Clinical Psychology

College: Graduate School of Social Sciences

Clinical Psychology focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental health disorders. Students develop skills in psychological assessment, therapeutic interventions, research methods, and ethical practices, preparing for careers in mental health clinics, hospitals, and private practices.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the fundamentals of clinical psychology.
• Develop skills in psychological assessment and therapeutic interventions.
• Learn principles of psychopathology, research methods, ethics, and cultural competence.
• Analyze and interpret psychological data.
• Develop critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and therapeutic skills.

Major Outline:

1. Introduction to Clinical Psychology - Overview of key concepts and practices in clinical psychology.
2. Psychological Assessment - Principles and techniques of conducting psychological evaluations.
3. Therapeutic Interventions - Principles and techniques of applying therapeutic modalities.
4. Psychopathology - Principles and techniques of diagnosing and treating psychological disorders.
5. Research Methods - Principles and techniques of conducting psychological research.
6. Ethics and Professional Issues - Principles and techniques of addressing ethical dilemmas and professional standards.
7. Cultural Competence - Principles and techniques of providing culturally competent psychological services.
8. Practicum in Clinical Psychology - Real-world experience through internships and clinical rotations.
9. Capstone Project - Comprehensive project applying skills in psychological assessment, therapeutic interventions, or research methods.

Assessment Methods:

Psychological assessment reports, therapeutic intervention plans, psychopathology analyses, research projects, ethics analyses, cultural competence projects, practicum reports, capstone projects, and presentations.

Recommended Textbooks:

• "Abnormal Psychology" by David H. Barlow & V. Mark Durand.
• "Psychological Testing" by Robert M. Kaplan & Dennis P. Saccuzzo.
• "Cognitive Behavior Therapy" by Judith S. Beck.
• "Psychodynamic Psychotherapy" by Glen O. Gabbard.
• "Research Design in Clinical Psychology" by Alan E. Kazdin.
• "Ethics in Psychology" by Gerald P. Koocher & Patricia Keith-Spiegel.
• "Cultural Competence in Health Care" by various authors.

Prerequisites:

Basic knowledge of psychology, research methods, and statistics. Suitable for students interested in mental health and psychological assessment.

Major Duration:

Typically 4-5 years for a bachelor's degree, including coursework, clinical training, and internships. Additional advanced degrees may be required for specialized roles and licensure.

Certification:

Graduates may earn a degree in Clinical Psychology and pursue further education or professional certifications, such as a Master's or Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Licensure as a clinical psychologist typically requires a doctoral degree and passing the EPPP.

Target Audience:

Aspiring clinical psychologists, mental health counselors, psychotherapists, and individuals seeking careers in mental health clinics, hospitals, private practices, and research institutions.

This major equips students with the clinical, therapeutic, and research skills needed to excel in clinical psychology and support careers in mental health clinics, hospitals, private practices, and research institutions.