Each course in the curriculum progressively leads students toward mastery of competencies within three domains (Theoretical Knowledge, Scholarly Writing Research, and Psychodynamic Child Clinical Skills and Application). Student learning in these areas is assessed within courses, with the Comprehensive Examination, and with the completion of the Dissertation at the end of the program.
Theoretical Knowledge (PLO 1): Graduates are informed by the foundational theories of child psychotherapeutic treatment from psychodynamically-oriented and neurobiologically-informed perspectives of infant, child, and adolescent development and their families. Graduates will:
1a. Critically evaluate the fundamental concepts of classical and contemporary theories.
1b. Integrate fundamental concepts of classical and contemporary theories into psychotherapy.
Scholarly Research and Writing (PLO 2): Graduates will evaluate and conduct scholarly research and other written communication in terms of psychodynamically-oriented and neurobiologically-informed theory and psychotherapy, in infant, child, and adolescent development and their families. Graduates will:
2a. Analyze and critique scholarly qualitative and quantitative research.
2b. Compose scholarly written works to communicate concepts, knowledge and information using APA format.
2c. Design and complete an original doctoral dissertation that makes a scholarly contribution to the field.
Psychodynamic Child Clinical Skills and Application (PLO 3): Graduates will integrate psychodynamically-oriented and neurobiologically-informed theory and scholarly research into their assessment and treatment of infant, child, and adolescents and their families. Graduates will:
3a. Apply theory to child psychotherapy interventions informed by diverse psychodynamic modalities.
3b. Formulate comprehensive assessments and diagnoses.
3c. Integrate psychodynamic concepts of the child’s unconscious processes within case formulations and treatment.
3d. Develop and apply cross cultural competence that facilitates effective clinical practice in a diverse social context.
3e. Demonstrate and advance professional conduct and skills.
3f. Uphold professional ethics.
1a. Critically evaluate the fundamental concepts of classical and contemporary theories.
1b. Integrate fundamental concepts of classical and contemporary theories into psychotherapy.
Scholarly Research and Writing (PLO 2): Graduates will evaluate and conduct scholarly research and other written communication in terms of psychodynamically-oriented and neurobiologically-informed theory and psychotherapy, in infant, child, and adolescent development and their families. Graduates will:
2a. Analyze and critique scholarly qualitative and quantitative research.
2b. Compose scholarly written works to communicate concepts, knowledge and information using APA format.
2c. Design and complete an original doctoral dissertation that makes a scholarly contribution to the field.
Psychodynamic Child Clinical Skills and Application (PLO 3): Graduates will integrate psychodynamically-oriented and neurobiologically-informed theory and scholarly research into their assessment and treatment of infant, child, and adolescents and their families. Graduates will:
3a. Apply theory to child psychotherapy interventions informed by diverse psychodynamic modalities.
3b. Formulate comprehensive assessments and diagnoses.
3c. Integrate psychodynamic concepts of the child’s unconscious processes within case formulations and treatment.
3d. Develop and apply cross cultural competence that facilitates effective clinical practice in a diverse social context.
3e. Demonstrate and advance professional conduct and skills.
3f. Uphold professional ethics.
See the courses for each PLO by clicking a button below.