PhD in Counseling Psychology
Counseling Psychology |
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree in Counseling Psychology program, housed within the Department of Human Development and Psychoeducational Studies (HDPES), is an APA-accredited program designed to train professional psychologists in the Scientist-Practitioner model consistent with APA-accreditation guidelines.
The Program embodies a balanced training experience in the science of psychology, theoretical foundations, application of therapeutic skills, and research, and thus prepares skilled counseling psychologists to function successfully in a variety of professional settings with diverse populations.
Background
In 1982 the Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology Program was approved by the Howard University Board of Trustees. The first four students were admitted in the fall semester of that same year. The Program was first accredited by the American Psychological Association in September, 2002. The Program was re-accredited in spring 2006 and spring 2013. Additional information regarding accreditation can be obtained from the American Psychological Association, Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242, (202) 336-5979.
For more information about the program, check the powerpoint in PDF form: Counseling Psychology Program
Program Philosophy
The Program embraces the Scientist-Practitioner model and embodies a balanced training experience in the scientific and theoretical foundations of psychology and in applications of practice skills and research. The Program encourages a hypothesis-testing approach toward obtaining and evaluating information and it encourages the examination of empirical literature related to planning and evaluating interventions that focus on prevention or remediation of problems. The Program emphasizes prevention of psychological problems, the teaching of effective coping skills (to prevent problems), and the development of effective problem-resolution skills to remediate negative coping behaviors.
The mission of the Program is to educate and train health service counseling psychology students using a Scientist-Practitioner philosophy who are committed to working with underserved populations. We are committed to recruiting and retaining students and faculty from diverse backgrounds who seek to create and apply evidence based practices and interventions within local, national and international communities.
Non-Discrimation Policy
The Counseling Psychology program of Howard University does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of faculty, selection and admission of students, hiring of vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our faculty, students, volunteers, practicum sites, vendors, and partners.
Contacts
Program Details
- Related Degrees: Ph.D.
- Program Frequency: Full-Time
- Format: In Person
Admission Requirements
Applications are reviewed once a year for Fall admission to the program. Applicants must submit:
- Full Application
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- GRE Scores
- Autobiographical Statement
- Statement of Research Interest
All materials along with scores on the Graduate Record Examination Aptitude Test must be submitted by December 1. Application guidelines and other required admission information are available from the Graduate School (https://gs.howard.edu). It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all admissions materials are received by the Graduate School prior to the December deadline. Admission to the doctoral program requires acceptance to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS).
We offer early review of applicants who would like to be considered for the Douglass Fellowship or McNair Fellowship (https://gs.howard.edu). Early admission applications must be received by November 1.
Qualified applicants will be invited for an interview in February. We attempt to make offers in mid to late February.
Degree Requirements
Length of Time for Completion of the Ph.D. Degree
The Doctoral program in Counseling Psychology generally requires 5-6 years of full-time study, inclusive of the Pre-doctoral Internship and Doctoral Dissertation. However, students are expected to complete all Ph.D. program degree requirements within a maximum of seven (7) years from the date of initial registration in the program. After seven years, students must petition for readmission and may be readmitted only upon (a) fulfillment of conditions recommended by the departmental Committee on Graduate Studies (e.g., demonstrated course viability, etc.) and (b) approval by the Executive Committee of the Graduate School, subject to the rules for readmission to the Graduate School in Article I, Section 7.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PH.D. DEGREE IN COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY
1. Admission (GPA, letters of recommendation, GRE scores, and personal statement and interview).
2. Students are expected to adhere to the curriculum scheme and matriculate through the program as a cohort, except where course(s) have been waived.
3. Portfolio Review (During the second semester of each year while enrolled in the program). The portfolio review is conducted annually by the Counseling Psychology Doctoral Faculty to evaluate students’ adherence to program objectives and progress towards the degree.
4. Comprehensive Examination (a 16-hour examination over 2 days). The Doctoral Comprehensive Examination is taken after the completion of course work or near completion of coursework, typically in the 4th year of the program. Students should apply for the Comprehensive Examination on the proper form through their academic advisor (using the Intent to Take the Preliminary / Comprehensive Examination form.
5. Dissertation Proposal (approval of a proposal for dissertation research). A dissertation proposal is developed in conjunction with the student’s research advisor and three additional dissertation committee members. A fifth member (from outside the University) is assigned to the dissertation committee upon scheduling the Final Oral Examination of the dissertation. (Students must propose the dissertation before they are approved to apply for internship).
6. Application for Admission to Candidacy. Students can be admitted to candidacy after (a) completing major course work, (b) passing the Comprehensive Examination, (c) satisfying the Expository Writing Examination requirement, and (e) having the dissertation proposal approved.
7. Internship. A year-long internship at an APA-accredited facility.
8. Dissertation Defense. This is the Final Oral Examination of the dissertation research.
Admission to Candidacy
Admission to the Graduate School does not automatically make a student an official candidate for the doctoral degree. A student must formally apply to candidacy and is admitted to candidacy only when he/she has completed the below requirements.
Before a student can be admitted to candidacy he/she must have:
1. Completed an Admission to Candidacy form available from the GSAS, which must include a list of graduate courses completed, being taken, and yet to be pursued in the program.
2. Passed the Comprehensive Examination.
3. Satisfactorily demonstrated expository writing proficiency to the Office of Educational Affairs.
4. Received approval of a dissertation topic via a process determined by the graduate faculty in the department. Students in the Doctoral Counseling Psychology Program must have their dissertation proposal approved by a 4 member committee of faculty. A copy of the approved dissertation proposal must accompany the Admission to Candidacy form.
5. Received the recommendation of his/her major department on the candidacy form.
6. Completed the Responsible Conduct of Research Training administered by the Graduate School.
7. Secured the approval of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) as required for the dissertation research project.
8. Secured the approval for candidacy from the GSAS.
Admission to candidacy must be achieved at least one semester prior to that in which the student expects to receive his/her degree. Candidacy for the Ph.D. degree shall be valid for no more than five (5) years. If candidacy status expires (after 5 years) students must seek renewal of candidacy by applying to the GSAS through the department. The Program shall determine the conditions under which the student may be reinstated, subject to the approval of the GSAS.
The student is responsible for fulfilling these requirements on time. Students should consult the Director of Graduate Studies if in doubt as to any of the requirements for candidacy. Students should carefully note the specific requirements of their departments relative to admission to candidacy and regard them as additional to the requirements of the program and the Graduate School.
Residence Requirements
A minimum of six (6) credit hours per semester constitutes full-time residency. A student must be in residence in the Graduate School for at least four (4) semesters in order to be recommended for a degree. Credits transferred from other accredited graduate institutions may not be used to meet the residency requirement.
Caution to Prospective Students
The Board of Trustees of Howard University on September 24, 1983, adopted the following policy statement regarding applications for admission: "Applicants seeking admission to Howard University are required to submit accurate and complete credentials and accurate and complete information requested by the University. Applicants who fail to do so shall be denied admission. Enrolled students who as applicants failed to submit accurate and complete credentials or accurate and complete information on their application for admission shall be subject to dismissal when the same is made known, regardless of classification."