Michigan Psychoanalytic Council - Course of Training

Course of Training:

Admission to Candidacy.: MPC membership is required for admission to candidacy. Application forms may be obtained from the Vice President for Education and Training, the Registrar, or the Membership Chair (see "Board" page in this web site). MPC members seeking to become candidates should send a completed application to the Vice President for Education and Training. Applications will be reviewed on the basis of educational background, training, and experience. University transcripts and three letters of recommendation will be requested, and interviews will be conducted.
MPC welcomes all who are interested and qualified to this training programs. MPC does not discriminate on the basis of age, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation of applicants. The essence of MPC's evaluation for admission to candidacy includes a judgment of the applicant's likely capacity to work well with psychoanalytic material.
Mentors.: Upon admission, each candidate is assigned a mentor. The purpose of the mentor is to inform the candidate about MPC and its procedures, to answer questions, and to be available as needed. The mentor should not be the personal analyst or a current supervisor. The candidate may choose a new mentor at any time. For example, if a candidate wished to have the current mentor as a supervisor, the candidate could do so, and then choose a new mentor.

Coursework.: The candidate will direct his/her course of study, and will decide on how many courses to take in a given year. Courses are scheduled on a three-year cycle, and may be taught in Ann Arbor, East Lansing, or elsewhere. Candidates should keep in mind that most courses will be taught only every third year.

Financial Considerations.: Fees for analysis, therapy, and supervision are arranged individually with the analyst. Course fees must be paid in full each semester. In case of financial hardship, the candidate may petition the Training and Certification Committee for special arrangements.

Evaluation of Candidates.: The work of each candidate will be avaluated periodically by the Training and Certification Committee. Any needed recommendations will then be made regarding her/his progress in the program.

Waiver Policy.: Candidates usually take their entire course of training with MPC. An applicant or candidate who has had prior psychoanalytic training experience, or who wishes to alter some aspect of the MPC program, may request to have one or more requirements waived. The applicant for candidacy will have an opportunity to make a formal waiver request in writing during the application process. Waiver application forms can be obtained from the Vice President for Certification. The Training and Certification Committee will act on these requests. Candidates may appeal Training and Certification Committee decisions to the MPC Board of Directors, which has the final authority for all MPC actions.

Certification.: Upon nearing the fulfillment of all requirements, the candidate must obtain and complete appropriate documentation forms, which are available from the Vice President for Certification. The candidate may not have any outstanding financial obligations to MPC at the time of graduation. A certificate, stating that the candidate has completed a course of training in psychoanalysis, will be awarded at the annual dinner meeting, usually in June. Upon the awarding of a Certificate in Psychoanalyjsis, MPC fully supports use of the desgnation, psychoanalyst.