Nov 21, 2024  
Academic Catalog 2024-2025 
    
Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Respecialization in Clinical Psychology Postdoctoral Certificate (with optional concentrations)


The Respecialization Program in Clinical Psychology (RCP) shares the mission and aims of the PhD in Clinical Psychology program which is to create a more humane, just, and sustainable world, and with Fielding’s values of academic excellence, community, diversity, and social justice.

The RCP program follows the PhD Program curriculum with some modifications since RCP students already hold a PhD in another discipline. The major distinctions between the PhD and RCP programs are a shorter curriculum sequence and program duration. RCP students are also not required to complete a dissertation or research practicum. They also have fewer in-person residency hour requirements. Clinical training requirements are the same for RCP and PhD students.

Students can optionally specialize in one of the following concentrations:

  • Forensic Psychology
  • Health Psychology
  • Neuropsychology
  • Social Justice & Diversity

This postdoctoral certificate is designed for psychologists who hold a PhD in a nonclinical discipline of psychology. Typically such students hold PhDs in social, developmental, and organizational psychology and want to become licensed as a clinical psychologist. The program provides the clinical training, both academic coursework and supervised clinical training, required for license eligibility in many states.

Required Respecialization Coursework:


Effective date: 09/01/2017

Core Academic Courses


Theoretical Orientation Course


One 4-credit theoretical orientation course consistent with the Practicum Case Seminar plan you select:

Practicum Case Seminar


8cr (four terms) of one of the following Practicum Case Seminar tracks, to include six training days and ten case presentations:

  • PSY-620  Practicum Case Presentations, 0 semester credits
  • PSY-621  Clinical Training Days, 0 semester credits
  • PSY-629A1 -A4 Practicum Case Seminar: Psychodynamic, 2 semester credits each
  • PSY-629B1 -B4 Practicum Case Seminar: Cognitive/Behavioral, 2 semester credits each
  • PSY-629C1 -C4 Practicum Case Seminar: Humanistic/Systems, 2 semester credits each

Clinical Practicum and Internship


Total Semester Credits: 104


Optional Concentrations


Forensic Psychology Concentration Requirements


  • 4 semester credits
  • 2 semester credits
  • 1 semester credits
  • 500 cumulative hours of forensic experience (inclusive of direct and indirect service as well as supervision), e.g. in a forensically oriented practicum or internship, a forensic rotation under supervision of a licensed clinical psychologist with forensic experience. (Forensic work as part of a paid employment does not fulfill this requirement). Students are encouraged to clear their rotation with the Director of the Forensic Concentration prior to fulfilling this requirement.

One of the following:


  • A first author published research paper on a forensic topic or first author conference poster or paper
  • 6 additional units of forensic courses, such as: PSY-626, other courses from the 765A-G core (not already completed as part of above requirements), PSY-770 
  • (PhD only) A forensically oriented dissertation, with at least one committee member who is a member of the forensic concentration faculty.
  • 18 semester credits

Health Psychology Concentration Requirements


Practicum


A minimum of 240 hours of practicum be completed in Health Psychology

PhD students:


Dissertation must be on a Health Psychology topic

RCP Students:


Publishable quality research paper

Neuropsychology Concentration Requirements


Required


Concentration Meetings (attend 4)


Neuropsychology Concentration Meetings will take place at each of the 3 sessions: Winter, Summer and Fall. These evening meetings will involve a mix of discussion and presentations related to clinical issues, training and professional issues, Q&A about neuropsychology practice, guest presentations, etc. Students must attend and participate in 4 of these meetings.

Case Presentation (attend and present)


Attendance at one in-person Neuropsychology Case Presentation day at session. To complete the concentration, each student will present one case at one Case Presentation Day.

Additional Requirements (choose one option)


OPTION 1: Take one additional 4 credit term course in neuropsychology (e.g., PSY-774 Neuropsychological Care of TBI ) and complete 5 days of in-person session seminars that qualify for the neuropsychology concentration (see partial list below).

OPTION 2: Do not take an additional course, but complete a total of 9 days of in-person session neuropsychology offerings (see partial list below).

Social Justice and Diversity Concentration Requirements


Required


  • 4 semester credits
  • 150 hours (including both direct and indirect hours) of clinical experience or one internship rotation focused on serving an underserved population.  May be substituted with 150 hours of community service related activities with an underserved population.
  • Research via dissertation, research practicum, new publication, or new conference poster/paper presentation on a topic related to social justice and diversity in clinical practice. This topic could include, but is not limited to, issues pertaining to underserved populations, mental health disparities, prejudice, discrimination, stigma, and promoting equity.

8cr of Electives


Choose 8 credits from credit-bearing seminars occurring at national sessions and/or special topics courses (up to no more than 4 credits) chosen from topics linked to this concentration, including but not limited to: