Mission
The Spalding University School of Professional Psychology is a dynamic group of learners committeed to preparing students to achieve their fullest potential as individuals, scholars, and agents of change, to promote well-being in the world, individually and collectively. 

Model
The School of Professional Psychology uses the Scholar-Practitioner Model to train students as local clinical scientists (Stricker & Trierweiler, 1995). A local clinical scientist is:

"... a critical investigator who uses scientific research and methods, general scholarship, and personal and professional experience to develop plausible and communicable formulations of local phenomena. This investigator draws on scientific theory and research, general world knowledge, acute observational skills, and an open, skeptical stance toward the problem to conduct this inquiry" (p. 24-25)

The curriculum is based on a biopsychosocial approach to understanding human functioning. In addition, doctoral training is organized according to professional competencies set forth by the National Council of Schools of Professional Psychology (NCSPP). Current competencies include: Intervention, Assessment, Research and Evaluation, Relationship, Diversity, Consultation/Education, and Management/Supervision.

The faculty share the belief that the most effective approach to training in professional psychology is one of cooperation and mutual support. As such, good relationship skills, compassion and sensitivity to ethical standards are values in our program.

Program Goals and Objectives

Goal 1: To train graduate students in a sequential, cumulative, increasingly complex manner, so as to prepare them to practice as Clinical Psychologists/Health Service Psychologists who demonstrate mastery of the relevant competencies, and who can conceptualize human behavior as a Scholar-Practitioner/Local Clinical Scientist using Evidence-based practice principles and a biopsychosociocultural perspective.

• Objective 1: Students will demonstrate the requisite knowledge, skills, and attitudes across the following competency areas: Intervention; Assessment; Individual and Cultural Diversity; Research; Communication and Interpersonal Skills; Professional Values, Attitudes, and Behaviors; Supervision; Ethical and Legal Standards; and Consultation and Interprofessional/Interdisciplinary Skills.
• Objective 2: Students will demonstrate through coursework, practicum and dissertation their understanding of the integration of research and practice as reciprocal activities that each informs the other.

Goal 2: To train local clinical scientists who demonstrate the ability to understand and utilize evidence based research in a manner that best serves each individual client, taking into account each client’s contextual variables and ideographic differences; and who can also contribute to the body of research evidence.

• Objective 1: Students demonstrate sophisticated critical thinking, which includes understanding, analyzing, applying, and integrating theory and evidence-based practices to inform their individually responsive approach to unique client problems.
• Objective 2: Students demonstrate an understanding of and appreciation for individual and cultural differences in their work with clients.
• Objective 3: Students demonstrate competency in conducting independent research.

Goal 3: To train ethical clinical psychologists who demonstrate a high level of professional integrity, adherence to the law, cultural humility, and who embody professional values, attitudes and behaviors.  

• Objective 1: Students demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the APA Ethics Code and its aspirational nature to the highest levels of professional integrity, as well as an understanding of and adherence to the Kentucky laws and regulations related to Health Service Psychology and federal privacy laws.
• Objective 2:  Students demonstrate a commitment to promoting social justice in our complex, diverse society with an emphasis on underserved or minoritized populations.
• Objective 3: Students demonstrate professional values, attitudes and behaviors at all times, where relevant to their role as Clinical Psychologists in training.
• Objective 4: Students develop and utilize self-reflective practices to strive to be anti-discriminatory and culturally humble in their provision of professional services, and to ensure their own ongoing well-being.