Postdoctoral Fellowship Curriculum

Consistent with Houston Conference and APPCN guidelines, the fellowship curriculum includes content for acquiring knowledge and skills necessary for an independently practicing clinical neuropsychologist:

A. Foundations for the study of brain-behavior relationships

• Functional neuroanatomy
• Neurological and related disorders including their etiology, pathology, course, and treatment
• Non-neurologic conditions affecting the CNS 
• Neuroimaging and other neurodiagnostic techniques
• Neurochemistry of behavior, including psychopharmacology
• Neuropsychology of behavior     

B. Foundations for the practice of clinical neuropsychology

• Specialized neuropsychological assessment techniques
• Specialized neuropsychological intervention techniques
• Research design and analysis in clinical neuropsychology 
• Professional issues and ethics in neuropsychology
• Development of a professional identity and self-reflection
• Practical implications of neuropsychological conditions      
  Specific applications of neuropsychological techniques to military relevant issues     

C. Neuropsychological assessment skills

• Information gathering
• History taking
• Selection of tests and measures
• Administration of tests and measures
• Interpretation and diagnosis
• Treatment planning
• Report writing
• Provision of feedback
• Recognition of multicultural factors that influence procedures and conceptualization 

D. Neuropsychological treatment and intervention skills

• Identification of intervention targets
• Specification of intervention needs
• Formulation of an intervention plan
• Implementation of the plan
• Monitoring and adjustment to the plan as needed
• Assessment of the outcome
• Recognition of multicultural issues

E. Neuropsychological consultation skills

• Effective basic communication (e.g. listening, explaining, negotiating)
• Determination and clarification of referral issues
• Education of referral sources regarding neuropsychological services (strengths and limitations)
• Communication of evaluation results and recommendations
• Education of patients and families regarding services and disorder(s)

F. Neuropsychological research with application to the military

• Selection of appropriate research topics relevant to the military
• Review of relevant literature
• Design of research
• Execution of research
• Monitoring of progress
• Evaluation of outcome
• Communication of results

G. Teaching and supervision skills

• Methods of effective teaching
• Plan and design of course lecture
• Use of effective educational technologies
• Use of effective supervision methodologies