The Center for Psychological Studies, organized
in 1967, has distinguished itself nationally through its programs, which
integrate training, research, and service. Conducting psychological research
and providing assessment and treatment of psychological problems is one of the
greatest challenges facing modern society. No other class of problems places
greater demands on our wisdom and creativity, nor ramifies through more
aspects of living, than those associated with the mind and behavior. The
center rises to the challenge by providing a broad range of training in
clinical services and research that spans the life cycle from childhood to old
age. Always sensitive to the cultural nuances of behavior that are inherent
in our multicultural society, the center’s clients include individuals with
everyday life problems as well as those suffering from serious psychological
disturbances. In addition, specialized programs focus on clients experiencing
psychological aspects of physical illness or neuropsychological difficulties,
as well as those caught up in the legal system.
The center offers master’s programs in counseling, mental
health counseling, school counseling, and clinical psychopharmacology,
a specialist (Psy.S.) program in school psychology, and two APA-accredited
doctoral programs in clinical psychology. Continuing professional education
is offered through its continuing education program series. The Psy.D.
(doctor of psychology) provides greater emphasis on training professionals
to do service, while the Ph.D. (doctor of philosophy) provides greater emphasis
on applied research. The center trains students in its Psychology Services
Center which serves children, adolescents, and adults through its outpatient
programs and thirteen faculty specialty clinical training programs.
The center offers two predoctoral internship programs. Accredited by the American
Psychological Association, the Psychology Service Center Internship Program
offersdoctoral candidates in psychology the opportunity to develop professionally,
to enhance the liability to use scholarly research for informed practice, to
develop proficiency in psychological assessment and psychotherapeutic intervention,
and to acquire basic competence in the provision of supervision and consultation.
in addition, CPS sponsors the Consortium Internship Program, which is a member
in good standing of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship
Centers and provides interns with supervised clinical experiences in approved
placements in the culturally diverse South Florida community.
Interdisciplinary masters programs are made
available through collaboration with other NSU centers. For those interested
in criminal justice, a behavioral sciences track is offered in the
university’s Criminal Justice Institute.
In response to recent changes in the delivery
of health care and the profession of psychology, the center has developed
concentrations and tracks at the doctoral level. These concentrations and
tracks are optional, are based on the existing Ph.D. and Psy.D. curriculum,
and also require certain elective courses and practicum. Concentrations are
offered in the following areas: Clinical Neuropsychology, Clinical Health
Psychology, Psychology of Long-Term Mental Illness (which includes training in
psychosocial rehabilitation and consultative psychopharmacology),
Psychodynamic Psychology, and Clinical Forensic Psychology. Tracks are offered
in Child, Adolescent and Family Psychology and Multicultural Psychology.
Concentrations are open to Ph.D. and Psy.D. students with the proviso that
Psy.D. students who enroll in Clinical Neuropsychology must take additional
research course work. The Center, in collaboration with the NSU H. Wayne
Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship, offers its doctoral students
the opportunity to obtain a master’s in business administration (MBA) while
they pursue their doctorate in clinical psychology.
We have also established institutes in the
areas of trauma and victimization and cross cultural counseling, and will
launch the Applied Clinic Research Institute in the near future.
For a profession to advance there must be an
active exchange between those providing services and those engaged in
research. Research needs to be responsive to social and community needs;
clinical services must reflect the advances put forth by research.
The center has evolved as a national leader in
providing education and training, advancing an understanding of human
behavior, and providing clinical services to the public. Our commitment is to
continue to make significant contributions to our community and society well
into the future while producing the most advanced training opportunities for
our students.
Karen S. Grosby, M.Ed
Dean, Center for Psychological Studies |
