The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree program is intended for individuals who are interested in advancing their knowledge of psychology and developing their skills in the field. The curriculum is designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure as a psychologist in select jurisdictions. Our comprehensive program includes core courses and a variety of elective courses to supplement your professional repertoire, along with opportunities for supervised practicum and internship experience.
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.
Licensure and Certification
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.
United States: 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, WI, WV. Some states may have additional requirements that are not part of the curriculum, but which can be satisfied at CalSouthern.
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, IA, 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, VA, VT, WA, WY. This program does not accept applications from prospective learners who reside in these states unless the learner meets program attestation requirements.
Given that license eligibility varies by jurisdiction and is subject to change, learners are advised to contact jurisdictional licensing agencies directly for details regarding all requirements.
Degree Requirements
| DEGREE REQUIREMENTS |
CREDITS |
| Core Courses |
33 |
| Elective Courses |
18 |
| Comprehensive Examination |
1 |
| Doctoral Research Orientation |
0 |
| Doctoral Project Courses |
14 |
| Internship (optional) |
0 |
| TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED FOR COMPLETION |
66 |
All program requirements for the PsyD degree program must be completed through CalSouthern in no less than three (3) and no more than ten (10) years of initial course enrollment, regardless of continuous enrollment status. Courses taken over 10 years ago must be repeated in order to maintain program currency. Please refer to the Reinstatement: Re-Entry Requirements section of this catalog for information about returning to the program after separation from the University.
The time limit is not automatically extended by a student taking a leave of absence or an Internal Pause. In the event of extenuating circumstances and a learner is unable to complete the degree by the time limit, the learner may petition the School of Behavioral Sciences for an extension to the time limit. All requests for extension, whether prompted by a leave or some other circumstance, must be filed by the learner before the conclusion of the program's time limit. The School of Behavioral Sciences is not obliged to grant an extension.
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.
Specific doctoral-level courses completed within the CalSouthern Master of Science in General Psychology degree program are also eligible for credit in this program.
Personal Psychotherapy Requirement
The faculty mentors in the School of Behavioral Sciences believe that personal psychotherapy is an important component of clinical training, personal and professional growth, and development. Thus, learners are required to participate in individual psychotherapy 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 psychotherapy, completed between the date of enrollment into the PsyD program and prior to eligibility for practicum or pre-doctoral internship, whichever course comes first. Psychotherapy 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 psychotherapy 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 a 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)
Note for learners pursuing a Certificate through elective choices: it may be necessary to complete specific courses in order to fulfill certificate requirements. Please notify your academic advisor and the Registrar's office of your intent to earn a certificate and to ensure the appropriate elective courses are added to your degree plan.
| PSY 7307 | Advanced Physiology and Pharmacology of Addiction | 3 |
| PSY 6309 | Advanced Ethical and Professional Issues in Addiction Counseling | 3 |
| PSY 7316 | Advanced Personal and Professional Wellness for the Substance Abuse Counselor | 3 |
| PSY 7007 | Advanced Case Management: Assessment, Treatment Planning, Relapse Prevention And Aftercare | 3 |
| PSY 7517 | Psychology of Aging | 3 |
| PSY 7523 | Psychology of Learning | 3 |
| PSY 7100 | Applied Sport Psychology I | 3 |
| PSY 7101 | Applied Sport Psychology II | 3 |
| PSY 7711 | Current Issues in Sport Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 7715 | Psychology of Coaching | 3 |
| PSY 7720 | Enhancing Performance: Preparation/Motivation | 3 |
| PSY 7725 | Research in Sport Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 7507 | Advanced Human Sexuality | 3 |
| PSY 7509 | Advanced Psychology of Marriage and Family Systems | 3 |
| PSY 7513 | Psychological Tests and Measurements | 3 |
| PSY 7514 | Brief Therapy | 3 |
| PSY 6516 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 7718 | Hypnosis: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| PSY 6519 | Crisis and Trauma Counseling | 3 |
| PSY 7517 | Psychology of Aging | 3 |
| PSY 7521 | Industrial/Organizational Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 7522 | Consulting in Business, Education & Mental Health | 3 |
| PSY 7525 | Cognition and Memory | 3 |
| PSY 7527 | Psychology of Stress & Stress Related Disorders | 3 |
| PSY 7728 | Psychology of Violence and Domestic Abuse Reporting | 3 |
| PSY 7533 | Psychology of Death and Dying | 3 |
| PSY 7534 | Dual Diagnosis | 3 |
| PSY 7536 | Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy | 3 |
| PSY 7737 | Psychology of Chronic Illness | 3 |
| PSY 7738 | Advanced Psychology of Addiction and Compulsive Behaviors | 3 |
| PSY 7739 | Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity, Autistic Spectrum and Neurodevelopmental Disorders | 3 |
| PSY 7541 | Psychology of Religion | 3 |
| PSY 7742 | Eating Disorders | 3 |
| PSY 6743 | Systems of Care in Community Mental Health | 3 |
| PSY 7745 | Interpersonal Neurobiology and Attachment | 3 |
| PSY 6747 | Career Counseling | 3 |
| PSY 7750 | Positive Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 7761 | Interpersonal Conflict in the Workplace | 3 |
| PSY 7762 | Supervision and Consultation | 3 |
| PSY 7763 | Clinical Interviewing | 3 |
| PSY 7703 | Psychological Assessment II | 3 |
| PSY 7704 | Practicum I | 3 |
| PSY 7705 | Practicum II | 3 |
| PSY 7706 | Practicum III | 3 |
| PSY 7707 | The Psychology of the Mind: Mind-Body Connection | 3 |
| PSY 7709 | Foundations of Humanistic Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 7710 | Integrative Therapy: From Orientation To Practice | 3 |
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 Research Orientation
Doctoral students entering the research phase of their program (Doctoral Project I, II, III, IV, V) are required to complete a Doctoral Research Orientation before starting Doctoral Project II. Students may complete this Doctoral Orientation at any time and are encouraged to do so during the term they enroll in PSY 8800 (Comprehensive Exam). Students must achieve 100% on the Doctoral Research Orientation assessment in order to begin Doctoral Project II. This assessment may be repeated as needed to achieve a passing score.
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. While this course does not have a tuition charge, there is an internship fee (see Learner Fees).
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.