Offered through the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences social and behavioral sciences discipline, the professional psychology program offers the graduate degrees master of arts in the field of forensic psychology and doctor of psychology (PsyD) in the field of clinical psychology.
The MA degree program is designed to address a growing need for criminal profilers, competency experts, psychological evaluators, and counselors. Students are immersed in courses ranging from the psychopathology of serial criminals and terrorist agents to the treatment of sex offenders and ethical issues involving interrogation. The forensic psychology degree program offers two tracks; the applied forensics track prepares students for careers in law enforcement or homeland security, while the applied psychology track prepares students for careers as providers of direct services to clients in organizations such as rehabilitational facilities and community action organizations, and can serve as a springboard for clinical work at the doctoral level. Students are required to complete 250 hours of externship training, tailored to their professional interests.
The PsyD program offers a substantive introduction to the basic science aspects of psychology and the skills required of a clinical psychologist. Students take a series of foundation courses outlining biological, cognitive, social, and cultural foundations; basic and more advanced clinical courses, such as psychopathology, group dynamics, assessment, psychotherapy, supervision, and consultation; and research methods, statistics, history and systems, and ethics courses. The advanced curriculum offers courses tailored within three broad tracks: adult, assessment, and child. In addition to didactic courses, students work with a diverse patient population at different public and private agencies as well as at the department’s in-house clinic. Upon completion of coursework and prior to receiving the PsyD, students perform a one-year, full-time internship.
The professional psychology program also offers the graduate certificate in LGBT health policy and practice.
Visit the Professional Psychology Program website for additional information.
Professors Emeriti: R. Cooter, P. Gedo, D. Holmes, R. Ruth
Professor: L. Ingraham (Director)
Associate Professors: C. Marmarosh, A. Moskowitz, R. Lopez Sharifi
Assistant Professors: K. Marshall Woods (Deputy Director and Director of Clinical Training), L. Sheehi, J. Sexton, S. Hedlund, M. Bruce
Adjunct Professors: Y. Aleshina, H. Devinney, K. Weise,
Professorial Lecturers: S. Dershewitz, M. Forbes, S. Forssell, A. Gartner, D. Grasso, J. Gorin, C. Holl, S. Kane, P. Magaletta, B. McConnell, J. McNamara, B. Sheppard, P. Snejnevski, A. Washington, N. Xenakis, H. Zelle
Explanation of Course Numbers
- Courses in the 1000s are primarily introductory undergraduate courses
- Those in the 2000s to 4000s are upper-level undergraduate courses that also may be taken for graduate credit with permission and additional work assigned
- Those in the 6000s and 8000s are for master’s, doctoral, and professional-level students
- The 6000s are open to advanced undergraduate students with approval of the instructor and the dean or advising office
Note: PSYD courses are limited to students enrolled in the Professional Psychology program except by permission of the director. See the Department of Psychology for the degree program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy in the field of clinical psychology.
