Program Overview

Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology

The Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology program at the University of North Dakota is designed to develop the clinical and research skills necessary for a fulfilling career as a counseling psychologist. This program is grounded in the scientist-practitioner training model with a multicultural and social justice emphasis.

Program Details

• Program Type: Doctoral Degree
• Format: On Campus
• Estimated Time to Complete: 4-6 years
• Credit Hours: 98

Why Earn a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology?

Counseling psychology is a career that enables graduates to have a direct, positive change in society. The program integrates practice and science to prepare competent, well-rounded professionals. Students receive extensive training in research and clinical skills to prepare them for a variety of settings and careers. The curriculum emphasizes the role of social justice in psychological practice, and diversity in all its many forms is valued.

Areas of Specialized Training

• Integrated behavioral healthcare
• Vocational psychology
• Multicultural and social justice issues
• Counseling and assessment across the lifespan, including in child & adolescent psychotherapy
• Consultation, Leadership, and Grant Writing

Faculty

Faculty currently accepting Ph.D. students include:

• Ethan Dahl, Ph.D.
• Karla Fehr, Ph.D.
• Rachel L. Navarro, Ph.D., L.P.
• Katherine L. Nelson Ph.D., L.P.
• Kara Wettersten, Ph.D., L.P.
• Ryan Flinn, Ph.D.
• Akorede Teriba, Ph.D.

Program Experience

• Work closely with nationally recognized faculty mentors and engage in high-impact research.
• Engage in professional development and leadership through professional organizations.
• Complete assistantships in the areas of research, teaching, and supervision.
• Receive funding opportunities, including tuition waivers and graduate assistantships, where available.
• Complete practicum training at a range of sites, including university counseling centers, integrated behavioral healthcare centers, the Veterans Administration, and community mental health agencies.

Career Opportunities

A Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of North Dakota prepares graduates to work as licensed psychologists in settings such as:

• Community mental health agencies
• College and university counseling centers
• Hospitals and medical centers
• College and university departments of counseling and psychology
• Independent private practice
• Consultation and policy work

Skills Acquired

A doctorate in Counseling Psychology gives graduates the strategic skills they need, including:

• Psychotherapy
• Psychology
• eClinicalWorks (ECW)
• Family Therapy
• Crisis Intervention

Courses

Some of the courses included in the program are:

• Multicultural Counseling
• The Psychology of Women, Gender, and Development
• Supervision Theory and Technique
• Advanced Psychometrics
• Research Issues in Counseling Psychology
• Child and Adolescent Counseling

Accreditation

The Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program is accredited by the American Psychological Association. The last accreditation review was completed in July 2021, and the program earned ten years of accredited status.

Alumni Success

Graduates consistently report that their University of North Dakota education has prepared them to excel in practice, supervision, teaching, and research settings. They note that their competency in diversity and social justice issues sets them apart.