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Doctoral Respecialization in Clinical Psychology
The doctoral respecialization program (DRP) in clinical psychology is designed for you if you have already earned a doctorate in another area of psychology, or a closely related field, from an accredited institution and wish to re-specialize in clinical psychology. Typically this is done with the goal of becoming a license-eligible psychologist. Based on your background, a specialized curriculum that includes both academic work and clinical training experiences is individually designed. The doctoral program covers disciplines within psychological science, and clinical science. The curriculum and training experiences are structured to the specific needs of professionals who may be in the field of educational psychology, counseling psychology, clinical health psychology, and counseling psychology among many others.
This graduate certificate program in clinical science is made to ensure that training obligations meet the licensing standards of the California Board of Psychology and the regulations of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) or the California Association of Psychology Internships Council (CAPIC). Most students complete the clinical psychology program in two years, but in some cases prior academic work adaptable to the curriculum in clinical psychology is sparse, and your particular course of study may require three years. As you go through this clinical psychology program, you will have the opportunity to gain a high level of knowledge and experience through your coursework and research.
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A major focus of the DRP is the required two years of supervised professional experience (in qualified practicum or internship agencies) of approximately 20 hours per week of clinical practice. Courses covering California licensure requirements (e.g., child abuse, human sexuality, chemical dependency, domestic violence, and aging and long term care) are recommended in the DRP curriculum. Each of the clinical counseling and psychology programs that offer respecialization training has requirements consistent with its program requirements, and individualized programs must be developed with program directors or advisors. As a DRP student, you must pass a competency examination as required by the program in which you are enrolled. The DRP is offered at the San Francisco campus.
As a DRP student seeking licensure in California, you are responsible for:
- Determining with the Board of Psychology that your prior doctoral degree meets the requirements for licensure
- Registering with the Board of Psychology before beginning clinical training hours through CSPP to ensure that the hours will be counted towards the postdoctoral requirements for licensure
If you want to advance your career in professional psychology and gain a doctoral respecialization credential, Alliant can help.
Contact our team today if you're looking to gain the proper certification to become a clinical psychologist.
For more information, please contact Rhoda Olkin at rolkin@alliant.edu.
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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.
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.
