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PsyD

Dallas Boyce

Dallas Boyce
Biography
  • I am a licensed clinical psychologist in CA and NV working with children, teens, and adults in therapy, helping manage current reactions to childhood and adult traumatic experiences. I also provide comprehensive neuropsychological and psychological evaluations to assess for emotional, cognitive, academic, social, and executive functioning difficulties. Within my practice I utilize a trauma-informed and culturally-informed approach to foster a space that will help us meet your treatment or evaluation goals. Through the use of evidence-based interventions, I support others in living a fulfilling life, whatever that means for them.
  • Through empowerment and collaboration (and some humor), we will work together to explore maladaptive cognitions and behavioral patterns that may hinder you from being the best version of yourself. I also provide comprehensive psychological evaluations, neuropsychological evaluations, brief focused assessments, and marital evaluations.
  • As a clinician I also love to seek out additional opportunities working with the community. I conduct compensation and pension evaluations for Veterans, provide specialty therapy services within workers compensation claims, and supervise doctoral level students.
Courses
  • PSY67203 Advanced Psychotherapy
  • PSY65210 Introduction to Psychology

Laura Hopper

Laura Hopper
Biography

Dr. Hopper earned her doctorate from California School of Professional Psychology in San Diego. Her current clinical work focuses mostly on neuropsychological assessment as well as psychotherapy. Her background ranges from inpatient and outpatient settings, providing both clinical and forensic services.

Dr. Hopper currently conducts assessments at San Diego Neuropsychology, working with patients of all ages to provide diagnostic clarification and treatment recommendations, and to identify functional impairments from head injuries or illnesses. Previously she conducted assessments for retired professional football players related to the NFL Concussion lawsuit. In addition, she has provided assessment services for psychodiagnostic purposes in hospital, residential treatment, and educational settings. She has also maintained a private psychotherapy practice. While this has pared down over time, she continues to see a handful of patients, utilizing the Acceptance Commitment Therapy framework. She additionally serves as an expert witness for the Social Security Administration. Dr. Hopper has been teaching for several years, mostly for Alliant International University. She was a lecturer and adjunct faculty member of the California School of Forensic Studies for eight years, teaching several courses in their Psy.D. Clinical/Forensic Psychology program. She served as chair and committee member on a number of dissertations and was

the program’s representative for the Student Evaluation and Review Committee (SERC). She has been an adjunct faculty member of the California School of Professional Psychology since 2023, teaching in both Clinical Psychology Ph.D. and Psy.D programs.

Professional Interests
  • Intellectual Assessment
  • Introduction to Clinical Forensic Psychology
  • Cognitive and Affective Bases of Behavior

PsyD in Marital and Family Therapy

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Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy Overview


The PsyD in Marital and Family Therapy program is no longer accepting new students. The PsyD MFT program is currently accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). It will maintain its accredited status throughout the transition to our PhD in Marital and Family Therapy program.

The new PhD program in Couple and Family Therapy is in the process of seeking COAMFTE accreditation to ensure the continuation of high-quality, accredited training in systemic and relational clinical practice.

Learn more about our PhD in Marital and Family therapy

 

Links and Downloads: PsyD Program


The PsyD program is no longer taking new students.

School Performance Fact Sheets

San Diego Graduate Achievement Data (MFT PsyD)

Los Angeles Graduate Achievement Data (MFT PsyD)

Sacramento Graduate Achievement Data (MFT PsyD)

Irvine Graduate Achievement Data (MFT PsyD)

Online Graduate Achievement Data (MFT PsyD)

We provide the diversity composition of our student body, faculty, and supervisors. Please follow the links below for the related data. We hope this information will help you make an informed decision regarding your graduate study.

San Diego Diversity Chart

Los Angeles Diversity Chart

Sacramento Diversity Chart

Irvine Diversity Chart

Online Diversity Chart

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Why Alliant

At Alliant, our mission is to prepare students for professional careers of service and leadership and to promote the discovery and application of knowledge to improve lives. We offer an education that is accredited, focused on practical knowledge and skills, connected with diverse faculty and alumni, and aimed at the student experience.

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Why CSPP

Founded in 1969, CSPP was one of the nation’s first independent schools of professional psychology. Today, CSPP continues its commitment to preparing the next generation of mental health professionals through graduate-level degree programs in clinical psychology, marriage and family therapy, clinical counseling, organizational psychology, psychopharmacology, and more.

Why CSPP

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Caroline Mok

Caroline Mok
Biography

Caroline Mok, Ph.D. is an Adjunct Professor in the APA-accredited Clinical Psychology PsyD Program on the Emeryville Campus and first joined Alliant in 2022. Se received her doctorate in 2013 from Palo Alto University, completed her internship at Metropolitan State Hospital in Los Angeles and post-doctoral training at Palo Alto University and Department of Veteran Affairs in Palo Alto and, and stayed at the university for several years as a researcher, program director, and adjunct professor. Dr. Mok received extensive training in psychodiagnostic, neuropsychological, and forensic assessment at Department of Veteran Affairs and on inpatient units at Vacaville Prison and Metropolitan State Hospital. Dr. Mok continued her assessment practice in Berkeley, California, providing individual and group psychotherapy and assessment for the local community, surrounding schools, and attorneys in need of an expert witness in civil litigation proceedings. 

Education and Certifications

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology, Palo Alto University of Master of Science in Forensic Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice Bachelor of Arts, University of Miami, Florida

Vanessa Kovachy

Vanessa Kovachy
Biography

Dr. Vanessa Kovachy is a certified school psychologist. Dr. Kovachy earned her undergraduate degree from Harvard University in the field of Psychology. After graduating, Dr. Kovachy conducted research at Stanford University School of Medicine studying the effects of preterm birth on neural development and academic performance. She piloted, managed, and conducted the assessments investigating how children born preterm differed in their academic, functional, behavioral, and social emotional functioning compared to their full-term peers. Additionally, this research centered on how white matter differences between preterm and full term children impacted later academic attainment. During this tenure, Dr. Kovachy published several peer reviewed articles, presented at national conferences, and added considerable and important information to the field of educational neuroscience and developmental medicine. Dr. Kovachy earned her Masters of Arts in Education and additional certification in School-Based Mental Health Services at Alliant International University. She then earned her Doctorate in Educational Psychology at Alliant International University. Her dissertation focused on the Best Practices in the School-based Assessment of Children Born Preterm.

Dr. Kovachy has extensive and advanced training on the assessment of developmental disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorders. She uses a variety of techniques to elucidate the neuropsychological underpinnings of specific learning disabilities (e.g. dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and intellectual disabilities. Dr. Kovachy also has extensive experience with both evaluating and providing interventions, counseling, and parent training for individuals with social emotional and behavioral disorders, including oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, anxiety disorders, and depression. Dr. Kovachy advocates for the use of science-based intervention, collaboration with school and medical teams, and ongoing support for both the individual and family to meet the needs of all individuals.

Dr. Kovachy taught individuals at both the Masters and Doctorate Level since 2018. She is a member of the National Association of School Psychologists and Illinois School Psychologists Association. She holds credentials and licensure in Illinois and California.

Education and Certifications

PsyD in Educational Psychology, Alliant International University

Thaddeus Camlin

Thaddeus Camlin
Biography

Thaddeus Camlin, PsyD, is assistant professor at the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) at Alliant. He teaches courses in chemical dependency, integrative psychology, psychopathology, and ethics. He also runs The Center for Integrative Psychology at CSPP, offering specialized training in the practice of integrative psychotherapy. 

Research interests include psychedelic assisted psychotherapy, integrative harm reduction for addictive problems, and integrative psychology. Dr. Camlin completed his undergraduate work at Marquette University, majoring in psychology with a minor in theology. He completed his graduate training with an integrative emphasis at CSPP, where he completed his doctoral dissertation on the use of ibogaine to treat opioid use disorders. He later published an article version of his dissertation in a peer-reviewed journal. 

In addition to his role as core faculty, Dr. Camlin works as a psychologist specializing in self-empowering treatment for addictive problems at Practical Recovery in San Diego. He is certified in Community Reinforcement And Family Training (CRAFT) and as a SMART Recovery facilitator.

Mark Barnes

Mark Barnes
Biography

Mark Barnes, PhD., is a child psychologist who has worked with children and adolescents since 1984. He holds a doctorate in Clinical Psychology and is a licensed psychologist. He also holds a Master's degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling. Dr. Barnes has diverse experience in treating children, adolescents, and their families in a variety of settings including hospitals, residential treatment centers, as well as day treatment and outpatient programs. Dr. Barnes has a specialty in psychological testing, as well as the treatment of depression, attention deficit disorder, and developmental issues of children and adolescents. Dr. Barnes follows a relationship based depth oriented approach when treating children and adolescents. Trained in Play and Sandplay treatment approaches, as well as interpersonal treatment strategies Dr. Barnes uses a variety of therapeutic approaches to assess and treat those who suffer from mild to severe mental health issues. Dr. Barnes has successfully treated children from as young as four years of age to young adulthood.

Over the years of Dr. Barnes’ professional life, as well as treating children, adolescents and their families, he has held positions within the community at The Sullivan Center for Children including being the Assistant Clinical Director of the Center. He was also the Director of Training, overseeing the training components at the Center, including the APPIC member internship and post-doctoral fellowship training programs. Dr. Barnes has also served as a clinical supervisor to participating pre-doctoral interns and post-doctoral fellows. He supervises students in training and pre-doctoral interns at The Gary W. Cannon Psychological Service Center, which is affiliated with The California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University. In addition, Dr. Barnes has supervised practicum students and Licensed Marriage and Family Interns through the Onsite Counseling Center at Fresno Pacific University.

Francesca Kassing

Francesca Kassing
Biography

Dr. Francesca Kassing in an Associate Professor and the Director of Clinical Training of the Clinical Psychology PsyD Program at California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, Fresno. She is a licensed psychologist and has specialty experience and research interests in trauma and adversity, suicidality, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and child, adolescent, and young adult populations. Dr. Kassing received her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Alabama, and completed her doctoral internship at Augusta University/Medical College of Georgia and her postdoctoral fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children’s Hospital. She serves as a Co-Investigator for a multi-site, NIMH-funded study focused on treating suicidality in college students. She previously served as a co-chair of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity Special Interest Group of the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies and was awarded the Deborah L. Rhatigan Early Career Award for Excellence in Violence Research in 2019 for her work on polyvictimization and health outcomes among LGBTQIA+ populations.

Professional Interests

Dr. Kassing’s research interests include trauma and adversity, minority stress and resilience among LGBTQIA+ populations, interventions to address posttraumatic stress and suicidality, and effectiveness and implementation-based mental health services research. Her current research explores adaptive treatment strategies to address suicidality in college students and mental health correlates of gender minority stress and resilience.

Education and Certifications
  • Duke University, B.A.
  • University of Alabama, M.A.
  • University of Alabama, Ph.D.
Scholarship and Contributions to the Field
  • Drescher, C. F., Kassing, F., Mahajan, A., & Stepleman, L. M. (2023). "The impact of transgender minority stress and emotion regulation on suicidality and self-harm." Psychology & Sexuality, 14, 432-444. https://doi.org/10.1080/19419899.2023.2164867
  • Dodd, C. G., Kassing, F., Alvis, L. A., Hill, R. M., & Kaplow, J. B., (2022). "Prevalence and correlates of externalizing behaviors among youth seeking treatment following trauma exposure." Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 5(Suppl 1), S20–S28. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/tra0001219
  • Kassing, F., Lochman, J. E., Vernberg, E., & Hudnall, M., (2021). "Using crime data to assess longitudinal relationships between community violence and aggressive behavior among at-risk youth." The Journal of Early Adolescence, 42, 431-448.https://doi.org/10.1177/02724316211042941
  • Kassing, F., Casanova, T., Griffin, J., Wood, E., & Stepleman, L. R., (2021). "The effects of polyvictimization on mental and physical health outcomes in an LGBTQ sample." Journal of Traumatic Stress, 34, 161-171. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22579
  • Kassing, F., Alvis, L., Hill, R. M., Kaplow, J. B., (2021). "A person-centered approach to examining polytraumatization among traumatized and bereaved youth." Journal of Loss and Trauma, 26, 352-365. https://doi.org/10.1080/15325024.2020.1783105
  • Kassing, F., Dodd, C. G., Palmer, L. E., Hill, R. M., (2020). "Comfort expressing emotions and suicide ideation: Evidence of indirect effects via perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness", 26, 886-895. Archives of Suicide Research. https://doi.org/10.1080/13811118.2020.1841053
  • McDonald, K., Vernberg, E., Lochman, J. E., Abel, M., Jarrett, M., Kassing, F., Powell, N., Qu, L., (2019). "Trajectories of tornado-related post-traumatic stress symptoms and pre-exposure predictors in a sample of at-risk youth." Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 87, 1003-1018.
  • Lochman, J. E., Boxmeyer, C., Kassing, F., Powell, N., & Stromeyer, S., (2019) "Cognitive-behavioral interventions for youth at-risk for conduct problems: Future directions." Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 48, 799-810.
  • Kassing, F., Godwin, J., Lochman, J. E., Coie, J. D., & Conduct Problems Prevention Research Group (2018). "Using early childhood behavior problems to predict adult convictions." Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 47, 765-778.
  • Kassing, F., Lochman, J. E., & Glenn, A. L, (2018). "Autonomic functioning in reactive versus proactive aggression in children: The influential role of parenting." Aggressive Behavior, 44, 524-536.

Laura Olson Bermudez

Laura Olson Bermudez
Biography

Dr. Bermudez (she, her) earned her doctorate at the California School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles.  Her professional background includes clinical work, research, and teaching in the field of health psychology and educational psychology.  Her clinical areas of focus include pediatric health psychology, educational psychology, and psychodiagnostic assessment throughout the lifespan. 

Dr. Bermudez worked as a clinical psychologist at Rady Children's Hospital conducting assessments on infants and young children in the Developmental Evaluation Clinic, Polinsky Children’s Center and C3 (Children’s Care Connection).  She completed her pre-doctoral, APA Approved, internship at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Health Psychology Department.  She also completed a pre-doctoral practicum at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, University Affiliated Program with USC School of Medicine, Center for Child Development.  Dr. Bermudez was part of research teams at both Rady Children's Hospital Center for Child Health Outcomes, and at the UCSD Cancer Center. She is 3rd author on a publication in the journal, Pediatrics, titled, ""Parents’ Perceptions of Primary Care:  Measuring Parents’ Experiences of Pediatric Primary Care Quality.""  Dr. Bermudez was a consulting psychologist for the Rady Children’s Hospital, Child & Adolescent Services Research Center.  She collaborated on research to develop a clinical pathway for primary care physicians to aid in the diagnosis of ADHD.  

Dr. Bermudez has been teaching psychology courses at the undergraduate level for over 25 years. She is currently teaching at a local community college, in addition to AIU, where she is part of the Strong Workforce Faculty Institute, an organization that promotes equitable teaching practices in order to improve retention and success in disproportionately impacted college students.   Dr. Bermudez also works with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) as a facilitator teaching college professors Inclusive Practices for Equitable Learning.

Professional Interests

Dr. Bermudez’s research and clinical interests are largely quantitative and emphasize diversity. Specific areas of interest include educational psychology, positive psychology, women’s issues, health psychology, developmental psychology (young children-adolescence), and psychological interventions/program development. 

Education and Certifications
  • Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
  • Microcredential in Teaching:  Inclusive Teaching for Equitable Learning & Fostering a Culture of Belonging
Courses
  • Intellectual Assessment
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Developmental Psychopathology
  • Cognitive and Affective Bases of Behavior
  • G2 Consultation
  • Dissertation Proposal group
Scholarship and Contributions to the Field
  • Ad Hoc Scientific Peer Reviewer for Journals including Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Psychology, Training and Education in Professional Psychology, Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, Journal of Educational Psychology, and School Psychology.  

Bianca Cersosimo

Bianca Cersosimo
Biography

Bianca Cersosimo, Ph.D. is a California Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Professor at Alliant International University's Clinical Psychology Psy.D. Program in San Diego. She earned her BA in Psychology at Loyola University New Orleans where she graduated Cum Laude, and subsequently earned her MA in Clinical Psychology at Columbia University and her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Adelphi University. Her research focuses on integrative psychotherapy, personality pathology, treatment process and outcome, assessment, therapeutic alliance, and related factors. She completed a post-doctoral fellowship in psychological assessment and has also had clinical and research experiences in the area of health psychology. Dr. Cersosimo has published peer-reviewed scientific articles and presented posters, papers, and moderated panels at academic conferences. She is an early career researcher and clinician, and most recently received the George Stricker Fellowship for Psychotherapy Integration Research in 2020. Dr. Cersosimo is dedicated to teaching and scholarship that focuses on helping students expand their knowledge about psychopathology, psychotherapy, and research through considering patient perspectives and cultural and systemic factors.

Professional Interests
  • Integrative psychotherapy
  • Personality pathology
  • Therapeutic alliance
  • Psychological assessment
  • Treatment process and outcome
  • Health psychology
Education and Certifications
  • Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Adelphi University
  • MA in Clinical Psychology, Columbia University
  • BS in Psychology, Loyola University New Orleans
  • California Licensed Clinical Psychologist, PSY 34256
Courses
  • Psychopathology
  • Abnormal Psychology
  • Research Methods
Scholarship and Contributions to the Field
  • Cersosimo, B., Hilsenroth, M., Bornstein, R., Gold., J., & Blais, M. (2023). "Convergence in patient and therapist alliance ratings early in treatment with Personality Assessment Inventory clinical scales and subscales." Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy. Advanced online publication. DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2891
  • Cersosimo, B. H., Hilsenroth, M. J., Bornstein, R. F., Gold, J. R., & Blais, M. A. (2022). "Personality assessment inventory items in relation to patient‐and therapist‐rated alliance." Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 29 (6), 1905-1917.
  • Cersosimo, B. H., & Farber, B. A. (2021). "Is there something distinctive about psychotherapy clients’ dishonesty about self-destructive behaviors?" Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 35 (1), 230-241.
  • Cersosimo, B., Hilsenroth, M., Bornstein, R. & Gold, J. (2021) "Personality Assessment Inventory Clinical Scales in Relation to Patient and Therapist Rated Alliance Early in Treatment." Assessment, 29 (4), 806-816.
  • Cersosimo, B. H., & Hilsenroth, M. J. (2020) "Personality pathology severity, cluster type and specific therapeutic interventions in outpatient psychotherapy." Counselling and Psychotherapy Research org/10.1002/capr.12305
  • Charvet, L., Cersosimo, B., Schwarz, C., Belman, A., & Krupp, L. B. (2016). "Behavioral symptoms in pediatric multiple sclerosis: Relation to fatigue and cognitive impairment." Journal of Child Neurology, 31(8), 1062-1067. doi:10.1177/0883073816636227
  • Charvet, L. E., Taub, E., Cersosimo, B., Rosicki, C., Melville, P., & Krupp, L. B. (2015). "The Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) in multiple sclerosis: Relation to clinical features." Journal of Multiple Sclerosis, 2(135), 2376- 0389. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2376-0389.1000135
  • Groth, T., Hilsenroth, M., McMillen, K., Cersosimo, B., Bindon, N., Cain, L., & Katz, M. (2021). "How are expert therapists similar, different, and integrative in the treatment of borderline personality disorder?" Psychotherapy, 58 (2), 310.
  • Goldman, R. E., Hilsenroth, M. J., Gold, J. R., Cersosimo, B. H., Levy, S. R., & Owen, J. J. (2018). "Psychotherapy integration and borderline personality pathology: An examination of treatment outcomes." Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 28 (4), 444-461. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/int0000124

Meghan Fagundes

Meghan Fagundes
Biography

Dr. Meghan Fagundes (she/they) is an Assistant Professor, Consultant, Clinical Supervisor, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist from San Diego, California. Since 2002, they have worked in community-based organizations, outpatient, residential and inpatient facilities, hospitals, and prison, offering clinical services to active-duty military and historically marginalized groups such as those with severe mental illness, co-occurring disorders, the LGBTQIA+ community, low-income and forensic populations. Along with teaching, Dr. Fagundes works in an inclusive and affirming private practice and consults with organizations to provide supervision, trauma-informed care, and presentations on the neurobiology of trauma. For nearly a decade they provided treatment to youth with sexually abusive behavior and they currently provide clinical supervision at a local treatment facility for such youth. Their research publications include studies of youth with sexually abusive behavior, and their TEDx presentation, “Dangerous Myths About Juvenile Sex Offenders” has been used at conferences, in classrooms, and in the media to address problematic stereotypes about this population. 

Professional Interests

Dr. Fagundes specializes in integrative somatic trauma therapy, polyvagal theory, internal family systems, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), intergenerational, systemic, and complex trauma, forensic assessment, sexually abusive youth, social justice, liberation psychology, community-based mental health, and the LGBTQIA+ community. They are trained in somatic psychedelic assisted therapy as well as ketamine assisted psychotherapy and psychedelic medicine through the Psychedelic Research and Training Institute (PRATI), and also completed a PRATI certificate in psychedelic medicine for end of life therapy and existential distress. In addition, Dr. Fagundes trained in MDMA assisted therapy through the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) education program. In the Clinical Psychology Psy.D. program at Alliant, Dr. Fagundes teaches courses in psychological assessment, cognitive and affective psychology, and behavioral neuroscience.

Education and Certifications
  • Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, Alliant International University
  • M.A. Clinical Psychology, Alliant International University
  • M.S. Marriage and Family Therapy, San Diego State University
  • B.A. Psychology, University of California, San Diego
  • PSY31947 (CA)
  • LMFT 53683 (CA)
     

Shawn Nunnally

Alliant Faculty Member
Biography

Dr. S. Nunnally has a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Educational Psychology. Dr. S. Nunnally is an Assistant Professor for the CSOE Psy.D. Educational Psychology Online Program. 

 

Dr. S. Nunnally has 21 years as school based practitioner including the county office of education as a school psychologist, community mental health settings, behavior support services for public and nonpublic schools, advocacy, and as a special education teacher within alternative public school settings. 

Dr. S. Nunnally has been on staff with Alliant International University CSOE program supports since 2010. Experience has included: chairing doctoral dissertation/projects, dissertation reader/consultant, instructing and developing courses both within the doctoral and masters level programs. 

Professional Interests

Dr. Nunnally’s professional interests include: Neuro-cognitive Processing and Childhood Trauma, Applied Behavior Analysis, School Based Research Designs, School Neuropsychology within the Schools. 

Education and Certifications

Dr. S. Nunnally is a Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Additionally, Dr. Nunnally holds a Clear Pupil Personnel Service credential in School Psychology and a Professional Clear Level II Education Specialist Instruction credential in the State of California. 

Dr. S. Nunnally received his Doctor of Psychology in Educational Psychology from Alliant International University, Los Angeles in 2010.