Education and Training Objectives and Competencies

The seven program objectives and twenty-seven subordinate competencies have been designed to meet program goals. These objectives reflect competencies and skills that students are expected to achieve by graduation, which, in turn, are expected to influence professional role functioning. The various educational and training activities are related to program objectives. These include curricular offerings, practicum and internship placements, and supervised research training experiences.

Various data sources are used to document outcomes relative to these activities and objectives. These include course evaluations, competency examination results, practicum and internship evaluations, evidence of productive scholarship, and data from student and alumni surveys.

I. Objective

To develop broad theoretical and scientific knowledge in substantive areas that provide the basis for the effective practice of clinical psychology.

A. Biological bases of behavior
B. Social, environmental, and familial bases of behavior
C. Cognitive and affective bases of behavior
D. Individual differences--personality theories, developmental psychology, and psychopathology
E. Cultural/ethnic variables and processes

II. Objective

To develop research skills and knowledge, and the ability to review, evaluate, and synthesize empirical research. Students demonstrate mastery in the following areas:

A. Reviewing and critically evaluating scientific literature
B. Describing and comprehending different research designs for various scientific questions
C. Formulating scientific hypotheses that can be operationalized via appropriate scientific methods
D. Collecting and managing data from empirical research
E. Analyzing data with a range of parametric and non parametric statistical methods
F. Applying statistical methods in the analysis of scientific data using state-of-the-art computer programs
G. Writing scientific reports based on empirical research

III. Objective

To integrate research findings and processes with clinical practice

A. Apply research findings on psychopathology to clinical diagnosis and case formulation
B. Apply  outcome research to intervention  selection and evaluation

IV. Objective

To develop an understanding of psychopathology and psychological assessment, and to apply such knowledge in the evaluation of psychological functioning in a variety of settings with diverse populations.

A. Identify, and distinguish between, different forms of psychopathology using DSM-IV criteria
B. Demonstrate proficiency in applying methods of psychological assessment, including tests of intelligence, and objective and performance measures of personality
C. Evaluate intervention effectiveness through ongoing assessment of client psychological functioning
D. Modify intervention based on an evaluation of patient psychological functioning
E. Interpret and synthesize findings from psychological tests and other informations in the evaluation of psychological functioning
F. Demonstrate understanding of, and sensitivity to, the role of cultural factors and processes in the diagnostic and evaluation process

V. Objective

To develop an understanding of the efficacy and models of application of psychological interventions in a variety of settings with diverse populations

A. Demonstrate comprehension of effective intervention techniques
B. Apply psychological interventions and evaluate their effectiveness in clinical practice
C. Demonstrate cultural knowledge and competence in implementing psychological interventions for culturally diverse populations

VI. Objective

To develop an understanding of the legal, ethical, and professional principles of clinical psychology, and how to apply these principles in research and practice

A. Demonstrate knowledge and adoption of values and ethical principles of research and practice as outlined in the APA Code of Ethics
B. Demonstrate knowledge of, and conformity to, other legal and state regulations pertaining to psychological research and practice

VII. Objective

To develop skills as an independent researcher and the ability to contribute scientific knowledge to the field of psychology

A. Demonstrate ability to implement all phases of research, including proposal development, formulation of research hypotheses, experimental design, data collection, and analysis, and scientific writing
B. Conduct independently an empirical investigation in an area of psychology and summarize the findings of this research in written form under faculty supervision
C. Present and defend independent research findings before the faculty and other professional audiences
Alliant communicates training program goals, objectives, and competencies to students through print, the web (http://www.cspp.edu/  or http://www.alliant.edu/), advisor meetings, and the first year PSY6003 Program Meeting.