Question about criteria to use in selecting a Clinical Neuropsychology program.

[AthenaQ]

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Sorry if this is questions seems like evidence of my laziness; I have tried to collect the information on my own, yet I am wondering if I may be missing the big picture.

I am interested in Clinical Neuropsychology. I have found two sources that list these types of programs: The APA's Graduate Study in Psychology book, and the APA's Division 40 section of their website. For example, in another post, I noticed that a poster listed the following programs as worthwhile, yet I have not seen them mentioned in either of the two sources above.

University of Virginia
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Duke University
Northwestern University
Penn
University of Miami
Drexel University

Question being, is there any other source of information out there about Clinical Neuropsychology programs in general? I read on another thread that some programs were "frowned down upon," what is the reasoning behind this attitude toward the programs in question? I know that the APA has a list of criterion established the Houston Policy Statement, and there are also certification processes a school can elect to go through (APA, ABPP-ABCN). However, are there any other specific criteria I should seek out and/or avoid?

Also, does anyone have an opinion of the University of Alabama at Birmingham's Medical/Clinical psychology program? I've noticed that they get relatively few applicants; does this speak to the quality of their program, or to the fact that they do not offer as much financial assistance as other programs?

http://www.psy.uab.edu/medpsych.htm

Thank you in advance for any sort of information you might provide. 🙂

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[erg923]

There is no single criteria. You need a program that offers the opportunities to meet the Houston Conference guidelines. That is, you need didactics in behavioral neurology and neuroscience (and the faculty that can actually teach these classes competently). and you need quality neuropsych practicums to be available. Its also best if the school has a academic medical center/medical school or at least a good working realtionship with one, so you can get good practicums from real neuropsychologists and have the opportunity to attend rounds in neurology or even take a neuroscience class at the med school.

Neuropsychologists have come from a variety of programs, but, it is a good idea to know whether they have as track record of producing them and the programs success rate of having their alumni securing post-docs in neuro. I think some program that have been "frowned upon" are some professional schools who have all the sudden developed neuropsych concentrations, without the faculty (or maybe one) or practicum resources to back this up. The students come put poorly trained, especially on the neuroscience part and often have a rude awakening at how competitive this subfield is in term of securing internships.

 

[psy86]

...I am wondering if I may be missing the big picture... I read on another thread that some programs were "frowned down upon," what is the reasoning behind this attitude toward the programs in question?

Many neuropsych post-graduate training sites (internships, postdocs) prefer to see people coming out of a clinical psychology program, preferably a Ph.D. program, as opposed to a neuropsychology Ph.D. program. The basic rationale is that having a strong foundation in fundamental clinical skills is an important element of neuropsychology practice that is best acquired through the clinical training available in a clinical psych program.

You probably want to be looking for clinical psych programs with strong neuropsychology research and practicum opportunities, as opposed to neuropsych programs. Hope that helps.

 

[AthenaQ]

Yes, thank you both. 🙂

I just wanted to ensure that I wasn't getting myself too wrapped up in details, and overlooking what was really important.