PsyD Clinical Psychology - Assessment

The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program in clinical psychology has been continuously accredited by the American Psychological Association since 1979; and has a strong foundation in the practitioner-scholar model of training. We value the dynamic, active interplay between clinical work and scholarship. Since its inception, the program has provided four key training experiences: academic coursework, in-house clinical work, community-based clinical work, and program mentorship. We aim to train future psychologists with interpersonal and scientific skills, gain competency in assessment and intervention; and the ability to apply these skills in a wide range of settings with a variety of populations. We work to produce graduates capable of contributing to the sustainable common good, in alignment with the University's mission and goals. Starting in the first quarter, students begin clinical practice in our in-house Professional Psychology Clinic (PPC) under the supervision of core PsyD faculty, who are also licensed psychologists. Students are also required to be in a community practicum placement, typically beginning in the 2nd year of the program: supervised professional experiences in places like mental health centers, schools, college counseling centers, the justice system, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, private practices and residential treatment homes throughout the Denver metropolitan area. Each student is expected to choose a specialty area in which to increase their depth of knowledge and skills, including, but not limited to, forensic psychology, child and adolescent psychology, military psychology, assessment, substance use treatment, and health psychology. The program has its own consortium as an option for pre-doctoral internship. Graduates can be found working independently and collaboratively in VA hospitals, community health centers, federal prisons, university-based counseling centers and hospitals, the U.S. armed forces, and in private practice. Some graduates have also returned to the program to work as adjunct professors and core faculty. Assessment: The assessment course sequence begins with establishing an understanding of theory that lays the foundation for assessment. The psychometrics course provides foundation in psychological assessment, test construction, reliability, validity, interpretation of test results, and ethical considerations in measurement. Throughout the program, students gain the skills necessary to administer, score, interpret and integrate results from cognitive and personality measures into insightful, helpful and even therapeutic effects. Psychometrics Cognitive & Academic Assessment Personality and Psychopathology Assessment Projective Testing Clinical Neuropsychology Advanced Assessment Electives include: Therapeutic Assessment, Advanced Personality Assessment, and Advanced Rorschach.

Bachelors degree: All graduate applicants must hold an earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited college or university or the recognized equivalent from an international institution. University GPA requirement: The minimum grade point average for admission consideration for graduate study at the University of Denver must meet one of the following criteria: A cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the baccalaureate degree. A cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree. An earned master’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution or the recognized equivalent from an international institution supersedes the minimum GPA requirement for the baccalaureate. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all graduate coursework completed for applicants who have not earned a master’s degree or higher. Program GPA requirement: The minimum undergraduate GPA for admission consideration for this program is a cumulative 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.