Graduate School of Psychology
Graduate School of Psychology: Integrating Science, Theory, and Application
GSoP students gain a rigorous grounding in psychological science and theory and are guided in its application to clinical activities, consultation, and research.
Degree Programs Offered
- Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PsyD). This is a 5-year (114 credit hour) APA-accredited PsyD program that is designed to develop students’ clinical skills through the integration of practice and research. Students are trained to be competent in research and scholarship and appreciative of human diversity through serving the underserved. Students are prepared for careers as a licensed doctoral-level clinical psychologists in settings such as medical centers, universities, prisons, or community counseling centers.
- Master of Science in Counseling Psychology (MFT) This is a 2-year (60 credit hour) counseling psychology (MFT) program that prepares graduates for careers as licensed marriage and family therapists or entry into doctoral MFT, clinical, or counseling programs. A 3-year part-time option is also available. The program focuses on teaching students a relational and systemic model for providing counseling services.
- Master of Science in Clinical Psychology. Master of Science in Clinical Psychology. This is a 2-year (37 to 40 credit hour) program that employs a scientist-practitioner model and emphasizes the development of skills in research and statistics and specialized clinical training. Most students complete this program as a way of preparing themselves for entry into a doctoral program. Graduates may be involved in activities as diverse as measuring the efficacy of clinical programs, developing new methods of assessment, or providing consultation to organizations.
GSoP Community Counseling Services
A key component of the graduate school of psychology is CLU Community Counseling Services. Through clinics located in Oxnard and Westlake Village, GSoP students provide low fee bilingual counseling services to adults, children, adolescents, couples, and families in our community. Student practicum experiences are fully integrated with the academic degree programs and all clinical activities are supervised by licensed clinical supervisors.
GSoP Mission
Our mission is to provide graduate students in clinical and counseling psychology with a high-quality, relevant, educational experience that integrates theoretical and applied learning. Class sizes are small which allows for personalized attention in a well supervised, hands-on learning environment. All programs emphasize collaboration between students, staff, and faculty to promote integrity, ethics, innovation, professional development, diversity, equity, and inclusion. We serve the community, diverse populations, and the underserved in Ventura and Western Los Angeles counties through clinical services, outreach, community partnerships, and research.
GSoP Vision
We aspire to be a national leader in mental health educational programs. We are committed to providing quality academic programs and clinical services developing additional clinical, research, and educational partnerships; fostering leadership, innovation, professional success, diversity, equity, and inclusion of students, staff, and faculty; increasing Graduate School of Psychology visibility and reputation regionally and nationally; and improving through the mechanisms of accreditation, program review, and stakeholder consultation.
Accreditation
The PsyD program is accredited by the American Psychological Association.
Faculty
Dean
Rick Holigrocki, PhD
Director, PsyD Program in Clinical Psychology
Rachel Casas, PhD
Director, Master of Science in Clinical Psychology
Jamie D. Bedics, PhD, ABPP
Director of Counseling Psychology
Bethany Simmons, Ph.D.
Professor
Rick Holigrocki, PhD
Associate professors
Jamie Banker, PhD, LMFT, AAMFT Approved Supervisor
Jamie D. Bedics, PhD ABPP
Rachel Casas, PhD
Ryan N. Sharma, PsyD, ABPP
Jennifer M. Twyford, PhD
Assistant professors
Melissa Donovick, PhD
Emma Hooper, PhD
Sunyoung Park, PhD
Bethany Simmons, PhD, LMFT-S, LPC, AAMFT Approved Supervisor
Professor emeritus
Mindy R. Puopolo, PsyD
Previous Distinguished Educator in Residence
Morris N. Eagle, PhD