Counseling Psychology Program Leading to the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology

The Ph. D. program in Counseling Psychology at the University at Albany provides integrated scientist-practitioner training in psychology as a scientific discipline and in counseling psychology as an area of professional specialization. Continuously accredited by the American Psychological Association  since 1980, the Ph. D. program involves full-time study in courses, seminars, practica, and internship training. The required curriculum encompasses four basic areas: (a) a professional core in counseling psychology (including theory, research and practice in areas of intervention, assessment, and career development), (b) supervised practica, (c) research design, measurement, and statistics, and (d) core psychology coursework. In addition, students must engage in a variety of professional experiences, complete special training in the mandated reporting of child abuse/neglect, demonstrate competence in an appropriate research tool, pass comprehensive doctoral examinations, complete a 2000 hour pre-doctoral internship, and submit an acceptable dissertation demonstrating their ability to conduct scholarly research in counseling psychology.

Basic to the design of this program are several perspectives on the nature of the field.

Scientist-Practitioner Model
The first of these concerns the scientist-practitioner model in the profession of psychology. This model is one in which training is undertaken in both intervention methods and scientific inquiry, and in which the practice of the profession involves both being informed by and contributing to scientific knowledge. In our program, questions of science and practice are viewed as complementary and interdependent, and the scientist-practitioner model is implemented by thorough course work in basic psychological foundations, research methods, developmental and intervention theory and assessment, and by practice opportunities in both research and clinical activities via assistantships, professional development activities, practica, specialized course work, and independent study.

Focus on Strengths and Normative Human Development
The second perspective stems from the tradition of the counseling psychology professional specialty to facilitate human growth and development, and to focus on client assets and strengths. Thus, while recognition of abnormality and pathology is an essential skill, the counseling psychology training in our program emphasizes patterns of normal development, and students are exposed to theory and methods that relate to both prevention and remediation of intra- and interpersonal human concerns.

Focus on Contextual Factors
Third, also following from tradition in counseling psychology, is the importance of understanding the person in his or her particular context. Whether the context in question is one of education, occupation, relationship, family, culture, or other system, training in our program includes a focus on the individual, on the nature of that person's environmental context, as well as on the quality of the interaction between the two.

Valuing Diversity
The fourth perspective concerns the valuing diversity. Diversity in our program will be found in the opportunities to explore issues of individual and cultural diversity, to learn a variety of theoretical orientations, to pursue a range of research topics and methods, to study with a multicultural array of students and faculty, to work with a range of client populations, to practice in multiple work settings, and to engage in a variety of professional roles (i.e., counselor, researcher, instructor, trainer, supervisor, consultant).

Quality Training
Finally, we believe that quality training is both sequential and comprehensive. That is, all course work, applied practice, and professional development activities are designed and scheduled to promote a graduated series of learning tasks. Students receive training in a broad, generalist model that prepares them for a variety of roles and settings, while also having opportunities to focus on particular problems or settings.

Following from these perspectives, our goals are to produce graduates who (1) have the requisite knowledge and skills for entry into the practice of professional psychology, (2) are skilled in the interface between science and practice, and (3) can contribute to knowledge and practice in counseling psychology.

Admissions Requirements
We are looking for students who have research experience, experience in an applied setting, a strong academic record,  good communication skills, and positive letters of recommendation. We do not use a "cutoff" system for grades. Rather, graduate and undergraduate GPAs are considered in the context of the entire application. The average GPA of accepted applicants has been approximately 3.47 (on a 4 point scale) for undergraduate GPA and 3.88 for graduate GPA. Admission to the doctoral program is based on a general commitment to full-time study. Applicants are required to submit a personal statement, resume, official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work, three to five letters of recommendation, application fee, the University at Albany Application for Admissions for Degree Graduate Study, and the Graduate Assistantship/Fellowship Application (available at Graduate Admissions or the Division website). Recommendations should include some undergraduate or graduate faculty letters.  At least 18 credits of undergraduate psychology credit is required, of which it must include statistics and either abnormal psychology or personality. Interviews are conducted for the top group of applicants in early to mid March. An applicant who holds a master's degree in counseling or in psychology may apply for up to 30 credits of advanced standing after admission.

Program of Study (80 credits total plus dissertation)

The student, in consultation with the faculty advisor, develops a program of study using the following program areas and credit distribution:

Area A.  Professional Core in Counseling Psychology

Courses include theory and research in individual and group interventions, assessment procedures, vocational development, professional issues, counseling research methodology, and special topics. A minimum of 33 credit hours is needed in Area A coursework.

Area B.  Supervised Practica in Counseling Psychology

Courses include beginning and advanced individual practica and practica in specialized procedures. The advanced counseling practica (ECPY 805 and 806) are taken at the university-operated Psychological Services Center. The Center, which offers its services to the community, is a training facility for graduate students in the counseling and clinical psychology programs.

Students are supervised by faculty who are licensed psychologists. Opportunities for the practicum in specialized procedures (ECPY 808) are community-based and include in- and out-patient assessment and interventions in a wide variety of colleges or universities, hospitals, residential treatment or other community agencies. 18 credits are required in Area B.

Area C.  Statistics and Research Design

Four statistics courses are required for a minimum of 12 credits.

Area D.  Psychological Foundations

Coursework in this area covers four major substantive areas within general psychology (biological, cognitive, developmental, and social determinants of behavior) and the history of psychology. Each course is three (3) credits (15 credits total).

D 1: One Course in Biological Bases of Behavior - Possible courses fulfilling requirement:

• ECPY 730 Introduction to Biopsychology and Psychopharmacology (3) 
• APSY 601 Behavioral Neuroscience I (3)

D 2: One Course in Cognitive Bases of Behavior -The course offered is APSY 603 Survey of Cognitive Psychology (3).

D 3: One Course in Developmental Bases of Behavior - Possible courses fulfilling requirement:

• EPSY 623 Advanced Human Development (3) 
• APSY 604 Survey of Development Psychology (3)

D 4: One Course in Social Bases of Behavior - Possible courses fulfilling requirement:

• ESPY 673 Social Psychology Foundations in Professional Psychology (3)
• ECPY760 Seminar in Social Psychology: From Basic Theory to Health-Related Applications (3)
• APSY 605 Social Psychology I (3).

D 5: One Course in History and Systems in Psychology - Choose either course below:

• ECPY 701 History and Systems of Psychology (3)
• APSY 610 History of Psychology (3)

Additional Coursework - Minimum of 3 credits

• ECPY 895     Doctoral Internship (2 credits)
• ECPY 899     Doctoral Dissertation (at least 1 credit)

Students must repeat any required course (courses falling within Areas A, B, and C) for which their grade drops below B (or "S" for S/U courses), provided that their overall GPA is at least a 3.0.  This policy does not apply to elective courses.  Students could receive a grade lower than B if the overall GPA remains a 3.0.

Mandated Reporter Training
Students are also required by New York State to complete a two-hour, non-credit, seminar in mandated child abuse reporting. 

Professional Development Activities
In addition to completion of coursework, students are expected to perform ancillary teaching, research, administrative, or professional duties that contribute to their professional development. These duties are undertaken with an educational objective in mind, and are expected whether or not students recieve related financial support from UA.

Scholarship Requirements
In addition to completion of coursework, students are required to complete two pre-candidacy scholarship requirements: (1) Students must present a first-authored paper or poster at a regional, national, or international psychology conference, and (2) Students must submit a first-authored scientific manuscript to a refereed journal in psychology.

Qualifying Examination
The student must pass a written comprehensive examination reflecting the science and practice of counseling psychology (intervention, assessment, career development/vocational psychology and cultural diversity).

Research Tool Requirement
Students must demonstrate competence in a research tool supportive of their doctoral research. This may include special competencies in computer science, statistical analysis, or coursework on methodology germane to counseling psychology.

Pre-Doctoral Internship Requirement
Students are required to complete an APA-accredited internship which must be one year of full-time or two years of half-time supervised experience equivalent to 2,000 hours of work. The internship is an educational experience involving counseling, supervisory and/or research activities in a setting in which the student is directly supervised by a licensed doctoral-level psychologist. The internship is taken after completion of all course requirements, including doctoral practica, and after successful completion of the Doctoral Qualifying Examination. Students must achieve candidacy prior to beginning the internship. Students are required to have a proposal of their dissertation research project completed and approved prior to applying for internship in the fall preceding the internship year. The Director of Doctoral Training in consultation with the core faculty must approve the student's professional readiness for internship. During their internship, students enroll in ECPY 895 for one credit hour during each semester spanned by their internship.

Dissertation
The student must complete a qualitative or quantitative investigation of some significant problem areas related to counseling psychology. The investigation should adhere to principles of logical analysis and empirical evidence in conducting the inquiry. The dissertation must demonstrate that the candidate has independently attained an acceptable level of research competence via adequate conceptualization of a problem, choice of research design, proper data analysis, and ability to report findings in a scholarly fashion. Following committee approval of the written dissertation, a final oral examination on the dissertation is conducted. Development of a dissertation proposal generally occurs in Cpy 890 (Independent Study) under the guidance of the proposed dissertation chair.

After the dissertation committee and the dissertation proposal are formally approved, students should register for Cpy 899 (Dissertation). A minimum of 1 credit of Cpy 899 must be taken in the semester the student defends the final dissertation (students defending in the summer semester must register for Cpy 899 in the prior Spring semester). Although only one Cpy 899 credit is required, whenever students are requesting faculty time and help with dissertation research, they must be registered for Cpy 899 and maintain continuous registration.

Full Time Study in Residence
This program of study and research requires at least five academic years of full-time work, or the equivalent over a longer period, beyond the baccalaureate. Students entering with a master’s degree can complete the Ph.D. in four years full-time.

Each student in a doctoral program must engage in full-time study beyond the master's degree or equivalent at the University in at least two sessions after admission to the advanced program. This requirement is designed to insure for each doctoral student a sustained period of intensive intellectual growth. For this purpose, a student will enroll in full-time study (9 credits) taken in each of two sessions, or in a regular session and a summer session, not necessarily consecutive, which must be completed satisfactorily. A student may petition the Faculty for exceptions to the policy in unusual circumstances. The petition should be presented to the Faculty for deliberation only after the written approval of the petition by the student's advisor and the Director of Doctoral Training.

Hence, the doctoral program is designed for full-time study during the academic year and it is expected that students will complete the majority of the program in the status of a full-time student during the regular academic year. Summer study is not regularly required; however, opportunities for summer study are frequently available.

Admission to Candidacy
A student will be admitted to candidacy upon the following:

1. Satisfactory record in course work, seminars, and practicum (all coursework in Areas A, B, C, and D with grades of B or better; 78 total graduate credits earned);
2. Satisfactory completion of the comprehensive qualifying examination;
3. Completion of the University residence requirements;
4. Acceptance of a dissertation proposal;
5. Satisfactory completion of the research tool requirement.

Please note: This program requires an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience requirement. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. If you have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of your intended academic program.

The PhD program in Counseling Psychology has been accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) since 1980. As of July 2020, the following states accept APA-accredited doctoral programs as meeting the educational requirements for licensure in that state:

• Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wyoming.

New York, as well as the following other states, require additional education and experience in addition to graduation from an APA accredited program to meet the educational requirements for licensure in that state:

• Alaska, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin.

The New York requirements for licensure can be found here: http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/psych/psychlic.htm 

Exchange Program in La Coruña, Spain

Beginning in 1999, the Doctoral program in counseling psychology and the Universidad de La Coruña, La Coruña, Spain, entered into an exchange agreement. Doctoral students in their third year (or beyond) who are fluent in Spanish may go to Spain for a period of 2 months to 1 year to train in La Coruña's interdisciplinary Postgraduate Family Intervention Program, directed by Dr. Valentín Escudero. This training program, which combines didactic material with seminars, case studies, tutorials, research, and clinical work with families, is taught by faculty from Spain and the U.S.

Eligibility for the program is determined by the Director of Doctoral Training in consultation with the faculty. To be eligible, students must demonstrate proficiency in Spanish, be in good academic standing, and have completed all required practica in the Department. Students must enroll for at least 3 credits per semester (Fall or Spring; 1 credit in the summer session). Tuition at the Universidad de La Coruña is waived in exchange for 5-6 hours of research assistance.