
APA has rules about who can do this and who cannot while in training
Hotly contested issue
Relevance of the student’s own therapy to conduct therapy
Personal development
Ties to history of psychotherapy
What do you think?

33. Graduate School
Degree Options

34. Degree Choices Many factors should influence this
What do you want to do when you are done with your degree?
e.g., Research, Service delivery
Let that determine what degree you pursue more than “prestige”
Some degrees will not let you do what you want
Consider the duties you want to perform, rather than a job title.

35. Degree Choices How much time do you want to spend getting your degree?
2 years, 4 years, 7 years?
Are you able to move?
Can you assemble a competitive application?
How are your grades?
Do you have the requisite experience?

36. Ph.D. or Masters? Should I get a Ph.D. or a Masters?
Depends on what you want to do!
Do you want to do research?
Masters in Experimental Psych Ph.D.
Do you want to focus on service delivery?
Masters in applied area (clinical, I/O) (MS, MSW)

37. Ph.D. or Masters? Ph.D. Research degree
Developing studies, carrying them out
Program evaluation
Administration
Academics
Often minimal practice or service delivery

38. Ph.D. or Masters? Ph.D. Pros: More flexibility in job choice
Can be better pay
More flexibility if move from state to state for some specialties

39. Ph.D. or Masters? Ph.D. Cons: Takes a long time to complete
Very focused area of expertise
Limited to research or administration (some areas)
More loans on average

40. Ph.D. or Masters?
Masters
Tend to be practice or service delivery oriented
Do not typically focus on production of research
Do focus on consumption of research
Can lead to licensing
Marriage Family Therapist (MFT)
Masters in Social Work (MSW)

41. Master of What? Designation of MS or MA depends on school!
Masters of Science
Traditionally a “trade” or “applied science” degree
May be a terminal degree
SJSU’s MS in Clinical Psychology
May be a research degree
Masters of Arts
Traditionally more breadth
SJSU’s MA in Experimental Psychology
May be terminal degree

42. Ph.D. or Masters? Masters Pros Shorter time to complete Owe less money
Very focused training
Typically set up for licensing
Once finish hours (if required)

43. Ph.D. or Masters?
Masters
Cons:
Often less pay than Ph.D. (but less overhead)
Less flexibility to move if licensed in one state
Harder to get a teaching position (if interested)
Will do less program administration and evaluation (typically)
NOTE: some programs will require you to have applied experience prior to applying

44. Ph.D. or Masters?
Should I get a Masters first if I want to go on for a Ph.D.?
Yes, if you need to:
If you can’t get in yet OR didn’t get in yet
If you feel you are not ready yet and would benefit from more training
If the Ph.D. program you are interested in requires it

45. Ph.D. or Masters
What kind of Masters should I get if I want to go on to a Ph.D.?
Often, it is an Masters (MA at SJSU) in General or Experimental psychology
Prepares you for research programs
Do NOT apply for a terminal masters (SJSU MS Clinical) if you want a Ph.D.
These do not prepare you for research

46. The Route to a Graduate Degree
BA/BS in Psych
This is a straight path for researchers
4-7 years
Ph.D. in specific area

47. The Route to a Graduate Degree
BA/BS in Psych
This is a path to get into Ph.D. with a Masters
1-2 years
On the way: Presentations, Publications, Thesis
Masters in Experimental
SJSU MA Experimental
The MA prepares for Ph.D. programs
3-6 years
Ph.D. in specific area

48. The Route to a Graduate Degree
BA/BS in Psych
2-4 years
The Applied Masters prepares service providers
Masters in Applied area
(terminal degree)
Ph.D. in specific area

49. The Route to a Graduate Degree
BA/BS in Psych
2-4 years
The Applied Masters will not prepare students for a traditional academic Clinical Ph.D. program
Masters in Applied area
Ph.D. in specific area

50. A Note on Licensing Many hours required to get licensing
Clinical psychology
Ph.D. or Masters
3,000 hours of clinical experience required to get licensed
Ph.D. = licensed psychologist
1500 pre-degree on internship post doctorate  THEN take licensing test
Masters = MFT or MSW
500 pre-degree as trainee post degree as intern  THEN take licensing test

51. Social Work
Training is in placement of the individual into social system
Greater focus on social dynamic than individual therapy
Psychotherapy tends to be secondary in training
Can practice therapy in CA and elsewhere
Masters in social work leads to Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Is this the best degree for you?
It all depends…

52. Getting in: Pieces of the Puzzle
Graduate School
Getting in: Pieces of the Puzzle

53. Are you ready? Getting in Harder than undergrad
Need several ingredients
Some ingredients take time to build
Need to set this up for yourself well in advance

54. Ingredients for graduate school applications
These are slices of a pie
Some slices can be less if others are more

55. Ingredients: Grades Grades They count!
Overall GPA, Psych GPA, Last 2 years’ GPA
Ph.D. programs – typically 3.5 and above
Masters programs – 3.0 and above
Need to make minimal cutoffs
Demonstrate competence to move to specialty
Remember, if you are short here, you have to make it up in another area

56. Ingredients: GREs Entrance Exams Most programs require these
Many require the Graduate Record Exam (GREs)
3 Sections: V, Q, A
Many look at Verbal (V) and Quantitative (Q)
These two need to add up to over 1000 min
PhD – 1200 and above
Masters – over 1000

57. Ingredients: GREs (cont’d)
Tips:
Study!
Take early
Take more than once
Remember caveats about size of slices

58. Ingredients: Statement
Statement of Intent
Needs to be clear and concise
Answer questions that they ask
Don’t over disclose
Say why that program
Revise and rewrite!
DO NOT shotgun applications

59. Ingredients: Letters Letters of Recommendation/Reference
Need to be from people who can evaluate your skills
Ideally these skills relate directly to the program you are applying to
Need the number they ask for
Can typically do one more than that
Need to be good letters
not mediocre, especially not bad

60. Ingredients: Experience
Needs to be in area related to type of program you are applying to
If applied degree e get applied experience
Show evidence of being around population or issues relevant to your work

61. Ingredients: Experience
If research degree e get research experience
Show evidence that you know what research is, what it is like, and that you are good at it
Need to assemble a Curriculum Vitae (CV) or a resume
summarize experience clearly

62. Getting in: Considering the Odds
Graduate School
Getting in: Considering the Odds

63. Considering the Odds
Ph.D. programs and Masters programs have different acceptance rates
These rates change depending on
Ph.D. vs Masters
The type of specialty program you apply to

64. Considering the Odds Ph.D. programs Lower odds of gaining admission
Tend to accept fewer individuals
Class of 5 to 10
Competition is more stringent
May accept only % of applicants
Depends on degree program

65. Considering the Odds Ph.D. in Health Service Provider Fields
Clinical
Community 0.33
Counseling
Health
School 0.28
Other
Subtotal 0.17

66. Considering the Odds Ph.D. in Research / Other Fields Subtotal 0.23
Cognitive
Developmental
Educational
Experimental
Industrial/Organizational 0.14
Neuroscience/Physiological/Bio
Personality
Quantitative
Social
Other
Subtotal

67. Considering the Odds: Example
Example with clinical psychology
Much depends on type of program
Overall acceptance rate: 12-13%
Accredited by APA (very important)
Private schools:
7511 applied
873 accepted
12% acceptance rate

68. Considering the Odds: Example
Example with clinical psychology
Accredited by APA (very important)
Public schools:
15198 applied
1033 accepted
6% acceptance rate

69. Considering the Odds Ph.D. programs GRE averages for 1999-2000
Min V+Q = 1066
admitted score V+Q = 1161

70. Considering the Odds Ph.D. programs GPA averages (99-00)
overall min = 3.04
Admitted in
overall = 3.53
last 2 years = 3.61
Psych = 3.66
Masters = 3.77

71. Considering the Odds Masters programs Better odds of gaining admission
Tend to accept more individuals
Class of 15 to 20
Competition is less stringent
May accept up to 25 to 50%

72. Considering the Odds
Master's Programs in Health Service Provider Fields
Clinical
Community 0.56
Counseling
School
Other
Subtotal

73. Considering the Odds Developmental 0.56 Educational 0.78
Master's Programs in Research / Other Fields
Developmental 0.56
Educational 0.78
Experimental 0.59
Ind/Org 0.45
General
Social
Other
Subtotal

74. Considering the Odds Masters programs GPA averages (99-00)
overall min = 2.90
Admitted in
overall = 3.33
last 2 years = 3.45
Psych = 3.48

75. Considering the Odds Masters programs GRE averages for 1999-2000
Min V+Q = 975
admitted score V+Q = 1057

76. Considering the Odds Should I apply if I don’t meet minimal criteria?
Not if you expect to get in
If you can show another area is very strong, then make your case
Be Persistent
Many times takes more than one attempt

77. Considering the Odds Apply to your dream school
Don’t let someone say you can’t get in
Take your time with your decision
Be thoughtful about your choices
Be realistic about your possibilities
Don’t turn down an offer that hasn’t been made

78. Useful Resources Your professors Your fellow students e Resources
Getting in:
Salaries in Psych jobs
Application statistics
Acceptance into Grad School Statistics