Curriculum
The curriculum consists of:

• course work, most of which is shared by students in both tracks;
• intensive clinical training, consisting of a minimum of at least one but more typically two years of advanced fieldwork, following a one year practicum obtained as a master’s level student, and one year of an approved full-time, pre-doctoral internship; and
• intensive research activities and dissertation, including membership on a research team.

Course Work
Program course work is organized into four areas:

1. General core courses in psychology. The core courses in psychology cover the biological, social, cognitive/affective, and multicultural issues in psychology, as well
   as the history and systems of psychology.
2. Research and scholarship. Preparation in research and scholarship is embedded in
   all course work, but specifically in the Advanced Research course sequence and in the Doctoral Dissertation Seminar.
3. Clinical training.  Preparation in clinical training includes courses in assessment and intervention, as well as field training components (Advanced Fieldwork and Internship).
4. Professional development. The courses Legal/Ethical Issues in Community & Educational Settings and Doctoral Seminar in Cultural and Ecological Perspectives
   in Professional Psychology emphasize professional preparation and development.

The typical academic semester is 15 weeks in length, including exam week. Graduate classes usually meet for 2 1/2 hours once a week, except during the 7 1/2-week summer semesters, when they meet twice a week for 2 1/2 hours. Required doctoral courses are scheduled during the summer as well as during the academic year.

Clinical Training
Intensive clinical training is a required component of the SCPDP. This preparation includes
at least one year (more typically two years) of advanced fieldwork for those who entered the program with a master’s degree, and two or three years for those who enter with a bachelor’s degree.  In addition, students must complete one year of an approved full-time pre-doctoral internship.

Advanced Fieldwork
Training goals include the advanced development of skills in:

1. behavioral observations;
2. interviewing;
3. psychological assessment;
4. counseling and treatment planning and practice;
5. consultation;
6. effective use of supervision; and
7. an understanding and commitment to the ethical codes of the profession. 

Pre-Doctoral Internship   
The pre-doctoral internship consists of a one-year, full-time, or a two year half-time placement in an APA approved or APPIC approved setting (the latter requires approval by the Training Director and the SCPDP Faculty). 

A student is eligible for the pre-doctoral internship upon:

1. successful completion of all comprehensive examinations, including the assessment and intervention portfolios;
2. successful completion of all coursework by the end of the fall semester of the year
   of application. That is, a student may still be taking courses as long as the coursework will be completed satisfactorily by the end of the fall term. Advanced Fieldwork IV is the only exception;
3. satisfactory performance at the advanced fieldwork site; and 
4. satisfactory completion of the dissertation proposal.  

Research Training
Intensive research activities, culminating in a dissertation, are requirements of the SCPDP.  Students are strongly encouraged to engage in research activities with faculty early in their course of study. Beginning in the fall 2007, entering students will join a faculty-led research team to gain active research involvement from the beginning of their program.  Students already in the program prior to the fall 2007 are strongly encouraged to participate on these teams, which will facilitate research collaboration among students across cohorts and faculty.  These activities provide opportunities to work through scientific questions and to gain exposure to different research methodologies. The Advanced Research sequence and the Doctoral Dissertation Seminar also provide opportunities for continuous involvement in research activities.  

1. Research team activities include the following:
2. conceptualizing research questions and hypotheses;
3. developing and implementing research studies;
4. collecting and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data;
5. presenting at local, state, and national meetings; and
6. publishing research findings.

A dissertation in psychology is required for all students in the SCPDP. A dissertation is a scholarly work for which a student identifies a problem, reviews the relevant literature for
that problem, and then develops, implements, and discusses a study that extends the understanding or evidence around the problem.

Dissertations may result from ongoing research with faculty and fellow students or may consist of a separate topic or area. The earlier a student begins to think about the dissertation and to explore a topic, the greater the likelihood the process will proceed in
a timely manner.  It must be emphasized, however, that dissertations do not develop in
a vacuum; they are the result of intensive immersion in a topic of interest. Students are
encouraged to explore topics of interest as they address various requirements in their courses so that they will become increasingly familiar with a particular literature.  Some dissertations may evolve from participation in a faculty member’s program of research. 
They may also evolve from the student’s own interests or from various projects going on
at an advanced fieldwork site.

Comprehensive Examinations/Portfolios 
Written comprehensive examinations and portfolios taken during the 2^nd and 3^rd year
of study for post-master’s students and 3^rd or 4^th year of study for post-bachelor’s students evaluate students’ competencies in four areas: research, assessment, intervention, and ethics. The research and ethics areas are traditional 3-hour comprehensive essay exams.
For the assessment and intervention areas, students are required to produce a portfolio
and defend it orally. After successful completion of the comprehensive examinations and portfolios students are admitted to doctoral candidacy and become eligible for the dissertation proposal hearing and doctoral internship. Students cannot apply to internship prior to completing the comprehensive exams, portfolios, and the dissertation proposal hearing.