Adler School of Professional Psychology Catalog 2008 – 2009

proposal completed and approved by their committee prior to beginning their
internship. Students entering the Psy.D. program during or following Fall 2004
must have their dissertation proposal completed and approved by their
committee prior to the last day of the summer term during the year of
application for internship.
The Internship Handbook, available on Scholar 360, provides specific
information regarding internship requirements.
Doctoral Dissertation
The Doctoral Dissertation is the culmination of the students’ academic
experience and clinical training. Students may identify an interest, conduct
preliminary work - such as reading - in the area of interest, and consult with
faculty regarding a possible topic at any time during the program and are
encouraged to do so as early as possible. Course 696 Doctoral Dissertation
Preparation Seminar is a required non-credit course in the curriculum that
provides assistance to students in understanding the dissertation process and
developing a dissertation topic. Students must successfully complete the
Community Service Capstone Paper, the Research Methods course, the
Statistics course, and course 696 before registering for the Dissertation
Proposal and formally beginning work on the dissertation. Students may select
a dissertation topic of historical, theoretical, clinical, social, or philosophical
interest that will make a contribution to the field of clinical psychology. A range
of formats may be chosen by students completing the dissertation requirement
including an empirical study examining a psychological strategy, method, or
technique; community-based research; and an intensive and extensive survey
of a topic that is more theoretical in nature. The topic and format of the
dissertation must be one that satisfies the requirements of scholarship and rigor
with the approval of their faculty chairperson.
One of the most important phases in preparation of the dissertation is
writing the dissertation proposal. Registration for Course 697, Doctoral
Dissertation Proposal (1 credit hour), is the first formal step. Students are
expected to complete a proposal to the satisfaction of their dissertation
committee and to pass an oral defense of the proposal. If the proposal is not
completed and defended during the term of registration in Course 697, students
must register for Course 695 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal—Continued in
subsequent term(s) for zero credit hours and pay the required fee. Students
have three terms (one year) from initial registration for Course 697 to complete
the dissertation proposal. Failure to produce an approved proposal within
one year will result in referral to the Student Comprehensive Evaluation
Committee. The completion of the Doctoral Dissertation Proposal is a
requirement for students prior to initiating the process of applying for
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