Mission
Program Philosophy
Program Objectives
Accreditation

Program Director's Message

Welcome to the Clinical Psychology Program at Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ. In keeping with the mission of Midwestern University and the College of Health Sciences, the Clinical Psychology Program seeks to provide the highest quality of education and training to prepare future leaders and practitioners of professional psychology. This is an exciting time and an exciting place to pursue doctoral training in clinical psychology. Midwestern University provides an environment of collaborative training in the healthcare professions, so that as you pursue your studies, you will be surrounded by students of osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, podiatry, physician’s assistance, nurse-anesthesia, occupational therapy, cardiovascular science/perfusion, dentistry, biomedical sciences. Our program in clinical psychology will train students in the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to be competent psychologists in a variety of organizational settings serving the evolving needs of society.

The Psy.D. program in Clinical Psychology at Midwestern University follows a practitioner/scholar model of training. We provide the educational and clinical training experiences to prepare students for careers in the practice of Clinical Psychology, based upon the best psychological science available. The program curriculum includes the foundations of psychological science and emphasizes professional skills in relationship, assessment, intervention, research and evaluation, consultation and education, management and supervision, and diversity. In three years of full-time academic coursework and practicum experiences, and one year of internship, students gain the knowledge, skill, and values to practice clinical psychology in primary care settings, hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, and private practice. The knowledgeable and dedicated faculty members are accessible and available to students in small classes, seminars, and individually.

We invite you to explore this website for more information about the Clinical Psychology Program. If you have questions or need more information, don’t hesitate to contact us; we look forward to talking with you about your interests, your goals, and your career in professional psychology.

Philinda Smith Hutchings, Ph.D., ABPP
Director, Clinical Psychology Program

Mission
The Midwestern University Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)/Master of Arts (M.A.) in Clinical Psychology Program is designed to educate and train students in the general practice of clinical psychology, serving a diverse population of persons in need of psychological services.

Program Philosophy
The Doctor of Psychology/Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology Program follows the practitioner-scholar model of preparation that was accepted by the American Psychological Association at the Vail Conference. This model recognizes the ongoing need in society for expertly trained practitioners in the field of clinical psychology. The practitioner-scholar philosophy dictates that competent practitioners are required to have an extensive understanding of the theoretical principles in the clinical practice of psychology and the ability to utilize the knowledge in specific clinical situations. The program educates and trains individuals for careers that emphasize the delivery of direct psychological services and consultation. Relevant theory, research, and field experiences are integrated toward the development of competent and ethical practitioners who are respectful of individual and cultural differences in the provision of psychological services.

Program Objectives
The Doctor of Psychology/Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology degree is designed to be a professional degree similar to the doctoral degrees provided in medicine, law, pharmacy, physical therapy, and dentistry. The Psy.D. has become the degree of choice for persons interested in becoming a doctoral-level practitioner when pursuing a career in clinical psychology. The curriculum for the program does not follow any one theoretical perspective; rather, the emphasis is upon the development of the essential diagnostic, therapeutic, and consultative skills for the practice of clinical psychology.

The program of study follows the objectives of the training models endorsed by the American Psychological Association and the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology. Students are educated and trained in the core competency areas related to the current body of knowledge on the biological aspects of behavior, cognitive and affective aspects of behavior, social aspects of behavior, history and systems of psychology, psychological measurement, research methodology, techniques of data analysis, individuals differences, human development, dysfunctional behavior and psychopathology, professional standards and ethics, theories and methods of assessment and diagnosis, effective interventions, consultation, supervision, efficacy of interventions, and issues of cultural and individual diversity. The curriculum also has an emphasis on provision of psychological services in primary health care.

Practicum training is completed at numerous hospitals, agencies, and organizations throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area. Midwestern University has an extensive network of training sites established for a variety of health care professions including medicine, physician assistant studies, occupational therapy, cardiovascular science/perfusion, podiatry, nurse anesthesia and pharmacy. Alumni of Midwestern University are practicing as clinicians, educators, supervisors, and administrators at many facilities throughout the State of Arizona.

Accreditation
Midwestern University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, A Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC/NCA), 30 North LaSalle St., Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602.