Practicum Training

Students in the Ed.D. program must obtain supervised practicum training in the delivery of professional psychological and psychoeducational services. Such training can be obtained through practica, practicum courses, full-time pre-doctoral internships, and other course based and experiential experiences. The goal of practicum training to is provide students with a theoretical foundation and the opportunity to develop strong assessment, diagnostic, and psychotherapeutic skills. Students apply theoretical knowledge, implement clinical and psychoeducational techniques based on this knowledge, and develop the professional and personal traits important to the identity of a professional practitioner. Upon completion of their training, AIC students are ethical, competent professionals with highly developed assessment and psychotherapeutic skills.

Ed.D. students must complete a minimum of three practica over the course of three semesters. Practica cover assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic process. Practica are based on classroom participation and field based experiences. Students must also complete a pre-doctoral internship. The pre-doctoral internship is typically completed after 60 credit hours of doctoral work and after the Doctoral Qualifying Exam is passed. The pre-doctoral internship is an intensive supervised experience in psychotherapeutic and assessment procedures in an approved clinical or related facility. On campus meetings and seminars with a supervising professor are also required as part of the process. Students are responsible for securing their placement. Each state or provincial certification/licensing board has specific pre-doctoral training requirements that must be satisfied. If students wish to pursue certification or licensure they should contact the certification/licensing board in the state or province in which they wish to practice. These contacts should be made early in their doctoral studies.