Tutor-Based Programs
The Professional School of Psychology offers many of its programs in a tutorial format. Specifically, PSP offers its Masters Degree program in Organizational Psychology, and Doctoral Degree programs in Clinical and Organizational Psychology in this highly innovative and accessible format.
The tutorial format is based on a longstanding process used in many European universities and includes three distinctive elements. First, tutorials concern a specific body of published works, usually seminal books in a particular field of study, or a specific project or problem area that is of central interest to both the tutor and student. The book, project or problem (not the instructor) resides at the heart of an effective tutorial process. The tutor and student together explore the meaning and implications of the written text, the project, or the problem.
Second, there are frequent interactions between the tutor and student. As noted on the PSP Learning Models table, each 4 unit course requires 16 hours of direct contact between the instructor and students. Unlike an independent study format, in which the student often works alone for lengthy periods of time, the tutorial process involves the active engagement of both tutor and student in the learning process. In the case of the traditional European tutorial, these interactions typically took place in the tutor’s office. In the case of the PSP tutorial format, these interactions will often occur at the home of the senior tutor or one of the students. The interactions will also take place not only in person, but also through e-mail correspondence and telephone conference calls.
Third, the tutorial is inherently student-centered, in that it is tailored around the needs, interests and logistical challenges (time, space) of the student. This means that the form of the tutorial will inevitably shift from student to student, and that the student and tutor will frequently reflect on the nature of their interaction and will shift the design or focus of the tutorial if it is not a good fit.
The Professional School of Psychology has taken an additional step in seeking to be responsive to the unique educational needs and interests of potential PSP doctoral candidates, as well as responsive to the major challenges these potential students face in attempting to complete a doctoral program while managing the demands of work and family. PSP offers both Established Senior Tutorial Programs that have each been built by a senior tutor around a specific focal topic, and Individualized Senior Tutorial Programs that are specifically designed by a single student or small cohort of students around their own unique interests and learning opportunities
Resource Links:
Individualized Tutorial Programs
Steps for Enrolling in Senior Tutorial Programs
