The Comprehensive Examination is a two-part evaluation of doctoral-level scholarship, clinical intervention skills, and clinical assessment abilities. The first part of the Comprehensive Examination is a paper review conducted by two independent faculty readers. Students must demonstrate, through the writing of scholarly essays and submission of clinical materials the following:

1. Generic doctoral-level scholarship skills that transcend the content of any particular knowledge area, including knowledge of the scientific, theoretical, and methodological bases that support the practice of clinical psychology, and some evidence of an integrated perspective whereby scholarship and practice inform one another.
2. Knowledge of ethical principles in academic, clinical, and research activities.
3. Clinical Skills typical of entry-level clinical psychology interns, including the ability to:
   • Conceptualize a psychotherapy case in a theoretical framework of your choice
   • Conduct a psychotherapy session and generate effective interventions consistent with the theoretical framework
   • Evaluate the effectiveness of the therapeutic strategies
   • Produce an integrated psychological assessment report based on a full psychological evaluation of a client, including measures of intelligence and personality, and a clinical interview resulting in a formulation of a multiaxial DSM-IV diagnosis

The second part of the exam is an oral, scholarly discussion of all the submitted materials that demonstrates your ability to present a clinical case to an audience of mental health professionals. Part two usually occurs at a cluster meeting.

Students must successfully complete the exam before applying for internship.

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Last Updated: 5/27/08