Become Well Versed in Life-Enhancing Psychological Assessment and Diagnosis
Our Advanced Psychological Assessment Specialization program prepares you for life-changing contributions to patient health and wellness through additional study in psychological assessment tools, techniques, and methodologies, accurate diagnosis of psychological conditions and disorders, and effective treatments and interventions based on findings and research. You will be prepared to contribute to the development of evidence-based practices, across a wide range of professional contexts, including clinical, school, and forensic settings. Within the Advanced Psychological Assessment Specialization curriculum, you will learn child, adolescent, and adult psychological assessment skills, cognitive measures, personality measures, test interpretation, how to write integrative psychological testing reports, and integrate ethical/cultural considerations in psychological assessment.
Saybrook University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), but the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology: Advanced Psychological Assessment Specialization does not have programmatic accreditation by the American Psychological Association (APA). This hybrid online Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program may not meet year-in-residence requirements of some state professional licensing boards or agencies. To be eligible, graduates should consult their individual state licensing boards for any additional state-specific requirements.
Saybrook University’s Clinical Psychology Ph.D. aligns with program requirements for professional licensure in several states. You will find more information on licensure on the professional licensure and certification disclosures page.
Our Mission
The Department of Humanistic Clinical Psychology cultivates innovative, multidisciplinary, socially and community engaged scholar-practitioners through rigorous education and training that values the whole person within their unique context, including the creative, spiritual, psychological, and sociocultural dimensions of human beings.
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology: Advanced Psychological Assessment Specialization Job Outcomes
The Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program is intended to prepare graduates for clinical practice. Students in the Clinical Psychology Program have the opportunity to enhance their future clinical practice with the Advanced Psychological Assessment Specialization. If you are interested in becoming a licensed psychologist or entering into private practice, you will need to verify the licensure requirements of your state. You may also view notes on licensure here.
Additionally, you may also explore a variety of roles at health care facilities and beyond, including:
- Clinical directors
- Research scientists
- Health care administrators
- Educational consultants
- Nonprofit directors
- University professors
Other Clinical Psychology Programs
Interested in another specialization in clinical psychology? We offer multiple doctoral programs that may align more closely with your goals.
- Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
- Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology: Applied Psychophysiology Specialization
- Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology: Complex Trauma and the Healing Process Specialization
- Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology: Consciousness, Spirituality, and Integrative Health Specialization
- Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology: Creativity, Innovation, and Leadership Specialization
- Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology: Existential and Humanistic Psychology Specialization
- Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology: Jungian Studies Specialization
*Credits required vary based on starting with a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Program Components
Admissions Requirements
Admission to the Advanced Psychological Assessment Specialization is contingent upon having been admitted to the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology as this specialization is for current clinical psychology students.
Requirements for the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program
Persons applying to the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program may apply with a completed B.A., B.S., M.A., or M.S. from an accredited college or university. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in psychology or a related discipline is recommended; however, non-psychology majors will be considered for admission. Applicants for the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology: Advanced Psychological Assessment Specialization degree must submit the following documents:
- An official transcript from an accredited university demonstrating successful completion of a bachelor’s degree, with a 3.0 GPA or better
- Resume or CV
- Personal statement
- One letter of recommendation from a professional reference
Sample Courses
Advanced Cognitive Assessment
This three-credit course will more rigorously examine cognitive assessment measures in both children and adults. You will have an opportunity to refine your skills on child and adult IQ measures, learn about academic and achievement testing in children and adolescents, developmental screening measures, and be introduced to other brief cognitive screening measures for both children and adults.
Advanced Personality Assessment
This three-credit course will more rigorously examine personality assessment measures in both children and adults. You will have an opportunity to refine your skills on child and adult personality measures, brief rating scales and screeners for children and adults, and preliminary training on adult projective measures. Symptom validity analysis will also be explored.
Integrated Advanced Assessment I
This final year of assessment training will support you in refining your cognitive and personality assessment skills based on your identified areas of clinical interest and the opportunities provided to you through your training site. There will be continued training and teaching on cognitive and personality assessment measures and continued discussion regarding ethical and cultural considerations in assessment. You will be expected to administer up to two test batteries each semester through your training site and will complete a case presentation each semester and obtain feedback on case presentations and consultation at training sites.
Cost
Saybrook wants you to have the information you need to make an informed decision about your academic and career aspirations. Our cost calculator provides an estimated cost of attending Saybrook to earn your Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology: Advanced Assessment Specialization degree.
Catalog
Please refer to our academic catalog for more information on the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology: Advanced Assessment Specialization program.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Advanced Psychological Assessment Specialization, students will be able to:
- Apply deepened assessment skills across age groups
- Demonstrate deepened expertise in the selection, administration, and interpretation of empirically supported and evidence-based assessment tools with children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. Students will integrate practical clinical reasoning with humanistic values to ensure person-centered, developmentally appropriate assessment practices.
- Apply ethical standards to assessment practices
- Clearly articulate and apply ethical guidelines relevant to psychological assessment, including appropriate test selection, informed consent, test security, confidentiality, and the responsible communication of results. Students will understand and respond to ethical dilemmas that arise in diverse assessment contexts, ensuring professional integrity across populations.
- Integrate cultural and contextual factors into assessment
- Demonstrate a nuanced understanding of how culture, identity, and contextual factors impact the assessment process and its interpretation. Students will critically evaluate test fairness, appropriateness, and potential cultural bias, and will adapt assessment strategies to promote inclusivity and equity in practice.
- Write comprehensive and culturally responsive assessment reports
- Produce integrated psychological reports that synthesize data from multiple sources and modalities. Reports will be clear, clinically useful, and tailored to diverse audiences (e.g., clients, families, schools, healthcare providers). Students will develop skill in framing recommendations and interpretations in ways that are culturally sensitive and grounded in both ethical and scientific principles.
Career Outcomes
Saybrook University prepares you to make an impact in a variety of high-demand careers. Below, you will find possible career options and salaries associated with this degree.
Data is pulled by a third-party tool called Lightcast, which includes data from sources including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau, online job postings, and other government databases. The information below represents a regional and national career outlook related to this degree program*. Saybrook University is dedicated to assisting you in achieving your career goals.
*Many degree programs are intended to fulfill licensure requirements in specific states. The data shown here may not represent the state where you currently reside. For more information on how this program is applicable to the requirements of your state, please speak with your admissions specialist.
Invest in Your Future
Saybrook University remains committed to keeping higher education affordable and accessible. Our Financial Aid Department is ready to offer guidance and support in determining suitable financial assistance tailored to your needs, including potential scholarship opportunities, grants, and more.
- Former President, the Association of Black Psychologists, Inc.
- Co-Founder, Therapist-in-Residency Program
- Member, American Psychological Association Council of Representatives; Division 32 Society for Humanistic Psychology Board, and California Psychological Association
- Recipient, President’s Excellence in Teaching Award
UNBOUND: Humanistic Clinical Psychology
Designed for those who wish to utilize a variety of evidence-based psychological interventions and approaches in clinical settings.
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