The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree program is for individuals who are interested in advancing their knowledge of clinical issues in psychology and developing the practical application for the professional practice of psychology. The curriculum is designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure as a clinical psychologist in the State of California. Our comprehensive program includes both clinical core courses and a variety of elective courses to supplement your clinical repertoire, along with opportunities for supervised clinical experience.
While California Southern University, as a member of the AIU System, is part of a Title IV eligible institution offering Title IV eligible programs, CalSouthern has elected and designated this program as not participating in Title IV federal financial aid programs. This means students enrolling in this program may not use Federal Student Aid to help pay for this program. Instead, it offers a variety of zero interest payment options for students.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Foundational Knowledge in Psychology
Articulate a broad, integrative knowledge of the discipline of psychology; including: 1) the history and systems of psychology, 2) basic knowledge in scientific psychology, 3) integrative knowledge in scientific psychology, and 4) methods of inquiry and research.
- Scientific Literacy & Research
Formulate and conduct research or other scholarly activities that contribute to the scientific, psychological, or professional knowledge base.
- Ethics & Professional Standards
Apply ethical behavior, standards and decision-making in accordance with the ethical and legal standards of the discipline to research and practice.
- Cultural Diversity, Awareness & Humility
Integrate cultural humility and ecological contexts to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups in research and practice.
- Psychological & Professional Literacy
Synthesizes psychological research and theory in order to advance evidence-based practice from a practitioner-scholar model.
- Communication & Interpersonal Skills
Communicate competently in multiple formats (written, oral, and interpersonal) appropriate to various audiences, cultures, and contexts to advance knowledge in the field.
- Professional Values & Development
Apply knowledge, skills, and feedback to improve performance, well-being, and professional effectiveness with increasing independence in chosen profession.
- Assessment
Utilize assessment measures appropriately toward identified goals of the assessment and needs of the service recipient.
- Intervention
Implement evidence-based interventions from a variety of theoretical orientations or approaches to benefit the well-being of an individual, family, group, organization, community, or other system.
- Supervision
Apply knowledge of supervision models and practices to guide professional development of psychology trainees.
- Consultation & Interprofessional /Interdisciplinary Skills
Utilize consultation models and practices to engage with individuals and their families, other health care professionals, interprofessional groups, or systems related to health and behavior.
Licensure and Certification
Clinical Psychology Licensure Requirements
Since licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change, learners are advised to verify these requirements directly with the applicable board or jurisdictional authority. If needed, they may supplement their degree plan to meet additional requirements. California learners are encouraged to contact the California Board of Psychology to remain informed about all licensing requirements. For a copy of the current regulations, please go to www.psychology.ca.gov or write to the California Board of Psychology, 1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N-215, Sacramento, CA 95834 www.psychology.ca.gov
CalSouthern has made a determination that this curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification as a psychologist in the following states: CA, CO, DE, HI, NY, OH, TX, VA, WI, WV.*
CalSouthern has made a determination that this curriculum does not meet the state educational requirements for licensure or certification as a psychologist in the following states: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, UT, VT, WA, WY.
CalSouthern has not made a determination that this curriculum meets the State educational requirements for licensure or certification as a psychologist in the following state: IA.
*Some states may have additional requirements that are not part of the curriculum, but which can be satisfied at CalSouthern.
Degree Requirements
| DEGREE REQUIREMENTS |
CREDITS |
| Core Courses |
33 |
| Elective Courses |
18 |
| Comprehensive Examination |
1 |
| Doctoral Project Courses |
14 |
| Internship (optional) |
0 |
| TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED FOR COMPLETION |
66 |
All program requirements for the Doctor of Psychology degree program must be completed through CalSouthern in no less than two (2) and no more than ten (10) years of initial course enrollment.
Leveling to PsyD (LVLP) Coursework
If the applicant has earned a master’s degree in an unrelated field from an accredited or approved post-secondary institution, the applicant may petition the Evaluations Committee for evaluation to be considered to pursue leveling coursework. Leveling will provide the foundational knowledge necessary on which to build the PsyD program. Upon completion of leveling, the learner may apply to matriculate into the full PsyD program. Please contact an Admissions Representative for more information.
Upon approval from the Evaluation Committee, the Leveling to PsyD coursework requires completion of six prerequisite graduate-level psychology courses with an earned minimum passing grade of “B” for admission into the PsyD degree program. Leveling courses require completion of the following:
Transfer Credits Accepted
The PsyD requires completion of 66 doctoral level credits. CalSouthern can accept up to 30 post-graduate doctoral level applicable credits in psychology completed at another institution. Eligible courses for transfer must show an earned grade of “B” or better and must be directly related to the PsyD program at CalSouthern.
Personal Therapy Requirement
The faculty mentors in the School of Behavioral Sciences believe that personal therapy is an important component of clinical training, personal and professional growth, and development. Thus, learners are required to participate in individual therapy to develop insight into personal factors that may affect their performance as clinicians. This pre-requisite for practicum and/or pre-doctoral internship is met by the completion of 16 hours of individual personal therapy, completed between the date of enrollment into the PsyD program and prior to eligibility for practicum or pre-doctoral internship, whichever course comes first. Therapy services must be provided by a licensed clinician who is fully licensed to independently practice in the same jurisdiction as the learner/client is physically located.
Clinical Training Practicum and Internship
Clinical training in practicum can begin once all core courses and personal therapy requirements have been successfully completed. Optional internship may be accomplished following doctoral project. Those who are interested in completing internship along with Doctoral Project courses II - V may submit request to the Dean, School of Behavioral Sciences.
AAPIC Membership Status
CalSouthern is not a member of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC). Learners from CalSouthern who intend to pursue a pre-doc internship will not be able to participate in the APPIC Match program.
Required Courses
Core Courses (33 Credits Required)
Elective Courses (18 Credits Required)
Comprehensive Examination (1 Credit Required)
The comprehensive examination prepares learners for the doctoral project phase of the PsyD program. The comprehensive examination is taken following the successful completion of all core and elective courses. This also includes the optional internship. Learners must successfully pass the comprehensive examination to continue into their doctoral project courses. The minimum passing grade for each section of the examination is 80%.
NOTE: The internship is an optional course. The comprehensive examination is a required course. Learners may enroll in the internship course before or after graduation from the PsyD program.
Doctoral Project Courses (14 Credits Required)
An essential feature of a doctoral program is a commitment to research. To support that aim, a required component of the PsyD program is the Doctoral Project. This exercise provides an opportunity to conduct research in a clinically relevant topic area. A PsyD candidate may choose between four basic research designs: qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods, or qualitative systematic review. The University encourages Doctoral Projects which will expand the body of knowledge in the field as well as those which may supplement the PsyD candidate’s own work, and those which may contribute to emerging fields of inquiry and relevant contemporary issues. Webinars, boot camps, chairs, committees, and staff support are available throughout.
Internship (Optional)
An internship course may be required for licensure in some states or jurisdictions. Learners are encouraged to contact their state board or jurisdictional authority to verify requirements.