Elective Concentrations
As part of the Psy.D. curriculum, students are required to take four elective courses in residency. Students may take miscellaneous electives in psychotherapy, integration, assessment, or other courses related to clinical psychology, or they may complete one of the following two elective concentrations: Forensic Psychology or Consulting Psychology. These four-course sequences satisfy the elective requirement.
Family Forensic Psychology Concentration
The Family Forensic Psychology Elective Concentration provides an opportunity for students to pursue more focused training in the specialty area of forensic psychology. The Elective Concentration in Family Forensic Psychology strives to prepare graduate students for competitive forensic psychology internships and postdoctoral training experiences. While completion of the Certificate Program does not guarantee placement in supervised training sites, it enhances the student’s educational foundation in preparation for advanced training in forensic psychology.
Students seeking the Certificate of Proficiency in Family Forensic Psychology must complete the four-course sequence of electives and either a practicum or research experience in forensic psychology:
| PPSY 770 | Introduction to Forensic Psychology |
| PPSY 771 | Forensic Assessment |
| PPSY 772 | Family Forensic Psychology I |
| PPSY 773 | Family Forensic Psychology II |
The American Psychological Association recognizes forensic psychology as a specialty discipline in the field of psychology. According to the Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychologists (Committee on Ethical Guidelines for Forensic Psychologists, 1991), professionals practice forensic psychology, “within any subdiscipline of psychology (e.g. clinical, developmental, social, experimental), when they are engaged regularly as experts and represent themselves as such, in an activity primarily intended to provide professional psychological expertise to the judicial system” (p. 656). Simply stated, forensic psychology is the pragmatic intersection of two complex disciplines: law and psychology.
The practice of clinical forensic psychology provides opportunities for diverse practice, including employment through the adult or juvenile correctional system; working as a consultant to criminal or civil courts in the role of forensic examiner; testifying as an expert in an area of research related to court proceedings; serving as a trial behavior or litigation consultant; or working with law enforcement agencies. Because of the diverse practice opportunities in forensic psychology, it is one of the fastest growing areas of clinical practice.
For more information on the Family Forensic Psychology Concentration, contact Robert Welsh, Ph.D., director of the Psy.D. Program, at (626) 815-5008, Ext. 5522, or rwelsh@apu.edu.
Consulting Psychology Concentration
The Consulting Psychology Elective Concentration provides an opportunity for students to pursue an interest in organizational and consulting psychology. Students gain critical and fundamental knowledge in the consultation competencies necessary for the scholar-practitioner who chooses to work in assessment and interventional venues within organizations. Completion of this certificate program adds significantly to the student’s overall educational experience and depth of understanding systemic and organizational contexts. The program emphasizes the knowledge and competencies that increase the graduate student’s scope of practice within the field as a scholar-practitioner.
Students seeking the Certificate of Proficiency in Consulting Psychology must complete the four-course sequence of electives. Additional electives within this concentration may also be offered but are not required.
For more information on the Consulting Psychology Concentration, contact Marv Erisman, Ph.D., professor of psychology, at (626) 815-6000, Ext. 5508, or merisman@apu.edu.
