Students develop a broad knowledge of scientific psychology. Status Active
Objective
Knowledge
Students demonstrate competency in the area of clinical psychology through the synthesis and integration of assessment, psychotherapy, and research.
Indicator
Knowledge
Students demonstrate through a written, comprehensive examination their ability to integrate the areas of clinical psychology. This exam contains two take-home questions that ask the student to integrate the following areas: diagnosis and treatment, assessment, ethics, and psychopathology. The comprehensive exam is designed to have the students integrate materials and areas to which they have been exposed over their graduate training careers in the Department.
Criterion
Knowledge
100% of students must pass comprehensive examination on the first try.
Finding
Pass Comprehensive Examination
For the 2008-09 academic year, 8 of 11 (73%) have passed comprehensive exams. The three students that did not pass the comprehensive exams did not have trouble with a particular section but appeared to have difficulty with all areas.
Action
Pass Comprehensive Examination
We do have some concerns about 3 of the 11 not passing comprehensive exams on the first try. Since the students that failed had problems with all areas, the graduate advisor met with each student to ascertain what happened. Students admitted that they did not study for the exam nor did they prepare in any way for the exam. Based on this, the faculty have decided to provide workshops on study skills through the SAM Center, hold study sessions for the exams, and have the graduate advisor contact students preparing for the exams to suggest ways to study for the exam. In addition, the faculty is re-examining the type of exam administered and under what circumstances the test is administered to determine if changing the exam in any way would better assess the students' skills.
Goal
Research Competency
Students develop skills to conduct independent, original research and related statistical analyses.
Objective
Research Competency
Students demonstrate skills to conduct original research and statistical analyses.
Indicator
Research Competency
Students will produce original research.
Criterion
Research Proposal
67% of students will be engaged in an active research program. Typically, the nature of the involvement will be working under the mentorship of a faculty member with a functioning and on-going research program. Students will be encouraged to design and proprose their own research projects based upon training given by the mentor.
Finding
Research Competency
Four of nine (44.4%) of clinical students produced a research thesis. Three of the non-thesis students engaged in an active research program through individual faculty members. Thus, 7 of 9 students, 78%, were engaged in research.
Action
Research Competency
Although the criterion was met and no further action is needed at this time, we wish to reinforce the approach engendered by the scientific method in our graduates. Therefore, we are advising students to take Psychology 588, Graduate Research Methods, in addition to writing a thesis. In the course, they conduct, analyze, and prepare three APA-style manuscripts.
Goal
Assessment
Students develop skills to administer, score, and interpret tests of intelligence for children and adults.+
Objective
Assessment
Students demonstrate expertise to administer, score, and interpret tests of intelligence for children and adults.
Indicator
Assessment
Students demonstrate competency to administer, score, and interpret Wechsler scales for children and adults.
Criterion
Assessment
100% of students will satisfactorily complete at least six acceptable Wechsler protocols for children and adults.
Finding
Assessment
100% of the students completed at least 6 acceptable Wechsler protocols.
Action
Assessment
Criteria were met. What has been stated as acceptable on the 1-5 likert scale was a 3. At this time, 100% of the students scored at the level of three or better. Program faculty and course instructors will raise the minimal acceptable level to 4 on the likert scale.
Goal
Psychotherapy Skills
Students develop effective psychotherapy skills.
Objective
Psychotherapy Skills
Students demonstate competency in effective psychotherapy skills.
Indicator
Psychotherapy Skills
University and field supervisors' performance ratings of students on a five-point scale ranging from "far below expectations" to "far exceeds expectations."
Criterion
Psychotherapy Evaluation
100% of students must receive at least satisfactory ratings (3) indicative of acceptable performance from their supervisors.
Finding
Psychotherapy Evaluation
Thirteen students were assessed. 100% received at least satisfactory ratings indicative of acceptable performance from their supervisors. The average rating was a 4.92 on a 5-point scale.
Action
Psychotherapy Skills
The criteria were met and no action is needed at this time.