User:Djstout/Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology

Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology

The Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology is a doctoral program in clinical psychology in Chester, Pennsylvania. It is housed in Widener University's School of Human Service Professions is the nation's oldest accredited Psy.D. program. Founded in 1970 at Hahnemann University, the program moved to Widener in 1989.

Founding
Founded in 1970 by Jules Abrams, PhD, the program was originally housed in the Psychiatry Department of Hahnemann University.

Move to Widener
After a change in leadership at Hahnemann, the psychology faculty came to believe that they would not be able to operate their program as independent professionals. The new leadership saw psychology as inferior to psychiatry.

Program
The PsyD program at Widener is unique in two ways. First, it guarantees students in good standing an APA-approved internship as a part of the program. Second, a significant number of its students pursue joint degrees in law, business, human sexuality, or criminal justice.

Leadership
From its founding, the program was directed by Jules C. Abrams, PhD. He served as director from 1970 until 1997. Virginia Brabender, PhD, then took over as director until 2010. Stephen C. Wilhite, D.Phil., is serving as interim dean of the school for the 2010-2011 year as a search for a new director is conducted.