What is counseling psychology?
Counseling psychology as a psychological specialty facilitates personal and interpersonal functioning across the life span with a focus on emotional, social, vocational, educational, health-related, developmental, and organizational concerns.
Through the integration of theory, research, and practice, and with a sensitivity to multicultural issues, this specialty encompasses a broad range of practices that help people improve their well-being, alleviate distress and maladjustment, resolve crises, and increase their ability to live more highly functioning lives.
Counseling psychology is unique in its attention both to normal developmental issues and to problems associated with physical, emotional, and mental disorders. For more information on the training and work settings of counseling psychologists, visit the following website: http://www.div17.org
What is the emphasis of this program?
Our Counseling Psychology program is a scientist-practitioner program. We encourage students to apply who are interested in pursuing both research and practice in their careers. We do not encourage applications from students who want primarily to be practitioners. Further, we focus on the periods of late adolescence and adulthood, rather than on children or early adolescence.
What are the admission requirements?
A bachelor's degree in psychology or a closely related field is desirable but not required. Students should have completed a minimum of 15 credits in psychology, including introductory or general psychology, statistics, and 3 additional courses (in areas such as theories of personality, developmental psychology, social psychology, or cognitive-behavioral psychology).
A strong background in math and statistics is helpful. The typical applicant who is competitive has: (a) total GRE scores of over 1150 (verbal and quantitative combined) and (b) a GPA of 3.5 or above for the last 60 hours of the baccalaureate degree and, if a previous master's degree has been earned, 3.75 for the master's degree. We also look for experience in both research and counseling, and we are committed to training a culturally-diverse group of students.
How many students are admitted each year?
All students are admitted for the Fall semester only, and we admit approximately 8-10 students per year.
Are students admitted on a part-time basis?
No. Only persons who are willing and able to carry a full schedule of courses (e.g., 10 credit hours per semester) will be admitted.
Do credits from previous graduate work apply to the requirements for the doctoral degree?
Up to 6 credits (2 courses) that are judged by the faculty to meet the requirements for a core psychology course (e.g., a graduate-level course in social psychology or developmental psychology) can be used to meet program requirements. Students must petition after they are admitted to the program.
In addition, previous graduate-level coursework in statistics might meet the requirements for one of the statistics courses. Again, this decision is made after the student is accepted into the program. We cannot evaluate previous coursework of individual applicants before they are admitted to the program.
How does one determine whether to apply through the Department of Counseling and Personnel Services or the Psychology Department?
An applicant may apply to the program via either he Psychology Department or the Department of Counseling and Personnel Services. Regardless of the department through which a student is admitted, the program is basically identical for all students. Typically, an applicant should apply to that side of the program where she or he would most like to work with a specific faculty advisor.
Admissions are determined by the faculty as a whole, and students are considered to be part of the joint program once they begin their studies. Students can switch advisors during the program to advisors on either side of the program. Please note that an advisor must be a full-time faculty member.
When are admission decisions made?
Notifications of admission are made by phone immediately following the review process, usually by mid-February to early March. Students who are not admitted to the program will be notified by mail during this same period.