Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology

The Doctor of Philosophy in counseling psychology was granted full accreditation by the American Psychological Association in 1983. Full accreditation was renewed in 2005.
The program's goal is to prepare counseling psychologists who will promote psychology as a science and contribute to the advancement of the profession. No master's degree is offered in counseling psychology. The faculty endorses a scientist/practitioner model of training and expects students to become competent researchers and proficient practitioners. Graduates find positions in a variety of settings, including higher education, counseling centers, clinics, private practice settings, and hospitals.

ADMISSION

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College. Preference is given to applicants who have an undergraduate g.p.a. above 3.00 and a graduate g.p.a. above 3.50; an undergraduate major, minor, or substantial course work in psychology; a combined verbal and quantitative score above 1200 on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test; and previous research and counseling experience.
Application materials must include a Graduate College application form; official transcripts of all previous college work; an official report of GRE General Test scores (the GRE advanced test in psychology is recommended but not required); a personal statement outlining career goals and reasons for seeking advanced training in counseling psychology; and three letters of recommendation from individuals qualified to assess the applicant's potential for completing the doctoral program. The faculty encourages applications from minorities, women, and persons from a wide range of backgrounds and academic preparation. The program typically accepts between five and eight students each year.
Admission is for fall entry. Application deadline is December 1. Admissions decisions usually are made by March 1. Applicants are invited to campus for interviews before final selection. All students must study full-time.

REQUIREMENTS

The Ph.D. in counseling psychology requires a minimum of 111 s.h. of graduate credit, and 12-15 dissertation credit hours.

Basic Psychology

All students are required to have a thorough grounding in the basic discipline of psychology. This may be achieved through a minimum of 3 s.h. of credit in each of the following four areas: biological bases of behavior, cognitive-affective bases of behavior, social bases of behavior, and history and systems. Students complete an additional 6 s.h. in the area of individual differences.

Statistics and Research Design

All of the following:

One of the following:

Selection of:

One additional qualitative course and one additional quantitative course

OR

Two additional qualitative courses

Counseling Psychology Core

Students must enroll in practicums to reach a specified level of client contact, supervision, and additional experience hours. The first practicum's site typically is University Counseling Service. Subsequent placements at other sites must have prior approval of the counseling psychology faculty. Students must successfully complete one semester of 07P:434 Practicum in Counseling Psychology before enrolling in 07P:453 Advanced Practicum in Counseling Psychology.

Other Requirements

Elective courses are determined in collaboration with the major advisor.
The dissertation research study is planned in collaboration with the doctoral student's major advisor. Dissertation credit can range from 12 to 15 s.h.
Students spend a calendar year in an internship setting approved by the counseling psychology faculty. The faculty determines student readiness to apply for the internship based on completion of all or almost all required course work, satisfactory progress toward completion of the portfolio requirement, and successful completion of practicum requirements. Internships usually require geographic relocation.
Comprehensive examinations are written in counseling psychology ethics and issues. The comprehensive examination is structured as a component of the portfolio review. For more information, contact the program coordinator.
Students must show appropriate levels of emotional balance and interpersonal skills and act within the American Psychological Association Ethical Principles of Psychologists. For more information, contact the program director.