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The mission of the doctoral program in Counseling Psychology at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) is to offer “broad and general doctoral education and training that includes preparation in health service psychology (HSP)” (APA, 2018).

The aims of the program are that its students –

• Develop a counseling psychology identity based upon a commitment to serving others through positive interpersonal relationships and professional competence.
• Acquire skills as generalists in the practice of psychology in diverse settings while being mindful of the contextual and multicultural aspects of human existence.
• Develop skills as scientifically-minded professionals who engage in evidence-based practice and as researchers capable of contributing to the knowledge-base of the field.

Graduates in the Counseling Psychology Program (CPP) are prepared to act as counseling psychologists who are competent to practice in healthcare systems and related settings appropriate to their training, such as academia. Graduates respect and encourage diversity and are trained as generalists able to integrate the worlds of science and practice in promoting health while serving the whole person in a variety of clinical community contexts.

The Integration of Science and Practice

The program is designed to foster the integration of science and practice in all aspects of professional behavior. The theoretical perspectives of the core faculty are similar regarding the necessity of evidence-based decision making in practice and research. While students are exposed to a variety of theoretical perspectives within the department, the over-riding theme is that our professional behavior should be informed by research. Further, specific course work, a required dissertation, and required research and practical experiences that integrate theory, practice, and research ensure the synthesis of science and practice.

Training is Sequential, Cumulative, and Graded in Complexity

Our 5-year curriculum (see course sequence below) shows how to progression of courses is sequential, cumulative, graded in complexity, and designed to prepare students for further organized training.

The Program is Committed to a Respect For and Understanding of Cultural and Individual Differences

The program values diversity and multiculturalism, as indicated by its commitment: “The program values cultural and individual diversity, which includes personal and demographic characteristics, as well as including (but not limited to) age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, language, national origin, race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, and social economic status. The program considers these aspects as valuable in recruitment and hiring, in teaching and training, and in providing practicum and internship experiences. At the core of these values lies respect for the person, and we are dedicated to insuring that the program supports this approach.

Need for Psychologists

The need for quality counseling psychological services has been strongly felt throughout the state of Arkansas, the United States, and beyond. The doctoral emphasis in counseling psychology responds to this need in a pragmatic manner by preparing graduates to competently perform a variety of counseling psychology functions.

Values

The philosophy of the doctoral program in Counseling Psychology is operationalized through the following specific values. In turn, it is hoped that graduates will adopt and incorporate these values. The Counseling Psychology Emphasis values:

1. Respect for each person.
2. A community of individuals.
3. Strength in diversity.
4. Service to others.
5. A science-practitioner foundation.
6. Giving back to the profession.
7. Giving back to the community.

Consumer Information Disclosure

• The Counseling Psychology doctoral program is designed to meet program eligibility requirements for licensure as a psychologist in Arkansas. The program has not determined whether graduates would meet licensure requirements for any other state.