Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Programs of 2024

The Ph.D. in counseling psychology at AU reserves enrollment for students interested in both research and its application in clinical practice. Trainees develop their competencies as scientist-practitioners by completing coursework and mentoring with faculty on research projects. 

The core curriculum provides training in areas, such as cognitive behavior therapy, assessment of cognitive abilities and achievement, and counseling diverse populations. Elective coursework could include a focus on psychological trauma, advanced writing in clinical psychology, and/or other areas. 

Students complete a practicum and a 2,000-hour internship that provides relevant clinical experience. Admission requires a bachelor's degree and strong academic performance.

BU's Ph.D. in counseling psychology and applied human development offers concentrations in child/adolescent mental health and sport/performance psychology. Students complete 81-97 credits on campus in Boston, first choosing either the counseling psychology (CP) or applied human development specialization. 

CP students complete a core that includes training in effective interventions, intellectual and behavioral assessment, and counseling health psychology. Participants receive research methods and data analysis training and complete concentration-specific courses. 

The APA-accredited degree requires a practicum and a two-semester internship. Enrollees can complete one of the best counseling psychology Ph.D. programs in 4-5 years. CP students need a master's for admission.

Established in 1982, Howard's Ph.D. in counseling psychology develops scientist-practitioners able to use evidence-based practices and interventions to help underserved populations. Students complete the full-time program on campus in Washington, D.C.

The APA-accredited curriculum covers topics, such as personality assessment, clinical interviewing/micro-counseling, and cognitive behavioral interventions and evidence-based therapies. Enrollees can collaborate on research projects with faculty in and outside of their department. 

Practicum training prepares students for a 2,000-hour, yearlong internship at an approved facility. Participants culminate the degree with a research dissertation and a comprehensive exam. Admission requires a bachelor's or master's degree, GRE scores, and letters of recommendation.

OSU's Ph.D. in counseling psychology focuses on preparing students for professional practice. Students complete the degree on the OSU-Stillwater or OSU-Tulsa campus. The department's notable research areas include body image, bullying, and health and wellness promotion.

The 117-credit curriculum is delivered using a scientist-practitioner model that involves academic coursework, research, and outreach. Prospective counseling psychologists have access to a variety of campus training labs with expertise, such as sexual health or trauma recovery and growth research. 

All enrollees receive clinical training through practicum and internship experiences. Successful applicants receive full-tuition waivers and funding from research and/or teaching graduate assistantships. Admission requires a bachelor's or master's degree and all college transcripts.

The Ph.D. in counseling psychology at Texas A & M trains counseling psychologists competent in multiculturalism, interdisciplinary collaborations, and community engagement. Graduates meet the academic requirements for professional licensure or certification in many states. 

Enrollees complete 64-96 credits depending on their status as a bachelor's or master's degree-holder. Course topics include counseling techniques, counseling and psychotherapy theories, career counseling, and consultation to organizations.

Participants interested in teaching careers receive mentorship when they give guest lectures and co-teach with advisors. Field practicum training and a yearlong internship provide practical clinical experience. Admission requires transcripts and records, a recommended minimum 3.0 GPA, and no GRE scores.

UGA's Ph.D. in counseling psychology prepares health service psychologists and leads to licensure eligibility in all states. The program uses a scientist-practitioner training model and is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association.

Students complete core psychology courses and choose from concentrations that include supervision, clinical health psychology, assessment, or teaching (preparing future faculty). Enrollees participate in research projects and complete a paper and a dissertation. 

Supervised clinical training in psychotherapy and a one-year internship prepare enrollees for clinical practice. Enrollees may qualify for scholarships and graduate assistantships to pay for one of the nation's best counseling psychology Ph.D. programs. Admission requires a master's degree, GRE scores, and relevant professional work experiences (desired).

A leader in psychological research, UI offers a Ph.D. in counseling psychology. Students learn from faculty recognized for research expertise in areas, such as psychotherapy, positive psychology, and rural medicine and behavioral health.

The program's scientist-practitioner model prepares competent researchers and practitioners. Key topics include intelligence assessment, theories of psychotherapy, and multicultural counseling. Enrollees receive additional training through their work on research teams and by completing a dissertation. 

Participants complete a 450-hour practicum and a one-year internship that typically involves relocation. About 70% of recent students admitted to the program received financial support. Admission requires a bachelor's degree and a minimum undergraduate 3.0 GPA.

UM's Ph.D. in counseling psychology is open to students with either a bachelor's or a master's degree. The program uses a scientist-practitioner model to train scholars and clinicians. About 90% of graduates go on to earn state licensure. 

Key courses include psychological appraisal, supervision in counseling psychology, and faculty preparation. Participants develop research expertise in using quantitative methods and techniques for testing and measurement. Enrollees complete 2-3 years of practicum training at UM counseling centers, local hospitals, and other locations. 

Full-time students receive a tuition waiver for required coursework and additional funding through fellowships and graduate assistantships. Admission to one of the best counseling psychology Ph.D. programs requires competitive grades and GRE scores.

The University of Oregon's Ph.D. in counseling psychology offers an optional Spanish language specialization. Students can enter the doctoral program with a bachelor's or master's degree. Foundational coursework provides training in mental health diagnosis, counseling diverse populations, and microcounseling skills. 

Participants learn how to address the needs of individuals, children and families, and diverse populations through advanced didactic and practicum experiences. The bilingual specialization requires 16 credits and includes a bilingual practicum focused on child and family.

An internship component solidifies students' preparation for state licensure and careers. Admission requires school transcripts and no GRE scores for all applicants; Spanish language competencies are required for those pursuing the specialization.

UW-Madison's Ph.D. in counseling psychology encourages students to work with faculty as they engage in research, clinical training, and teaching. One of the nation's best counseling psychology Ph.D. programs, the APA-accredited degree enrolls bachelor's and master's degree-holders. 

The 77-89-credit curriculum provides advanced training in areas, such as abnormal behavior and psychopathology, counseling psychology research, and assessment techniques. Students receive hands-on training and culminate the degree with a one-year internship. 

Post-BA applicants must have a minimum 3.5 GPA, and a major in psychology is strongly recommended. Post-MA applicants must have a master's or Ph.D. in counseling or a related field that includes a counseling internship.