Admissions and Auditing

Admissions

In keeping with Freud’s view that psychoanalysis is not a subspecialty of the medical profession, NPAP’s Charter permits the admission of persons who, in addition to meeting other criteria, have completed at least a Master’s degree in a field of human relations acceptable to the Training Committee (or will complete such a degree prior to the Matriculation level). Candidates have entered NPAP from the fields of religion, law, literature, the arts, education, philosophy and other branches of the humanities as well as the fields of nursing, social work, psychology and psychiatry.

To apply, see New Students Application.

A. Admission to the Enrollment Level: This is the level at which applicants enter NPAP if they have had no prior psychoanalytic training or certification. Admission at this first level requires applicants to:

  • be at least 25 years of age;
  • complete the form called Application for Enrollment Interview located at the back of this Bulletin and submit it along with a non-refundable $50 fee;
  • submit an official transcript of completed undergraduate work from an accredited college or university;
  • submit an official transcript showing completion of a program of graduate study which, when reviewed by the Training Committee, shows evidence of appropriate background and ability to undertake psychoanalytic training;
  • complete successfully a minimum of two enrollment interviews evaluating suitability for psychoanalytic training.

B. Admission to an advanced level: Due to the unique nature of psychoanalytic training and practice, applicants cannot apply for advanced standing solely on the basis of academic credentials or prior study within the general field of mental health. The Institute does welcome applications for advanced standing from persons with previous training or certification from a recognized psychoanalytic institute.

  • Applying for admission to an advanced level includes all the components of an Enrollment application, except that
    • transcripts showing previous psychoanalytic training also must be submitted;
    • applicants complete the form called Application for Advanced Evaluation, accessible here, check the box marked Case Presentation for Evaluation, and submit it along with a $50 fee.
  • After successfully completing a minimum of two enrollment interviews, the applicant is invited to present a psychoanalytic case to an Evaluation Committee which, in turn, recommends the level at which the applicant may enter NPAP and/or courses from which the applicant is exempt. At minimum, all candidates must take the 800-level curriculum and conduct 2 Control Analyses under NPAP Control Analysts.

For applicants at all levels, the Institute’s admission policies do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, physical handicap, religion, sexual orientation, national and/or ethnic origin. NPAP’s Board of Directors and Board of Trustees oppose discrimination against lesbian, gay, and bisexual members, candidates, and patients. NPAP supports the principle that homosexuality is no more intrinsically pathological than is heterosexuality and that training and treatment will reflect this position. The Institute reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant whose credentials or suitability for psychoanalytic training do not meet the Institute’s standards.

Auditing

An auditor is a professional who has an interest in studying psychoanalytic theory but does not wish at this time to complete an entire course of study as a psychoanalyst. An auditor must meet the requirements for admission at the Enrollment level, except that only one enrollment interview will be scheduled to determine motivation and suitability to study as an auditor. Applicants for admission as an auditor should submit the Application for Enrollment Interview, located at the back of this Bulletin, along with a nonrefundable application fee. The schedule of tuition and fees is outlined on page 28.

An auditor may take one course each term from among the list of required 600-level courses. If a course is full, regularly enrolled candidates have precedence over auditors. Auditors are expected to complete all reading assignments and participate in general class discussions with no more than two absences; they may choose whether or not to meet course requirements for formal oral presentations or written assignments. Instructors evaluate auditors according to the extent of their self-chosen participation in course requirements. An auditor who completes all course requirements and receives an acceptable faculty evaluation will receive full credit for the course if later admitted into the training program.

Because of the complex nature of the Institute’s training objectives for all its candidates, the Training Committee reserves the right to discontinue an auditor’s participation at any time. An auditor who has completed all courses at the Enrollment level must then apply for full status as a candidate, or leave the Institute.

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