Adler University announced Nov. 15 that its Vancouver Campus’ Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology program received a 10-year reconsent authorization by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training, which provides leadership and direction for post-secondary education and skills training systems in British Columbia.
The decade-long reauthorization — which is twice as long as typically granted — underscores the quality of the University’s Psy.D. program, according to program director Manal Guirguis-Younger, Ph.D. It also offers staff, faculty, and students a long runway to operate and evolve without further evaluation by the Ministry.
“It basically says that this program is so well-structured; that the curriculum, learning environment, and pedagogical goals are so solid that they don’t need to come back to check on it in another five years,” Dr. Guirguis-Younger said. “It’s a statement of confidence in our program.”
The Psy.D. program, which began in 2013, prepares students to be professional clinicians who empower individuals and address acute and chronic social justice issues that plague society. Graduates are prepared to work with diverse populations, including youth, adults, seniors, and the severely and chronically mentally ill. There are currently 65 students in the program, which is structured as a five-year, 107-credit hour program.
Of the program’s 38 graduates, as of fall 2022, many serve as clinicians in a variety of settings, such as private practice, academia, clinics and outpatient care centres, government agencies, substance use and drug treatment centres, and hospitals.
To receive approval and authorization, the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training takes a comprehensive look at the program structure, curriculum, content, program resources, and learning infrastructure. Ministry officials also meet with students and faculty, and examine faculty qualifications and the program’s clinical training component. The application process requires the submission of a self-study and an external evaluation based on the self-study.
“We get a chance to look at where we are currently, where we want to go from here, and take a good look at how we want to evolve and grow,” Dr. Guirguis-Younger said. “I think there’s still a lot of room for expansion, given the high need for psychologists in British Columbia and the nation.”
Original source can be found here.
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