Certificate in Critical Psychology

1. Introduction
Thank you for your interest in the European-American University Certificate in Critical Psychology program. The program is designed to be completed within twenty-two months by a student devoting ten to twelve hours a week, working by distance learning.

The program is outlined below, but individual details may be varied on the initiative of the Mentor and/or student, always subject to ratification by the University. In principle, the aim is to provide a fully bespoke, individualized learning experience that takes into account the particular strengths, interests and previous learning of the student, and thus offers a flexible but rigorous route to the award.

The Critical Psychology Certificate Program is a sixteen-week program. The program is not designed to meet any licensure requirements but rather to provide enrichment to those with interest in the area of Critical Psychology. The program is offered through a distance learning mentorship format and consists of four modules (each being four weeks in length) in which the following texts will be explored:

Edmunds, D. (2006) They say my child has ADHD: thinking outside the bio-psychiatric paradigm. European American University Press.

Edmunds, D. (2010) The meeting of two persons: what therapy should be. European American University Press.

Whitaker, R. (2002), Mad in America: the enduring mistreatment of the mentally ill. Perseus. Cambridge, MA.

Laing, R.D. (1967), The politics of experience. Perseus. New York.

2. Aims and objectives
The program is focused on exploring relationship based approaches towards addressing the needs of those undergoing emotional distress, challenges common bio-psychiatric assumptions, and examines the social, familial, and political dynamics that impact persons. The program also seeks to challenge forces within mainstream psychology that help sustain unjust political, economic, and other societal structures.

3. Methods of delivery
The delivery of the teaching for the course is by distance learning. Students will be assigned a Mentor who will be a practitioner in the field and/or an established academic. They will work out the exact details of what is to be studied and how this will be assessed in co-operation with the Mentor with this learning contract then ratified by the University. In most cases, students will communicate with their Mentor via electronic communications (e-mail, fax) although some Mentors prefer to work via postal mail, and many will also offer telephone support.

4. Course materials
The chosen methods of learning are designed to offer the student the maximum of flexibility and scope in tackling the program.

The individualized nature of the program means that traditional course materials in the form of structured course notes are rarely appropriate or practical, although it is hoped that where possible, Mentors will make their notes on particular topics available to the student. Students are, of course, responsible for creating their own course notes based on their reading and related work.

Most work within the program will consist of directed readings from key texts selected by the Mentor. The student will be responsible for obtaining books, which are not included in the tuition fees, although both the Mentor and the University will endeavor to assist in the event of any difficulty in obtaining texts. The Mentor will set regular assignments based on the directed reading, most of which will be in the form of an essay or paper. Students must achieve no less than an overall B- grade in each module to proceed to the next. Mentors will also provide guidance on background reading for each topic.

5. Entry requirements
There are no set entry requirements for this program. Candidates will normally have attained the age of twenty-eight years and will provide evidence of suitability to the Program Director. All candidates will be expected to show a proficiency in the English language.

It is a key principle of the University that each application should be considered on its own merits, and admission to the course and all interpretations as to the eligibility for such admission remain at the discretion of the University.

6. Fees
The fee for this program is  $1,950, including graduation fee. This program is not eligible for dual degree status with the Universidad Empresarial de Costa Rica, although suitable candidates may be able to undertake a top-up program to qualify for such an award for an additional fee.

7. Application
Initial application should be made directly to the Program Director, Dr. Dan L. Edmunds, Ed.D., by email (click here to send email). Applicants should send a resume/curriculum vitae and short statement of their interest in the program to Dr. Edmunds.