WALDEN UNIVERSITY

How Does Walden's Program Fit the Competencies?



How Does Walden's Program Fit the Competencies?

Introduction

Competence-based learning or competence-based education is focused on teaching skills appropriate to the professional practice. These are goals for virtually all forms of education. Competency based education now, however, usually refers to specific occupational or professional attitude focused on competencies. The education is not provided through separate subjects, but through the professional grafted commands. Walden's Ph.D. in Psychology is among one of the only distance learning course based program of its kind, as it is following a model based on scholar and practitioner competences that encourages the students in integrating scholarly research with their practical knowledge. It provides specializations in a variety of subjects ranging from Clinical Psychology to General Psychology and Social Psychology (Doctorate in Psychology, n.d.). This paper provides an analysis of the Walden clinical psychology program of study and program outcomes in terms of the professional psychology competencies.

Discussion

There are seven competencies required according to the National Council of Schools and Programs in Professional Psychology (NCSPP) competency model of training and education which is required for the entry level practice in the field of professional Psychology. These seven competencies are Diversity, Intervention, Assessment, Relationship, Education/Consultation, Management/Supervision, and Research/Evaluation. Whereas the Development Achievement Levels (DALs) basically describe the attitudes, sills, and knowledge which are required within each of the competency across the three stages of training which are, Practicum, Internship and Completion of Degree (NCSPP, 2007).

Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and their Ph.D. program combines training in research and intervention training. Students become an independent researcher on a practitioner level. This training is designed to provide direct access to the exercise of the profession of psychologist in US. It is also accredited by the American Psychological Association. This program is ...