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Frequently Asked
Questions
Why should I take the training if
my state doesn't have prescriptive authority for psychologists? When is prescriptive authority likely to happen in my state? What is unique about the FDU program? I'm not much of a computer whiz. How much computer knowledge do I need? One of the most important ingredients in my graduate training was the support of other students. Will I lose that in an online program? Does the program offer training in psychopharmacology for children, adolescents, and the elderly? How about people of color? There are some differences between the APA Level 3 model curriculum and the FDU curriculum. Why is that? What is the total cost of the program? Please don't leave out anything. How long does it take to finish the program? How many hours a week is involved? If you have other questions, please feel free to contact the Academic Director, Robert McGrath, at mcgrath@fdu.edu. Why should I take the training if my state doesn't have prescriptive authority for psychologists? There are several reasons why training would be worthwhile. First, no state will ever get prescriptive authority unless there are enough psychologists in the state who have the proper training to justify such a change in scope. Second, many of our students have no desire ever to prescribe; the increased knowledge of drug effects, drug-drug interactions, and medical conditions and drug side effects that can mimic mental disorders more than justifies the training. Third, you may find many of your patients are receiving psychotropic medication from a professional with limited knowledge of those medications. The training greatly enhances your capacity to collaborate with that professional in your patient's best interests. Back to Top When is prescriptive authority likely to happen in my state? No one can answer that question for sure, and it depends a great deal on the efforts of your state association, so we strongly encourage you to contact the leadership of your association with this question. We do know that once one state awarded optometrists prescriptive authority, it took about 10 years for the rest of the states to do the same. Back to Top What is unique about the FDU program? The FDU program differs in two ways from other programs based on the APA Level 3 training curriculum. First, it is the only university-based program available for Level 3 training that was developed specifically as a distance model. It also one of only a few programs offering a graduate degree upon completion. The use of a distance format allows you to fit the program to meet your schedule. Except for a one-hour chat each week, you schedule your activities at your convenience. Unlike executive programs, which require giving up a full weekend every 3-4 weeks, the entire FDU coursework can be completed from your home or office except for five weekend meetings. Second, the program is unusual in the degree to which both clinical and didactic instruction are emphasized. In addition to the course instructor, who is generally a nationally recognized researcher in his or her field, each student is assigned to a facilitator, who is a practicing clinician involved in prescriptive practice. In most cases the facilitators have been nurse practitioners, although some have been physicians. The role of the facilitator is to reinforce learning the material through its application to clinical and case material. Back to Top I'm not much of a computer whiz. How much computer knowledge do I need? Very little. If you can access the web and can open e-mail attachments, you have most of the skills needed to participate. If you are nervous about your computer skills, we will help you through the process. Many of our students do just fine with limited knowledge of computers. Back to Top One of the most important ingredients in my graduate training was the support of other students. Will I lose that in an online program? We have built several elements into this program that contribute to the development of a sense of collegiality. The one weekly scheduled activity is a chat session. We also have a variety of lively discussion boards. For example, one discussion board is available just to ask for input from fellow students on treatment problems you are facing, whether the issues are pharmacological, psychological, or ethical. In fact, the constant availability of the discussion boards means there can be more constant contact among students in the FDU program than in many other programs. Finally, there are three weekend regional group meetings per year. Participants develop surprisingly strong bonds through these connections. Feedback from current students consistently identifies the strength of those bonds as one of the positive aspects of the program. Back to Top Does the program offer training in psychopharmacology for children, adolescents, and the elderly? How about people of color? Yes, there are four courses devoted to the treatment of specific classes of disorders: affective disorders, psychotic disorders, anxiety disorders, and other disorders. In each of the first three there is a module on "special populations," which addresses developmental issues as well as issues of cultural and ethnic diversity. The Other Disorders course includes modules specific to childhood and geriatric disorders. In addition, you can incorporate issues surrounding the treatment of these patients into your clinical training. Your case presentations to the facilitator can focus on whatever population you choose, and your clinical practicum can be in whatever setting is most appropriate to your practice. Back to Top There are some differences between the APA Level 3 model curriculum and the FDU curriculum. Why is that? The FDU program was designed in consultation with Anita Brown, Ph.D., a graduate of the Department of Defense Psychopharmacology Demonstration Project. The structure of our program was strongly influenced by that program as well as the APA model curriculum. This is reflected in the strong clinical emphasis of the program, and the focus on in-depth study of specific classes of disorders. In addition, the program actually exceeds the APA requirements in several ways, and is one of only several programs that currently meets the more stringent requirements outlined in the New Mexico legislation. The following chart summarizes the number of hours listed in the recommended model, and the estimated number of hours devoted to each topic in our program. As you can see, in all areas the FDU program meets or exceeds APA recommendations:
There are certain aspects of the APA model curriculum which are not incorporated into the FDU program. These are components of the model curriculum that are currently impractical. Specifically, the APA model curriculum calls for a broad spectrum of terminal degrees among program faculty, completion of certain prerequisites before entry into the program (which are incorporated into the additional credit hours required by the FDU program), and practicum placement in both inpatient and outpatient settings. To our knowledge, no program in the country has so far been able to meet these criteria. We will comply with these requirements as they become more feasible. What is the total cost of the program? Please don't leave out anything. The tuition for each of 10 courses is $1400 per course, with a $100 per course reduction in tuition for members of state psychological associations, or APA Divisions 18 or 55. Each course is awarded 48 CE credits plus 3 graduate academic credits. There are additional expenses for texts and some medical equipment (a sphygmomanometer and stethoscope). You may have expenses associated with travel to the Regional Interaction Sessions, which you are required to attend one weekend every four months. Before you can complete the master's degree, you must take and pass the APA College of Professional Psychology Psychopharmacology Examination for Psychologists, or PEP Exam. In the future, this is likely to be a requirement for licensure as a prescribing psychologist in most states. The APA College of Professional Psychology sets the fee for the PEP Exam. The practicum costs $340 per semester (3 times per year) for bookkeeping. Finally, you may have to make private financial arrangements with a preceptor (supervisor) if you choose to participate in the practicum. While tuition is slightly higher than in other programs that use an executive model of weekend meetings, when the cost of travel and lodging for those meetings is considered, total costs tend to be comparable. Also, the use of both didactic course instructors and clinical group facilitators is a factor. Back to Top How long does it take to finish the program? The course work requires 20 months, followed by completion of the PEP Exam at your convenience. The practicum, which is elective, requires contact with a minimum of 100 patients. How long that takes to complete will depend on your personal circumstances. Back to Top How many hours a week is involved? The course work is based on the assumption that you will spend about 6-10 hours a week on the program. This includes readings, watching videos, chats, exams, and other assignments. Time demands tend to be heavier during the first two semesters, which involve a heavy dose of biology and basic neuroscience. Back to Top |
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