Counseling Psychology Ph.D.
This program is designed to develop counseling psychologists who can independently apply scientific psychological principles to improve the well being of individuals across the lifespan. The program focuses on developing competencies in the application of three treatment modalities: individual, group, and couples and family therapy. In addition, attention is directed toward the development of competencies in research, assessment, clinical supervision, advocacy, and program evaluation. This program subscribes to the scientist-practitioner model, with an emphasis on training practitioners and researchers to work with diverse populations. Graduates obtain employment in faculty positions, counseling centers, private practice, community agencies, health care, and business. The program is APA accredited, which leads to eligibility for licensure as a psychologist.
The Department of Applied Psychology and Counselor Education, along with the Department of School Psychology, offers services to the University and the local community through the Psychological Services Clinic, a research and training facility.
In our doctoral program at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC), we offer a Major Area of Study in Counseling Psychology with a minimum of 3 full-time academic years of graduate study in didactic course work and supervised clinical training in that Major Area of Study, which includes completing a dissertation that is consistent with the field of Counseling Psychology; students also complete 1 additional year of pre-doctoral internship. Students must complete at least 2 of the 3 academic training years as a full-time resident at UNC. Students that complete our program are appropriately trained in the area of health service psychology to be eligible for licensure as doctoral level psychologists. We offer students experience in being trained in treatment interventions from multiple modalities by completing: two individual practica courses, one family systems course, one couples and family practicum course, and a group practicum course. Live supervision is provided for these practica courses at our on-site training clinic that provides psychological services to community members and university students. Students are also exposed to psychological assessment by completing a cognitive assessment course and a personality assessment course, as well as the option of completing additional assessment courses. Furthermore, our students are trained to create, disseminate, and utilize scholarly research to engage in evidence-based practice. Our program places relatively greater concentration on training related to research. Students take six courses in the area of research and have the option of completing one additional research course in order to receive a doctoral minor in applied statistics and research methods.
Admission: Application materials must be completed and on file in the Graduate School by December 1st. The Graduate School Application includes: a completed application form, one official copy of academic transcripts, one official copy of GRE scores (and TOEFL scores if an International applicant), three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with an applicant’s academic and clinical skills (letter writers should also complete the Graduate School’s Letter of Recommendation form), and an application fee.
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All entering doctoral students will hold a bachelor's or master's degree in psychology/counseling or a related field; should have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, have GRE Verbal and Quantitative scores of at least 291 total, and a minimum of 3.5 on the Analytical Writing subtest. International students must have a TOEFL score of at least 213 on the computer based test and 550 on the paper based tests. An official copy of GRE scores (and TOEFL if an international applicant) needs to be submitted.
- The Counseling Psychology program has a supplemental application form that should also be sent to the Graduate School by December 1st. The supplemental materials include: completion of the Supplementary Data Sheet (included in the Counseling Psychology Application Packet or on the Counseling Psychology program’s website), applicant’s current vita, and a written statement responding to questions related to an applicant’s mental health experiences, professional background/interests and aspirations.
- A further review process is conducted by the faculty. Finalists are invited to attend an admission screening workshop.
Admission decisions are based on the professional judgment of the Counseling Psychology faculty, considering the above data, including personal characteristics and interpersonal communication style as assessed in the pre-admission workshop. Applications are evaluated on a competitive basis; positions are limited.
For degree and program requirements, see:
Counseling Psychology Ph.D.