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Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) Overview

The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology degree program at the Hawai‘i School of Professional Psychology at Chaminade University of Honolulu is designed to prepare students for both contemporary and emerging roles in the practice of professional psychology. Training is provided so that students have the opportunity to be practitioner-scholars who are skilled in local and contextual investigation and problem solving. The school offers a 5-year generalist program that supports the development of core competencies in psychological assessment, intervention, consultation/education, and management/supervision. The curriculum is on-ground (not online) and designed to provide for the meaningful integration of theory, research, and practice. The program emphasizes the acquisition of attitudes, knowledge bases, and skills essential for professional psychologists who are committed to the provision of ethical quality services. Both by virtue of the location of Hawai‘i and by the specific design of the faculty, attention to issues of human diversity occurs throughout the curriculum and within numerous additional learning opportunities outside of the classroom. Work with diverse and marginalized populations is a major focus of the teaching, scholarship, and clinical practice of the faculty at the Hawai‘i School of Professional Psychology at Chaminade University of Honolulu.

Program History

The Hawai‘i School of Professional Psychology has had a long history in Hawai‘i, dating back over 30 years. The program was created in 1988 to help fulfill a growing need for clinical psychologists in the state. After humble beginnings at small campuses (i.e., Kane‘ohe, Kahala, Kaimuki, Downtown), and after undergoing several name and owner changes (e.g., Forest Institute, ASPP, Argosy), the Hawai‘i School of Professional Psychology has finally found its permanent home at the sprawling 65-acre campus of Chaminade University.

The PsyD Program in clinical psychology received its first APA accreditation in 1998 and has been granted APA Full Accreditation status through the year 2030. Over the years, HSPP has trained hundreds of licensed psychologists who have gone on to help thousands of people in the community. With a permanent home at Chaminade University, HSPP will continue to graduate mental health professionals to help our communities for many years to come.

Program Aim

The Hawai‘i School of Professional Psychology (HSPP) at Chaminade University of Honolulu’s clinical psychology doctoral program’s aim is to educate and train students employing a practitioner-scholar model so that they will be able to function effectively as clinical psychologists. To ensure that students are adequately prepared, the curriculum is designed to provide for the meaningful integration of psychological science, theory, and clinical practice. The clinical psychology program at the Hawai‘i School of Professional Psychology is designed to emphasize the development of knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential in the training of health service psychologists who are committed to the ethical provision of quality, evidence based services to diverse populations and who are able to apply multiple theoretical perspectives to clinical issues.

Program Competencies (Program Learning Outcomes)

The Hawai‘i School of Professional Psychology at Chaminade University of Honolulu’s clinical psychology doctoral program subscribes to the American Psychological Association (APA) Standards of Accreditation. As such, students are expected to establish an identity in and orientation to health service psychology by acquiring the necessary discipline-specific knowledge and profession-wide competencies as follows:

  1. Students will demonstrate knowledge of ethical and legal standards relevant to the practice of clinical psychology, including professional ethics that guide professional behavior.

  2. Students will develop both communication and interpersonal skills, to include utilization of clear, informative, well-integrated communication, critical thinking, and effective interpersonal skills in professional interactions.

  3. Students will demonstrate knowledge of professional values and attitudes as well as self-reflective practice and openness to supervision and feedback.

  4. Students will demonstrate competency in individual and cultural diversity, including knowledge of theoretical models and diversity research that serve to guide the application of diversity competence.

  5. Students will have knowledge of the history and systems of psychology as well as the basic areas in scientific psychology, including affective, biological, cognitive, developmental, psychopharmacological, and sociocultural aspects of behavior.

  6. Students will demonstrate competency in the science of psychology, including knowledge and application of psychometrics, statistical analyses, and quantitative and qualitative research methods.

  7. Students will demonstrate competency in psychological assessment, including the ability to administer, interpret, and integrate results of psychological tests and apply knowledge of strengths and psychopathology to the assessment process.

  8. Students will demonstrate competency in clinical intervention, including case formulation, theoretical conceptualization, developing and applying evidence based treatment plans, and evaluating treatment effectiveness in work with clients.

  9. Students will evidence knowledge of consultation models and practices, and demonstrate interprofessional and interdisciplinary skills in consultative services.

  10. Students will evidence knowledge of supervision models and practices.

  11. Students will understand and apply the Marianist values in their professional practice. The application of Marianist values includes applying and adapting social awareness for community service, justice, and peace.