A program focused on social justice: PsyD in Counseling Psychology
You’ll learn to promote psychological good health in individuals, couples, families and larger social systems with Carlow’s doctor of psychology program. Through the lens of social justice, you’ll learn about the relationship between psychological distress and broader institutionalized social realities, and how to intervene accordingly.
The program is dedicated to training practitioners who are sensitive to the needs of under-served populations and who possess knowledge and skills relevant to human diversity.
BestCounselingDegrees.net identifies Carlow as having one of the top 50 doctoral programs in counseling psychology in a ranking based on APA accreditation, EPPP pass rate, amount of time to complete the program, tuition and licensure percentages.
Credits required:
93 credits
Cost per credit:
$1,124/credit
Time to degree:
As few as 48 months
Delivery:
On campus, some online
Doctor of psychology curriculum
The PsyD in Counseling Psychology requires roughly four years of full-time academic study beyond the master’s degree. Three years are dedicated to coursework including advanced practicums and progress in the preliminary stages of the practice-oriented dissertation. The final year is reserved for defense of the dissertation and completion of a yearlong, full-time internship.
You’ll take standard counseling courses like psychometrics, personality assessment and counseling theory, plus classes on social justice and feminism, skills for a culturally sensitive practice, and an overview of the latest ethical and legal issues in the field. Practicums and internships are completed in the Pittsburgh region.
Practicum placements are available at nationally recognized medical hospitals, university counseling centers, community mental health agencies and rural practices in the Pittsburgh region.
Quick facts
- Enroll in a top-50 doctoral program
- Learn through emphasis on social justice values
- Take advantage of practicum relationships with agencies in the Pittsburgh region
Career opportunities for doctor of psychology
Counseling psychologists work in private practice, community agencies and college counseling centers and in research positions. Others work as part of a team, collaborating with physicians and social workers, or in school settings working with students, teachers, parents and other educators.
Employment of psychologists is projected to grow 19% from 2014 to 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Job prospects should be best for those who have a doctoral degree in an applied specialty.
Accreditation
Carlow University’s doctoral program in Counseling Psychology (PsyD) has had its accreditation reaffirmed by the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Commission on Accreditation. The next site visit to be made by the commission will be in 2028.
Admission requirements and application process
The graduate program admissions process happens on a rolling basis. You can apply for free online, and must submit the following materials:
- Official transcripts from all degree-granting institutions you have attended
- Two essays: one personal and one reflective
- Current resume or curriculum vitae
- Three letters of recommendation from professionals (i.e., academics and practitioners) who can address the applicant’s suitability for doctoral study. It is in the applicant’s best interest to submit letters from those that have doctoral degrees. Still, it is expected that some letters from practitioners may be best addressed by those with Master’s degrees in a clinical field that have supervised the applicant.
Apply by:
January 7
Start term:
Fall
An undergraduate and graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred.
The program director will schedule an interview with qualified applicants.
Graduate as a competitive candidate
Counseling Psychologist Anna Mokry ’21 is grateful for Carlow’s doctoral program because she graduated with personally curated experiences and training. “I was able to gain clinical experience from three completely different sites. This prepared me to be a competitive candidate when applying for internship and post-doctoral positions. It was really important to me to not feel boxed into predetermined clinical spaces, where I did not have a say over where and what I learned.”
Counseling Psychology faculty
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Mary Burke, PhD Professor, Counseling Psychology
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Terri Collin Dilmore, PhD Assistant Professor, Psychology, Clinical Director, PsyD
Contact Admissions
If you are interested in this graduate program, our Admissions team is available to help you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit or attending an upcoming event.
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