The Clinical Psychology subprogram

The aim of this program is to prepare the students towards being clinical psychologists and/or researchers in the various fields of clinical psychology, such as, psychopathology, personality, different approaches to psychotherapy and personality assessment. The clinical training is as an integral part of the studies, which also include enrichment in the various fields of clinical psychology, in a way that gives place to both scientific innovation and the ongoing changes in culture and society.

The program emphasizes the practical training of the student by combining the theoretical study with actual treatment experience, which takes place mostly in the department's own clinic. The clinic is part of the Psychology building, and is operated by departmental staff, making this a unique feature of Bar-Ilan's clinical psychology programs.

In addition, the students are exposed to diverse populations through the practical workshops in hospitals.  

The core knowledge offered in the program's curriculum provides the student with a solid base for being a therapist who is familiar with various therapy techniques, such as dynamic therapy, family therapy, and cognitive therapy, in addition to special techniques for intervening in post traumatic situations. The study of the various therapy techniques and approaches is rooted in personality theories and psychotherapy principles. A special emphasis is given to personality assessment, objective methods among other methods, and their assimilation in the therapy process. At the advanced stages of the program, students are encouraged to combine and integrate theory, personality assessment techniques, and their practical experience.

Along with clinical training, the program seeks to provide the students with tools for systematic and scientific analysis, and also the use of empirical methods.

In short, the program's goal is that graduates will be skilled professionals with the ability and knowledge to research and work in the vast fields of personality, psychotherapy, and assessment.

Admissions procedure

After thoroughly reviewing each student's grade sheet, personal questionnaire, and recommendation letters, the subprogram's admissions committee decides whether or not to call in the candidate for an interview. The interviews are executed in one of two ways: an interview by two faculty members at the same time, or an interview with one faculty member and an additional interview with another member in case it's needed. All the data gathered on the candidate will be used to decide whether or not to accept him/her to the program.

Selection of candidates will be executed by the full forum of the subprograms' faculty members during July of every year. The candidates selection is relative to other candidates in the same year, i.e., each candidate gets a score according to his or her suitability regarding academic and personality criteria, and the candidates with the highest scores get accepted (or are placed in a waiting list), according to a pre-established quota.

Examples of curricula: