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Atlanta Clinical Psychology: PsyD Degree Program

Our Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology program in Atlanta, GA is designed to provide students with well-rounded, generalist training in clinical psychology as preparation to deliver therapeutic and assessment services to diverse groups. We believe this approach is critically important given the growing emphasis on accountability, evidence-based practice, working in multidisciplinary settings, and flexibility in adapting to emerging roles in professional psychology.

At Argosy University, Atlanta, our degree concentrations include General Adult Clinical, Child & Family Psychology, Neuropsychology/Geropsychology, and Health Psychology, also allowing students to pursue their individual interests. In addition, the areas of trauma psychology, child maltreatment, and brief psychotherapy have emerged as program strengths in recent years.

Argosy University does not guarantee third-party certification/licensure. Outside agencies control the requirements for taking and passing certification/licensing exams and are subject to change without notice to Argosy University.

Programs, credential levels, technology, and scheduling options vary by school and are subject to change. Not all online programs are available to residents of all U.S. states. Argosy University, Atlanta 980 Hammond Drive, 100, Atlanta, GA 30328 © 2017 Argosy University. All rights reserved. Our email address is materialsreview@argosy.edu.

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Program Aims and Competencies

Program Aims

The PsyD in Clinical Psychology program at the Georgia School of Professional Psychology prepares students to become competent and effective clinical psychologists. Following a practitioner-scholar model of training, the program’s curriculum and training experiences promote the integration of psychological theory, science, and practice. Students learn that competencies in clinical practice and scholarly activities are acquired in the broader context of both cultural diversity and professional standards. The PsyD program is designed to provide students with well-rounded generalist training in clinical psychology. We believe this generalist approach is critically important within health service psychology, given the emphasis on accountability, evidence-based practice, working in multidisciplinary settings, and flexibility in adapting to newly emerging roles.

Program Competencies

Learning objectives for the PsyD in Clinical Psychology program represent specific competencies—knowledge, skills and attitudes—that students must attain to successfully complete the program. These competencies adhere to the parameters of Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Profession-Wide Competencies outlined in the APA Standards of Accreditation for Health Service Psychology:

  1. Scientific Bases of Psychology: Students will acquire a general knowledge base in the basic content areas of scientific psychology, including affective, biological, cognitive, developmental, and social aspects of behavior, as well as history and systems of psychology. They will demonstrate advanced skills in integrating knowledge across domains of scientific psychology.
  2. Research: Students will evidence knowledge of research methods, quantitative/statistical methods, and psychometrics. Students will demonstrate ability to formulate, conduct, critically evaluate, and disseminate research or other scholarly activities that have the potential to contribute to the scientific, psychological, or professional knowledge base.
  3. Assessment: Students will utilize and interpret empirically-based assessment methods that reflect the science of measurement and psychometrics, using multiple sources and methods, considering relevant diversity issues, guarding against decision-making biases, and following current research and professional standards and guidelines. They will communicate the findings and implications of assessment activities, orally and in written documents, in an accurate and effective manner that is sensitive to a range of audiences.
  4. Intervention: Students will establish and maintain effective relationships with the recipients of psychological services, and will develop and implement evidence-based interventions that are informed by the current scientific literature, assessment findings, diversity issues, and contextual variables. Students will demonstrate ability to apply relevant research literature to clinical decision-making and to conduct ongoing evaluation of intervention effectiveness, adapting intervention goals and methods as indicated.
  5. Consultation and Interprofessional/Interdisciplinary Skills: Students will demonstrate knowledge and respect for the roles and perspectives of other professions, as well as knowledge of consultation models and practices.
  6. Supervision: Students will demonstrate knowledge of supervision models and practices.
  7. Communications and Interpersonal Skills: Students will develop and maintain effective relationships with colleagues, faculty, communities, organizations, supervisors, supervisees, and those receiving professional services, demonstrating effective interpersonal skills and the ability to manage difficult communication. They will demonstrate a thorough grasp of professional language and concepts, and will produce and comprehend oral, nonverbal, and written communications that are informative and well-integrated.
  8. Professional Values, Attitudes, and Behaviors: Students will behave in ways that reflect the values and attitudes of psychology, including integrity, deportment, professional identity, accountability, lifelong learning, and concern for the welfare of others. They will engage in both self-reflection and activities to maintain and improve their performance, personal well-being, and professional effectiveness, showing a greater degree of independence in managing their professional roles as they progress across levels of training.
  9. Individual and Cultural Diversity: Students will understand how their own personal and cultural history, attitudes, and biases may affect how they understand and interact with people different from themselves, and will acquire the theoretical and empirical knowledge base regarding diversity. Students will integrate and apply this awareness and knowledge of diversity in all of their professional roles and activities, utilizing a framework for working effectively with diverse individuals and groups.
  10. Ethical and Legal Standards: Students will demonstrate knowledge of and will conduct themselves in accordance with the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct; professional standards and guidelines; and relevant laws, regulations, rules, and policies governing health service psychology. Students will apply this knowledge and ethical decision-making processes in order to recognize and resolve ethical dilemmas.