What is the tutorial doctorate
program in group psychotherapy?
This unique program enables qualified
students throughout the world to obtain a
group psychotherapy doctorate (Psy.D.)
through an innovative and highly personalized
system of online study, supplemented by face
to face meetings and group interactions.
Who is behind the program?
The program is run by the Professional School
of Psychology, a graduate school based in
Sacramento, California, USA. The Senior Tutor
is Haim Weinberg, Ph.D.,internationally
renowned group therapist and educator (Tel
Aviv University, Israel; The Wright Institute, Berkley, CA, USA; and Alliant International University,
Sacramento, CA, USA). Haim founded the group psychotherapy professional discussion list, and is Past
President of the Israeli Association of Group Psychotherapy and President-Elect of the Northern
California Group Psychotherapy Society. Experts in group psychotherapy and related subjects from
around the world are also involved in the delivery of our program. In addition, we employ highly
qualified, experienced local staff for training, workshops and supervision in our students' locations.
Who should take the program?
The program is suitable for mental health practitioners: psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, art
therapists, psychodramatists, counselors and professionals in related fields. If you are already leading
groups or are interested in developing expertise in this fascinating field, this may be the program for
you.
Why is group psychotherapy important?
People working therapeutically with groups not only provide a highly effective and cost-efficient
treatment; they can apply their skills to many other group and leadership situations. If you are not yet
convinced about the importance of group therapy, you can read more about group psychotherapy here.
How is the program run?
Our program uses an innovative tutorial system, tailored to individual students according to their level
of experience, special needs, location and available time.
Components of the program include:
a) distance learning: internet-based lectures and assignments which the student takes in his/her
available time.
b) a weekly phone meeting with the student's personal tutor to report and discuss the development,
reading and experience of the student around the program
c) ongoing email communication between the student and the personal tutor in which the student is
assigned tasks, reports progress, sends homework and receives comments, asks questions and gets
help in overcoming obstacles, etc
d) participation in an Internet forum with other program students in which they exchange ideas,
support each other's progress, ask questions, communicate about their difficulties and become an on-
line community.
e) face-to-face interactions including meetings with your personal tutor every half a year; meetings
with your peer group of students every half a year for 3 days; workshops with local experts, the
frequency is dependent on experts available in your area; participation in group therapy for a year in
your neighborhood; co-leading a group in your neighborhood with a senior therapist; leading a group in
your neighborhood with supervision by a local therapist; and attending conferences (one local and an
one overseas).
Where is the program held?
Most of the program can be completed in your own home, or wherever you are in the world, providing
that you have a reliable internet connection and 'phone access. However, you must be able to attend
local seminars and international conferences, as outlined above.
How long does the program take and how much time does it require?
We expect that most students will complete the program in 3-4 years of part-time study (approximately
8-15 hours per week). However, students can determine the pace at which they take the different
components of the course.
What will I acquire from the program?
The group psychotherapy program builds on four components: theory, skills, experience and
supervision. Since this is a Psy.D. program (in contrast to a PhD), you will develop practical expertise in
addition to learning abstract theories. As part of the program you will participate in a group, co-lead a
group with a senior therapist, and be encouraged to participate and present in group therapy
conferences.
How is the program assessed? Is there a final examination or dissertation?
Assessment is ongoing and is based on the quality of the student's work in all components of the
course. Students must pass all courses, and complete their field experience and portfolio. Students may
choose to do a hands-on, scholarly “doctoral project” in lieu of an empirical dissertation.
What makes this program unique?
Four distinctive features place this program at the cutting edge of graduate education and uniquely
prepares students for the new directions that society and its major institutions will be required to
create. We offer firm interdisciplinary grounding, small classes, close student/faculty relationships,
alternative opportunities for dissertation work and alternative modes of program planning.
What qualification will I receive if I complete the program? Will I become a
qualified group psychotherapist?
Upon graduating, students obtain a PsyD. degree (Doctorate in Psychology) approved by the State of
California, USA. This is not a qualification to practice group therapy. Students need to check
carefully to see whether the program will be recognised in their own location for, or towards, academic
qualifications and professional advancement.
We would like to stress that, to reduce the costs of the program to our students, the courses
of the Professional School of Psychology are approved by the State of California, but not
regionally accredited by the APA. For further details about the background and implications of
this distinction, which may affect how the course is treated by other bodies, please see the
Are there already students already taking the program?
Yes! Our first group of Hebrew-speaking students started the program in the Fall of 2008. The second
cohort started the program in November 2009. They are all making excellent progress.
What qualifications do I need to take the program?
Applicants must satisfy both the requirements of the Professional School of Psychology - a graduate
school - and the specific requirements of the online doctorate in group therapy. Normally, this includes
a Master's degree in psychology or a closely related field, such as social work, counseling, public
administration or business. Also required are a commitment to the field of leadership studies through
evidence of significant applied experience and/or outstanding performance in previous graduate work,
as well as evidence of possessing the requisite maturity and sensitivity to perform well in the role of
human service provider. Potential students should have an interest, preferably backed by experience, in
working with groups in clinical or other settings.
Do you award credit for prior study and/or professional experience?
In cases where students have already obtained mastery of the material covered by a particular course,
the student may be exempt from part, or all, of that course. However, such exemptions will normally
not exceed a small percentage of the coursework, and we are unable to offer any adjustment on the
program fee in such cases.
Is this a degree mill? If I pay the program fee and give you evidence of my life
experience, can I buy a degree from you?
No! As you will see from the information on this site and the credentials of our staff, this is a very
challenging and rigorous academic program. Unlike most traditional doctoral programs, we do not insist
on full time physical attendance at our location, as we firmly believe that this is neither necessary nor
feasible for many of our students to obtain a doctoral-level mastery of the group psychotherapy field.
But you will still have to work hard for a few years to obtain to obtain your degree.
Can I take the program in my native language?
If we can find a local tutor who speaks your language, you may be able to take a certain number of
courses, and possibly workshops and supervision, in your own language. For example, since our senior
tutor speaks Hebrew, our first group of Israeli students normally communicate with him and their fellow
students in Hebrew. They are also able to write some of their assignments and papers in Hebrew.
However, some courses of the Professional School of Psychology must be taken in English, and you will
also need a good level of English to keep up with the course material.
What technical equipment and skills do I need to take the course?
Students must be able to connect to the Internet on a regular basis, to send and receive emails and
access the web. They must also be able to call internationally by 'phone and/or or internet phone. We
will be happy to assist with advice in this area. As the program progresses, students who wish to
explore and use other internet tools in their work will be encouraged and assisted to do so.
What other facilities will I need?
We would recommend that students have access to a local library and/or a subscription to online
libraries of professional resources, so that they can access the relevant professional literature. We will
be happy to advise about this.
When can I start the program?
Students may start their individual study with their tutor as soon as they registered for the program.
However, because online and face to face work as part of a group form an integral part of the program,
this component can only be started when there a minimum of three additional students who are able to
attend meetings in the same geographical area as the student.
Will there be interactions between students in different study groups?
Yes! International networking is an important component of the course, and our first group of students
are very interested in joint activities with future groups. We hope that the professional and personal
ties that develop will continue well after the end of the program.
Can I take just selected courses from the program and/or just the online courses?
No, students must commit to taking the entire program for the time being. We plan to develop
continuing education programs later.
How much does the program cost and what payment plans are available?
The tuition payment for the entire course for 2008-2009 (typically taking 3-4 years) is approximately
$35,000. The figure for the coming academic year is now being finalized. This can be paid through one
of three plans:
1.Quarterly registration payments for each course unit undertaken (traditional model).
2.Full payment for the cost of the degree program (paid in full upon enrolment) or
3.Monthly payments established through an education loan provided by the Professional School of
Psychology (a guaranteed tuition/instalment payment program).
In addition, the student should take into consideration possible expenses for participating in a therapy
group for one year, psycho-educational group for three months, expenses to attend meetings with
tutors and other students, and fees for attending conferences. Groups also share costs of bringing the
senior tutor to their own location twice a year (approximately $100 to $200 per student twice a year).
Our aim is that when students graduate from the Professional School of Psychology they will be as close
to debt-free as possible.
Is financial assistance available?
The Professional School of Psychology offers all students a guaranteed tuition/instalment payment
program. We currently do not yet have scholarship funds available, but are actively seeking sponsorship
for our students, and will be happy to support the applications of prospective students who wish to seek
funds from external sources.
I’m interested... What is the next step?
Before making a formal application to the program, you are welcome to schedule an informal discussion
with our Senior Tutor, Dr. Haim Weinberg. Dr. Weinberg will also be happy to put you in direct contact
with students who are currently taking the course.
I’m not yet ready to take the course, but might be interested in the future.
We invite you to sign up to the program's internet announcement list, via which you will receive
periodic updates about the course, including details of groups which may be starting in your location.
A GUIDE FOR THE PERPLEXED
Where and how does the program take place?
How long does it last? Who can join? What skills
and qualifications will I obtain? Can I take
courses in my own language? Do I need to be a
techie to take the program? How much will it
cost? How can I apply? Is this a degree mill which
will let me buy a doctorate? You can find answers
to these and other frequently asked questions on
this page.
