The doctoral program in counseling psychology trains generalists who are able to engage in a variety of activities ranging from clinical treatment to academic research. Reflecting a "scientist-practitioner" model, the curriculum prepares clinicians who apply the best and most current theory and research to their practice, and academicians who are grounded in the realities of practice. Although preparing students to be able to assess and treat the full range of disorders that psychologists address, our emphasis as counseling psychologists is upon personal, social, and career development of the whole person, and upon enhancing the environments in which people learn and work.
Students learn to critically evaluate major approaches to counseling, to evaluate, design, and conduct research, and to gain clinical experience working with people of diverse cultural backgrounds and worldviews. The program is intended for full-time students.
Since 1955, the Ph.D.program in Counseling Psychology has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association. If you have questions about our program's accreditation status, please contact: American Psychological Association, 750 1st Street, NE , Washington, DC 20002-4242 Phone:(202) 336-5979.
Graduate Admissions Requirements
Applicants must meet both the University and departmental admission requirements to be considered for the program.
University of Kansas Graduate Admission Requirements
- All applicants must meet the requirements outlined in the Admission to Graduate Study policy.
- Bachelor’s degree: A copy of official transcripts showing proof of a bachelor's degree (and any post-bachelor’s coursework or degrees) from a regionally accredited institution, or a foreign university with equivalent bachelor's degree requirements is required.
- English proficiency: Proof of English proficiency for non-native or non-native-like English speakers is required. There are two bands of English proficiency, including Admission and Full proficiency. For applicants to online programs, Full proficiency is required.
Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology Application Requirements:
The Counseling Psychology doctoral program accepts approximately six to eight students each year. Both bachelor's level and master's level applicants are considered for admission.
Recommended minimums when applying to the Ph.D program with a bachelor's degree:
- The completion of a bachelor's degree in psychology or a related field
- An overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 covering all college credits taken prior to the bachelor's degree, or 3.25 for the major courses or the last 60 credits of the bachelor's degree.
Recommended minimums when applying to the Ph.D program with a master's degree:
- The completion of a Master's degree in counseling or a closely related field.
- Graduate GPA of 3.50 or above.
In addition, the following is required:
- A completed graduate application.
- Application fee.
- Official transcripts of all degree-granting post-secondary institutions you have attended and an official transcript for each degree earned.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- Personal statement (1-2 pages) outlining one's background and professional objectives, and specific interest in our program. There are not any additional formatting requirements.
- Current resume or CV.
International applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the application process well in advance of the application deadlines, in order to ensure adequate time for processing of visa related paperwork. Meeting minimum admission standards does not guarantee admission to the program. Applicants are welcome to contact one (or more) of the faculty members in the department prior to applying for the doctoral program, however it is not required.
Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Degree Requirements
Required Major Courses:
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| ABSC 857 | Biological Bases of Behavior (OR) | 3 |
| Behavioral & Systems Neuroscience in Education | |
| EPSY 880 | Ethical and Legal Issues in Psychology and Counseling | 3 |
| EPSY 740 | Counseling and Interviewing Skills | 3 |
| EPSY 742 | Counseling Theory and Techniques | 3 |
| EPSY 830 | Individual and Group Assessment | 3 |
| EPSY 844 | Theory of Group Counseling | 3 |
| EPSY 846 | Career Development | 3 |
| EPSY 951 | Psychodiagnostic Assessment | 3 |
| EPSY 952 | Advanced Counseling Theory and Research | 3 |
| EPSY 954 | Vocational Psychology | 3 |
| EPSY 945 | Clinical Supervision and Consultation | 3 |
| EPSY 918 | Seminar in Current Issues in Counseling Psychology | 1 |
| EPSY 842 | Counseling Practicum (Elementary, Secondary, Counseling Psychology) 1 | 6 |
| EPSY 948 | Advanced Practicum I (2 semesters = 6 hrs.) | 3 |
| EPSY 949 | Advanced Practicum II (2 semesters=6 hrs.) | 3 |
| EPSY 996 | College Teaching Experience in: _____ | 2 |
| EPSY 990 | Internship in Counseling Psychology (three semesters =3 hrs.) | 1 |
| EPSY 807 | Theories and Research in Human Learning | 3 |
| EPSY 808 | Advanced Social Psychology: Theory, Research, and Professional Applications (OR) | 3 |
| Advanced Social Psychology II | |
| EPSY 882 | History and Systems of Psychology | 3 |
| EPSY 705 | Human Development through the Lifespan | 3 |
| EPSY 890 | Diagnosis and Psychopathology (OR) | 3 |
| Advanced Psychopathology | |
| EPSY 875 | Understanding Cultural & Individual Differences in Professional Psychology | 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| EPSY 999 | Doctoral Dissertation | 1-15 |
| Total Hours | 74-88 |
In addition to required major courses students take the following 15 hrs. of Research Skill courses:
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| EPSY 810 | Regression and ANOVA: General Linear Models | 3 |
| EPSY 905 | Fundamentals of Multivariate Modeling | 3 |
| EPSY 955 | Research Methods in Counseling Psychology | 3 |
| EPSY 822 | Educational Scales, Questionnaires, and Sampling (OR) | 3 |
| Advanced Measurement Theory and Practice | |
| EPSY 901 | Research Practicum in: _____ | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 |
Minimum number of credit hours for the program is 96.
Timing of Comprehensive Exams.
To be eligible to sit for the comprehensive exam, you must have completed ALL required program coursework and meet all other school and university eligibility requirements. There may be no more than three courses (9 credit hours) of uncompleted coursework in regularly scheduled courses required in the plan of study at the time of the exam. These courses can be electives or one course that is required by APA but not central to the material covered in comps (i.e., Social Aspects of Behavior, Integration Coursework, or Biological Aspects of Behavior). These remaining credit hours may count toward the required 18 post-comprehensive exam enrollment requirements. No grades of Incomplete or WG may be pending.
The required college teaching/practicum supervision (EPSY 996) experience must be completed prior to or during the academic year in which comps are taken. Elective courses outside of the 6 elective credit hours required by the program are not at issue, as they may be taken any time before or after the comprehensive exam. Check with your advisor to ensure your eligibility to sit for the exam and be sure that your advisor has the EPSY office submit the appropriate Progress-to-Degree form (PtD) at least one month prior to the exam. The SOEHS Graduate Office must certify that you are eligible to sit for the exam.
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Professional Values and Attitudes: as evidenced in behavior and comportment that reflect the values and attitudes of psychology.
- Develop awareness, sensitivity and skills in working professionally with diverse individuals, groups and communities who represent various cultural and personal background and characteristics defined broadly and consistent with APA policy.
- Apply ethical concepts and awareness of legal issues regarding professional activities with individuals, groups, and organizations.
- Conduct personal and professional self-awareness and reflection; with awareness of competencies; with appropriate self-care.
- Relate effectively and meaningfully with individuals, groups, and/or communities.
- Understand research, research methods, techniques of data collection and analysis, biological bases of behavior, cognitive-affective bases of behavior, and development across lifespan. Respect for scientifically derived knowledge.
