Prospective Students

The Department of Counseling Psychology offers two degree programs, a Master's (M.S.) program in Counseling and a Doctoral (Ph.D.) program in Counseling Psychology.  For information on either program and application procedures, please see the sidebar to the left. PhD applications are due December 1st.  Master's applications are due January 15th.

The Master's program in Counseling is a terminal Masters of Science (M.S.) degree which requires successful completion of 48 graduate credits (current students usually do two years of full-time study plus two summer semesters). Master's students in our program complete a master's paper/thesis, and must demonstrate competencies in the following areas:

• Case Conceptualization
• Presentation
• Counseling Microskills
• Multicultural Counseling
• Consultation Skills
• Professional Behavior and Ethics
• AODA Counseling
• Information Systems (Computing and Internet Technology use)

Master's students specialize in Community Counseling, which aims to train professionals to become mental health practitioners in the community. For more details, please see our most recent Master's Handbook.

The Ph.D. program in Counseling Psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association and is designed to prepare students for the role of professional psychologist, and to foster understanding of the scientific basis for practice, multicultural competence, and a social justice orientation. The theoretical orientation of the program is best described as eclectic/interpersonal. The length of the program for students entering with a Master's in the counseling field is at least five years (63 total semester credits minimum): three years (if full time) coursework plus one dissertator year and one internship year.

The Ph.D. program involves required coursework in Counseling Psychology and related departments, as well as a series of supervised clinical training experiences. Through the course of this training, students are expected to attain competence in three domains we believe are critical to effective performance as a professional psychologist. The three domains are mutually reinforcing, in that skills in one domain enhance competence in the others. More detailed description of training objectives and evaluation procedures in each domain is found in Part IV of the Ph.D. Handbook.

• Multicultural competence and social justice orientation:
  • Multicultural self-awareness;
  • Motivation to gain knowledge and experience with diverse groups;
• Application of knowledge of culture and context to clinical work;
• Appropriate application of multicultural skills to clinical work and
  professional roles;
• Evidence-based practice:
  • Knowledge of various research methods;
  • Conceptualization of research questions, development of methods to address them;
  • Ability to evaluate acceptability, effectiveness of psychological services;
  • Ability to summarize and communicate research findings;
  • Knowledge and skills related to both specific interventions and common factors ;
  • Ability to cogently discuss theoretical and empirical basis for one’s practice;
  • Understanding of relevance of client characteristics, culture, and context to assessment validity and treatment effectiveness;
• Preparation for role as professional psychologist:
  • Ethical competence;
  • Professional demeanor;
  • Identification with counseling psychology and psychology as a discipline;
  • Readiness for internship and for independent practice.
    

For information about the accreditation status of the Ph.D. program in Counseling Psychology contact:

Office of the Program Consultation and Accreditation

American Psychological Association

750 First St., NE

Washington, D.C. 20002-4242

Tel: (202) 336-5979

Fax: (202) 336-5978

Email:  apaaccred@apa.org

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