Program Goals

Counseling Psychology students are expected to acquire the following competencies:

Goal 1:

We seek to develop counseling psychologists who are critical consumers of, and competent scholars in, social science research.

Goal 2:

We seek to develop counseling psychologists with a sufficient knowledge base for the practice of counseling.

Goal 3:

We seek to develop counseling psychologists with competencies in applied practice in psychology.

Goal 4:

We seek to develop counseling psychologists who are socially responsible and ethical.

Goal 5:

We seek to develop culturally competent counseling psychologists who are sensitive to the diverse cultures, worldviews, values, and realities of clients.

The program faculty seeks to stimulate discussion, inquiry and curiosity among faculty and students concerning a myriad of questions regarding psychology. By completing the program, students will gain the skills needed to become competent practitioners, however, the program seeks students whose primary commitment is to develop abilities in research, theory, and scholarship that will allow them to contribute to the ever-changing world of psychology. Knowledge, skills, and abilities for working with human diversity  are emphasized in all levels of training. Students' progress as counseling psychologists is regularly evaluated and written feedback is provided on a regular basis.

Graduates of the program contribute to the field of counseling psychology through teaching, training, counseling, psychotherapy, consultation, administration and research. The contexts in which they work include educational institutions (primarily colleges and universities), mental health centers, hospitals, research agencies and private practice. This diversity is made possible by the extensive course offerings, practicum and internship opportunities available, and professional interests, experiences, and theoretical orientations of the faculty.