Training

An integral part of the mission of the RCLD at Georgia State is to provide training opportunities for pre-professionals and professionals in state-of-the-art evaluation and services for students with learning differences. Our primary emphasis is on research-based training to build the capacity of professionals and enhance the field of postsecondary education and disability. We achieve this through graduate student clinical training placements, professional training seminars, and individual consultation.

Graduate Clinical Training Opportunities

Three primary types of training positions are available at the RCLD at Georgia State:

  • Practicum placements are unpaid part-time (approximately 15 hours per week)
  • Graduate assistantships are paid part-time (usually 10-12 hours per week)
  • Postdoctoral fellowships are paid half-time (20 hours per week).

Training opportunities are offered when resources permit. Please contact the RCLD at Georgia State for information on current openings. Supervision by a licensed psychologist is provided to all trainees.

Beginning practicum students spend two semesters in the RCLD at Georgia State and provide assessments to four clients over the course of that time.  Practicum requires approximately 12-15 hours per week, and includes didactic instruction, administration of cognitive and achievement testing, administration of cognitive processing testing (e.g. memory, executive functioning, language) scoring and interpretation of measures, participation in diagnostic meetings and report writing.

Advanced practicum students spend two semesters at the RCLD at Georgia State and provide assessments for two clients and serve as assessment supervisors for their more junior colleagues. All advanced practicum students must have completed both their Beginning Assessment Practicum and a Clinical Supervision course before participating in the Advanced Practicum.  This practicum requires approximately 10-15 hours per week and includes didactic instruction, administration of cognitive and achievement testing, administration of cognitive processing testing (e.g. memory, executive functioning, language), scoring and interpretation of measures, participation in diagnostic meetings, report writing, one-to-one supervision of supervision, and weekly supervision meetings with their supervisee.

Individual and group supervision is provided to both the beginning and advanced practicum students by a licensed psychologist, as well as and advanced practicum student if available.

Practicum students are typically affiliated with the Clinical Psychology Department at Georgia State University; however, students from other departments are accepted when openings are available on a case by case basis. Student evaluations are submitted to the appropriate departmental training director for each semester of enrollment.

General objectives include:

  1. Developing competency in administration, scoring, and interpretation of cognitive, achievement, cognitive processing and social-emotional measures
  2. Developing interviewing skills
  3. Learning report-writing skills and gain experience using the RCLD at Georgia State model
  4. Gaining experience working on an evaluation team
  5. Developing case conceptualization, data integration, and diagnostic decision making processes
  6. Understanding characteristics of different learning disorders
  7. Developing knowledge of appropriate accommodations for different disabilities
  8. Understanding different criteria for identifying learning disorders,ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Communication Disorders, and mood and anxiety related disorders
  9. Gaining practical experience working with a variety of clients
  10. Developing basic knowledge of assistive technologies available to individuals
Graduate assistants have experience working in the RCLD at Georgia State and wish to continue expanding their assessment expertise while providing services to the clinic.

General objectives include:

  • Expanding competency in administration, scoring, and interpretation of cognitive, achievement, and social-emotional measures
  • Honing interviewing skills
  • Refining report-writing skills and gain experience using the RCLD at Georgia State model
  • Gaining experience working on an evaluation team
  • Further developing case conceptualization, data integration, and diagnostic decision making processes
  • Developing deeper understanding of characteristics of different learning disorders
  • Expanding knowledge of appropriate accommodations for different disabilities
  • Gaining additional practical experience working with a variety of clients
  • Expanding knowledge of assistive technologies available to individuals
  • Developing case-management skills, including providing feedback to clients and their families
  • Developing team leadership and administrative skills
Postdoctoral fellowships are structured to meet guidelines for the Supervised Work Experience required for licensure by the State Board of Examiners of Georgia Psychologists and are designed for newly degreed psychologists who desire highly specialized training in assessment.

General objectives include:

  • Developing competency in administration, scoring, and interpretation of cognitive, achievement, and social-emotional measures
  • Developing diagnostic interviewing skills
  • Refining report-writing skills and gain experience using the RCLD at Georgia State model
  • Gaining experience leading an evaluation team
  • Developing case conceptualization, data integration, and diagnostic decision making processes
  • Understanding characteristics of different learning disorders
  • Developing knowledge of appropriate accommodations for different disabilities
  • Understanding different criteria for identifying learning disorders and ADHD
  • Gaining additional practical experience working with a variety of clients.
  • Developing basic knowledge of assistive technologies available to individuals
  • Gaining experience training and supervising graduate students
  • Learning to review and edit reports written by others
  • Developing case-management skills, including providing feedback to clients and their families
  • Developing team leadership and administrative skills
  • Preparing for independent practice
  • Participating in other professional activities (e.g., research, teaching, presentations)