Doctor of Psychology (Psy. D) in Clinical Psychology

Program Overview

Albizu University established its Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology program in 1980. For the past four decades, AU has trained doctoral students to provide psychological services, particularly to individuals from ethnically diverse populations. The program has been accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) since 1991.

Psy.D. students work closely with faculty dedicated to integrating theory with research, cultural competence, ethical considerations, and real-world clinical practice. Students may receive a generalist training in psychology or may choose to focus their academic work on one of four specialty areas: neuropsychology, health psychology, child psychology, and forensic psychology. Additionally, Albizu students have the opportunity to provide clinical services to the culturally diverse population of South Florida at over 35 different external practicum training sites in the community.

Program Highlights

To help students achieve their professional goals, five concentrations are offered:

The Child Psychology concentration trains students in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of children and adolescents, with an added focus on how social problems impact this population.

The Clinical Neuropsychology concentration trains students in the assessment, management, and rehabilitation of brain-injured individuals and those diagnosed with degenerative brain disorders.

The Forensic Psychology concentration trains students to deliver psychological services—including psychodiagnostic assessment, case law, legal standards, and expert testimony—within the judicial and correctional systems.

The Health Psychology concentration trains students in the delivery of psychological services in medical and healthcare settings.

The General Practice concentration trains students in the assessment and treatment of mental and emotional disorders as well as in practice management.

In all areas of the program, students work with faculty members who are highly committed and diverse, with proficiency in a wide range of specialties. The faculty bring to the classroom real-world expertise gained from their professional experiences as researchers, practitioners, consultants, and educators. Our students particularly value the faculty’s accessibility and availability in helping them navigate the challenges inherent in the pursuit of a graduate psychology degree.

Our students have the opportunity to enroll in faculty-led research groups, contributing to ongoing research studies by working closely with faculty members on data collection, data analysis, and dissemination of findings. Students are able to participate in assessing research questions and methodologies for new areas of study.  Click here to see ongoing research projects.

Clinical practicums begin at the Goodman Center, AU’s on-campus clinic, for two consecutive semesters of training. Further on in the program, doctoral students choose from a variety of practicum sites in the community, including hospitals, prisons, and mental health centers. They complete an internship during the fifth year of training, selecting from sites such as medical schools, mental health centers, VA hospitals, university counseling centers, private hospitals, prisons, and state hospitals nationwide.

Through the work of student practitioners and their supervisors at the Goodman Center and elsewhere, AU is proud to be a strong presence in providing mental health services both in Miami and in neighboring cities and towns.

Albizu University was founded on the premise that the needs of a multicultural society are best served by professionals who are culturally competent and inclusive. In accordance with this mission, the Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology program provides in-depth exposure to diverse populations to prepare students to offer culturally sensitive clinical psychology services to an increasingly complex world.

Career Opportunities

Albizu University Psy.D. graduates go on to secure gainful employment as psychologists, with our most recent alumni survey showing 92% of respondents working within the field. The alumni work in a wide range of specialty areas, including research, treatment, testing, assessment, supervision, and consultation. They can be found in an array of settings, including hospitals, private practice, universities, research centers, and the military. The majority of our graduates are employed in government agencies, private practice, medical centers, or community agencies, with many holding high-level positions.

The field of psychology has a promising job outlook. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for psychologists is expected to grow 19 percent from 2014 to 2024, a rate that is much faster than the average for all occupations. In addition, the demand for bilingual, culturally competent Hispanic clinicians has significantly increased due to the demographic changes in the United States and the need for increased mental health services in Puerto Rico and other countries throughout the hemisphere.

 

Request more information >

 

Apply Now >