Hong Kong PsyD Program Objectives and Curriculum

Program Aims and Objectives

The Hong Kong PsyD program aims to:  

• Integrate Western and Asian psychological theory, research and application pertaining to clinical psychology, assessment, and psychological intervention with adults, children and families;
• Provide a model of education and training for psychologists in Hong Kong that emphasizes practice, and the successful integration of research to practice to prepare individuals to work within the Hong Kong mental health delivery system;
• Provide a truly international and culturally competent approach to education drawing on the worldwide work being done in psychology, interpreting that work to  benefit psychological service provision in Hong Kong and its region.
• Provide education that will address gaps in mental health service delivery in Hong Kong and the region, particularly those pertaining to the treatment of marital problems, childrearing, substance abuse, domestic violence and child abuse. 

Students in the clinical PsyD program must demonstrate a mastery of knowledge-based, research-based and practice-based competencies in clinical psychology. They are expected to develop competency – knowledge and skills – in the following areas in the context of the psychological needs of the Hong Kong population and the mental health service delivery system in that area:

Interpersonal/relationship General assessment, appraisal and ascertainment Multifaceted multimodal intervention Research and evaluation Consultation/teaching Management/supervision Diversity of clients and populations

Structure of the Degree

The clinical PsyD program consists of 120 units, including a dissertation and an internship of at least 1500 hours. Those entering with a Master’s degree in a related field would normally receive 9-12 credits toward the clinical PsyD.

Live Classroom Courses

Each course normally consists of 3 credits. Each credit normally consists of 15 hours of contact time plus a further 60 hours of associated study time including written assignments and other projects submitted for evaluation. The courses are presented in several different formats. Some, taught by adjunct faculty based in Hong Kong, are delivered on weekday evenings at the City University of Hong Kong. Others, taught by US-based faculty, are delivered on an intensive basis over two successive weekends (Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday), with some prior preparation required. Still other courses are delivered online.

Practica and Internships

Practicum: Students must have at least 950 practicum hours. Practica placements are spread over a period of 20 weeks. Students work 12 practicum hours per week.

Internship: Students must have 1500 internship hours. These hours can be completed in 2 years with students working 20 hours per week and thus undertaking a half-time internship. This time frame is expected to enable students to continue to work while they obtain internship hours. Direct service must be 25% of total internship hours.

During the practicum and internship, there is an on-site supervisor or an external clinical supervisor providing individual supervision. There is also a group supervisor providing group supervision every two weeks and an American licensed PhD psychologist providing group supervision via video-conferencing every other week.

Dissertation

The dissertation may be an interpretive study involving a synthesis and analysis of existing literature relevant to a clinical problem and requiring the development of the student's own ideas as to how the existing knowledge can be used to enhance clinical work. Other types of clinical dissertations include case studies, surveys, program evaluations, educational or clinical interventions, quantitative studies and correlational studies on clinical variables. The program is designed to allow students to complete the dissertation in the third year prior to the beginning of the fourth year internship.

Period of Study

The normal study period is four years with the maximum period to be extended to six years.

Library and Learning Resources

Library services are provided locally by City University of Hong Kong, and there is a dedicated PsyD book collection for the exclusive use of PsyD participants in SCOPE.

Participants also have access to the Alliant International University collection of electronic journals and resources via the Internet.

Course Descriptions

Year 1 Courses

Psychometrics, Statistics and Research Design I
A survey course concerning (a) theories of measurement relevant to psychological assessment, (b) statistical techniques commonly used in clinical and organizational research and (c) the evaluation of the validity of experimental designs. While practical applicability is stressed, the nature of contemporary applied research requires extensive instruction in multivariate analytic methods including proficiency in the use of statistical software programs. An introduction to the clinical dissertation process will also be included.

Psychometrics, Statistics and Research Design II
A survey course concerning (a) theories of measurement relevant to psychological assessment, (b) statistical techniques commonly used in clinical and organizational research and (c) the evaluation of the validity of experimental designs.While practical applicability is stressed, the nature of contemporary applied research requires extensive instruction in multivariate analytic methods including proficiency in the use of statistical software programs. An introduction to the clinical dissertation process will also be included.

Advanced Psychopathology
Diagnosis, classification and etiology of psychological disorders: research, theory and application. Covers DSM-IV and other classification systems, multiaxial diagnosis, roles of society, culture and biology. Meta-issues surrounding the diagnostic enterprise, the development of psychopathology and treatment will be explored.

Intercultural Awareness Development
A course focusing on experiential and didactic training on issues related to racial/ ethnic minorities, sexual orientation, gender, disability, socio-economic levels, the elderly, etc. Aspects of oppression, discrimination, prejudice and stereotyping of culturally different groups will be covered.

Observation and Interviewing
Designed to provide a practical foundation in observation and interviewing skills, this course includes clinical, social, organizational and research perspectives. Also includes external supervision.

Psychodiagnostic Assessment I
This course provides an introduction to the broad spectrum of psychological assessment procedures, techniques and instruments. The selection, administration, scoring and interpretation of objective and project testing instruments and comprehensive, integrative report writing is included.

Psychodiagnostic Assessment II
This course introduces the broad spectrum of psychological assessment procedures, techniques and instruments. The selection, administration, scoring and interpretation of objective and project testing instruments is covered and comprehensive, integrative report writing is included.

Lifespan Development
This course studies developmental theories, constructs and research methods as they contribute to an understanding of normative human development and as they guide intervention strategies. Offerings include: child life span, adolescence, adult development, family life cycle, middle age, aging and women’s life span development.

Year 2 Courses

Issues in Chinese Psychology
To follow.

History and Systems of Psychology
This course covers the history and development of psychology to the present. Principles of the classical “schools” of Structuralism, Functionalism, Behaviorism, Gestalt Psychology and psychoanalysis are presented and compared, with emphasis on their relevance and contributions to contemporary psychology. The course includes a discussion of the history of professional psychology including the development of applied specialties including clinical and industrial-organizational psychology.

Cognitive and Affective Bases of Behavior
An overview of interdependencies of cognition and emotion is provided by this course. Discussion of the cognitive processing systems will include research on creative thinking, conscious and unconscious processing, problem solving and cognitive structure. Related areas of sensation, perception, memory, learning, cognition, emotion, motivation and psychophysiological processes are explored. Discussion of emotion will focus on cognitive precursors and consequences of emotional states, as well as the biological and social bases of emotion.

Theory and Technique of Clinical Practice- Psychodynamic
In-depth study of psychotherapy within the psychodynamic framework is provided by this course.

Theory and Technique of Clinical Practice- Family Systems
This course provides an in-depth study of psychotherapy within the family systems framework.

Theory and Technique of Clinical Practice- Cognitive/ Behavioral
This course provides an in-depth study of psychotherapy within the cognitive/ behavioral framework.

PsyD Research Proposal Design I
This year-long seminar will assist PsyD students in development of researchable questions, critical literature review and preparation of PsyD project proposals. Students are encouraged to select sections of the seminar based on compatibility of their research interests with the expertise of the faculty teaching the seminar. Sample research proposal design class topics include: multicultural/ international research; case study approaches; health psychology; gender studies; migration and clinical interventions.

PsyD Research Proposal Design II
This year-long seminar will assist PsyD students in development of researchable questions, critical literature review and preparation of PsyD project proposals. Students are encouraged to select sections of the seminar based on compatibility of their research interests with the expertise of the faculty teaching the seminar. Sample research proposal design class topics include: multicultural/ international research; case study approaches; health psychology; gender studies; migration and clinical interventions.

PsyD Practicum 1a
The first of the two field placements for second year PsyD program students is held in an agency setting approved by the school.

PsyD Practicum 1b
The second of the two field placements for second year PsyD program students takes place in an agency setting approved by the school.

Year 3 Courses

Biological Bases of Behavior
This class provides a presentation of the anatomy and physiology of the human central nervous system, neuroanatomy, hormonal and chemical regulation. Discussion focuses on concepts of arousal, the acquisition and processing of information, adaptation to environment, motivation, activity, sleep, behavior genetics. Contemporary research and diagnostic technologies concerned with brain functions are reviewed as are chemical and electrophysiological aspects. Various topics include the clinical course, manifestations and implications of various brain pathologies and possible organic contributions to behavioral or psychological dysfunctions commonly encountered in the clinical setting.

Theory and Technique of Chinese Clinical Practice
To follow.

Professional Ethics and the Law
This course examines legal issues and professional ethics concerning psychotherapists and clinical researchers such as: child and elder abuse reporting laws, danger to self and others reporting, confidentiality, privileged communication, patient’s rights and involuntary commitment. It will include an examination of other relevant issues in Hong Kong.

Advanced Clinical Skills
Theory and practice of analytical psychology.

Advanced Clinical Skills
Neuropsychology and psychopharmacoloy.

Advanced Clinical Skills
Consultation, management, and supervision.

PsyD Project I
In this project, students conduct literature reviews, commit to projects and write doctoral project proposals with an emphasis on focus, feasibility and design. The proposals are implemented with ongoing supervision and a written work is completed. Methodologies include program development, program evaluation, use of video in clinical psychology, case study, empirical project and manuals or primers on special topics.

PsyD Project II
In this project, students conduct literature reviews, commit to projects and write doctoral project proposals with an emphasis on focus, feasibility and design. The proposals are implemented with ongoing supervision and a written work is completed. Methodologies include program development, program evaluation, use of video in clinical psychology, case study, empirical project and manuals or primers on special topics.

PsyD Practicum 1c
This practicum is the first of the two field placements for third year PsyD program students in an agency setting approved by the school.

PsyD Practicum 1d
This practicum is the second of the two field placements for third year PsyD program students in an agency setting approved by the school.

Year 4 Courses

PsyD Pre-doctoral Internship I
This is the first of two half-time internship rotations in an approved agency for PsyD program students. Minimum 20 hours/ week.

PsyD Pre-doctoral Internship II
This is the second of two half-time internship rotations in an approved agency for PsyD program students. Minimum 20 hours/ week.

Advanced Clinical Seminar I
This clinical seminar provides small-group presentation and discussion of practicum cases at an advanced level. Particular emphasis is placed on integration of theory and practice and in-depth examination of the treatment process.

Advanced Clinical Seminar II
This clinical seminar provides small-group presentation and discussion of practicum cases at an advanced level. Particular emphasis is placed on integration of theory and practice and in-depth examination of the treatment process.