The purpose of the psychological assessment coursework is to provide a framework for doctoral students in the licensure specializations (Clinical, Counseling, School) to develop their assessment knowledge and skills repertoire. Based on a developmental progression, students gain the following:

• An understanding of the assessment process and related legal, ethical, and diversity issues.
• An understanding of principles of tests and measurement.
• A set of basic skills in the administration, scoring, and interpretation of assessment measures across domains.
• The ability to write an interpretive summary of assessment data.

At the advanced level, doctoral students further develop their psychological assessment repertoire in the areas of testing, interpretation, data-based diagnoses and recommendations for intervention, and data-based psychological report writing.

Basic-level courses include the following:
PSYC 6315  Tests and Measurement
PSYC 6341  Psychological Assessment: Cognitive
PSYC 6351  Psychological Assessment: Personality and Social-Emotional

Advanced-level courses include the following:
PSYC 8361  Advanced Psychological Testing

See Course Descriptions for more information on each course and prerequisites.

Basic-level testing coursework may be waived (a) with equivalent coursework, with a grade of B or better, taken within 3 years of admission, or (b) with current supervised professional practice in psychological assessment and prior coursework with a grade of B or better in cognitive and personality/social-emotional assessment. Students who are working as school psychologists or employed in positions that have psychological assessment as a major component and are considering the second waiver option must submit supporting documentation to the coordinator of skill development on an individual basis. Supporting documentation must contain at a minimum the following:

• Copies of transcripts documenting comparable assessment coursework.
• Samples of current comprehensive psychological evaluations with all identifiable information removed.
• Letter from supervisor documenting current level of assessment skills and verification of employment.

Please note that this option is not available to individuals with only “on-the-job” assessment experience and no supporting coursework.