Doctor of Psychology in Counseling Psychology

The Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Counseling Psychology program provides training for the professional practice of psychology.

The Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Psy.D. program is student-centered and attentive to the needs of the adult learner, preparing 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 underserved communities, and evidence-based practices. There is a strong emphasis on individualized mentoring throughout the program.

Program Aims

The Saint Mary’s University Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology program is based on a practitioner-scholar model and has two primary aims:

Aim 1: Develop professionally competent graduates prepared to demonstrate commitment to the pursuit of social justice and promote well-being across the lifespan.

Aim 2: Produce counseling psychologists who engage in ethical practice with cultural humility and self-reflection.

Accreditation

The Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002

Phone: (202) 336-5979
TDD/TTY: (202) 336-6123
E-mail: apaaccred@apa.org
Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data (PDF)

At-A-Glance

Program Details

Credits: 87

Tuition: $955 per credit

Locations: Minneapolis

Start Dates: August

Complete this program in as little as 5 years

Students focus on areas of interest with elective courses

Program includes four years of coursework and a minimum of two practicum placements

Program concludes with a year of a full-time pre-doctoral internship.

Course Catalog

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News

Psy.D. Faculty Receive Institutional Courage Research Grant

Nestingen honored by U.S. Navy for providing outstanding Psy.D. student applicants

Elected to national leadership position, graduate student is a strong advocate for social justice

Psy.D. student and faculty earn awards from Minnesota Psychological Association

This is a photo of Karen Spencer in front of her poster at the 16th annual doctoral research symposium on the Twin Cities Campus.

Keeping the peace: Doctoral counseling psychology student to build training modules for trauma management on international scale

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the biggest differences between a Psy.D. and a Ph.D.?

Psy.D. programs place more emphasis on clinical training and applying knowledge gained from psychology research through the use of empirically based treatment/services. Ph.D. programs place more emphasis on producing scientific research and gaining experience in teaching.

Both degrees focus on clinical training and research methods, and both degrees prepare students to be licensed psychologists.

What are the biggest differences between a clinical and counseling doctoral program?

Clinical psychology doctoral programs tend to focus more on disturbances in mental health and psychopathology training, whereas counseling doctoral programs tend to focus more on overall well-being throughout the lifespan and emphasize multicultural training and a holistic education.

Graduates from both programs tend to work in the same settings and conduct similar kinds of research.

As an early entry student, do I need to finish my master’s degree while in the Psy.D. program?

Yes. Consult with your advisor, but typically students complete the integration paper and the oral exam (final M.A. degree requirements) at the end of year 2 in the Psy.D. program. Connect with the M.A. faculty to set up an appropriate timeline and stay informed about any changes in that program’s procedures.

Is it possible to complete the program in less than 5 years?

The program is designed to be completed in no less than 5 years. Students must complete the required coursework in a sequential order and certain degree requirements (e.g. practicum, qualifying exam, dissertation proposal, individualized mentorship, clinical case presentation, dissertation) have prerequisites which hinder completion of the degree in fewer than 5 years.

What are the steps to getting licensed as a psychologist after completing the degree?

Psychologist licenses in Minnesota are granted by the MN Board of Psychology, and current licensing requirements can be found on the Board website.

The first step toward licensure is completion of the doctoral degree. Once all degree requirements have been met, students can work toward licensure as a psychologist in Minnesota.

Current licensure requires applicants to pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) Part 1 (and soon Part 2), complete one year of practice under the supervision of a licensed psychologist, and pass the Minnesota Professional Responsibility Exam.

Can I still work while I am in the Psy.D. program?

Many students choose to work while they are in the program. Students take the most credits during the first two years of the program and also spend 15-24 hours per week at practicum sites during years two and three, so it is important to consider these time commitments when deciding if, and how much, to work while in the program.

Classes are scheduled on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons and evenings, so students must make sure their employment and practicum placements will not conflict with these times.

Is there an option to specialize in an area of Counseling Psychology in the program?

The program does not offer any formal areas of specialization, however students are able to choose amongst a variety of elective courses in three areas: diverse settings, diverse populations, and advanced practice.

Students are also able to focus on areas of interest when applying to practicum sites and setting up their individualized mentorship. The mentorship is a unique opportunity to focus on a special area of psychology that students were not exposed to in their courses or during their practicum experiences. Deciding which internship sites one will apply to is another method of focusing one’s doctoral training experiences.

If I complete the program in 5 years, how much can I expect it to cost?

87 semester credits are required to complete the program. $920 per credit is the current tuition cost for the 2020-21 academic year.

As part of the school mission to make education more accessible, tuition is kept low. The cost per credit may increase over time and students must also pay a few fees for special program requirements (e.g. clinical case presentation, qualifying exam) and pay for textbooks. In addition, there are expenses associated with applying for internship, due to application fees and travel to sites for interviews. Students are encouraged to apply for financial aid to help offset the cost of the program.

How much do students typically spend on textbooks each semester?

Students should plan to budget $250 to $500 per semester for textbooks. The cost per semester varies and students are encouraged to consider renting vs. purchasing, purchasing used textbooks, and borrowing textbooks from students who have already completed courses as long as the edition of the textbook is still appropriate. Consult with the instructor about possible options.

Are work study options available to students (teaching assistant, research assistant, other)?

The program does not offer paid research assistantships. There has been a Graduate Assistant position with infrequent hours assisting on projects as needed, and one or two of the assessment courses have had supplemental coaching/instruction from a Teaching Assistant position (this position offers feedback and instruction but does not grade student work; all grading is done by the faculty member).

Frequently psychologists in the community and practicum sites will contact the program with paid opportunities for students (e.g. psychometrist positions, research opportunities, part-time psychotherapy positions) which are then posted on the Psy.D. program page on Blackboard. Current students can check the Blackboard page for opportunities.

Are there opportunities to participate in research in the program?

Faculty in the program conduct research projects from time to time and often opportunities are available for students to participate, but there is not usually funding for payment. Opportunities in research could include gaining experience with conducting portions of the research study, such as collecting data, analyzing data, writing up results or literature reviews, presenting at professional conferences, and submitting manuscripts for publication.

Does the program sponsor any trainings in specialized areas?

Students are made aware of various training opportunities available, including in-person and virtual/web-based trainings, and free trainings. Also, from time to time the program and the Psy.D. Student Association (PSA) sponsor speakers to come in and share research and/or discuss various psychological topics.

Students are encouraged to become members of the Minnesota Psychological Association and American Psychological Association, and as members students can get substantial discounts on training opportunities and resources.

Is there an option to develop independent study courses or take courses in other programs to meet training interests in areas not offered by the program?

Students can design independent study courses to cover material which is not otherwise offered in the curriculum. Independent study courses are generally used to meet advanced elective requirements.

Independent study is done in conjunction with a faculty member, and a syllabus must be developed which is approved by the student, faculty member, and Program Director. Once enrolled in the program, students cannot take courses in other doctoral programs and transfer the credits to the Saint Mary’s program to be used toward completion of the degree.

Where are the Psy.D. courses taught?

Most courses are being delivered virtually due to COVID-19, but all courses are typically taught in person on the Twin Cities Campus.

Land Acknowledgement for Twin Cities Campus

We respectfully acknowledge that the Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus is on the ancestral and contemporary land of the Wahpekute (Eastern Dakota/Santee), a band of the Očeti Šakówiŋ (Dakota) nation, and the Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ (in Minnesota, the Ojibwe) who are part of the Anishinaabe nation.¹

This land was taken from them in a series of illegitimate treaties with the United States government, and the 1863 Dakota Expulsion Act specifically and forcefully removed the Očeti Šakówiŋ.² Mni Sota Makoce (Minnesota in the Dakota language) is the homeland of the Očeti Šakówiŋ, and Bdote, just 8 miles from this location, is their sacred birthplace.^3,4

This land we gather on also has deep historical and spiritual significance to the Ojibwe who arrived in 900 CE.⁵ For thousands of years, the waterways near here provided transportation, food, and trade relationships.⁶ We recognize the Wahpekute and the Anishinabewaki as the first and ongoing people of this land upon which we teach and learn.