Adler School of Professional Psychology Catalog 2008 – 2009

for review. Following faculty review of the submitted materials, students
present the case orally to the faculty member who examines students on
relevant issues to assess the student on the competency areas pertinent to the
examination. The prerequisite for the Doctoral Clinical Qualifying Examination-
Assessment Competency is successful completion of the first two terms of the
doctoral assessment practicum and approval of the Exam Coordinator. Students
must successfully pass this examination in order proceed to their next
practicum.
The second clinical competency examination is the Doctoral Clinical
Qualifying Examination—Intervention Competency. Its format and intent is
similar to the previous examination with the focus being on a sample of a
therapeutic intervention conducted with a client. The student is required to
submit a written case formulation and treatment plan along with an audio
taped/videotaped therapy session; a paper integrating research with a
pertinent clinical issue posed by the case; a formulation of the case based on
Adlerian theory and methods; and a discussion of the impact of social issues on
a pertinent clinical issue. Deadlines for submission of this examination and
other details pertinent to preparation and submission of required materials are
described in the Doctoral Clinical Qualifying Examination Handbook available on
Scholar360. Students must again submit required material to the Examination
Coordinator who then assigns it to a Core Faculty member for review. Following
faculty review of the submitted materials, students present the case orally to
the faculty member who examines students on relevant issues to assess the
student on the competency areas pertinent to the examination. The
prerequisite to take this examination is the successfully completion of the
assessment practicum and Doctoral Clinical Qualifying Examination-Assessment
Competency, and successful completion of the first two terms of the student’s
intervention practicum. Students must successfully pass this examination in
order to receive approval to submit application materials to internship sites from
the Director of Training and Community Service.
The Doctoral level Clinical Qualifying Exam (CQE) is a capstone experience
that allows faculty to evaluate students’ readiness for internship and ability to
proceed in the program. In order to receive a “Fail” grade on the CQE, students
must demonstrate significant problems in several areas of knowledge, skills,
and/or values as measured by this exam. Students who receive a “Fail” grade
on this capstone task will need comprehensive guidance and direction in
preparing to re-take the exam in the future. Failure of the CQE requires a
review of a student’s academic and clinical readiness for internship and
preparedness to proceed in the program. As a part of this process, students
who fail the CQE will be referred to the Training Committee. The Training
Committee will review the student’s academic and training file, consult with the
student’s advisor, meet with the student, and determine a comprehensive
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