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 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:
- Completed application forms required by the College of Graduate and Professional Studies and the specific departmental program.
- Letters of recommendation from at least three persons who know the prospective student in an academic or professional capacity.
- One official transcript from each school at which any undergraduate or graduate work has been done.
- Scores on Graduate Record Examinations General Tests.
- 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 drops below 3.5 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:
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