University of ColoradoDenver
M.A. Psychology (Clinical) Program
FAQs for Demonstration of Competency Projects
Last updated: August 4, 2005
The purpose of this document is to outline some general guidelines that are not included in the actual policy but may be helpful to you in completing your projects. These guidelines, as well as the actual policy, are subject to change, so it is very important to stay in close contact with your readers and your program director from proposal through completion.
What is the purpose of the competency projects?
The competency projects are designed to evaluate whether students have mastered the core curriculum content by demonstrating the relevant competencies in applied projects. A mark of a developing professional is the ability to apply what they have learned; this presumes an ability to identify application contexts. Rather than studying for and taking comprehensive exams, we believe it is more beneficial (and less stressful) for students to demonstrate their ability to apply course-based knowledge and skills in professionally relevant situations or experiences. Thus, students will complete three projects that demonstrate competence in areas covered by the program.
What are the steps in completing the projects?
- Draft a proposal that meets the goals described above.
- Talk to potential committee members about your proposal draft.
- Select two readers for each project.
- Complete the formal proposal.
- Have your readers review and approve the proposal by signing the initial approval section of the Demonstration of Competency Form.
- Submit your proposals along with the Demonstration of Competency Form to the program director for review and approval signature. Keep a copy of everything you submit.
- Complete the project and document it as per the proposal.
- Have your readers evaluate the project.
- If they approve the project, the readers will document completion of the project by signing the final approval section of the Demonstration of Competency form.
- Submit your proposals and signature forms to the program director for final approval.
- Be sure to comply with all deadlines as posted in the Demonstration of Competency Policy.
When can I start the projects?
You may start working on the projects when your coursework is entirely completed. In special circumstances, and with permission of the program director, you may do one of the projects before all your courses have been completed.
Who decides what the projects are?
You will develop and propose the projects. After receiving your proposal, your readers will have a chance to comment and suggest changes. You will then be responsible for submitting a final project that corresponds to the formal proposal that was approved by your readers. Once your proposal has been signed, you cannot complete a different project unless you have explicit permission from your readers and they have signed off on a revised project proposal. Changing projects mid-course is not advised and will only be approved under special circumstances.
Can one project demonstrate competence in more than one area?
No. However, all three projects can be drawn from experiences during an internship or completion of a thesis. For example, a thesis could serve as the basis for demonstrating competencies in psychopathology, ethics, and statistics.
Can my thesis and/or internship count as projects?
No. The thesis and/or internship cannot, by themselves, count as a project. However, they can serve as the basis for completing your projects. Keep in mind that the competency project requirement is distinct from the requirement of completing an internship or thesis. Thus, any project based on either an internship or thesis must be clearly distinct in some way from the actual thesis or steps required to complete the internship. For example, simply turning in progress notes (which are required as part of the internship experience) for a client you have seen could not count as fulfilling a project in psychotherapy.
How do I pick my readers?
You should pick two people who are knowledgeable in the area of your proposed project. Ordinarily, the faculty member who taught the relevant course will be one of the readers and the first person you discuss your project with. Your readers must be approved by the program director. Remember that all your readers must have appointments as UC DenverGraduateSchool faculty.
Do all UC Denver faculty have GraduateSchool appointments?
All faculty who teach graduate courses, including instructors and honoraria, have graduate school appointments. GraduateSchool appointments can be obtained for UC Denver faculty who do not teach graduate courses. If you choose a reader who does not have a graduate school appointment, notify the program director as soon as possible. The program director will then write a short letter to the Dean requesting a temporary special appointment as GraduateSchool faculty, accompanied by the reader’s current vita.
Can a person who is not affiliated with UC Denver serve as a reader?
Yes – under special circumstances (determined by the program director on a case-by-case basis), and if there is a compelling rationale and the person is appropriately qualified. This would involve seeking a temporary special appointment to the GraduateSchool. If you have questions about this option, please check with the program director.
Does the order of the readers matter?
No. You may initially rely more on the input of the faculty member who taught the relevant course, but the input and final decision of both readers is equally weighted.
Can I use the same two readers for all three projects?
No. A person may not serve as a reader on more than (any) two projects. This is so that you can take advantage of the expertise of at least three readers.
Can the program director serve as one of the readers?
Yes.
What does the project proposal look like?
The project proposal should contain a description of the work to be done and what the final product will be. There must be a tangible final product (e.g., paper, report, etc.). The proposal should contain sufficient detail so that the program director, who may not be involved in the project as a reader or have taught the relevant course, has a clear sense of what the project will entail. A length of about one page is usually sufficient. The project proposal should be attached to the Demonstration of Competency Form.
How do the readers make the decision on whether to approve the initial proposal?
The readers will evaluate whether the proposal addresses a substantial competency in the relevant domain, whether it is feasible, whether the proposal is clear and complete, and whether the final report to be submitted is described in adequate detail so that there is no doubt about what constitutes an adequate outcome.
Can I get input from my readers before turning in the final project? Can they read preliminary drafts?
This is up to the discretion of the readers. As a general guideline, however, multiple drafts are not appropriate.
Do the readers ever talk to each other during the whole process?
Yes. The readers are to communicate directly at least twice: once before the proposal is approved and once after the project has been turned in but before feedback about outcome is provided to the student. This is to ensure that both readers have a chance to discuss any questions or concerns and that the student receives clear feedback. The readers may, of course, communicate more frequently than this if they judge that necessary.
Can the readers ask me to revise my project?
Yes. This is up to their discretion. Substantial revisions are rare, but minor to moderate revisions are common; substantial revisions are best avoided by working closely with your readers.
How do the reader’s decisions determine whether a project passes or fails?
Both readers will read the project and assign a pass or fail. If the readers agree on a pass, the project is completed. If the two readers agree on a fail, the project needs to be redone or another project needs to be chosen; note that this could delay graduation. If the readers disagree, the program director will read the project and break the tie. If the program director is already a reader on the project, the department chair will choose a third reader to read the project and break the tie.
How is the program director involved in this process?
The program director must provide his/her signature indicating final approval of both the initial proposals and the completed projects after the two readers have signed off.
Is there an oral exam required for demonstration of competence?
No.
How do I register for competency projects?
Currently, there is no required course for competency projects, although this may change in the future due to the necessity to improve communication with The Graduate School about this requirement. If you are working on competency projects, and you are currently enrolled for other credits (e.g., thesis, internship), then you do not need to register for anything else. If you have completed your required internship and thesis credits in a prior semester, and you are still working on your competency projects, you will need to register for “Candidate for Degree” for all subsequent semesters until you complete your projects and receive final approval. You can register for Candidate for Degree by submitting a special processing form to the CLAS Advising Office (NC 2024). You will also need to submit a Diploma Card each semester until you graduate.
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