> Doctor of Psychology in Counseling Psychology
Doctor of Psychology in Counseling Psychology
The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Counseling Psychology program provides training for the professional practice of psychology. The program prepares students for careers as licensed professional psychologists. In addition to foundation courses, the curriculum allows students to focus their studies in areas consistent with their interests and professional goals. The program emphasizes and integrates ethical practice, service to diverse and under-served communities, and evidence-based practices. There is a strong emphasis on individualized mentoring throughout the program.
The program is designed to be completed in five years, including four years of course work and practicum and a year of full-time pre-doctoral internship.
Saint Mary's Counseling Psychology Program
The Psy.D. program in Counseling Psychology is student centered, and is attentive to the needs of the adult learner. Once foundation courses are completed, the curriculum allows students to focus on areas of counseling psychology consistent with their interests and professional goals. The program emphasizes and integrates professional ethics, diversity and multiculturalism, and evidence based practices throughout the curriculum.
Degree Requirements
| Scientific Foundations: |
20 cr. |
|
| Foundations of Professional Practice: |
35 cr. |
|
| Advanced Training for Professional Practice: |
12 cr. |
|
| Other Requirements: |
18 cr. |
|
| TOTAL |
85 cr. |
|
Other Requirements: 18 cr.
PYD800 First Year Proseminar (1 cr.)
This small group experience is conducted in a seminar format and is taken during the student’s first semester in the program. The proseminar is designed to introduce the student to professional functioning as a counseling psychologist, review program requirements and expectations, provide support for the transition into doctoral level study, and foster the development of the student’s identity as a psychologist. This course is graded on a pass/no credit basis. Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following: 1. Articulate the unique perspective on professional practice offered by counseling psychology.
Understand current developments in the profession of psychology in the context of political, economic, and cultural forces.
Understand program requirements and expectations, and to develop an individual plan for progressing through the program.
Develop relationships with fellow students and faculty for mutual support and learning.
Began to formulate and articulate the student’s own professional identity as a professional psychologist.
PYD881 First Doctoral Qualifying Examinations (0 cr.)
This examination is given once a year in early August, and is typically taken at the end of the student's second year of study in the PsyD program. Students are asked to provide written responses to between three and five questions in a take home format. Each question requires the critical application of knowledge and skills gained in the first two years of course work in the PsyD program. Each question involves a simulated situation encountered in a professional setting, prepared case materials from a simulated client, or other real world application.
PYD882 Second Doctoral Qualifying Examinations (0 cr.)
This examination is typically completed toward the end of the student’s third year of study in the PsyD program, after the student has completed his or her second practicum experience. For this examination, the student prepares both a written and an oral case report on a client seen during the practicum. Oral case reports are presented at a scheduled time, with both faculty and fellow students invited to the presentation.
