Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology: Dissertation Handbook
The Dissertation is the culmination of the research training sequence for students in a doctoral program. The dissertation serves to demonstrate that the student has acquired expertise in a specialized area of knowledge (content mastery), has developed the skill set for critical evaluation of scientific literature (critical thinking), and can competently apply psychological literature in their clinical practice (following a scholar-practitioner model). The Dissertation Handbook provides an overview of the process, procedures, methodological considerations, programmatic requirements, and dissertation options available to students in the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Degree Program at the Institute for the Psychological Sciences (IPS) at Divine Mercy University. This document is adjunct to other Institute Publications such as the IPS Academic Catalog and Divine Mercy University Student Handbook. All students are responsible for reading and becoming familiar with the research and scholarship dissertation requirements of the PsyD program. This document is subject to ongoing review and revisions and students will receive updates as issued. Students are bound by the most recent policies and procedures of the IPS and DMU.