The over-arching goal of the program is to prepare counseling psychologists in the scientist-practitioner model to assume roles as responsible, competent members of the professional psychological community. Such members understand the value of science and research for the practice of psychology and the value of applied practice for the science of psychology. These individuals have developed skills, knowledge and self-understanding that allow them to help persons take responsibility for and control of their lives within the context of their development as human beings and the various systems and environments that impact their lives. Because counseling psychologists are working in increasingly diverse settings, the program provides an intensive grounding in psychological theory comparable to that provided to students in other specialties.
The philosophy of training maintains a strong emphasis on the approach to practice that distinguishes counseling psychologists from other professionals, as defined by APA Division 17: a focus on training multiculturally aware and responsive psychologists, a focus on social justice; a lifespan approach to advancing mental health and well-being with individuals, families, systems and communities; a strength- based focus; an emphasis on relatively brief interventions; an emphasis on person-environment interactions rather than an exclusive focus on person or environment; a focus on local as well as global applications of psychological science; a focus on clinical supervision; and an emphasis on educational
and career development. All students follow a defined sequence of training in theory, research and practice with a comprehensive generalist focus and select an individual nine-credit minor concentration area in preparation for more specialized training in their internship and/or post-doctoral experiences. Past graduates have chosen careers in a variety of settings, including college and university counseling centers, health care and rehabilitation facilities, academic departments in universities, private practice and consultation, and business and organizational practice.
Consistent with the scientist-practitioner model, students are involved in research projects throughout their training. This begins in the first year, with an assignment as a research assistant to a faculty member, and culminates with the design, data collection and analysis of at least one independent research project in addition to the dissertation. As members of the professional community, students are strongly encouraged to present their work at national and regional conferences, both during their academic career and after graduation.
Admission to the Program
Students are admitted to the Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Program if they have completed a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field, or with a master’s degree in psychology or counseling; transfer credits are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Admission to the program is competitive. Students are admitted once a year for the Fall semester, with an application deadline of December 15. The following must be submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office, College of Education and Human Services, by all applicants:
• official copies of all previous undergraduate and graduate transcripts;
• official scores from the Graduate Record Examination; • a completed graduate application form;
• three letters of reference from former teachers, professional colleagues or supervisors at work; • a statement of career goals;
• a statement of research interests; and
• a sample of work that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform at the doctoral level (optional). This may be a research project, publication from a professional journal or a case report on a client. Applicants who believe their standardized test scores are not representative of their true potential are particularly encouraged to submit work samples.
Individuals may be admitted to the Ph.D. program in counseling Psychology with a B.A. in Psychology if they demonstrate strong academic promise (e.g., GPA, GRE scores, research experience, etc.), potential for personal growth (e.g., highly developed interpersonal skills, clinical experience, letters of recommendation, etc.), and a commitment to the profession of counseling psychology (personal statement). Students from historically under
represented groups are encouraged to apply.
Admissions decisions are based on all of the above, in addition to a personal interview for a small group of applicants. The program also focuses on students who have demonstrated interests in both research and practice. Further, because of the highly interactive nature of the classroom and practicum experiences, students in the program learn from one another, as well as from their professors and supervisors. Therefore, the program seeks to admit students who bring both well-developed interpersonal skills and a variety of personal backgrounds, perspectives and life experiences that may serve to enhance the professional and personal development of their peers.
Interested individuals are encouraged to read the
Counseling Psychology Program doctoral student handbook at http://www.shu.edu/academics/education/phd-counseling-
psychology/upload/CPSY 2013-2014 HANDBOOK Dec2013 PDF. pdf
Degree Requirements (97 credits)
I. Foundation of Professional Practice in Psychology (36 credits)
A. Research and Statistics (12 credits)
CPSY 7006 Statistical Theory and Computer Applications II
CPSY 9001 Univariate Experimental Design CPSY 9002 Applied Multivariate Statistics CPSY 9004 Special Topics in Research Evaluation
B. Psychological Core (24 credits)
Although only one course is listed for each core area, at least one alternative selection is available in each area. To determine the appropriateness of any alternative selections, students must consult with the training director.
1. Biological Bases of Behavior (3 credits) CPSY 6105 Biological Bases of Behavior 2. Cognitive-Affective Bases of Behavior (3 credits) CPSY 6505 Principles of Learning and
Behavior Modification 3. Socio-Cultural Bases of Behavior (3 credits) CPSY 7515 Social Psychology
4. Individual Bases of Behavior (3 credits) CPSY 8520 Seminar in Psychopathology or
CPSY 8519 Seminar in Child and Adolescent Psychopathology
5. Systems Bases of Behavior (3 credits)
CPSY 6601 Couple and Family Dynamics: Systemic Perspectives
or
CPSY 7615 Gender and Ethnicity in Families 6. Ethical and Legal Issues in Professional Psychology
CPSY 8010 Seminar: Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling and Psychology 7. History and Systems of Psychology (3 credits)
CPSY 7100 History and Systems of Psychology 8. Life Span Development (3 credits)
CPSY 6102 Psychology of Human Development or
CPSY 8102 Seminar: Child and Adolescent Development in Context or
CPSY 8702 Adult Development and Aging or
CPSY Seminar: Adult Development and Aging in Context
II. Specialization Course for a Major in Counseling Psychology (55 credits)
A. Core (18 credits)
CPSY 8106 Special Topics: Multicultural Competency (1 credit per year for 4 years)
CPSY 8001-8002 Supervised Research in Counseling: Psychology (1 credit for each course) CPSY 8550 Group Psychotherapy with Children and
Adolescents or
CPSY 8701 Techniques of Group Counseling CPSY 8703 Seminar in Vocational Psychology
CPSY 8705 Psychoeducational Programming: Planning, Delivery and Evaluation
CPSY 9774 Theories and Techniques of Counseling and Psychotherapy
B. Assessment (12 credits)
CPSY 7203 Practicum: Aptitude, Interest and Personality Testing
(3 credits with a 1 credit lab) CPSY 7502 Individual Cognitive Assessment
(3 credits with a 1-credit lab)
CPSY 8706 Seminar in Clinical Assessment Techniques (3 credits with a 1-credit lab)
CPSY 8203 Lab - Practicum: Aptitude, Interest and Personality Testing
CPSY 8502 Lab - Cognitive Assessment
CPSY 9706 Lab - Seminar in Clinical Assessment Techniques
C. Practicum and Internship (16 credits)
CPSY 8563 Practicum in Counseling Psychology I (3 credits with a 1-credit lab)
CPSY 9788-9789 Internship in Counseling Psychology (no credit)
CPSY 8564 Practicum in Counseling Psychology II CPSY 8565 Practicum in Counseling Psychology III
CPSY 8566 Practicum in Counseling Psychology IV CPSY 8568 Practicum in Counseling Psychology V CPSY 9563 (1-credit lab for 8563 only)
Students registering for CPSY 9788-9789 will remain enrolled in the University and will pay a per-semester registration fee.
D. Minor Area (9 credits)
The minor area of specialization provides an opportunity for students to develop further expertise in some area of their choosing. This involves taking a 9-credit-hour sequence of related courses, independent readings, and/or research other than the dissertation. Possible minor areas are multicultural counseling, neuropsychological assessment, career
counseling, and marriage and family therapy. The minor area is selected by the student in consultation with the director of training. Modifications to the minor area may be made at any time in consultation with the student’s mentor.
Up to 3 credits may be double-counted toward degree requirements. For example, a student selecting neuropsychological assessment as a minor area would be allowed to count CPSY 6105:
Biological Bases of Behavior, a psychological core course, as satisfying three of the nine credits for the neuropsychological assessment minor as well as satisfying three of the 21 credits in the psychological core. The course has been double counted because it has satisfied credit hour requirements in two different areas. If a student chooses to double count a course, the total number of credit hours for the Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Program is reduced from 97 to 94 credit hours. Six of the nine credits in the minor area must be taken at Seton Hall.
Please note: Students who select neuropsychological
assessment as their minor area will need to take CPSY 6105: Biological Bases of Behavior in the Fall semester of their first year and CPSY 8521: Foundations of Neuropsychology Assessment in the Spring of their first year in the program.
III. Dissertation Advisement (a minimum of 6 credits)
The 6 credit hours for dissertation advisement are counted in the calculation of the 97 total credit hours in the curriculum for the Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program. Dissertation advisement will begin in the Fall semester of the student’s second year and continue for a minimum of two semesters (CPSY 9991-9992). Enrolling for additional dissertation advisement credits will be determined in consultation with the student’s mentor. In addition, in order to stay continuously enrolled in the University after all courses and the Internship are completed, students must enroll in Dissertation Advisement (CPSY 9993-9994) until the dissertation is completed.