Counseling Psychology, Psy.D.

Degree Requirements

Faculty

The faculty members and advisers for the Doctorate of Psychology program have earned doctorate degrees in the areas they teach. Faculty teaching applied courses are practitioners who have professional experience in their area of expertise.

Admission Requirements

The program admits a new class of students to begin classes each fall. Normally, students will not be admitted to the program in the spring and summer terms. The number of students admitted each year is limited. Admissions decisions are based on the applicant’s ability to meet the expectations for academic performance outlined in the Program Handbook. Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not ensure admission to the program.

A master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, for which applicant maintained at least a 3.4 grade point average on a 4.0 scale, is required for admission. The master’s degree must be in a mental health related area (i.e. psychology, marriage and family therapy, social work, counseling, nursing, or human development). Applicants must have completed a clinical practicum of at least 300 hours. Applicants must demonstrate the language proficiency necessary for successful graduate coursework.

Applicants must have completed the following graduate courses within the last ten years with a grade of “B” or better. Coursework older than ten years may be accepted if the applicant has maintained a professional license to practice in a related field (e.g. LPC, LMFT) which requires documentation of continuing education credits. Applicants may be required to complete missing coursework prior to enrolling in doctoral level coursework:

1. Developmental Psychology
2. Physiological Psychology
3. Counseling Skills
4. Statistics
5. Psychological Assessment
6. Psychopathology
7. Personality Theory and/or Theories of Counseling
8. Clinical Interventions
9. Professional Ethics

Early Entry Option for Saint Mary’s MA in Counseling students ONLY

Students enrolled in the Counseling and Psychological Services Master’s Program at Saint Mary’s University may apply for admission to the PsyD program prior to completion of the MA program, and, if admitted, may enter the Psy.D. program after completion of approximately one year of full time master’s level course work.  Students admitted to the Psy.D. program under this option may complete their remaining master’s level course work as part of their doctoral training. 

Students admitted to the Psy.D. program under the early entry option must meet the following requirements and criteria:

1.  The following master’s level courses must be completed with a grade of “A “, “B” , or “P”              (32 credits total):

2.  The requirement that applicants to the Psy.D. program must have completed a Master’s degree is waived for early entry applicants. The courses listed above are substituted for the required prerequisite courses listed in the PsyD admissions requirements.  All other requirements for admission to the PsyD program must be met by early entry applicants, including the requirement that a GPA of 3.4 or higher must be maintained in Master’s level course work.

3.  Early entry applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their undergraduate coursework and of 3.4 in their graduate course work.

4.  Early entry applicants must provide at least two of the required letters of recommendation from faculty or supervisors familiar with their master’s level work.

5.  Candidates for early entry may apply for admission to the Doctoral program after completion of 18 credits out of the courses listed above. If accepted into the doctoral program, admittance is provisional pending satisfactory completion of the remaining prerequisite master’s level required coursework.

6.  Students admitted to the PsyD program under the early entry option may elect to complete their master’s in Counseling and Psychological Services through coursework taken in the doctoral program.  The following doctoral courses or their equivalent must be completed for the master’s degree (19 credits total).  Students must also complete the master’s integrative paper and oral examination.

Students completing the Master of Arts in Counseling and Psychological Services with the coursework listed above will not meet Minnesota requirements for the LPC or LPCC.  Students seeking this licensure must take at least two additional elective courses in the doctoral program, and should discuss the necessary requirements with their advisor or the Program Director.

Application Process

Applicants must submit:

1.  Completed application form and supplemental application form with the nonrefundable application fee (fee not required for alumni or students seeking readmission or veterans and active military personnel) and,

2.  All transcripts documenting undergraduate and graduate coursework, including an official transcript issued to Saint Mary’s University from the institution granting the applicant’s completed master’s degree. (an official transcript is one that is sent or carried to the university in an envelope sealed by the granting institution and,

3.  A three to five page personal statement which addresses each of the following areas:

a) Provide a brief description of your background, training, and experience. Include work and experiences both within and outside of the healthcare field.

b) What are your long term career goals? Be as specific as possible. It is understood that these goals may change, and that they may not be clearly formed at this point in time.

c) How does obtaining licensure as a psychologist fit into your career goals? What is unique about a professional identity as a psychologist in terms of meeting your goals?

d) The doctoral program in counseling psychology is demanding of both time and energy, and sometimes students underestimate the commitment needed to complete the program in a timely manner. How do you plan to integrate your work as a student in the program with the other demands in your life? How do you anticipate making changes in your life so that you can successfully complete a doctoral program?

e) Describe the academic, interpersonal, and/or personal challenges that might hinder your success as a student in a doctoral program in counseling psychology. How do you plan to address these challenges?

f) Describe the academic, interpersonal, and personal strengths you would bring to your work as a student in a doctoral program in counseling psychology.

g) What concerns you the most about the prospect of embarking on graduate study in a doctoral program in counseling psychology?

h) What excites you the most about the prospect of embarking on graduate study in a doctoral program in counseling psychology?

i) How do you anticipate (and perhaps hope) that completing a doctoral program in counseling psychology will change you?

4.  Three letter(s) of recommendation that verify professional and/or volunteer experience and academic ability and,

5.  A current résumé listing educational background and work experience and,

6.  Copies of any professional licenses or certifications obtained.

7.  Applicants with international transcripts may require an English language proficiency exam (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or MELAB accepted.)

Application materials should be sent to the attention of the Office of Admission on the Twin Cities campus. Applications are due by March 1 for students who wish to begin the program the following fall. Applications must be complete in order to be considered. After preliminary review of applications by the admission committee, selected applicants will be invited for an admission interview. Applications will be notified of the admission decision no later than April 15. Students admitted to the program will be asked to make a non-refundable deposit to hold their place in the program. Selected applicants may be notified that they have been placed on a waiting list. Applications received after the March 1 deadline will be considered for the following fall only if there is still space available in the program.
 

Accreditation

The Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). Accreditation information can be obtained from the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association, 750 First Street NE; Washington, D.C. 20002-4242. Phone: 202-336-5979; TDD/TTY: 202-336-6123.