The Clinical Specialization (PsyD-CS) program is ideal for students seeking licensure as a psychologist in specific states. This specialization offers advanced coursework in psychological assessment and clinical intervention, with the option to complete practicum and internship experiences. The program is best suited for individuals who demonstrate professionalism, strong interpersonal skills, and a desire to work directly with clients in clinical settings. This specialization provides the foundational training and flexibility needed to pursue licensure (specific state requirements apply).
The PsyD-CS program adheres to the principles and guidelines for suitability and fitness for the profession as outlined by the Council of Chairs of Training Councils (CCTC). While CalSouthern’s PsyD program is not currently APA accredited, we uphold professional standards consistent with those expected in the discipline. School of Behavioral Sciences faculty and staff share a professional, ethical, and in some cases legal obligation to ensure, insofar as possible, that all learners demonstrate the competence necessary to manage professional relationships in an appropriate and effective manner. This includes possessing the emotional maturity, interpersonal stability, and intellectual judgment required to work with vulnerable populations.
Personal suitability and fitness for the profession includes, but is not limited to:
Learners are expected to communicate and interact respectfully and professionally at all times with CalSouthern faculty and staff. Suitability and fitness for the profession are assessed continuously throughout the program.
Concerns regarding a learner’s suitability or professional fitness will be addressed with the learner. In most cases, the process may begin with a work plan to support remediation and growth for the learner. However, if this does not result in improvement, the concern may be reviewed under the Learner Code of Conduct policy. Depending on the severity, duration, and type of infraction, the University reserves the right to proceed directly to a Learner Code of Conduct review.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Psychology Knowledge
Articulate an integrative understanding of psychology, including its history, research methods, and key theories across physiological, cognitive, emotional, personality, and developmental domains.
- Research and Statistical Methods
Conduct scholarly activities to critically evaluate, analyze, synthesize, and contribute to psychological knowledge.
- Ethical Legal Standards and Policy
Apply ethical decision-making and behavior aligned with the ethical and legal standards of the discipline in research and practice.
- Individual and Cultural Diversity
Integrate multicultural theory and research to develop cultural competence and humility in diverse interpersonal and social contexts.
- Communication
Communicate effectively across multiple formats (written and oral), appropriate to diverse audiences, cultures, and contexts.
- Assessment
Appropriately administer psychological tools and assessments to evaluate, diagnose and treat clients.
- Applications of Psychology
Apply specialized knowledge and theories from a chosen subfield to address complex issues in professional contexts.
- Professional Development and Values in Psychology
Apply knowledge, skills, and feedback to improve professional effectiveness with increasing independence in chosen profession.
- Intervention
Apply evidence-based/informed interventions in clinical practice to benefit the well-being of individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, or systems.
- Supervision, Consultation, and Collaboration
Apply knowledge of supervision models, consultation skills, and professional collaboration to address client and organizational needs.
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, the learner may supplement their degree plan to meet additional requirements. CalSouthern makes its best effort to assess applicability of this program to the requirements for license eligibility in each of the jurisdictions listed, but the final decision regarding licensure eligibility is made by the jurisdiction, not the institution.
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 satisfies program attestation requirements.
Canada: CalSouthern has made a determination that this curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a psychologist in Alberta. This program does not accept applications from prospective learners who reside in all other Canadian provinces and territories.
CalSouthern has made the determination that this curriculum does not meet the educational requirements for licensure or certification in all other Canadian jurisdictions. This program does not accept applications from prospective learners who reside in these jurisdictions unless the learner satisfies program attestation requirements.
Other Jurisdictions: CalSouthern has not made a determination about the PsyD-C program curriculum related to licensure or certification requirements as a psychologist outside of the United States and Canada. Therefore, for this Disclosure, the University classifies that this curriculum does not meet the educational requirements for licensure or certification in all other jurisdictions. This program does not accept applications from prospective learners who reside outside of the United States and Canada unless the learner satisfies the program attestation requirements.
Last Update: 10/1/2025
Degree Requirements
| DEGREE REQUIREMENTS |
CREDITS |
| Core Courses* |
51-57 |
| Practicum and Internship* |
up to 6 |
| Comprehensive Examination |
0
(completed as one non-credit course) |
| Doctoral Research Orientation |
0
(completed as one non-credit course) |
| Doctoral Project Courses |
9 |
| TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED FOR COMPLETION |
66 |
*A series of Practicum courses (3 credits total) can be taken in place of a 3-credit Core course (PSY 8640 or PSY 7516).
Internship (3 credits) can be taken in place of a 3-credit Core course (PSY 8640 or PSY 7516).
Completion Time
All program requirements for the PsyD-CS 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.
It is the learner’s responsibility to monitor their program completion status, identify any potential delays in a timely manner, and work with University staff to identify any options available within University policy.
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-CS 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
(For learners who choose to complete practicum and/or internship courses)
Learners must opt-in to practicum and/or internship at the time of enrollment in order to process the degree plan and schedule. Clinical training in practicum can begin once all core courses and personal psychotherapy requirements have been satisfied, in addition to the requirements below. Internship is completed following successful completion of practicum. Those who are interested in completing internship along with Doctoral Project courses DP6 - DP9 may submit a request to the PsyD Director of Clinical Training.
Learners must meet the following requirements before being approved for practicum and/or internship:
- Have earned a minimum passing grade (at least a B-) for all courses completed
- Have 3.0 minimum overall CGPA
- Have earned a satisfactory (S) grade in the Comprehensive Exam and/or Doctoral Project courses up to DP5
- Have submitted documentation for completion of 16 hours of individual personal psychotherapy
- Be in good academic standing
- Complete the Practicum and Internship Orientation
- Successfully complete a work plan to address any Learner Code of Conduct warnings (if applicable)
- Be approved by the School of Behavioral Sciences (SOBS) Clinical Training Committee
Learners must also meet any additional site-specific requirements. Learners will be charged a practicum or internship fee for each course, in addition to course tuition.
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 (51-57 Credits Required)
Learners may choose to complete a practicum and/or internship in place of PSY 8640 and/or PSY 7516. See the Practicum and Internship Courses section below for details.
Practicum and Internship (up to 6 Credits)
Practicum and internship courses may be completed as part of the program sequence. Learners who choose to complete practicum must complete all practicum courses listed in order to earn sufficient credits to satisfy program requirements. Learners that complete all 6 credits of practicum and internship will do so in place of PSY 8640 and PSY 7516. Learners that do not complete all 6 credits of practicum and internship will be required to complete either PSY 8640 or PSY 7516. Learners that do not complete at least 3 credits of practicum and/or internship will be required to take both PSY 8640 and PSY 7516.
Practicum and internship courses may be required for licensure in some jurisdictions. Learners are encouraged to contact their jurisdictional authority to verify requirements.
Comprehensive Examination
The comprehensive examination is intended to prepare learners for the doctoral project phase of the PsyD-CS program and assesses academic, professional, and research competence in psychology. The comprehensive examination is taken following the successful completion of all core courses. Learners must successfully pass the comprehensive examination to continue into their doctoral project courses. This examination is proctored and will be recorded.
| PSY 8804 | Doctoral Comprehensive Examination | 0 |
Doctoral Research Orientation
Doctoral learners entering the research phase of their program (Doctoral Project 1-9) are required to complete a Doctoral Research Orientation before starting Doctoral Project 2. Learners may complete this Doctoral Orientation at any time and are encouraged to do so during the term they enroll in PSY 8804 (Doctoral Comprehensive Exam). Learners must achieve 100% on the Doctoral Research Orientation assessment in order to begin Doctoral Project 2. This assessment may be repeated as needed to achieve a passing score.
Doctoral Project Courses (9 Credits Required)
An essential feature of a doctoral program is a commitment to research. To support that aim, a required component of the PsyD-CS program is the Doctoral Project. This exercise provides an opportunity to conduct research in a clinically relevant topic area. A PsyD-CS 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-CS 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.
| PSY 9011 | DP1: Doctoral Project Phase 1 – Prospectus Development | 1 |
| PSY 9012 | DP2: Doctoral Project Phase 2 – Chapter 1 Development | 1 |
| PSY 9013 | DP3: Doctoral Project Phase 3 – Literature Review Development | 1 |
| PSY 9014 | DP4: Doctoral Project Phase 4 – Methodology Development | 1 |
| PSY 9015 | DP5: Doctoral Project Phase 5 – Academic and Institutional Review Board Approval | 1 |
| PSY 9016 | DP6: Doctoral Project Phase 6 – Evidence of Data Collection | 1 |
| PSY 9017 | DP7: Doctoral Project Phase 7 – Analysis and Results | 1 |
| PSY 9018 | DP8: Doctoral Project Phase 8 – Interpretation and Findings | 1 |
| PSY 9019 | DP9: Doctoral Project Phase 9 – Final Defense and Manuscript Submission | 1 |
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 learners 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 learners.