Department of Psychology
Graduate and Professional Programs
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine - Department of Psychology - Overview
Students Learn to Treat "the Whole Person" at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has a rich history that dates back to the late nineteenth century when Dr. Andrew Still founded the first school of osteopathic medicine with a philosophy that took a "whole person" approach to medicine. Today there are only 25 schools in the entire country that teach osteopathic medicine, and PCOM is a unique institution in Pennsylvania. By focusing on preventive health care, and by treating the entire person rather than just the symptoms, osteopathic doctors help patients, not just their bodies.
Students of osteopathic medicine receive extra training in manipulating the musculoskeletal system, giving them a better understanding of how an injury or illness in one part of the body can affect another. Just as the parts of the body are connected to one another, PCOM fosters interpersonal connections among member of the student community. All of this is done in a multi-accredited environment conducive to academic achievement.
All of the college's academic programs are rooted in the osteopathic philosophy that innate connections exist among mind, body, and spirit. There is a great sense of community at PCOM, and students find an enthusiastic, accessible faculty where teaching comes first. They also encounter a bright, eager, and diverse student body with a strong dedication to serving others.
Students at PCOM Enjoy Philadelphia, from Its Cultural Events to the Various, Thriving Social Scenes
PCOM students know that there is more to life than simply spending their time studying. Most students are involved in a variety of on-campus organizations. PCOM offers a number of student clubs, many of which are actively involved with community service. Students can join a number of national medical organizations, and they frequently provide health services at fairs and by volunteering in the community. Students also join research clubs, professional organizations, and even general-interest groups like the choir.
Athletics are very popular at PCOM, with most of the athletic activities on campus focusing around the Activities Center, which offers a fitness studio, weight room, racquetball courts, NBA-size basketball court, and more. Students can join organized sports teams to compete in everything from rugby to deck hockey, while less-competitive students can enjoy intramural sports like table tennis and Ultimate Frisbee. The Activity Center also offers numerous recreational activities and events, giving students a hub on campus where they can get to know other members of the community.
With the school located right in Philadelphia, there are many exciting opportunities available to students at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Whether they take advantage of cultural destinations, like galleries and museums, or simply enjoy the shopping and food in Philadelphia's various thriving social scenes, students are rarely far from the best that Philadelphia has to offer. Whether students choose to live in apartments or houses in Center City or its nearby suburbs, plentiful housing exists that is either within walking distance of campus or close to public transportation.
PCOM's Psychology Program Has an Osteopathic Focus and Is Based on the Best Practices of the Practitioner-Scholar Model
The Department of Psychology at PCOM features experienced men and women who are devoted to fostering the personal and professional growth of their students. Faculty members in the department have been trained and mentored by some of the most foremost authorities in cognitive-behavioral therapy, including Aaron Beck, Albert Ellis, Joseph Wolpe, Arthur Freemen, and Arnold Lazarus.
Students in the psychology department are trained in the practitioner-scholar model and learn how to apply best practices and empirical approaches in many settings. The combination of the cognitive-behavioral theoretical orientation with empirically supported approaches ensures that PCOM psychology students have numerous methods by which to deliver clinical services.
Student progress is the focus of the psychology department, so the curriculum is focused on assuring student competency through extensive outcome assessment tests. The state of the art "smart classrooms" and patient training programs allow the tracking of clinical skills development, ensuring that all students finish the program with the tools necessary for success.
PCOM Offers Numerous Psychology Degrees with a Broad Array of Concentrations and Specialties
Students at PCOM can receive a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree in clinical psychology, which is accredited by the American Psychological Association, or school psychology, which is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists and is listed as a Designated Program by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). PCOM also offers an educational specialist (Ed.S.) degree in school psychology, in which graduates meet the requirements for certification as a school psychologist in Pennsylvania and other states and are eligible to apply for National School Psychologist Certification. Students who prefer to earn a Master of Science may major in school psychology, counseling and clinical health psychology, or organizational development and leadership.
Current PCOM Psy.D. students who wish to render ethical comprehensive services in medical settings and to medical patients may work toward Post-Doctoral Certificates in clinical health psychology and in clinical neuropsychology. Students who have completed a master's degree may also receive a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies by taking graduate-level psychology and counseling courses to meet credentialing requirements or simply to augment their training.
Internships at a Variety of Hospitals Give PCOM Students Hands-On Experience in Intensive, Supervised Settings
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine gives students the hands-on experience they need through partnerships with a 5-hospital consortium. The consortium enables students to practice their skills in environments that combine the benefits of real-world experience with academic supervision. The internship program provides the clinical psychology doctoral student with an intensive, supervised work experience to develop, practice, and integrate new clinical skills. The 2,000-hour internship is the culmination of the doctoral experience, the student's last practical-training step before becoming a professional psychologist.