First Students Begin CSPP-Alliant's Ground-Breaking Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology in Hong Kong

San Francisco – February 23, 2007 – On Monday, February 19, 26 students made history as they attended their first class in Alliant-Hong Kong’s US-based PhD psychology program, the first program of its kind.

The promising students of the class of 2010 are an accomplished group of professionals, with 98% of the students working full-time. Among this impressive group are an established private practice physician, a local sociology professor, and two senior police inspectors with the Hong Kong Police Force: one is in charge of the hostage rescue team and the other is in charge of the Child Abuse unit.

On January 21, 2007, Alliant’s proposal to offer the PsyD program in clinical psychology in Hong Kong was formally approved by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). “The approval opens up a new chapter in Alliant’s history -- and to our knowledge in the history of American clinical psychology -- with the (apparently first) offering of a US-based University’s PsyD degree in clinical psychology in Asia,” said Alliant Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Rodney L. Lowman.

This past November, the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) at Alliant International University signed the agreement to offer the first US-based doctorate in clinical psychology ever offered in Asia. CSPP is working with the School of Continuing and Professional Education (“SCOPE”) at the City University of Hong Kong (“CityU”) to offer the exclusive program.

The program will be taught at CityU’s Hong Kong campus, with CityU directing marketing efforts and ensuring that classes are relevant to local needs. The first admission deadline was December 1, 2006. The program integrates Western and Asian psychological theory, research and application and address gaps in mental health service delivery in Hong Kong – a major city that has fewer than 20 doctoral-level psychologists in private practice. “We need to educate and promote psychology in Hong Kong,” said US-based Program Director Alex Leung. “The demand is there.”

The Hong Kong program is based on an innovative psychology program pioneered by CSPP-Alliant in Tokyo, Japan. A total of 66 students have now graduated from that program and have become a cadre of pioneers who are introducing a range of virtually unknown mental health services – including an understanding of problems such as child abuse and domestic violence – to Japan.

 “Together with our colleagues at City University of Hong Kong, we are working to adapt our successful educational model to a new setting. We welcome this challenge and the opportunity to participate in the development of professional psychology in the region,” said Alliant President Dr. Geoffrey Cox.

Faculty is drawn from Alliant’s CSPP professors and from professional psychologists in Hong Kong. Students will receive 33 credits through online instruction, based on Alliant’s US curriculum. The final 42 credit units, which are earned in hands-on mental health settings via structured internships and practica, will be overseen by US-based Program Director Alex Leung, PhD and Hong Kong-based Director of Training, Hana Li, DSW. Students will be encouraged to spend their 12-month internship in the US; Alliant will find appropriate placements for students who take this option.

The agreement between CSPP-Alliant and SCOPE was signed by Alliant President Geoffrey M. Cox, CSPP Interim Dean Steven Bucky, CityU’s SCOPE Director, Charles Kit Hung Wong and SCOPE Program Manager, Iris Wing Man Cheuk.

Since its establishment in 1984, the City University of Hong Kong has experienced a great deal of success, placing 154th in the Times Higher Education 2006 World University Rankings. CityU established SCOPE in 1991.

“Alliant found a perfect partner in CityU’s School of Continuing and Professional Education (SCOPE). Both institutions work to foster international outlooks and cultivate culturally competent students who will enrich the global community,” commented Alliant President Cox.

Contact:

Alex Leung
Program Director
aleung@alliant.edu