Counseling Psychology - Doctor of Philosophy

The CEP Department offers a doctoral program that leads to a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology. The program is accredited by the American Psychological Association.  For more information on this accreditation contact                                            

The Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 1st Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 336-5979.

The program is based on the scientist-practitioner model through which both research and service delivery skills are acquired. Graduates of the program are prepared to conduct research, provide service, teach, and supervise. The program prepares students for licensure as psychologists. The two aims of the program are:

  1. To prepare entry-level counseling psychologists who are self-reflective and competent in both the practice and science of the profession.
  2. To prepare counseling psychologists who think critically about the socio-cultural context of their work and promote social justice

For more information on program application requirements and process, see Counseling Psychology, Ph.D., program website.

Program Requirements

CEP faculty conduct periodic reviews of students’ progress in the programs, including their academic performance, counseling and psycho-educational skills, professionalism and ethics. Deficits identified through faculty reviews may result in recommendations that students engage in remedial work or that they pursue alternative career goals. 

Program of Study

Prefix Title Credits
CEPY 5180Addictions Counseling3
CEPY 5280Primary Care Psychology3
CEPY 6120Human Development3
or CEPY 5120 Human Development
CEPY 6130Psychology of Multiculturalism3
CEPY 6140Cognitive & Affective Basis of Behavior3
CEPY 6150Social Psychology3
CEPY 6160History and Systems of Psychology3
CEPY 6180Physiology of Behavior3
CEPY 6190Ethical/Professional Issues in Counseling Psychology3
CEPY 6270Diagnosis and Treatment Planning3
or CEPY 5270 Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
CEPY 6320Career/Life Planning and Vocational Assessment3
or CEPY 5320 Career/Life Planning and Vocational Assessment
CEPY 6340Appraisal of Cognitive Functioning3
CEPY 6350Appraisal of Personality3
CEPY 6420Psychometrics3
CEPY 6425Counseling Psychology Research3
CEPY 6430Advanced Statistics3
CEPY 6410Introduction to Qualitative Research3
or EDUC 6440 Qualitative Research I
CEPY 6440Multivariate Statistics3
CEPY 6450Educational Experimentation3
CEPY 6590Behavioral Health Practicum3
CEPY 6550Counseling Psychology Theory/Practicum3
CEPY 6560Group Work Theory/Practicum3
CEPY 6570Advanced Counseling Psychology Practicum6
CEPY 6580Supervision Theory and Practicum3
CEPY 6620Internship in Counseling Psychology I18
CEPY 6630Internship in Counseling Psychology II2
Doctoral Dissertation 18
Doctoral Dissertation1-15
Electives (6 elective credits are required)6
The Art & Science of Mindfulness for Helping Professionals (or 2 credits + 1 credit CEPY 6996)3
Child and Adolescent Counseling Theory and Technique3
Child and Adolescent Counseling Theory and Technique
Family Therapy Theory and Technique3
Family Therapy Theory and Technique
Spanish for Mental Health Professionals3
Foundations in Borderlands & Ethnic Studies3
Decolonial Research I: Methodologies3
Theories in Borderlands and Ethnic Studies3
Capstone in Borderlands and Ethnic Studies3
Literature and Mental Health3
Advanced U.S. Latino Culture and Literature3
Total Credits119
Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Semester 1Credits
Summer  
CEPY 5120
Human Development
or Human Development
3
CEPY 6130 Psychology of Multiculturalism 3
 Credits6
Semester 2
Fall  
CEPY 6420 Psychometrics 3
CEPY 5270
Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
or Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
3
CEPY 6190 Ethical/Professional Issues in Counseling Psychology 3
CEPY 6550 Counseling Psychology Theory/Practicum 3
 Credits12
Semester 3
Spring  
CEPY 6430 Advanced Statistics 3
CEPY 6560 Group Work Theory/Practicum 3
CEPY 6425 Counseling Psychology Research 3
CEPY 6320 Career/Life Planning and Vocational Assessment 3
 Credits12
Second Year
Semester 1
Summer  
CEPY 5180 Addictions Counseling 3
CEPY 6150 Social Psychology 3
 Credits6
Semester 2
Fall  
CEPY 6410
Introduction to Qualitative Research
or Qualitative Research I
3
CEPY 6340 Appraisal of Cognitive Functioning 3
CEPY 6570 Advanced Counseling Psychology Practicum 3
CEPY 6180 Physiology of Behavior 3
 Credits12
Semester 3
Spring  
CEPY 6440 Multivariate Statistics 3
CEPY 6350 Appraisal of Personality 3
CEPY 6570 Advanced Counseling Psychology Practicum 3
CEPY 6450 Educational Experimentation 3
 Credits12
Third Year
Semester 1
Summer  
Grad Electives 3
CEPY 6140 Cognitive & Affective Basis of Behavior 3
 Credits6
Semester 2
Fall  
CEPY 6580 Supervision Theory and Practicum 3
CEPY 5280 Primary Care Psychology 3
CEPY 6160 History and Systems of Psychology 3
CEPY 7000 Doctoral Dissertation 4
 Credits13
Semester 3
Spring  
CEPY 6590 Behavioral Health Practicum 3
CEPY 7000 Doctoral Dissertation 4
Grad Electives 3
 Credits10
Fourth Year
Semester 1
Fall  
CEPY 6620 Internship in Counseling Psychology I 9
CEPY 7000 Doctoral Dissertation 5
 Credits14
Semester 2
Spring  
CEPY 6620 Internship in Counseling Psychology I 9
CEPY 7000 Doctoral Dissertation 5
 Credits14
Semester 3
Summer  
CEPY 6630 Internship in Counseling Psychology II 2
 Credits2
 Total Credits119

Please reach out to the Program Director for other advising plans, to include, if available, part-time enrollment.