Doctor of Clinical Psychology (California), Neuropsychology
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Overview
This concentration provides students who are interested in pursuing a career in Clinical Neuropsychology an opportunity to receive additional training in the classroom and in a clinical setting in neuropsychological assessment and neurorehabilitation, as well as opportunities to work closely with practicing neuropsychologists in the area. The concentration is in compliance with the Houston Conference Resolutions which define the educational standards and training required for practice in professional clinical neuropsychology. The concentration is also designed to facilitate student entrance into APA accredited internships with rotations in clinical neuropsychology and integrated healthcare settings. For the specific requirements for applying to this concentration, please contact the Academic Program Director for the concentration.
Course Details
Concentration Requirements
- 7 courses; 12 quarter units
In order to obtain permission to enroll in the concentration, candidates must contact the Academic Program Director prior to enrolling.
Prerequisite: PSD 7107 with a minimum grade of B-. This is the lowest passing grade for JFK-SOP PsyD courses.
This is the first of three courses of the Neuropsychology sequence. A working knowledge of the intact brain is necessary in order to understand neuropathology, neuropsychological assessment, and rehabilitation. Expanding upon the basic knowledge from the Biopsychology course, Functional Neuroanatomy will provide a more detailed understanding of the major brain structures and their contributions to daily functioning. Starting with the brainstem and cranial nerves, through the major subcortical nuclei and networks, the course will set up a detailed understanding of cortical functioning. Case studies and vignettes will reinforce the material.
Prerequisite: PSD 7170A with a minimum grade of B-. This is the lowest passing grade for JFK-SOP PsyD courses.
This is the second of three courses of the Neuropsychology sequence. In this course the kinds of abilities assessed by neuropsychology will be addressed. Expanding on the case studies from the first course, and drawing from the Cognitive and Affective Bases of Behavior and the Assessment course sequence, this course will consider the way neuropsychology conceptualizes and organizes cognitive, visual-spatial, memory-related, and affective functions. Examples from both the battery approach and the process approach to assessment will be used to demonstrate the ways in which neuropsychologists determine the integrity of brain functioning. Students will learn to administer a number of assessment tools commonly used by neuropsychologists.
Prerequisite: PSD 7170B with a minimum grade of B-. This is the lowest passing grade for JFK-SOP PsyD courses.
This is the third of three courses of the Neuropsychology sequence. In this course the ways in which brain function can be compromised will be reviewed. This includes developmental disorders, traumatic brain injury, vascular and cancer-related injury, and dementing processes. Students will learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of the possible contribution of “organic” problems in their clients or patients. Case studies and vignettes will reinforce the information from this and the previous two courses. Additionally, subsequent courses in rehabilitation, forensic assessment, child and geriatric neuropsychology, and diversity neuropsychology will be introduced.
Recommended: Prior completion of: PSD7107 (Biological Bases), and PSD7170A-B-C (foundational neuropsychology courses) are strongly recommended.
This course focuses on the ways in which neuropsychologists contribute to the rehabilitation process for people who have sustained brain injury in some form. In order to optimize recovery after a brain insult, neurological structural information must be integrated with functional neuropsychological information and rehabilitation principles. Neuropsychology works collaboratively with other interprofessional team members to facilitate functional recovery of persons with brain injuries. This course focuses on the theory and practice of this rehabilitative process.
Recommended: Prior completion of: PSD7107 (Biological Bases), and PSD7170A-B-C (foundational neuropsychology courses) are strongly recommended.
This course focuses on the developing brain, the “normal” course of cognitive development, specific vulnerabilities of a child’s brain, and the kinds of developmental disorders with a clear neurological base. The unique needs of children and families, and the special skills necessary for working with this population will be emphasized. An introduction to the assessment processes and tools available to pediatric neuropsychologists will be offered. The integration of other child-focused medical, educational, and psychological specialties will also be reviewed.
This course focuses on the aging brain, differentiating “normal” from “abnormal” processes. An overview of the most commonly encountered problems affecting the older populations will be offered. This will emphasize the dementias, but also consider specific issues encountered by the older population that compromise their quality of life. Information from Rehabilitation and Forensic neuropsychology will be integrated into discussions of the approaches and tools used by gero-neuropsychologists to evaluate a patient’s preserved abilities and acquired needs. The integration of other geriatric-focused medical, educational, and psychological specialties will also be reviewed.
Prerequisite: PSD 7116 with a minimum grade of B-. This is the lowest passing grade for JFK-SOP PsyD courses.
This is an advanced elective course that explores the theories and practical applications of psychological assessment in a multicultural context. Students will examine theories of validity, and research and practice with intellectual, personality and projective techniques.
Program Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to apply current knowledge of diagnostic classification systems to client difficulties. Plan and implement formal assessment of referred clients, considering their diagnostic situation and intersecting cultural identities. Integrate data from multiple sources and communicate findings in a clear and accurate way.
Program Disclosure
Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.
Program availability varies by state. Many disciplines, professions, and jobs require disclosure of an individual’s criminal history, and a variety of states require background checks to apply to, or be eligible for, certain certificates, registrations, and licenses. Existence of a criminal history may also subject an individual to denial of an initial application for a certificate, registration, or license and/or result in the revocation or suspension of an existing certificate, registration, or license. Requirements can vary by state, occupation, and/or licensing authority.
NU graduates will be subject to additional requirements on a program, certification/licensure, employment, and state-by-state basis that can include one or more of the following items: internships, practicum experience, additional coursework, exams, tests, drug testing, earning an additional degree, and/or other training/education requirements.
All prospective students are advised to review employment, certification, and/or licensure requirements in their state, and to contact the certification/licensing body of the state and/or country where they intend to obtain certification/licensure to verify that these courses/programs qualify in that state/country, prior to enrolling. Prospective students are also advised to regularly review the state’s/country’s policies and procedures relating to certification/licensure, as those policies are subject to change.
National University degrees do not guarantee employment or salary of any kind. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to review desired job positions to review degrees, education, and/or training required to apply for desired positions. Prospective students should monitor these positions as requirements, salary, and other relevant factors can change over time.