Department of Applied Psychology and Counselor Education

Counseling Psychology Ph.D.

The Counseling Psychology program at UNC has been in existence since 1984. It became accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) in 1995 as a PsyD program. The curriculum was modified to offer only the PhD in Counseling Psychology and has been accredited by APA since January 15, 2010. For more information about APA accreditation, contact the American Psychological Association's Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation at 750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242, by phone at (202) 336-5979, or on the web at http://www.apa.org/ed/accreditation/.

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 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.

1. 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.

2. 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.
3. 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.

Counselor Education and Supervision Ph.D.

The doctoral program in counselor education and supervision prepares individuals for employment as counselor educators and supervisors in graduate programs offering training in school counseling, clinical counseling, couples and family counseling/therapy, and counseling with children and adolescents. Graduates are also qualified for licensure as professional counselors, couples and family counselors, or school counselors. The Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

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.

Admission: Application must be complete and on file in the Applied Psychology and Counselor Education Office by December 1, with decisions announced by the first week of March.

• All applicants should have a GPA of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and have GRE Verbal and Quantitative scores of at least 500 each, or 291 total on the new scoring scale, 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 in an international applicant) needs to be submitted.
• A master's degree in counseling or a related area is required; CACREP accredited programs preferred.
• Three letters of recommendation are required from individuals who are familiar with the student’s academic and clinical skills.
• Written statement must be completed regarding the relationship of the doctoral program to the future career goals of the applicant.

Attendance at a doctoral applicant interview day is required for the admission process to be completed. Admission decisions are based on the professional judgment of the Counselor Education and Supervision faculty, considering the above data, including personal characteristics and interpersonal communications style as assessed in the pre-admission workshop. Applications are evaluated on a competitive basis for a limited number of positions.

Prerequisites: Required of All Counselor Education and Supervision Ph.D. Students

Entering doctoral students should have completed graduate courses in the following areas:

• Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
• Career Counseling and Theory
• Counseling Theories
• Lifespan Development
• Family Systems
• Group Counseling/Guidance
• Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling
• Substance Abuse
• Appraisal and Assessment
• Introduction to Graduate Research

Students who have not completed coursework in these areas must complete these courses as deficiency coursework not to be counted toward the hours required for the degree.

For degree and program requirements, see:

Counselor Education and Supervision Ph.D.

Professional Counseling

The Counseling faculty views potential candidates as unique, with strengths and assets to be identified, encouraged and developed during their graduate education. The knowledge and human relations skills necessary to help individuals recognize their own and other persons' unique promise and discover opportunities for its expression form the core of professional preparation for students in professional counseling. Such knowledge and skills are learned in part from research and study in the behavioral and social sciences, various skill development activities and supervised practica. Supervised training is provided through the Psychological Services Clinic to the University and the local community. Opportunities for a broad understanding of human behavior and human relationships are included in the education of the student in Counseling.

The Counseling faculty is committed to the development of broadly based competent professional counselors skilled in helping people with personal, interpersonal and career concerns in community agencies or in schools. The requirements of the program are conceptualized within the framework and standards set forth by accreditation standards, the counseling profession, Colorado state law, Graduate School and job requirements. The Professional Counseling programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Admission. The prospective student must apply for admission to and be accepted by the program area faculty. Admission to the program requires a GPA of 3.0 or better, on a 4.00 point scale, from the most recent degree earned or current degree in progress.  If the applicant's GPA is below 3.0, the Graduate Record Exam (General Test) score must be submitted. It is recommended that the applicant have a total score that meets or exceeds 1000 on the Verbal and Quantitative subtests, or 291 total on the new scoring scale, and a minimum of 3.5 on the Analytical Writing subtest. Attendance at a pre-admission workshop is required for this admission process to be completed. When attendance at the preadmission workshop is an extreme hardship for the applicant, special arrangements are made.

Acceptance is based on consideration of the following criteria:

• Clarity of career goals.
• Intellectual qualities.
• Professional judgment of appropriate personality characteristics as evidenced by a structured interview, interpersonal communication style and personal references.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.A.

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling master's degree prepares professional counselors for licensure as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC). Graduates work in a variety of settings, including community mental health centers, hospitals, private practice, addictions, residential treatment, etc.

For degree and program requirements, see:

Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.A.  

Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling/Therapy M.A.

The master's degree in Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling/Therapy is designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). The degree prepares professionals for specialized work with couples and families and is focused on training in relationship, interpersonal interaction, and systems theory.

For degree and program requirements, see:

  Marriage, Couples and Family Counseling/Therapy M.A. 

School Counseling M.A.

The master's degree in School Counseling prepares students for Colorado licensure as a School Counselor. Students are training to meet the needs of students at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.

School Counseling M.A.