Clinical Psychology Program, Downers Grove Campus

To be considered for admission within our competitive selection process, applicants must submit the following documented evidence:

1. Completion of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
2. An overall undergraduate and graduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.000 on a 4.000 scale is required.
3. Completion of 18 semester hours or equivalent of prerequisite coursework in psychology with a grade of C or better including: Introduction to General Psychology, Human Growth & Development or Personality Theory, Abnormal Psychology, Statistics or Tests and Measurements. Performance in undergraduate prerequisite courses must be at the level of B- or above as expected in the graduate program. 
4. Demonstration of community service or extracurricular activities.
5. Motivation for and commitment to healthcare as demonstrated by previous work, volunteer work, or other life experiences.
6. Oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues.
7. Commitment to abide by Midwestern University's Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
8. Passage of the Midwestern University criminal background check.

Full list of requirements*

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The Doctor of Psychology degree is designed to be a professional degree similar to the doctoral degrees provided in medicine, law, pharmacy, physical therapy, and dentistry. The Psy.D. is considered the degree of choice for persons interested in becoming a practitioner-scholar when pursuing a career in clinical psychology. The program emphasis is on the development of essential diagnostic, therapeutic, and consultative skills for the practice of clinical psychology.

The program of study follows the recommendations of the American Psychological Association (APA) for broad and general education and training for Health Service Psychologists. Students are educated and trained in the current body of knowledge in the following discipline-specific domains: the history and systems of psychology; affective aspects of behavior; biological aspects of behavior; cognitive aspects of behavior; developmental aspects of behavior; social aspects of behavior; and an advanced integration of these areas. Knowledge of research and quantitative methods is also necessary, including research methods, quantitative methods of data analysis, and psychometric theory.

Mission

The Midwestern University Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology Program educates and trains students to be Health Service Psychologists in the general practice of evidence-based clinical psychology serving diverse populations.

Aims

The Program's overall goal is to educate and train students in the practitioner-scholar training model for the practice of clinical psychology. In service of this goal, the Program has four broad educational aims:

1. Students acquire theoretical and scientific knowledge in the entry-level practice of clinical psychology working with diverse individuals and groups.
2. Students develop and utilize a strong set of clinical skills, behaviors, and attitudes that reflect the highest ethical and professional standards in the entry-level practice of clinical psychology working with diverse individuals and groups.
3. Students engage in research and evaluation, contribute to the body of knowledge, and evaluate clinical outcomes using empirically based information and methods.
4. Students develop an appreciation for the value of interdisciplinary collaboration and practice and are able to work effectively with professionals from other healthcare disciplines.

Competencies

To achieve these aims, the curriculum focusses on the development of professional skills in the nine profession wide competencies outlined by the American Psychological Association, including:

• Research
• Ethics and Legal Standards
• Individual and Cultural Diversity
• Professional Values, Attitudes and Behavior
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• Assessment
• Intervention
• Supervision
• Consultation and Interprofessional/Interdisciplinary Skills

Total Quarter Credits in the 5 Year Professional Program: 233.5-274.5

Students electing the Child and Adolescent Emphasis may require an additional 15 credits. 

Students entering the program with Advanced Standing may complete the program in four years with a minimum of 220 credits.

The total number of quarter credits is dependent upon which, if any, elective courses are taken by the student.

With the Program Director's approval, students needing additional time during or beyond the internship year to complete the Dissertation must register for PSYCD 1921-1924 Dissertation Continuation I-IV or PSYCD 1990-1999 Dissertation Post-Internship I - X as needed, a 0.5 credit hour course, to complete the dissertation requirement.

Curriculum details*

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1. Students acquire theoretical and scientific knowledge in the entry-level practice of clinical psychology working with diverse individuals and groups.
2. Students develop and utilize a strong set of clinical skills, behaviors, and attitudes that reflect the highest ethical and professional standards in the entry-level practice of clinical psychology working with diverse individuals and groups.
3. Students engage in research and evaluation, contribute to the body of knowledge, and evaluate clinical outcomes using empirically based information and methods.
4. Students develop an appreciation for the value of interdisciplinary collaboration and practice and are able to work effectively with professionals from other healthcare disciplines.

The Doctor of Psychology degree is designed to be a professional degree similar to the doctoral degrees provided in medicine, law, pharmacy, physical therapy, and dentistry. The Psy.D. is considered the degree of choice for persons interested in becoming a practitioner-scholar when pursuing a career in clinical psychology. The program emphasis is on the development of essential diagnostic, therapeutic, and consultative skills for the practice of clinical psychology.

The program of study follows the recommendations of the American Psychological Association (APA) for broad and general education and training for Health Service Psychologists. Students are educated and trained in the current body of knowledge in the following discipline-specific domains: the history and systems of psychology; affective aspects of behavior; biological aspects of behavior; cognitive aspects of behavior; developmental aspects of behavior; social aspects of behavior; and an advanced integration of these areas. Knowledge of research and quantitative methods is also necessary, including research methods, quantitative methods of data analysis, and psychometric theory.

The program centers on the development of appropriate competencies reflected in the American Psychological Association (APA) Standards of Accreditation (SoA; APA, 2015). There are nine required profession-wide competencies. The program has key points in the curriculum targeted to assess progress in attaining these competencies. These include competencies in Research, Ethics and Legal Standards, Individual and Cultural Diversity, Professional Values, Attitudes and Behavior, Communication and Interpersonal Skills, Assessment, Intervention, Supervision, and Consultation and Interprofessional/Interdisciplinary Skills.

Research Competency: The research competency rests on the student's understanding of research, research methods, and techniques of data collection and analysis. Students will also understand the reciprocal relationship between science and clinical practice. Students are expected to be able to use this knowledge to critically evaluate and solve novel problems, to independently formulate research or other scholarly activity of sufficient quality and rigor to potentially contribute to the scientific or professional knowledge base, and to disseminate such research or scholarly activity via professional publications and presentations at the local, regional or national level.

Ethics and Legal Standards Competency: This competency includes having a working knowledge of ethical, legal and professional standards and guidelines at the organizational, local, state, and federal level. Students are expected to act in accordance with those standards and guidelines and conduct themselves in an ethical manner in all professional activities. This competency also includes the ability to recognize ethical dilemmas when they arise and to apply ethical decision making in order to resolve those dilemmas.

Individual and Cultural Diversity Competency: This competency stresses that students will develop the ability to conduct all of their professional activities with sensitivity to human diversity and will demonstrate an ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups. Students must demonstrate knowledge, awareness, sensitivity and skills when working with diverse individuals and communities who embody a variety of cultural and personal backgrounds and characteristics. As such, students must demonstrate an understanding of their own personal/cultural history, attitudes and biases that may affect their understanding and interaction with others, have knowledge of the current theoretical and empirical knowledge base related to addressing diversity in professional activities, and show the ability to integrate this awareness and knowledge of individual and cultural differences in the conduct of their professional roles.

Professional Values, Attitudes and Behavior Competency:  This competency is evidenced by the ability to demonstrate an adherence to the professional values, attitudes and behaviors that define the profession of psychology. This includes honesty, integrity and personal responsibility, as well as concern for the welfare of others. It includes one's professional identity as well as deportment in interactions with clients and with others including peers, supervisors, faculty, and other professionals. Students are expected to demonstrate openness and responsiveness to feedback and supervision. Professionalism also includes the capacity for self-reflection, self-care and an appreciation of lifelong learning.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills Competency: Communication and Interpersonal Skills are foundational competencies for health service psychology. This competency requires a demonstration of the ability to relate effectively and meaningfully with a wide range of individuals, groups and communities. This includes the ability to form and maintain productive and respectful relationships with clients, peers, supervisors, and other professionals. This competency also entails the ability to produce and comprehend nonverbal, oral and written communication and to have a thorough grasp of professional language and concepts. Students are expected to demonstrate effective interpersonal skills and to be able to manage difficult communication or conflict.

Assessment Competency: The assessment competency involves the evidence-based assessment and diagnosis of problems, capabilities and issues associated with individuals, groups, or organizations. It includes knowledge of principles of measurement and psychometrics. This competency also requires the knowledge and skills necessary for effective selection, administration, scoring and interpretation of assessment measures appropriate to the specific purpose or goals of the assessment and the individual being assessed. The assessment competency also requires an ability to synthesize multiple sources of data to develop appropriate diagnoses, conceptualizations and treatment plans and to communicate that information in an effective oral and written manner to a range of audiences.

Intervention Competency: The intervention competency requires students to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to conduct evidence-based interventions with individuals, families, groups and other systems. This competency encompasses the ability to establish and maintain effective therapeutic relationships, develop case formulations and implement treatment plans using relevant theory and research for effective clinical decision making.  It includes the ability to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of chosen intervention approaches and to appropriately revise treatment strategies as necessary and appropriate.

Supervision Competency: The supervision competency requires students to be able to demonstrate a knowledge of supervision models and practices. This includes having knowledge of how trainees and clinicians develop into skilled professionals, knowledge of the procedures and processes of effective supervision, and knowledge of how to effectively evaluate those skills in others.

Consultation and Interprofessional/Interdisciplinary Competency: The consultation and interprofessional/interdisciplinary competency requires students to demonstrate knowledge of consultation models and practices, and to demonstrate respect for the roles and perspectives of other professions.  It involves the ability to function in interdisciplinary contexts, and interact collaboratively with professionals in other disciplines in order to seek or share knowledge, address problems, promote effective professional activities and enhance outcomes.

• Female: 87%
• Male: 13%
• Average GPA: 3.70

Employment for psychologists is expected to increase 6% from 2022 - 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Recent program graduates have obtained employment in the following areas:

• Hospitals
• Mental health facilities
• Social service agencies
• Private practices
• School settings
• Forensic settings
• College counseling centers
• Substance abuse clinics

• 4 year option for qualified students
• Optional Child and Adolescent Emphasis
• Advanced Teaching Mentorship opportunity
• Interdisciplinary clinical and research collaboration

Midwestern University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, A Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC/NCA), 230 South LaSalle Street Suite 7-500 Chicago, IL 60604-1413; Phone: 800-621-7440. 

The Clinical Psychology Program in Downers Grove is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA). Accreditation information can be obtained from the Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, American Psychological Association, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242; phone: 202-336-5979; TDD/TTY: 202-336-6123.