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THE PSYCHOANALYTIC CENTER OF CALIFORNIA |
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The Doctorate of Philosophy in Psychoanalysis The Doctorate in Psychoanalysis is designed as a parallel track with the Core Curriculum to be begun in the second year of training and completed during the post-seminar period. Alternatively, the Doctorate Degree may be completed after graduation from the Adult Certificate Program. The Psychoanalytic Center of California has been authorized by the state of California Department of Education, Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE), Department of Consumer Affairs to grant an academic (.2) Ph.D. in Psychoanalysis. This program began in the fall of 1991. Candidates wishing to receive the Ph.D. complete the core program and accrue an additional 24 units by taking courses in Research Methodology, Proposal Writing, and Dissertation Writing. After passing the qualifying examination, they complete a doctoral dissertation, including the presentation of a dissertation proposal and the final oral examination. The dissertation is expected to be an original work, which provides a scholarly contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the field of psychoanalysis. Procedures for Completing the Ph.D. 1. Research Preparation During the first four years, concurrent with theoretical courses, Candidates complete the research methodology course sequence. These three courses, taught by doctoral faculty members of PCC, use a directed study format to train students in empirical and/or theoretical methods of research. Students will learn how to identify original areas of research, formulate hypotheses and problem statements, develop research protocols/designs, analyze data and interpret results. Upon completion of this sequence and the coursework for certification in psychoanalysis, candidates undertake the qualifying examination. This written and oral exam evaluates the candidate's readiness for undertaking rigorous inquiry into his/her designated field, and is conducted by the Candidate's doctoral dissertation committee. 2. Choosing a Dissertation Committee and Writing a Dissertation As early as possible in the program, Candidates select a dissertation chair and two (or more) members for their committee, subject to the approval of the Research Committee. Candidates enroll in both proposal and dissertation writing courses until they finish their dissertations. After choosing a research topic, they write a Dissertation Proposal that must be approved by their committee before they begin their dissertation. The dissertation is considered complete when it is approved by all members of the Dissertation Committee, and the Candidate has successfully passed the final oral examination. 3. Dissertation Topics Dissertations in the field of psychoanalysis usually emphasize clinical, theoretical or interdisciplinary research. They may also involve empirical research. Psychoanalytic research most often relates to individual and/or interpersonal mental development, and to the making of meaning within the human mind and in relationship to others. Clinical work is considered a primary source of data where the functioning of the human mind (e.g., thinking, feeling, dreaming, fantasizing, and meaning making) can be studied. Of vital importance is a deeper understanding of how unconscious mental functioning impacts the development of a capacity to cope with one's environment, and to think critically and creatively about one's world, leading to mental health. Psychoanalytic research is also focused on the etiology, formation, and amelioration of specific mental disorders, such as affective disorders, personality disorders, schizophrenia, etc. This Institute has a special focus on understanding primitive states of mind. Dissertations that concentrate on theoretical research follow in the long tradition of liberal arts studies such as those in history, literature and philosophy. Psychoanalytic intellectual traditions are compared, analyzed and synthesized to identify and/or explicate new ways of thinking about the mind. Dissertations that focus on interdisciplinary research use psychoanalytic theories to investigate other fields such as art and architecture, biography, ethics, history, law, literature, religion and political science. The detailed study of intersections between the two fields may lead to important new understandings about the development and evolution of human culture. |