Counseling Psychology, Child/Family 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 or related field; 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 635 - Theories and Techniques of Counseling  
• GDPC 638 - Group Processes  
• GDPC 640 - Multicultural Issues for Counselors and Psychologists  
• 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  

Students accepted into the PhD in Counseling Psychology, without a prior master’s degree in that field, are eligible to apply for the MS in Counseling Psychology  and complete it en-route to their PhD.  Completion of this degree along with additional supervised practicum hours allow students to apply for State of Michigan psychology licensure at the master’s level.

 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.

Child/Family Emphasis—15

• Dissertation focus must be selected from this topic area.

• GDPC 710 - Family Therapy Credits: 3
• GDPC 720 - Marital Therapy Credits: 3
• EDUC 870 - Doctoral Comprehensive Exam Credits: 0
• GDPC 847 - Child/Family Advanced Emphasis Practicum Credits: 1–3
• Electives - By advisement Credits: 3

Research & Dissertation

Program Outcomes

Consistent with the scientist-practitioner model and our training philosophy, the Counseling Psychology doctoral program integrates theory, research and practice by training counseling psychologists who (1) have the requisite knowledge base and therapeutic skills for entry into the practice of professional psychology, (2) have the necessary knowledge and skills for competent practice and research within a multicultural and spiritually diverse society, and (3) will contribute to and apply the scientific knowledge base of psychology using skills in qualitative and quantitative research methods. Each of these goals, objectives, and competencies are detailed below.

Goal #1: To train counseling psychologists who have the requisite knowledge base and therapeutic skills for entry into the practice of professional psychology

Objective 1.1: Students acquire a knowledge base of psychology as a scientific discipline, and of counseling psychology as an area of professional specialization

• Understand the current body of knowledge of scientific psychology in biological, cognitive, affective, and social aspects of behavior, the history /systems of psychology, learning theory, multi-cultural issues, psychopathology, personality, spiritual/religious psychology, psychological measurement, research methods, and techniques of data analysis.
• Understand the scientific, methodological, and theoretical foundations of practice in counseling psychology including individual differences in behavior, human development, psychopathology, and professional standards and ethical responsibilities, including applications to a multicultural and religiously diverse society.

Objective 1.2: Students acquire a knowledge base and skills necessary to diagnose or define problems through psychological assessment and measurement, and formulate and implement intervention strategies (including empirically supported procedures).

• Understand the theories and methods of assessment and diagnosis, effective intervention, consultation and supervision, and evaluating the efficacy of interventions, including applications to a multicultural diverse and religiously diverse society.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills in empirically supported procedures.

Objective 1.3: Students acquire an awareness and understanding of professional issues to practice psychology in an ethical and professional manner

• Understand ethical/legal standards in professional practice and research.
• Demonstrate the capacity to make reasoned judgments about ethical practice related to emerging issues using codes, literature in professional ethics, and consultation with colleagues.

Goal #2: To train counseling psychologists who have the necessary knowledge and skills for competent practice and research within a multicultural and religiously diverse society

Objective 2.1: Students acquire self-awareness and comprehensive knowledge and skills to be a multiculturally competent psychologist

• Demonstrate the self-awareness necessary to be a multiculturally competent psychologist.
• Understand the concepts, theory, and research related to culturally competent practice and research as a professional psychologist in diverse settings.
• Understand the concepts, theory, and research related to spiritual and religious aspects of psychology.
• Demonstrate the ability to integrate a spiritual perspective into counseling and psychotherapy practice.

Objective 2.2: Students acquire a comprehensive understanding of the theories and applications of theories related to psychology, career development/vocational psychology, and education in multicultural and religiously diverse settings.

• Understand multicultural and issues as they impact psychological and educational practice and research.
• Demonstrate diagnostic and assessment work, and plan and implement interventions that are culturally responsive to diverse populations.
• Understand spiritual and religious issues as they impact psychological and educational practice and research.
• Demonstrate diagnostic and assessment work, and plan and implement interventions that are spiritually and religiously responsive to diverse populations.

Objective 2.3: Students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for life-long learning, professional problem-solving and scholarly inquiry as a professional psychologist in the context of an evolving body of scientific and professional knowledge.

• Engage in professional development to maintain effective clinical practice and research.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills in program development and evaluation.
• Demonstrate professional service and leadership.

Goal #3: To train counseling psychologists who will contribute to and apply the scientific knowledge base of psychology using skills in qualitative and quantitative research methods

Objective 3.1: Students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to engage in qualitative and quantitative scholarly research

• Demonstrate methodological and quantitative/qualitative analytic skills necessary to read and understand psychological research.
• Demonstrate the ability to initiate, plan, and execute original research and/or theoretical inquiry in counseling psychology.

Objective 3.2: Students acquire the knowledge and skills to integrate psychological research and practice consistent with a scientist practitioner model

• Understand research in counseling process and outcome and its application to practice.
• Demonstrate the skills to apply theoretical and empirical literature to professional practice.
• Demonstrate the skills to design original research to address clinical and/or theoretical questions.