Psychology: Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology Emphasis, (Psy.D.)

Program Overview

The Emphasis in Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology prepares students to meet the growing demand in the field for well-trained child and adolescent psychologists. Students who have interest in the Emphasis in Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology should speak with the Emphasis Coordinator as early as possible to express their interest and discuss programmatic changes.

Admission Criteria and Continued Enrollment

Students are admitted into the emphasis after completion of the first year. Admission criteria include:

• A cover letter describing the student’s professional goals and interests and how the emphasis will help him or her achieve these goals
• Copies of graduate transcripts (can be unofficial transcripts)
• A letter of recommendation from one faculty member in the Adler Psy.D. program; this can include a direct email from the recommender to the emphasis coordinator
• Overall Adler grade point average of at least 3.25.
• Passing all Psy.D. program milestones up to the point of emphasis admission
• An interview with the Emphasis Coordinator
• Admission to the emphasis is not guaranteed. The decision will be weighed in conjunction with other data.

Additionally, students admitted into the emphasis must maintain the following standards, or they may risk dismissal from the emphasis:

• Maintain an overall grade point average of at least 3.0
• Obtain a grade of at least B in all required emphasis courses
• Pass all milestones in the Psy.D. program (CQE, dissertation, etc.)
• Have no SCEC referrals for comportment issues
• Have no more than one SCEC referral for any other reason

Completion Requirements

1. Satisfactory completion of all required credit hours, including all required courses.
2. At least one practicum (diagnostic or psychotherapy) in a setting that provides psychotherapy and/or diagnostic services to children and adolescents. Child and adolescent clients must make up at least half of your overall caseload.
3. Advanced practicum must allow students to have children, adolescents, and/or young adult clients as part of caseload.
4. At least one of the CQE’s, assessment or therapy, must address a child or adolescent client.
5. Students will also be required to write their dissertation in the area of child and adolescent psychology. This does not mean that children or adolescents must be part of the sample; however, the topic selected must add to the literature on the assessment and treatment of this population. Young adult dissertation topics will also be considered for those students who wish to work with older adolescents and young adult populations.
6. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher and no grades below B.
7. Successful completion of a dissertation and submission to the Psy.D. Department.
8. Submission of completed Graduation Application and full payment of all outstanding tuition and fees.

For further information, contact Dr. Cristina Cox, Child and Adolescent Psychology Emphasis Coordinator, at [email protected].