Program Overview

Introduction to the Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Program

The Ph.D. Program in Counseling Psychology provides individuals with comprehensive training in scientific psychology, psychological inquiry, and professional practice, equipping them to support individuals, families, and communities through evidence-based, socially just practices.

Program Description

Counseling Psychology is a generalist health service (HSP) specialty in professional psychology that uses a broad range of culturally-informed and culturally-sensitive practices to help people improve their well-being, prevent and alleviate distress and maladjustment, resolve crises, and increase their ability to function better in their lives. It focuses specifically but not exclusively on normative life-span development, with a particular emphasis on prevention and education as well as amelioration, addressing individuals as well as the systems or contexts in which they function. It has particular expertise in work and career issues.

What Students Will Learn

• Individual, family, and group counseling and psychotherapy
• Assessment techniques for the diagnosis of psychological disorders
• Test construction and validation
• Crisis intervention, disaster, and trauma management
• Clinical supervision
• Program evaluation and treatment outcome (e.g., client progress)
• Training
• Research methodologies for scientific investigations
• The procedures and techniques used within counseling psychology
• Consulting with organizations
• Programs/workshops that educate and inform the public about mental health, school, family, relationship, and workplace issues so that problems can be prevented before they start or reduced before they get worse

Program Accreditation

The Counseling Psychology Doctoral program is an organized sequence of study in scientific and professional psychology that follows a scientist-practitioner model. The program has received continuous accreditation from the American Psychological Association since 1957.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the program is November 15 of each year.

Program Requirements

The program includes comprehensive training in scientific psychology, psychological inquiry, and professional practice. Students will engage in coursework, research, and practical experiences to develop their skills and knowledge in counseling psychology.

Research Areas

The program focuses on various research areas, including but not limited to:

• Counseling psychology
• Clinical mental health counseling
• School psychology
• Learning sciences
• Literacy education
• School counseling

Program Structure

The program is designed to provide students with a broad range of knowledge and skills in counseling psychology, including:

• Coursework in counseling psychology, research methods, and statistics
• Practical experiences in counseling, assessment, and intervention
• Research training and experience
• Clinical supervision and training

Student Outcomes

The program aims to produce graduates who are competent in the practice of counseling psychology, able to work with diverse populations, and committed to social justice and evidence-based practice. Graduates will be prepared to work in a variety of settings, including academic, research, and clinical environments.