2016-2017 Graduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2016-2017 Graduate Catalog [Archived]

Guidance and Psychological Services: Specialization in Counseling Psychology Ph.D.


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Admission to Programs

The graduate program leading to the doctor of philosophy degree in guidance and psychological services is designed to prepare selected persons for positions of leadership in research, teaching, counseling psychology, pupil personnel services, and school psychology. Admission and retention are based upon appropriateness of educational and career goals, available positions in the program, interpersonal skills and sensitivity, communication ability, and academic potential and performance. Meeting minimum standards alone does not guarantee either admission or retention. A minimum of 72 credits of graduate work beyond the bachelor’s degree is required, in addition to the successful completion of a doctoral dissertation as prescribed in the regulations of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies.

A student must satisfy all general regulations of the Bayh College of Education and the College of Graduate and Professional Studies as stated elsewhere in this Catalog. An additional admission criterion for the doctorate in guidance and psychological services requires the applicant to have a grade point average of 3.5 or above on all graduate work attempted.

It must not be assumed that meeting minimal standards guarantees admission to the program. The admissions committee must have the following before an admission decision will be considered:

  1. Completed application forms required by the College of Graduate and Professional Studies and the specific departmental program.
  2. Letters of recommendation from at least three persons who know the prospective student in an academic or professional capacity.
  3. One official transcript from each school at which any undergraduate or graduate work has been done.
  4. Scores on Graduate Record Examinations General Tests.
  5. For the counseling psychology specialization all application materials must be received prior to January 1 for fall admission.

The admissions committee may require the applicant to appear for a personal interview and to present evidence of his or her  ability to write acceptable prose under controlled conditions.

Research Tool Proficiency

All doctoral students are expected to demonstrate proficiency in appropriate research tools. Consult with the program coordinator or department chairperson for additional information on this program’s research tool requirement.

Admission to Candidacy

Students may apply for admission to candidacy after any provisions or conditions that may have been attached to admission to the program have been removed. Additionally, all the standards of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies must be met. Refer to that section of this Catalog for details.

Retention

A student whose grade point average falls below the B+ equivalency level will be placed on probation, suspended from graduate study, or dismissed from the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. The dean of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies, in accordance with the regulations of the department and the College of Graduate and Professional Studies, will make decisions in such matters. A student who is suspended from graduate study or dismissed from the College of Graduate and Professional Studies may request a review of the case by the Graduate Student Appeals Committee of the Graduate Council.

Dissertation

An acceptable dissertation on a topic or problem relating to the student’s area of specialization is required for completion of degree requirements.

Time Limitation

Generally, the doctor of philosophy must be completed within a total of nine years after admission to the program and within six years after admission to candidacy for the degree.

The program can be described briefly as follows:

A. Foundations (minimum of 15 credits):


In all doctoral programs the student must demonstrate competency in foundational areas of knowledge and skills necessary  to support research, scholarship, and practice in that area. The specific foundational course work and competencies will depend upon the doctoral specialization with each program having its own prescribed sequence of foundational study.

B. Behavioral Sciences Core (minimum of 20 credits):


The student must complete a program enabling him or her to develop deeper theoretical and philosophical understandings of human behavior. To provide for this development the student must complete a core of study (at least 20 credits) in the behavioral sciences selected from offerings in psychology, sociology, and anthropology.

C. Specialization (30-48 credits minimum):


Each doctoral student must develop an area of specialization. Areas of specialization are as follows:

Counseling Psychology (American Psychological Association approved; 30-48 credits minimum):


This specialization prepares psychologists to assume positions in college teaching and research, counseling psychology positions in community mental health centers, and within state and federal governmental agencies and in private practice. The specialty places a high priority on the scientist-professional model and expects students to become contributing professional psychologists in both areas. This specialization requires a year-long predoctoral internship.

Notes:


The student must show possession and effective use of the technical knowledge and skills needed by every professional worker in the area of specialization. In addition, the independence of thought, the inquiring attitudes, and the skills necessary for productive research work must be developed. Special competencies will be developed through participation in courses, seminars, research activities, clinical internships, and other planned activities. Each student must successfully complete and adequately defend a doctoral dissertation.

The program for each student will be planned jointly by the student, the advisor, and the doctoral committee and will take cognizance of the candidate’s competencies, needs, interests, and goals as well as any prior or existing educational or experiential deficiencies. This program will be subject to revision as the student’s strengths and weaknesses are assessed as he or she continues through the program.

Note:


Courses in the 500 series are open to undergraduates as *400 series. Graduate students are required to do additional work of a research nature. A course taken at the 400 level may not be repeated at the 500 level.

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