Doctor of Clinical Psychology

Our Approach

Steeped in depth psychology, the Clinical Psychology Psy.D. program values complex thinking, respect for the unconscious, and a welcoming of multiple perspectives. We emphasize deepening development, expanding worldviews, and ongoing spiritual awakenings that allow for therapeutic presence, care, responsiveness, and change. Our unique curriculum is built on three foundational pillars that center on contemporary psychodynamic theory, a strong social justice orientation, and humanistic, existential, and transpersonal perspectives:

1. Contemporary Psychodynamics

Grounded in the philosophical foundations of psychoanalytic thought, our program emphasizes multiple depth psychological perspectives, the personal and social dimensions of the unconscious, radical and critical approaches to psychodynamic psychotherapy, and the importance of the therapeutic relationship in change and transformation. 

2. Humanistic, Existential, and Transpersonal Perspectives

Our program recognizes and teaches transpersonal, postconventional levels of practice, personal and social development, engaging with the world with the understanding that we are not only mind and body, but also soul and spirit.

3. Social Justice

Our program takes a social justice stance by recognizing, critiquing, and deconstructing systems of power and oppression. We explore race, class, gender, and sexuality, and center dialectics of cultural attunement and humility, rupture, and repair. Students engage through meaningful connection, thoughtful curiosity, assessment of intersectionalities, receptive openness, and the appreciation of sameness and differences.

Unique Within the Field

In a field dominated by short-term, standardized treatment and a dogmatic adherence to behavioral approaches, our program stands out as unique. We believe in the importance and efficacy of a depth-oriented approach to psychotherapy by considering social, cultural, and political factors.

Our postconventional program provides a pathway to licensure as a clinical psychologist in private practice, while maintaining our commitment to the integral embrace of body, psyche, soul, spirit, culture, and society and integrating the conscious and the unconscious for healing, growth, and wholeness. As a non-APA accredited program, we are not limited by the American Psychological Association’s narrow view of the field of psychology and what makes an effective good psychologist.

Request More Information
 

Career Paths

The Clinical Psychology Psy.D. program trains students to become resourceful and integrative clinicians. They become skilled in the application of theories and interventions, capable in client assessment and diagnosis, and able to contribute scholarship that contributes to the growing psychological field. Graduates have a strong grasp of human differences and understand the deconstruction of the dynamics of power, privilege, and oppression. Our extensive theoretical and practical opportunities prepare students for successful careers after they graduate. Some of these experiences include:

• Comprehensive preparation for California licensing exams
• Training and experience in clinical intervention modalities
• Expertise in current assessment and diagnostic techniques
• Learned skills in designing and conducting research in a range of clinical topics
• Practical knowledge about the process of building a private practice
• Cultural sensitivity and experience working with diverse populations

To explore career pathways and learn more about Clinical Psychology graduates, visit the Impact page.

Curriculum

The Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology is an in-person program taught by experienced faculty who are experts in their fields. Students take three years of coursework in addition to two years of practicum starting in their second year. Upon completion of the core courses and the practicums, students will complete an oral examination for approval to begin the required 2000 hour pre-doctoral internship. Students are also required to complete and defend a dissertation before completion of the degree. Students begin writing the proposal in their second year, allowing ample time for topic development and research.

Clinical Training

Clinical training in our program is fully integrated with the academic work. Each student gains two years of practicum experience in community agencies, requiring about 20 hours a week at the training site. A minimum of one hour per week of individual supervision by a licensed psychologist, group supervision, and didactic trainings are offered at these off-campus sites.

At the same time, students complete professional seminar courses at CIIS with a core faculty member; "prosems" support integration of theory, research, and clinical materials from classroom learning with the real world experience of psychotherapy in clinical settings. Prosem is the heart of clinical training in the Psy.D. program. Read about the Contemporary Psychodynamic Training Model this program employs.

When all required coursework and practica have been completed, students may begin the clinical internship in the form of a Psychological Associateship through the California Board of Psychology (BOP), at an approved training site in California.

The internship may be one year of full-time or two years of half-time work and must be completed within two and a half years from the beginning date. In their internship, students deepen their skills in offering a variety of psychological services including treatment planning and psychotherapy, psychological assessment, case consultation, and supervision, often working in multidisciplinary teams, across the spectrum of psychopathologies.

Support for the process of selecting, applying for, and completing practicum and internship experiences is offered by the Psy.D. Director of Clinical Training and Field Placement Specialist.

Research and Training

The mission of the Clinical Psychology program is to train psychology practitioners rather than researchers. However, all Psy.D. graduates will have mastered research skills sufficient to produce a clinical dissertation and prepare them to be proficient consumers of psychological science.

Research training is conducted in the context of psychological science as the cornerstone of effective clinical practice. Students are also expected to gain a scientific understanding of how individuals interact with others, behave in groups, and relate to the broader contexts in which they live their lives.

Our Psy.D. program is notable in the breadth of research methodologies and topics chosen by students, for example: treatment outcome studies, applied program evaluation studies, studies of underserved populations, and studies of psychospiritual issues.

Featured Courses

• Theory and Practice of Psychotherapy: Psychodynamics
  This course examines psychodynamic ideas and concepts central to psychology or “soul work,” providing students with working knowledge of basic and theoretical models.
• Gender and Sexuality in Clinical Practice
  In this course, students explore the intersection of beliefs about gender and sexual identities and how they are expressed and engaged with in the world.
• Advanced Depth Psychology Seminar IV: The Transpersonal
  This course integrates insights about spirituality, mysticism, intersubjectivity, relationships, dreaming, psychotherapy, and psychoanalysis. Students will engage with three principal texts, advancing applied theory, clinical reflections, and experiential learning.

Entry Requirements

The Psy.D. program at CIIS is for students who hold a bachelor's degree in the field and wish to pursue a broad and general training in clinical psychology that prepares students for the professional practice of psychology. 

Ready for doctoral study, but missing your bachelor's?
Complete your B.S. in Psychology in 3-4 semesters and advance seamlessly into our Clinical Psychology doctoral program—through our accelerated pathway—one application for both degrees.

Connect with Us

Required Application Materials

Your application is your opportunity to share who you are. To be considered essays and written responses must be your own authentic work.

Online Admissions Application: Begin the application process by submitting an online application and paying the nonrefundable $68 application fee.

Degree Requirement: A B.A. or B.S. from an accredited college or university.

Minimum GPA: A GPA of 3.0 in previous coursework is required.

Transcripts: Official transcripts from all accredited academic institutions attended where 7 or more credits have been earned. Transcripts may be sent digitally to materials@ciis.edu or mailed to CIIS in their official, sealed envelope. Transcripts from institutions outside the U.S. or Canada require a foreign credit evaluation through World Education Services (WES). CIIS will also accept foreign credential evaluations that are in a comprehensive course-by-course format from the current members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

Academic Writing Sample: A writing sample of a minimum of five pages (typed, double-spaced) that demonstrates your capacity to think critically and reflectively and demonstrates graduate level writing abilities. A sample that uses outside sources must include proper citations. You may submit copies of previous work, such as a recent academic paper, article, or report that reflects scholarly abilities.

Two Letters of Recommendation: Letters of recommendation will be accepted from academic advisors, professors, professional supervisors, or someone able to attest to your maturity, motivation, and ability to undertake the work required for the Psy.D. program. Recommenders should use standard business format and include full contact information-name, email, phone number, and mailing address. 

Professional Goal Statement: A one-page statement of your educational and professional objectives. What would you like to do as a licensed clinical psychologist in the areas such as but not limited to clinical work and research? Please be sure to address the reason(s) you believe this Psy.D. program will be a good match for your goals.  

Autobiographical Statement: A four to six page (typed, double-spaced) self-reflective, lifespan autobiographical statement discussing your values, emotional, relational and spiritual insights, aspirations, and life experiences that have led to the decision to apply to the Psy.D. program. 

Resume/CV

International Student Information
Scholarship Opportunities