ICSW’s Doctoral Specializations
ICSW’s students frequently seek advanced training in specified areas of clinical social work. With this in mind, we offer students the opportunity to specialize in one of three areas: school social work, psychodynamic psychotherapy, child & adolescent social work.
School Social Work Schedule
The School Social Work Schedule allows school social workers to complement ICSW’s core doctoral program (offered on alternate Saturdays during the academic year) with summer courses designed specifically for professionals focused on school settings. Most students who elect to pursue this schedule also enroll in the Child & Adolescent Specialization, which provides courses that examine our work with children, adolescents, and their families.
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Concentration
The Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Concentration is designed for doctoral students who have an interest in advancing their expertise in this area. The psychodynamic focus of the courses provides a solid foundation in the theory and technique that guides the practice of psychotherapy. Clinical tutorials focused on conducting psychotherapy offer students the opportunity to consult with master clinicians on their own cases. To enter the concentration, students must meet all the standard admission requirements and, in addition, must: have completed (or be in) their own personal psychotherapy; have access to cases that are appropriate for psychotherapy; and have a clinical license or equivalent.
Child & Adolescent Specialization
The Child & Adolescent Specialization is designed to facilitate students’ development of psychotherapeutic skills and theoretical knowledge with a focus on intervention with children, adolescents, and their families. Specialized courses embedded within the core program prepare students for the multiple roles that working within this area entail. These courses include Problems in Childhood, Learning Disorders, Case Conference, and Clinical Process and Technique.