Academics

The Clinical Child Psychology training program provides discipline-specific knowledge in the behavioral, social, cognitive, affective, and biological bases of behavior (and their integration), and develops profession-wide competencies consistent with the Standards of Accreditation of the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association. A particular strength of the interdepartmental program is the lifespan developmental perspective presented through all aspects of training. Within the specialty's clinical training, students take courses in assessment and intervention, child psychopathology, behavioral and family therapy, and ethical/legal issues. Special consideration is given to ethnic and cultural diversity issues, prevention, public sector and social interventions, and professional issues.

Didactic and practical experiences prepare the graduate for the multitude of roles open to clinical child psychologists. Students are able to assume positions in research/ teaching in universities, medical schools, and internship training sites, and direct service delivery in mental health centers, hospitals, and schools. We anticipate that students who enter our training program will aspire to leadership positions in such settings.

The design of the program implements the recommendations of national training models. In doing so, the course work and research/clinical experiences in the curriculum provide the bases in development, psychopathology, assessment and diagnosis, and intervention in child mental health work with children, adolescents, and families. Furthermore, the accreditation criteria for the American Psychological Association* direct the specialized didactic and clinical experiences of the Clinical Child Psychology Program.