Counseling Psychology, Adult Emphasis Ph.D.

Ph.D.: Counseling Psychology

The Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology prepares students for the multi-faceted role of the professional psychologist, which allows them to work in a variety of settings including: academia, clinical settings, consultation, churches, businesses, and private settings. It is also the intent of the program to prepare graduates for licensure as professional psychologists in the U.S. and with eligibility to practice internationally. Students should consult with the appropriate authorities regarding requirements in the states or countries in which they wish to engage in clinical practice. Counseling psychology students must specialize in one of the listed areas of emphases: Adult, Child/Family, Cultural Diversity, and Health Psychology. Specialty emphases should be developed within a student’s course plan in close consultation with their advisor to coincide with the student’s dissertation topic. Additionally, each emphasis requires students to complete specified coursework, Advanced Emphasis practicum, and a dissertation topic related to chosen emphasis.

Admissions. Students entering the Ph.D. program in Counseling Psychology should have a master’s degree in counseling or a related field.

In order for an applicant without a master’s degree to be eligible for consideration of admissions, they must have the following:  undergraduate major in psychology; outstanding academic record with satisfactory GPA; and satisfactory scores on both the GRE General Test and Advanced Test in Psychology. A master’s degree may be received en route to the doctoral degree, however, all master’s degree requirements must be met.  

The Ph.D. course requirements assume a prior master’s degree that includes graduate courses in the following areas. If courses in these areas have not been taken prior to admission, the indicated Andrews University course must be taken as part of the degree, in addition to Ph.D. courses listed below:

• EDFN 500 - Philosophical Foundations for Professionals 
• GDPC 514 - Psychology of Learning 
• GDPC 520 - Life Span Development 
• GDPC 635 - Theories & Techniques of Counseling 
• GDPC 638 - Group Processes 
• GDPC 640 - Multicultural Issues for Counselors and Psych 
• GDPC 644 - Psychological Testing 
• GDPC 650 - Practicum in Counseling 
• GDPC 676 - Theories of Personality 
• EDRM 505 - Research Methods  OR 
  EDRM 506 - Research and Evaluation for Counselors
   
• EDRM 611 - Applied Statistical Methods I 

 Andrews University Doctoral Transfer Requirements: The Ph.D. Counseling Psychology program requires a minimum of 32 course credits be taken in residence at Andrews University. 

• Completion of all required practicum (in this case 3 consecutive semesters - 9 credits)
• Completion of internship (one calendar year 40 hr per week APA approved internship - 3 credits)
• Dissertation credit to complete your dissertation – 16 credits minimum (14 dissertation, 2 EDRM880)
• Doctoral Comprehensive Examination

Residency Requirements: The Counseling Psychology program requires students to complete a minimum of 3 full-time academic years of graduate study, with at least 2 of those years at Andrews University. At least 1 year must be in full-time residence (3-consecutive full-time semesters) at Andrews University.

Adult Emphasis—15

• Dissertation focus must be selected from this topic area.

• GDPC 624 - Addictions and Addictive Behaviors Credits: 3
• GDPC 720 - Marital Therapy Credits: 3
• Electives - By advisement Credits: 3
• 6 Credits of  GDPC 846 - Adult Advanced Emphasis Practicum Credits: 1–3

Research & Dissertation