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To achieve these objectives, the Clinical psychology program consists of academic course work (45 credit hours), research activities, a comprehensive examination, clinical practica and residency.
The Clinical program helps students develop mastery of the theoretical and empirical knowledge-base of the science and practice of clinical psychology consistent with a generalist, developmental, biopsychosocial perspective.
An important component of PhD training in clinical psychology is the development of independent research skills that enable students to advance the science and practice of clinical psychology.
The program utilizes a mentorship model to help students develop these skills across two research apprenticeships and the completion of the doctoral dissertation.
Students gain core knowledge and competencies in both child and adult clinical psychology (including assessment, intervention, evaluation, and consultation) applicable to a broad range of diverse individuals.
Generalist training is intended to provide students with skills that will equip them for professional practice in rural as well as urban settings.
Another important aspect of professional development is awareness and sensitivity to working with diverse individuals, groups, and communities who represent various cultural and personal backgrounds and characteristics.
The Clinical program emphasizes the development of awareness and sensitivity in all aspects of the program.
A fundamental goal of clinical psychology as a profession is to help improve the mental health of individuals, families, and communities.
While this can be accomplished to some degree through our assessment and intervention work as clinical psychologists and clinical psychology trainees, our efforts extend beyond this to encompass the viewpoint that psychologists and trainees should work to reduce stigma and address disparities in access to services.
In keeping with the viewpoint, we aim to foster a training environment in which mental health is prioritized.
The following courses and requirements must be satisfied for the PhD degree in clinical psychology.
Students must demonstrate knowledge of systems of psychotherapy through undergraduate coursework or by completion of assigned readings in consultation with the Director of Clinical Training (DCT).
These three core content areas can each be satisfied by one 3-credit graduate course or two 3-credit senior undergraduate courses. The DCT will help determine whether suitable undergraduate or graduate courses have been completed to satisfy these content areas: Biological Bases of Behaviour (e.g., physiological psychology, perception, neuropsychology, psychopharmacology); Cognitive-Affective Bases of Behaviour (e.g., learning, cognition, motivation); and Social Bases of Behaviour (e.g., social psychology; cultural psychology; group processes; sex roles; organizational psychology). If a student does not have sufficient undergraduate or graduate courses to satisfy one or more of the core content areas prior to beginning the Clinical program, they will be required to take the relevant graduate-level content area course(s) offered in our Department as part of their program.
Students entering the Clinical program with a relevant Master’s degree may be permitted to enrol in Psyc 6519 Advanced Research Apprenticeship in lieu of Psyc 6521 and Psyc 6522.
Because practica training involves working with vulnerable persons, all students in the Clinical Program are required to obtain a criminal record and vulnerable sector check from the police agency where they reside prior to starting their first placement at the Psychological Wellness Centre.
Most of these courses take the traditional academic seminar format with reading lists, student presentations, and papers or exams; others use a problem-based learning format.
These courses offer direct clinical skills training using a performance-based approach taught by licensed clinical faculty or clinical associates. They are designated by the term “skills” in the course title.
During the first four years of the program, students are intensively engaged in clinical training (assessment, intervention, supervision) at the Psychological Wellness Centre. Subsequently, students are required to complete two external practica in the community. Students will acquire a minimum of 1000 training hours prior to completing a one-year, full-time predoctoral residency at a CPA-accredited site.
these course designations are for independent projects undertaken with supervision or consultation of a faculty member (e.g., research apprenticeships, the PhD Dissertation, optional co-teaching apprenticeship).
The following is the typical sequence students can expect to follow for the Clinical program. The actual course sequence may vary due to variations in the graduate teaching schedule from year to year. Students will meet with the DCT on an annual basis to review progress toward completion of program requirements.
Residency requirement note: The minimum full-time enrolment period for students in the Clinical program is nine terms, six of which must be during the fall and winter terms. The residency requirement must be completed on the Fredericton campus during a student’s first three years of enrolment in the program. It should also be noted that the Clinical program is full time, 12 months/year.
Residency requirement note: The minimum full-time enrolment period for students in the Clinical program is nine terms, six of which must be during the fall and winter terms. The residency requirement must be completed on the Fredericton campus during a student’s first three years of enrolment in the program. It should also be noted that the Clinical program is full time, 12 months/year.