Neuropsychology
An elective certificate program is offered to PhD students at the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology (PGSP) and to other appropriately credentialed psychologists who wish to develop a proficiency in neuropsychological assessment. According to guidelines adopted by the Division of Clinical Neuropsychology (Division 40) of the American Psychological Association (APA), the basic education and training of a clinical neuropsychologist involves:
- Successful completion of a doctoral level degree in psychology from a regionally accredited program
- Successful completion of systematic didactic education (course work in neuropsychology and neuroscience)
- Supervised experiential training (practica, internships) in clinical neuropsychology
- Two or more years of supervised training (usually post-doctoral) applying neuropsychological services in a clinical setting
The courses offered in the Certificate Program in Neuropsychological Assessment and the courses required as prerequisites to the Certificate Program in Neuropsychological Assessment fulfill the didactic education criteria listed above as approved by Division 40. However, successful completion of the Certificate Program in Neuropsychological Assessment at PGSP is only one component in the education and supervised clinical training necessary to become a clinical neuropsychologist.
The required graduate-level courses in this area include the following prerequisites and specialized courses in neuropsychology:
Prerequisites. The following prerequisite course work at PGSP (or equivalent course work from another institution) must be completed with an average passing grade of at least a "B+", and no grade in any course below a "B".
| Num | Course | Units |
| • E212A | Psychopathology & Psychodiagnosis I | 3 |
| • E212B | Psychopathology & Psychodiagnosis II | 3 |
| • E261 | Adult Cognitive Assessment | 3 |
| • E262 | Objective Personality Inventories | 2 |
| • E263 | Projective Techniques | 3 |
| • E264 | Integrated Test Batteries | 3 |
| • T302B | Psychological Science II: Bio Bases of Behavior I: Neuropsychology | 2.5 |
Courses Requirements for the Certificate Program in Neuropsychological Assessment. The following courses encompass the program, and must be taken in the order listed. That is, T306 must be taken before E301, and all of the "E" courses must be taken in numerical sequence.
| Num | Courses | Units |
| • T306 | Clinical Neurology | 3 |
| • E301 | Introduction to Neuropsychological Assessment: Process Approach | 3 |
| • E302 | Advanced Neuropsychological Assessment I: Halstead-Reitan | 3 |
| • E303 | Adv. Neuropsychological Assessment II: Benton & Brief Batteries | 3 |
| • E304 | Differential Diagnosis in Neuropsychology | 3 |
| TOTAL | 15 |
Early Admission to the Certificate Program. Students who meet the following requirements will be granted early admission to the Certificate Program:
- Acceptance into PGSP's Ph.D. Program in Clinical Psychology
- Undergraduate (and if applicable, graduate) GPA of 3.5 or better
- Score of 1200 or better on the combined Verbal and Quantitative sections of the GRE
- Personal Statement of Interest and Summary of Previous Education, Training and Experience related to brain-behavior relations.
PGSP students who plan to complete the Certificate Program in Neuropsychological Assessment need to plan their schedules carefully in order to be positioned to take the complete sequence during their time on campus; two summers of study are typically required. A complete offering of this sequence begins at least once a year, and more often as demand and scheduling require.
Once admitted to the program, students must complete the full sequence of courses to obtain a Certificate of Proficiency in Neuropsychological Assessment.
Appropriately credentialed psychologists who are not matriculated PGSP students may apply to enroll in the Certificate Program in Neuropsychological Assessment. Such applicants, who would enroll as non-matriculated students, need to provide evidence of satisfactory completion of the prerequisite course work with their application to enter the certificate program. Such credentialed psychologists seeking enrollment in the Certificate Program in Neuropsychological Assessment should send to:
Amy M. Wisniewski, PhD
PGSP
405 Broadway
Redwood City, CA 94063
the following items: a current Curriculum Vitae, official transcripts from one's graduate school/university, and the names and phone numbers of three professional references.
Practicum Requirement.
Students are required to administer neuropsychological tests to approximately two subjects per quarter, for each of the "E" courses, for a total of six individuals during the four "E" courses. It is often difficult for students to locate subjects on short notice if they attempt to do so on a quarter-by-quarter basis. Therefore, before registering for E301, students need to set up a placement site (or more than one site) where they can test subjects. If the subjects are volunteers, no clinical supervisor will be needed since no report will be issued to a clinical agency or subject volunteer. If the subjects are actual clinical cases at an agency, then the student must arrange for supervision/co-signing of clinical assessment reports by a licensed psychologist at that agency, as the course instructor cannot co-sign reports.
Contact Amy M. Wisniewski, PhD, Director of the Certificate Program in Neuropsychological Assessment at (650) 843-3525 or awisniewski@pgsp.edu for further information.