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Requirements are the same including experimental research. Upon completion of the doctorate, a candidate may receive the second doctorate by defending a meta-analysis dissertation in the same field as the first doctorate. All programs detailed in the School of Psychology may also be pursued simultaneously but separately through Sofia University, Bulgaria.
In addition, the School offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Mental Health Studies / Counseling (with pastoral counseling option). These fields include Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Counseling and Art Therapy. In place is also the Doctor of Psychoanalysis (Psa.D.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Psychoanalysis. The Ph.D., Ed.D., Psa.D., in this paragraph are not psychology degrees.The Master of Science in psychology is not a terminal degree but is awarded to all who are accepted into the Psy.D., Ph.D. program and complete all the requirements for the master’s degree.
The psychology programs are designed to develop in psychologists strong theoretical background in psychology, an ability to transform theory into practice and the expertise to design and implement research.
The psychology programs are designed in such a way that on the master’s level (first two years), the student takes a series of courses which are basic and necessary for any psychologist regardless of specialization. The remaining master’s courses provide a survey of the field of specialization while the thesis enables the student to do a literature research of an area which may be an eventual topic for the student’s own experimental research.
In the third and fourth years, there are intensive studies in statistics, research methods, and design, measurement and scaling as well as further courses in the area of specialization. The student is also engaged in the internship where the theoretical meets the practical. These experiences are designed to enhance awareness of the needs and problems encountered in various settings and to stimulate the student to think of research in these areas. In the fifth year, work on the dissertation commences.
Distance Learning Program with Part-time Doctoral Residence
Ignatius University allows its Graduate Program in the above five areas of psychology to be taught through a combination of Distance Learning and Doctoral Residential Learning. From the outset, the student should understand that Distance Learning is no less, and perhaps more demanding than the traditional classroom experience. The rigor of the Distance Learning far exceeds the demands of Residential Learning. Further, all Distance Learning courses in the School of Psychology entail “hands on” experience through the use of local resources in proximity to where the student resides.
Students in the psychology program are required to join the national psychological association in their own country and to attend each year its annual convention e.g. American Psychological Association in the United States.
The Graduate Psychology Program at Sofia University is independent and autonomous from any other outside institution. The regular faculty of Ignatius University conducts its own graduate program. The curriculum of IU and SU are the same. However, in order to consider the current and necessary trend toward globalization, additional adjunct faculty from all over the world are also involved.
The master’s degree in psychology (69 credits which includes a 15 credit thesis) may be completed soley by Distance Learning. However, some psychology licensing boards require that some time be spent in residential learning. Depending upon the rigor of the licensing requirement, IU may not be able to accomodate all residential requirements.
In addition to a satisfactory, intensely supervised one year internship (12 credits) with a licensed psychologist for the Psy.D., or Ph.D., there is required a successful dissertation defense (12 credits) and a minimum 3.0 overall average in course work. Those in Ph.D., Ed.D in Mental Health have a one year internship supervised by a licensed mental health practitioner with doctorate.Students for the Ph.d, Ed.D. in Peace Studies have various practice supervised by those holding the doctorate in a related field.
An integral part of the program involves supervised field internships and practice. All students are expected to know the Code of Ethics of the American Psychological Association and to abide by it. All students are required to purchase American Psychological Association sponsored Professional Liability Insurance or the equivalent. This will provide coverage for the professional duties of a psychologist in training. This insurance information may be obtained through APA, Washington, D.C., USA.
Research topics for the dissertation may be selected through a review of the varied research interests of the faculty.
Mental Health / Counseling Studies: Mental Health Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist, Creative Arts Therapist, Psychoanalyst
The master and doctoral degrees in Mental Health / Counseling Studies are not psychology degrees.
For the doctoral degree in Mental Health / Counseling Studies, students with extensive post master’s formal studies and experience, may be granted advanced standing in the doctoral program. A one year supervised internship is required.
Licensure/Certification and the like.
IGNATIUS UNIVERSITY offers the student a standard, reputable and highly demanding course of studies in psychology and related fields, directed by an outstanding faculty and leading to master and doctoral degrees in the respective discipline. Based upon our research, our programs are modeled after the most rigorous and comprehensive programs being offered world-wide.
Since there are over 200 countries in the world with many having numerous different jurisdictions ( as many as 50, many without reciprocity within the same country) and all having different requirements which regulate the practice of the professions through licensure/certification and the like, it is impossible for Ignatius University to guarantee/contract/promise that any student, upon completion of these programs will be eligible to be licensed/certified etc. in that particular jurisdiction.
Accordingly, at the time of application, all students are required to sign and present an original notarized Disclaimer acknowledging that the above information is fully understood. (See, Graduate Studies, Application).
We advise the student to obtain the licensing requirements from his/her respective licensing board and to include in his/her graduate program the specific requirements demanded by the board. If there are additional requirements beyond our program, these may be added to our program and, where possible, they may be substituted as electives. The student is advised to request in writing from the respective board confirmation of licensure acceptability of the program to be undertaken.
Admission Requirements
1. Successful completion of the baccalaureate degree at an accredited institution.
2. A total minimum score of 2500 on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), including Verbal, Quantitative, Analytical, Language Proficiency (score x 100), and Subject Exam in Psychology ( Psy. D., Ph.D.; and Ph.D., Ed.D. in Mental Health Studies/Counseling). Subject Exam in Psychology, while required, will not be factored into the score for those applying to the Mental Health Studies program.
3. A cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or better.
4. Three excellent letters of recommendation from faculty.
5. A personal interview locally arranged.
6. TOEFL of 550 for non-native English speaking students.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Specific requirements are listed under each degree for separate psychology disciplines and for the mental health / counseling studies programs.