Doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.)
Our Training Philosophy Model
The CSPP program is built on the scientist practitioner model. This includes intense training in the science of psychology, the practice of psychology, and the integration of these two elements. In addition to becoming skilled clinicians, students learn to be critical consumers and producers of research.
The primary objective of the program is to equip students with a fundamental body of knowledge and skills for employment as counseling psychologists in a variety of settings. Graduates are trained to facilitate human development in many environments, including educational and community settings. Training emphasizes (a) a generic conceptualization of counseling psychology rather than one that is technique-specific, population specific, or work setting-specific, taking into account the limitations of traditional theory, practice, and research when applied to the needs of a pluralistic population; (b) developmental and educational as well as problem or crisis oriented approaches; and (c) an essentially normal range of interpersonal problem solving and decision making behaviors, as well as more severe human problems.
The CSPP program is addressing contemporary social issues and needs such as prevention and educational interventions, counseling based training to reduce stereotyping) child and adolescent issues, and cross cultural and international applications. The CP program produces Ph.D. graduates who will address the needs of Minnesota, the nation, and other countries. The overriding theoretical orientation is developmental, with attention to prevention, remediation, and program intervention.
Our APA-approved doctorate program
contains two major components; one that
educates you to be a counseling
psychologist and another that is foundational in nature and
educates you to be a behavioral scientist. In the following
description (see the table below), we have included the
approximate number of semester credits that you would take
in each area.
| Counselor training: | Foundations: |
|---|---|
| counseling theory—individual and group (6 cr.) | statistics/measurement (10 cr.) |
| social/cultural contexts of counseling (3 cr.) | program evaluation (3 cr.) |
| pre-practicum (3 cr.) | learning/cognition (6 cr.) |
| practicum (8 cr.) | social psychology (6 cr.) |
| career development (3 cr.) | personality/individual differences (6 cr.) |
| supervision of other counselors (5 cr.) | biological bases of behavior (3 cr.) |
| professional seminars—research/advanced theory and ethics (8 cr.) | landmark issues—history and systems (3 cr.) |
| advanced practicum (6 cr.) | |
| internship (12 cr.) | |
| assessment (3 cr.) |
In addition to these courses and experiences, you complete two independent research projects—pre-dissertation research (equivalent to 2 cr.) and your doctoral dissertation (24 cr.). You take written and oral comprehensive exams in counseling and foundations areas. Finally, you give an oral defense of your dissertation.
Our doctoral program is designed to be completed in five years after the master's degree. However, in some cases, employment needs, personal commitments, or desire for additional specialization may be grounds to petition to extend your program.
If you enter the doctoral program with a master's degree in counseling, you may be able to transfer all or most of your previous work. However, since master's programs vary from school to school, it is difficult to predict what a student would need to take. If you are lacking in required master's coursework credits, the faculty will review your file and grant a program extension to allow you to complete these credits.
Graduate program support for students of culturally diverse backgrounds
- Common Ground Consortium (CGC) supports advanced graduate work in education by students of culturally diverse backgrounds who are graduates of several Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
- Scholarships, including the Rodney S. Wallace Endowed Scholarship to support Native American students
- Office for Diversity in Graduate Education (ODGE)