Good to Know Before You Begin
Academic Advising
Each student selects a Dissertation Committee chair during his/her first semester in the program. That faculty member also serves the student as his/her academic advisor. In addition, the director of the Psy.D. Program and the director of clinical training may provide information regarding program planning and special concerns.
Transfer Credit
The Psy.D. Program requires 100 semester units beyond the M.A. degree, as well as completion of clinical training and a clinical dissertation. Of these, 91 must be earned at APU, while 9 equivalent doctoral units may be transferred from other institutions. Applicants to the Psy.D. Program may have an existing master’s degree in psychology or a closely related discipline. These degrees will be evaluated according to the list of required prerequisites. Some remediation or additional course work may be required for students from other institutions to satisfy these requirements.
Waivers
Some departments permit waivers of certain courses. Contact the appropriate department for details on specific waiver procedures. Unlike transfer credit, waivers fulfill course requirements only; no units are awarded. Students with waived courses must choose alternate elective courses to satisfy the unit requirements of their degree program.
Distribution of Courses
A minimum of 18 semester units in the master’s degree program must be completed in courses at the 500-level or higher. Some programs have higher minimum numbers. Please review individual degree requirements carefully.
Course Numbering System
Courses are identified by a department abbreviation followed by a three- or four-digit course number. The department abbreviations are as follows:
| College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | |
|---|---|
| ART | Fine Arts |
| TESL | Global Studies and Sociology (TESOL) |
| School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences | |
| CSA | College Student Affairs |
| HED | Higher Education Leadership |
| LDRS | Organizational Leadership |
| MLOS | Leadership and Organizational Studies |
| PPSY | Clinical Psychology |
| PT | Physical Therapy |
| School of Business and Management | |
| BUSI | Business Administration |
| MHOD | Human Resource and Organizational Development |
| WEB | Web and Information Technology |
| School of Education | |
| EDCO | Educational Counseling |
| EDL | Educational Leadership |
| EDPY | Educational Psychology |
| EDTC | Educational Technology – Online |
| EDUC | Education |
| LIB | Teacher Librarian Services |
| PE | Physical Education |
| SPED | Special Education |
| TEP | Teacher Education |
| School of Music | |
| GMUS | Music |
| School of Nursing | |
| GNRS | Nursing |
| School of Theology | |
| GBBL | Biblical Studies |
| GMIN | Ministry |
| GPHL | Philosophy |
| GTHE | Theology |
| GDMN | Doctoral Ministry |
| Office of the Provost | |
| GRAD | Faculty Development |
The following guide may be used when reference is made to any given course: 500-699, graduate credit (may also grant doctoral credit); 700-799, doctoral; 800-899, graduate non-credit; 900-999, continuing education courses. See Undergraduate Catalog for department abbreviations of courses numbered 000-499.
