IV. GENERAL DEPARTMENTAL ACADEMIC DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
THE PsyD COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION
CLINICAL DEPARTMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR ADMINISTERING THE ORAL SPECIALTY COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION
PREPARING FOR THE CLINICAL ORAL EXAM
1. The student will choose a theoretical orientation and the department administrator, with the department chair's oversight, will assign two clinical psychology faculty members for the orals who did not supervise the case and who are not on the student's dissertation committee. The student will contact them, find a convenient time for the orals, and reserve a room and equipment (if needed). It is advisable to have your committee assigned well in advance to make it easier to find mutually convenient times. If scheduling problems make it impossible to arrange the Exam, the student should request a new name from the program administrator, with an explanation of the scheduling problems encountered.
2. At least one week before the orals, the student will give faculty members a well-organized and cohesive write-up of the case that reflects his or her own thinking and that the student can defend. Include citations to the psychological literature that contributed to conceptualizing the case (including cultural factors). Remove all identifying material.The write-up must be in APA format and should include the following information in 12-20 double spaced typed pages, not including references. Do not exceed the page limit.
- Identifying demographic characteristics
- Presenting problem and its history
- Personal history and pertinent medical history
- Family history
- Mental status, e.g., appearance, general attitude, and any peculiarities in thought or perception seen during the interview
- Results of any formal assessment procedures
- Theoretical formulation of the case
- DSM diagnosis, on all axes
- Treatment plan
- Treatment progress, including significant theoretical and clinical concepts underlying this process
- Treatment outcome to date
- Difficulties encountered working with this case
- Diversity issues raised by the case and differences between you and the client, including race/ethnicity, religious or spiritual orientation, gender-related issues, cognitive or physical challenges, and socio-economic class (Include relevant content from DSM IV diagnostic formulations and the Appendix.)
- Ethical issues raised by this case
- What this case taught you about yourself and about areas for possible future growth.
3. It is recommended that the student bring to the orals one 50-minute audio or video tape of a complete session (video preferred), but this is not required, particularly when the taping requirement might force a student to choose a work sample that is less current and representative. Examiners differ in their preferred methods of using the taped material, so you may want to check with them about this when you arrange the orals date and time. Think through in advance which 2-5 minute segments of the tape you want to present to show your therapy style.
4. The student should be prepared to offer a brief (5-10 minutes) case summation. Brevity is important here because one of the skills the examiners will be assessing is the ability to present succinctly the essentials of a case. Examiners may waive this presentation.
5. Orals will take from 90 to 120 minutes.
6. Although students should write up their case within a particular theoretical framework, they also should be prepared to discuss the case in such a way that a faculty member with a different orientation can engage with them in a dialogue. The student may need to demonstrate an understanding of alternative perspectives to a faculty member of a differing perspective