The doctoral program in clinical psychology at Northern Illinois University is based on the scientist-practitioner model of training. The faculty believes clinical psychologists trained in this model are uniquely able to bring a scientific approach to professional practice and a clinical perspective to research. We also believe the scientist-practitioner model prepares today’s students to guide the future course of the profession by providing them with a strong foundation in experimental and clinical psychology; research skills to conduct scientific studies and evaluate clinical practice; clinical skills for entry into the practice of clinical psychology; flexibility in attitude and approach; and a commitment to life-long learning.
In accordance with the scientist-practitioner model, students are continuously encouraged to integrate research and practice in their professional conduct. Because our program attracts students with a variety of career aspirations in practice, teaching, and research, the scientist-practitioner model allows our students to obtain broad training while maintaining a high degree of individual focus consistent with their chosen roles in the profession. Moreover, the diversity of student career paths facilitates the integration of science and practice in the daily activities of the training program.
The clinical area’s dedication to a diverse multicultural environment is reflected at every level of the program including the recruitment and retention of students and faculty, coursework, research, mentoring, and clinical training. The faculty tries to meet, in a sensitive manner, the needs of all students, including those who bring diversity to our program through their ethnicity, language, or other characteristics.
While the doctoral program in psychology is structured with respect to course content and sequence, the specific courses and training experiences are shaped by on-going program evaluation. To promote student input in this process, students are actively involved in decision-making concerning the clinical area and have representation at clinical faculty meetings. Students are involved in recruiting and orienting incoming clinical students, evaluating candidates for positions on the clinical faculty, and providing input to the clinical faculty regarding area revisions.
The clinical psychology program at NIU first received full APA accreditation in 1972. We completed our most recent accreditation cycle in 2004, receiving full accreditation, and our next accreditation site-visit will occur in 2011. Any questions on the accreditation of the program should be addressed to the Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation of the American Psychological Association; Address: 750 First St. NE, Washington DC 20002-4242; Phone: 202-336-5979.
The goals of our training program are listed below.