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Pepperdine | Graduate School of Education and Psychology

PsyD Learning Outcomes

GSEP is committed to a learner-centered approach in the programs we offer. Each program has a set of objectives that a student graduating from the program is expected to achieve. The knowledge and skills taught in the program might be introduced in some courses. In other courses, students are asked to apply knowledge by practicing skills and demonstrating their abilities. Within the program, the values and dispositional attributes important for individuals entering the profession are emphasized.

The matrix below lists the program learning objectives and indicates the courses in which each of the objectives is addressed.

Outcome 1: Competency in applying psychological theory and scientific knowledge to an understanding of psychological dysfunction, maladaptation, and psychopathology
  PSY 701 PSY 702 PSY 703 PSY 704 PSY 705 PSY 706 PSY 707 PSY 708 PSY 710 PSY 711 PSY 712 PSY 713 PSY 714 PSY 715
1k1. Describe the major psychological theories of psychopathology                         X  X
1k2. Describe the current scientific knowledge of psychological functioning and psychopathology     X  X             X    X  X
1s1. Apply psychological theories and scientific knowledge of psychopathology in diagnosis                         X  X
1s2. Apply psychological theories and scientific knowledge of psychopathology in case conceptualization                         X  X
1s3. Apply psychological theories and scientific knowledge of psychopathology in treatment                          X  X
1a1. Demonstrate appreciation for theoretical and scientific approaches to understanding psychopathology              X        X   X X
1a2. Demonstrate appreciation for the role of culture and context in understanding adaptation, dysfunction and psychopathology         X   X           X  X
Outcome 2: Competency in psychological assessment and diagnosis
  PSY 701 PSY 702 PSY 703 PSY 704 PSY 705 PSY 706 PSY 707 PSY 708 PSY 710 PSY 711 PSY 712 PSY 713 PSY 714 PSY 715
2k1. Describe the major approaches to clinical assessment, i.e., clinical interview, structured clinical interview, psychological testing, self- report measures                 X  X X  X    
2k2. Discuss the reliability and validity of psychological tests used in psychological assessment                 X  X   X    
2k3. Discuss diagnosis as presented in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV)                         X  
2s1. Perform clinical interviews used in assessment and diagnosis             X   X X        
2s2. Perform psychological testing used in assessment and diagnosis                  X  X    X    
2s3. Perform multi-axial diagnosis based on DSM-IV, including the Cultural Formulation         X                  
2s4. Perform risk, self-harm, and harm to others assessments              X              
2s5. Demonstrate professionalism and apply ethics in performing psychological assessment and diagnosis                  X  X   X    
2a1. Demonstrate appreciation for theoretical and scientific approaches to psychological assessment and diagnosis including evidence-based practice                  X X X X X  
2a2. Demonstrate appreciation for the role of culture and context in psychological assessment and diagnosis         X   X   X X   X X  
2a3. Demonstrate appreciation for client experience and encourage collaboration with the client when performing psychological assessment and diagnosis             X    X X    X    
Outcome 3: Competency in psychological intervention, treatment, supervision, and consultation
  PSY 701 PSY 702 PSY 703 PSY 704 PSY 705 PSY 706 PSY 707 PSY 708 PSY 710 PSY 711 PSY 712 PSY 713 PSY 714 PSY 715
3k1. Describe two of the major approaches to psychological intervention and treatment                X         X  
3k2. Discuss evidence-based practice in psychology, including the empirical standing of psychological treatments and considerations of cultural and individual client characteristics          X     X         X  
3k3. Discuss the role of the therapeutic alliance in psychological treatment              X  X            
3k4. Describe the functions/processes of supervision and consultation                X            
3s1. Demonstrate the ability to form therapeutic alliances              X  X            
3s2. Apply evidence-based practice in treatment selection and practice                X            
3s3. Perform clinical interventions consistent with treatment model                X            
3s4. Use client feedback in the evaluation of treatment effectiveness                X            
3s5. Demonstrate skill in tailoring clinical interventions to the individual client, taking into consideration client motivation and cultural and contextual factors                X            
3s6. Demonstrate reflective practice, including awareness and management of the influence of therapist personal factors, e.g., countertransference             X  X            
3s7. Demonstrate effective use of clinical supervision and consultation                X            
3a1. Demonstrate appreciation for theoretical and scientific approaches to psychological treatment, including evidence-based practice                X         X  
3a2. Demonstrate respect for the client and empathy with the client             X  X            
3a3. Demonstrate appreciation for the role of culture and context in tailoring treatment to the client                X            
3a4. Demonstrate appreciation for reflective practice and the role of feedback                X            
Outcome 4: Competency in research methods appropriate to the applied clinical practitioner
  PSY 701 PSY 702 PSY 703 PSY 704 PSY 705 PSY 706 PSY 707 PSY 708 PSY 710 PSY 711 PSY 712 PSY 713 PSY 714 PSY 715
4k1. Describe the major approaches and methods of research in clinical psychology  X X                        
4k2. Describe reliability and validity  X               X X  X X    
4k3. Describe quantitative and qualitative data analysis strategies that align with research questions and methods    X                        
4k4. Discuss the role of individual differences, culture, and context in the conduct of psychological research  X  X                        
4k5. Identify the legal and ethical requirements in the conduct of psychological research           X                
4s1. Evaluate research findings presented in applied psychology journals and other publications                     X      
4s2. Identify appropriate research methods to answer specific research questions  X  X                        
4s3. Demonstrate literature research and writing skills, including the use of APA style, required for completion of the clinical dissertation                            
4a1. Demonstrate appreciation for the role of research in psychology      X X                    
4a2. Demonstrate appreciation for multiple approaches to research in psychology                            
4a3. Demonstrate appreciation for the welfare and contributions of the research participant                            
4a4. Demonstrate appreciation for the contributions of applied research to clinical practice X               X X  X X    
Outcome 5: Competency in understanding and applying ethics, law, and professional standards to conduct and demonstration of professionalism
  PSY 701 PSY 702 PSY 703 PSY 704 PSY 705 PSY 706 PSY 707 PSY 708 PSY 710 PSY 711 PSY 712 PSY 713 PSY 714 PSY 715
5k1. Discuss the laws of California and the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct of the American Psychological Association            X      X  X   X    
5k2. Discuss professionalism and professional responsibility when involved in clinical or research training           X      X  X        
5k3. Discuss the role of advocacy in clinical psychology                            
5s1. Apply legal and ethical standards to clinical practice, both in hypothetical exercises and in professional practice in clinical and research training rotations           X  X   X X    X    
5s2. Demonstrate metacompetence and reflective practice              X  X  X  X    X    
5a1. Demonstrate appreciation for legal and ethical standards            X X  X  X  X    X    
5a2. Demonstrate appreciation for professionalism and commitment to reflective practice and continuous development                X        X    
Outcome 1: Competency in applying psychological theory and scientific knowledge to an understanding of psychological dysfunction, maladaptation, and psychopathology
  PSY 716 PSY 718 PSY 730-739 PSY 743 PSY 750-755 PSY 756 PSY 770-772 PSY 773-775 PSY 776-777 PSY 780 PSY 790 PSY 791 PSY 792 PSY 795
1k1. Describe the major psychological theories of psychopathology  X    X   X          X        
1k2. Describe the current scientific knowledge of psychological functioning and psychopathology  X   X    X          X        
1s1. Apply psychological theories and scientific knowledge of psychopathology in diagnosis              X X    X        
1s2. Apply psychological theories and scientific knowledge of psychopathology in case conceptualization      X   X    X  X    X        
1s3. Apply psychological theories and scientific knowledge of psychopathology in treatment    X X        X  X   X        
1a1. Demonstrate appreciation for theoretical and scientific approaches to understanding psychopathology X  X X    X   X X X  X        
1a2. Demonstrate appreciation for the role of culture and context in understanding adaptation, dysfunction and psychopathology    X  X   X   X X X  X        
Outcome 2: Competency in psychological assessment and diagnosis
  PSY 716 PSY 718 PSY 730-739 PSY 743 PSY 750-755 PSY 756 PSY 770-772 PSY 773-775 PSY 776-777 PSY 780 PSY 790 PSY 791 PSY 792 PSY 795
2k1. Describe the major approaches to clinical assessment, i.e., clinical interview, structured clinical interview, psychological testing, self- report measures          X    X X    X        
2k2. Discuss the reliability and validity of psychological tests used in psychological assessment                   X        
2k3. Discuss diagnosis as presented in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV)          X    X X   X        
2s1. Perform clinical interviews used in assessment and diagnosis          X    X X   X        
2s2. Perform psychological testing used in assessment and diagnosis          X         X        
2s3. Perform multi-axial diagnosis based on DSM-IV, including the Cultural Formulation          X    X  X   X        
2s4. Perform risk, self-harm, and harm to others assessments             X  X   X        
2s5. Demonstrate professionalism and apply ethics in performing psychological assessment and diagnosis             X  X    X        
2a1. Demonstrate appreciation for theoretical and scientific approaches to psychological assessment and diagnosis including evidence-based practice          X    X  X    X        
2a2. Demonstrate appreciation for the role of culture and context in psychological assessment and diagnosis          X   X  X   X        
2a3. Demonstrate appreciation for client experience and encourage collaboration with the client when performing psychological assessment and diagnosis             X  X   X        
Outcome 3: Competency in psychological intervention, treatment, supervision, and consultation
  PSY 716 PSY 718 PSY 730-739 PSY 743 PSY 750-755 PSY 756 PSY 770-772 PSY 773-775 PSY 776-777 PSY 780 PSY 790 PSY 791 PSY 792 PSY 795
3k1. Describe two of the major approaches to psychological intervention and treatment   X  X X X    X X  X  X        
3k2. Discuss evidence-based practice in psychology, including the empirical standing of psychological treatments and considerations of cultural and individual client characteristics    X X  X  X X X X  X X        
3k3. Discuss the role of the therapeutic alliance in psychological treatment    X  X X  X    X  X X  X        
3k4. Describe the functions/processes of supervision and consultation           X  X X  X X        
3s1. Demonstrate the ability to form therapeutic alliances              X X  X  X        
3s2. Apply evidence-based practice in treatment selection and practice    X  X  X      X  X  X  X        
3s3. Perform clinical interventions consistent with treatment model              X  X  X  X        
3s4. Use client feedback in the evaluation of treatment effectiveness              X  X  X  X        
3s5. Demonstrate skill in tailoring clinical interventions to the individual client, taking into consideration client motivation and cultural and contextual factors    X          X  X  X  X        
3s6. Demonstrate reflective practice, including awareness and management of the influence of therapist personal factors, e.g., countertransference              X X  X X        
3s7. Demonstrate effective use of clinical supervision and consultation              X X  X  X        
3a1. Demonstrate appreciation for theoretical and scientific approaches to psychological treatment, including evidence-based practice   X  X    X   X  X  X  X        
3a2. Demonstrate respect for the client and empathy with the client              X  X  X  X        
3a3. Demonstrate appreciation for the role of culture and context in tailoring treatment to the client   X          X  X  X  X        
3a4. Demonstrate appreciation for reflective practice and the role of feedback              X  X  X  X        
Outcome 4: Competency in research methods appropriate to the applied clinical practitioner
  PSY 716 PSY 718 PSY 730-739 PSY 743 PSY 750-755 PSY 756 PSY 770-772 PSY 773-775 PSY 776-777 PSY 780 PSY 790 PSY 791 PSY 792 PSY 795
4k1. Describe the major approaches and methods of research in clinical psychology                           X
4k2. Describe reliability and validity                            
4k3. Describe quantitative and qualitative data analysis strategies that align with research questions and methods                           X
4k4. Discuss the role of individual differences, culture, and context in the conduct of psychological research                     X     X
4k5. Identify the legal and ethical requirements in the conduct of psychological research                         X  X
4s1. Evaluate research findings presented in applied psychology journals and other publications                       X    X
4s2. Identify appropriate research methods to answer specific research questions                            X
4s3. Demonstrate literature research and writing skills, including the use of APA style, required for completion of the clinical dissertation                     X X  X  X
4a1. Demonstrate appreciation for the role of research in psychology                            
4a2. Demonstrate appreciation for multiple approaches to research in psychology                            
4a3. Demonstrate appreciation for the welfare and contributions of the research participant                         X  X
4a4. Demonstrate appreciation for the contributions of applied research to clinical practice   X      X    X X X X  X      X
Outcome 5: Competency in understanding and applying ethics, law, and professional standards to conduct and demonstration of professionalism
  PSY 716 PSY 718 PSY 730-739 PSY 743 PSY 750-755 PSY 756 PSY 770-772 PSY 773-775 PSY 776-777 PSY 780 PSY 790 PSY 791 PSY 792 PSY 795
5k1. Discuss the laws of California and the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct of the American Psychological Association    X         X  X X  X        
5k2. Discuss professionalism and professional responsibility when involved in clinical or research training              X  X  X  X        
5k3. Discuss the role of advocacy in clinical psychology           X X     X        
5s1. Apply legal and ethical standards to clinical practice, both in hypothetical exercises and in professional practice in clinical and research training rotations              X  X  X  X        
5s2. Demonstrate metacompetence and reflective practice           X  X  X X  X        
5a1. Demonstrate appreciation for legal and ethical standards              X  X X X        
5a2. Demonstrate appreciation for professionalism and commitment to reflective practice and continuous development            X X X X X