Counseling Psychology

The Counseling Psychology program at the University of Minnesota seeks to effectively address societal shifts–specifically the changing demographics and increasing globalization of our world–by advancing both relevant research and accessible mental health services. We respect and understand the value of cultural and individual diversity in society including, but not limited to, age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, language, national origin, race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. As a graduate training program, we are committed to promoting equity and diversity in the recruitment, retention, education, and professional development of Counseling Psychology students, with the hope that they will work toward addressing the mental health and wellbeing concerns of people around the world.

Accreditation

The Counseling Psychology program has been accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) since 1952 (for more information please see accreditation). APA accreditation allows Counseling Psychology graduates to be eligible for the licensure exam (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, EPPP) upon completion of their degree, though licensure eligibility varies by state. Please see the Public Licensure Disclosure for additional information. As part of our APA accreditation process, we also provide information (e.g., costs, time to completion) on student admissions, outcomes, and other data.

Research

Students are expected to be actively involved in research throughout their graduate training, beginning with a first-year research project and culminating in an empirical dissertation. Counseling Psychology faculty are engaged in a variety of research projects and work closely with graduate students, as well as undergraduate students, to develop independent and collaborative research. Please visit faculty lab websites to learn more about their ongoing research (i.e., FamiLee Lab, iWell Lab, and STRIPE Lab).

Curriculum

Visit the Graduate Education Catalog: Psychology for curriculum and graduation requirements specific to the Counseling Psychology program.

The aims of the Counseling Psychology program are to educate students to become (a) scholars who can evaluate and conduct research in counseling psychology, (b) practitioners who integrate counseling psychology and general psychological research with the practice of counseling psychology, and (c) educators who communicate effectively about psychology in the classroom and other settings. Graduate study in the Counseling Psychology program is designed to prepare students for academic, research, and practice careers at the Ph.D. level. Our training philosophy is based upon the scientist-practitioner training model, which emphasizes broad training in research and practice to gain a full understanding of the field. Consistent with this philosophy, students are educated in the basic science of psychology and its methods, as well as the specific science and practice of counseling psychology. Students therefore gain a firm foundation in psychological science and develop a more empirically-based approach to counseling. 

The Department of Psychology provides courses for a broad background in general psychology and social science methodology. The Counseling Psychology program includes substantive coursework that demonstrates the application of psychological theories, principles, and methods to counseling-related research and practice. Similarly, courses in theory, intervention, and assessment provide students with extensive practice training experiences. Through structured practice experiences, students apply the science of psychology to counseling. The practice experiences subsequently inform the types of research conducted by students and faculty. Close working relationships with faculty provide students with opportunities for research experiences and professional development activities. Graduate funding options also provide the opportunity to obtain teaching experiences, develop and conduct independent lines of research, and attend professional conferences.

Training in Counseling Practice

In addition to coursework that provides students with formal training in the science of psychology, the Counseling Psychology program offers applied training through practica and internships. Typically, students complete the beginning practicum at the University of Minnesota Student Counseling Services and continue with an additional 600–800 hours of advanced practicum at various sites in the Twin Cities area. Practica/Advanced Practica training integrates supervised counseling and assessment practice with readings and case conceptualization based on theory and empirical literature. All practicum trainees are required to follow the American Psychological Association’s Guidelines for Practitioners.

The predoctoral internship is one academic year, full-time. For purposes of licensure as a professional psychologist, internships with an APA-approved site are strongly recommended.

Beginning Practicum

In the Boynton Mental Health & Counseling (BMHC) Beginning Practicum, trainees provide career, academic and personal counseling to students at the University of Minnesota. Trainees complete the beginning practicum during the second year over 2 semesters. The practicum is 510 hours total, which involves 17 hours per week of supervised practice and preparation (2 half days of counseling clients and a 2-hour seminar). Supervision is provided by a psychologist and predoctoral interns using a live supervision model.

Advanced Practicum

The Twin Cities metropolitan area provides a wealth of advanced practicum opportunities for graduate students in the Counseling Psychology program. We currently have agreements with approximately 40 sites and new opportunities are continuously added. Advanced practicum settings include:

• Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers
• mental health clinics
• small and large counseling centers
• hospitals
• consulting firms
• human resource programs
• private practices
• in-house career counseling and assessment clinic

Placements are competitive, and practicum sites are eager to accept our students into their programs. Our students also rate their practicum sites highly for the quality of training and supervision they provide.

Internship Placement

Finally, our students are successful at securing competitive internships. Over the last ten years, all students have been matched with internships with university counseling centers, VA Medical Centers, university medical centers, community mental health centers, and public and private hospitals.

Alumni Outcomes

The Counseling Psychology program measures alumni outcomes in a variety of ways (e.g., successful completion of a doctoral dissertation, licensure, and career placement).

• The Department of Psychology maintains a list of recent graduates that includes their area of specialization, adviser, and dissertation title. Counseling graduate students typically finish their degree within six years of entering the program.
• Graduate training in the University of Minnesota Counseling Psychology program will prepare students to take the Examination of Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). Because requirements for taking the EPPP vary by state licensing boards, however, review the Public Licensure Disclosure document for additional information.

Graduates of the Counseling Psychology program have accepted positions in a variety of career settings, such as colleges and universities, VA Healthcare Systems, and community and mental health/addiction clinics. Visit our listing of Graduate Career Placements from 2013-2023, highlighting the initial jobs our graduates held after graduation. Also, the STRIPE Lab, iWell Lab, and FamiLee Lab provide additional details on their websites regarding current jobs held by our graduates.

Funding Opportunities

The Department of Psychology offers a variety of funding opportunities to graduate students. For more information, refer to the Funding Opportunities webpage. In addition to departmental funding, the Counseling Psychology program has endowed scholarships available to graduate students active in the program and in good academic standing.

How to Apply

Prospective students should apply to the Psychology PhD Program.

Faculty

Core Faculty

• Alex Ajayi, Assistant Professor
• Melissa Ertl, Assistant Professor
• Richard M. Lee, Distinguished McKnight University Professor and Area Director; Director of Asian American Studies

Affiliated Faculty

* Affiliated Faculty do NOT admit graduate students in the Counseling Psychology Program

• Samantha Anders, Adjunct Faculty and Practicum Coordinator, Department of Psychology
• Liza Meredith, Contract Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology
• Lovey Peissig, Adjunct Faculty, Department of Psychology and Leadership Development Manager, Human Resources
• Moin Syed, Professor, Personality, Individual Differences, and Behavior Genetics
• David J. Weiss, Professor, Quantitative-Psychometrics Methods

Emeritus Professors

• Jo-Ida C. Hansen, Professor
• Patricia A. Frazier, Professor