Professional Specialty Programs

Degree Descriptions and Requirements

PhD in Somatic Psychology
(Professional Specialty Program)

Degree Description
The PhD in Somatic Psychology is designed for those who may already be involved in health care or the healing arts, education, or other professions and want to incorporate a somatic psychology perspective into their lives and work. This program provides a solid foundation in somatic theory and application as well as important clinical and therapeutic skills from a somatic psychology perspective.

Students may apply for the doctorate program directly from a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree. If the student is applying to a PhD program with only a Bachelor’s Degree, they will earn the Master’s Degree along the way.

Requirements for Graduation
To be eligible for graduation, the following requirements must be successfully completed:

• 120 quarter units of coursework and credits
• 60 hours of personal therapy
• 450-hour fieldwork
• Written comprehensive examination at the end of the third year
• An original research dissertation accepted by SBGI committee and administration
• Oral defense of dissertation
• All financial commitments to SBGI, including tuition and fees

Doctoral Dissertation
In order to be eligible to enroll in dissertation writing students must successfully complete all required coursework for the doctoral degree and be a student in good standing as well as successfully complete the written comprehensive examination.

Students are then invited to enroll in the dissertation-writing course which spans up to two years. Beginning in the fourth year, students complete their proposal, select and have their committee approved by administration and carry out their research. Students may take up to two years to complete their dissertation.  Upon final approval of the dissertation by the committee and administration, students complete their PhD requirements by oral defense of their research. If the process is not completed within the fifth year, students must enroll in SOM 950, Dissertation Writing II, as they complete their dissertation.

Degree requirements are subject to change.

PhD In Somatic Psychology
(Professional Specialty Program)

Required Courses
The following courses are required for the Ph.D. in Somatic Psychology (Professional Specialty Program). These courses may change. Elective courses follow.

Electives
In addition to the above classes, students in the Somatic Psychology PhD PSP Program must complete 30 units in their specialty, either through the approved specialty certificate program in which they are enrolled or through electives and independent study or an approved combination of these. Upon admission to the program, the student and administrator will create a personal curriculum plan.

Degree requirements are subject to change.

PhD in Clinical Psychology
(Specialty in Somatic Psychology, Professional Specialty Program)

Degree Description

The PhD in Clinical Psychology is a specialized graduate program specifically designed to meet the educational requirements of clinical licensure as a Marriage, Family Therapist (MFT) in the State of California. It is designed for the student who wants to obtain a more comprehensive clinical psychology education while specializing in a particular modality within somatic psychology. It provides important clinical and therapeutic skills as well as a solid foundation in the theory and application of the specialty. Students also go further to develop research skills and execute their own original research in clinical or somatic psychology. Graduates are prepared as therapists to work with individuals, couples, children, families and groups inclusive of a somatic psychology perspective.

Students attend classes at SBGI two eight-day modules per year, fall and spring, plus their professional specialty training. At the beginning of the second year, students begin to work toward the 450-hour traineeship requirement. Upon successful completion of the first three years, including coursework, personal therapy hours, practicum and written comprehensive examination, students are accepted for doctoral dissertation work.

PhD program applicants may possess a Master’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree. If the student is applying to a PhD program with only a Bachelor’s Degree, they will earn the Master’s Degree along the way. If the student chooses both the MA and PhD in Clinical Psychology, further coursework is required in the fourth year. (See Combined Master’s and PhD in Clinical Psychology noted earlier in the catalog.)

Requirements for Graduation
To be eligible for graduation, the following requirements must be successfully completed:

• 137 quarter units of coursework and credits
• 60 hours of personal therapy
• 450-hour clinical traineeship
• Written comprehensive examination at the end of the third year
• An original research dissertation accepted by SBGI committee and administration
• Oral defense of dissertation
• All financial commitments to SBGI, including tuition and fees

Clinical Traineeship
Beginning in the second year of study, in conjunction with Professional Practice Coursework, students arrange and complete a minimum of 450 hours of a supervised clinical traineeship in their home community. Working as trainee volunteers at an approved site, e.g. hospital, social service, non-profit organization, or another approved facility, students apply skills and knowledge in direct work with clients and develop their area of expertise. Sites with a multidisciplinary and multicultural orientation are highly encouraged.

Doctoral Dissertation
In order to be eligible to enroll in dissertation writing students must successfully complete all required coursework for the doctoral degree and be a student in good standing as well as successfully complete the written comprehensive examination.

Students are then invited to enroll in the dissertation-writing course which spans up to two years. Beginning in the fourth year, students complete their proposal, select and have their committee approved by the administration and carry out their research. Students may take up to two years to complete their dissertation.  Upon final approval of the dissertation by the committee and administration, students complete their PhD requirements by oral defense of their research. If the process is not completed within the fifth year, students must enroll in SOM 950, Dissertation Writing II, as they complete their dissertation.

Degree requirements are subject to change.

PhD In Clinical Psychology 
(Emphasis in Somatic Psychology, Professional Specialty Program)

Required Courses
The following courses are required for the PhD in Clinical Psychology. (Specialty in Somatic Psychology, Professional Specialty Program). These courses may change. Elective courses follow.

Electives
In addition to the above classes, students in the Clinical Psychology PhD PSP Program must complete 30 units in their specialty, either through the approved specialty training program in which they are enrolled or through electives and independent study or an approved combination of these. Upon admission to the program, the student and administrator will create a personal curriculum plan.

Degree requirements are subject to change.

PhD in Prenatal and Perinatal (PPN) Psychology
(Professional Specialty Program)

Degree Description

The PhD in PPN Psychology is designed for those who may already be involved in health care or the healing arts, education, or other professions and want to incorporate a more in-depth psychology perspective into their lives and work. This program provides a solid foundation in prenatal and perinatal theory and application as well as important clinical and therapeutic skills from a PPN psychology perspective.

 Students may apply for the doctorate program directly from a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree or apply to the Master’s Degree Program directly from a Bachelor’s Program.

 Students attend classes in Santa Barbara for two six-day sessions per year, fall and spring, plus their professional specialty training. At the beginning of the second year, students begin to work toward the 450-hour fieldwork requirement. Upon successful completion of the first three years, including coursework, personal therapy hours, fieldwork and written comprehensive examination, students are accepted for doctoral dissertation work.

Requirements for Graduation
To be eligible for graduation, the following requirements must be successfully completed:

• 121 quarter units of coursework and credits
• 60 hours of personal therapy
• 450-hour fieldwork
• Written comprehensive examination at the end of the third year
• An original research dissertation accepted by SBGI committee and administration
• Oral defense of dissertation
• All financial commitments to SBGI, including tuition and fees

Doctoral Dissertation

In order to be eligible to enroll in dissertation writing students must successfully complete all required coursework for the doctoral degree and be a student in  good standing as well as successfully complete the written comprehensive examination.

Students are then invited to enroll in the dissertation-writing course which spans up to two years. Beginning in the fourth year, students complete their proposal, select and have their committee approved by administration and carry out their research. Students may take up to two years to complete their dissertation. Upon final approval of the dissertation by the committee and administration, students complete their PhD requirements by oral defense of their research. If the process is not completed within the fifth year, students must enroll in COR 950, Dissertation Writing II, as they  complete their dissertation.

Degree requirements are subject to change.

PhD In Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology
(Professional Specialty Program)

Required Courses
The following courses are required for the Ph.D. in Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology (Professional Specialty Program). These courses may change. Each unit represents 10 clock hours of instruction.

PhD in Clinical Psychology
(Specialty in Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology, Professional Specialty  Program)

Degree Description

The PhD in Clinical Psychology is a specialized graduate program specifically designed to meet the educational requirements of clinical licensure as a Marriage, Family Therapist (MFT) in the State of California. It is designed for the student who wants to obtain a more comprehensive clinical psychology education while specializing in a particular modality within prenatal and perinatal psychology. It provides important clinical and therapeutic skills as well as a solid foundation in the theory and application of the specialty. Students also go further to develop research skills and execute their own original research in clinical or somatic psychology. Graduates are prepared as therapists to work with individuals, couples, children, families and groups inclusive of a prenatal and perinatal psychology perspective.

Students attend classes at SBGI two eight-day modules per year, fall and spring, plus their online classes of professional specialty training in prenatal and perinatal psychology. At the beginning of the second year, students begin to work toward the 450-hour traineeship requirement. Upon successful completion of the first three years, including coursework, personal therapy hours, practicum and written comprehensive examination, students are accepted for doctoral dissertation work.

PhD program applicants may possess a Master’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree. If the student chooses both the MA and PhD in Clinical Psychology, further coursework is required in the fourth year. (See Combined Master’s and PhD in Clinical Psychology noted in the full catalog.)

Requirements for Graduation

 To be eligible for graduation, the following requirements must be successfully completed:

• 137 quarter units of coursework and credits
• 60 hours of personal therapy
• 450-hour clinical traineeship
• Written comprehensive examination at the end of the third year
• An original research dissertation accepted by SBGI committee and administration
• Oral defense of dissertation
• All financial commitments to SBGI, including tuition and fees

Clinical Traineeship

Beginning in the second year of study, in conjunction with Professional Practice Coursework, students arrange and complete a minimum of 450 hours of a supervised clinical traineeship in their home community. Working as trainee volunteers at an approved site, e.g. hospital, social service, non-profit organization, or  another approved facility, students apply skills and knowledge in direct work  with clients and develop their area of expertise. Sites with a multidisciplinary and multicultural orientation are highly encouraged.

Doctoral Dissertation

In order to be eligible to enroll in dissertation writing students must successfully complete all required coursework for the doctoral degree and be a student in good standing as well as successfully complete the written comprehensive examination.

 Students are then invited to enroll in the dissertation-writing course, which spans up to two years. Beginning in the fourth year, students complete their proposal, select and have their committee approved by the administration and carry out their research. Students may take up to two years to complete their dissertation. Upon final approval of the dissertation by the committee and administration, students complete their PhD requirements by oral defense of their research. If the process is not completed within the fifth year, students must enroll in COR 950, Dissertation Writing II, as they complete their dissertation.

 Degree requirements are subject to change.

PhD in Clinical Psychology 
(Emphasis in Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology, Professional Specialty Program)

Required Courses

The following courses are required for the PhD in Clinical Psychology.  (Specialty in Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology, Professional Specialty Program). These courses may change.

In addition to the core classes listed above, students complete either the prenatal and perinatal (PPN) psychology or somatic (SOM) psychology courses listed below.

Master of Arts in Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology

Degree Description

The master of arts degree in prenatal and perinatal psychology is a five-quarter graduate program designed for those who may already be professionals in health care, the healing arts, counseling or education as well as for those who want to incorporate a prenatal and perinatal psychology perspective into their life and work. This program provides a solid foundation in prenatal and perinatal theory, application and counseling skills. During the five-quarters of full-time study, students attend two 6-7 days of classes annually.  After students complete their full-time course work, they take 4.5 quarter units of independent study (PPN 716) and complete a master’s project (COR 650).

Requirements for Graduation

To be eligible for graduation, the following requirements must be successfully met:

• A minimum of 46 quarter units of coursework and credits
• An original master’s project accepted by SBGI faculty
• All financial commitments to SBGI, including tuition and fees

Master's Project

The master’s project aims to assist students in developing, implementing and evaluating practical applications of their prenatal and perinatal psychological specialty in their communities. The project has three components. One is a scholarly review of the academic literature relevant to the project they propose. Two is a document that defines their project and its purpose and goals, describes the project design and explains how the project can be implemented and evaluated. Last is an oral presentation of the project during graduation week. This culminating event provides a forum for students to gain experience giving a professional presentation to the educational community.

Degree requirements are subject to change.

Curriculum

The following required courses comprise the MA program in prenatal and perinatal psychology. These courses may change. Each unit represents 10 clock hours of instruction.

Students enrolled in the MA program in prenatal and perinatal psychology may elect to take any or all of the licensure classes for an additional fee.

Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology
(Specialty in prenatal and perinatal psychology)

Degree Description

The master of arts degree in clinical psychology is a two-year graduate program specifically designed to meet the educational requirements of clinical licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) in the State of California. The program was created for those who want to obtain a comprehensive clinical psychology education while specializing in prenatal and perinatal psychology. Students acquire clinical skills in addition to a solid foundation in the theory and application of their specialty. Graduates are prepared to work as therapists with children, adults, individuals, couples, families and groups using a prenatal and perinatal psychology perspective.

To be eligible for graduation, the following requirements must be successfully met:

• 88 quarter units of coursework and credits
• 40 hours of personal therapy
• 150 hour clinical traineeship
• An original master’s project accepted by SBGI faculty
• All financial commitments to SBGI, including tuition and fees

During the second year of study, in conjunction with clinical practice course work, students arrange and complete 150 hours of supervised clinical traineeship in their home community. Working as trainee volunteers at an approved site (e.g., hospital, social service agency, non-profit organization), students receive supervision and apply skills and knowledge in direct work with clients.

Master's Project

The master’s project aims to assist students in developing, implementing and evaluating practical applications of their professional area of expertise in their communities. The project has three components. One is a scholarly review of the academic literature relevant to the project they propose. Two is a document that defines their project and its purpose and goals, describes the project design and explains how the project can be implemented and evaluated. Last is an oral presentation of the project during graduation week. This culminating event provides a forum for students to gain experience giving a professional presentation to the educational community.

Degree requirements are subject to change.

Curriculum

In addition to the above core classes, students complete the perinatal (PPN) courses listed below.