Counseling Psychology, Psy.D.

Degree Requirements

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Scientific Foundations	20 cr.
Foundations of Professional Practice	37 cr.
Advanced Training for Professional Practice	10 cr.
Other Requirements	20 cr.
Total	87 cr.

Professional Licensure

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Students should be aware that licensure requirements vary from state to state, are subject to change periodically, and may include educational or degree requirements, work experience, background checks, character and fitness qualifications, fingerprinting and other requirements. Students are responsible for confirming licensure requirements prior to enrolling in any Saint Mary’s program. More information can be found at https://www.smumn.edu/professional-licensure, which includes a program contact at Saint Mary’s.  

Faculty

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

Admission Requirements

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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 (e.g. 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 and Psychological Services students ONLY

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Students enrolled in the Counseling and Psychological Services Master’s Program at Saint Mary’s University may apply for admission to the Psy.D. program prior to completion of the M.A. 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 will complete their remaining master’s level course work as part of their doctoral training, prior to internship applications.

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” (33 credits total)

MPY605 Developmental Psychology	3 credits
MPY606 Psychophysiology	3 credits
MPY608 Psychopathology	3 credits
MPY613 Counseling Theory and Technique	3 credits
MPY620 Statistical Techniques and Research Methods	3 credits
MPY641 Marriage and Family Counseling	3 credits
MPY717 Psychological Assessment I	3 credits
MPY719 Group Counseling	3 credits
MPY724 Counseling Skills and Practice	3 credits
MPY722 Ethical and Professional Issues	3 credits
MPY710 Practicum I	3 credits

2. The requirement that applicants to the Psy.D. program must have completed a master’s degree is waived for early entry and direct admit applicants. The courses listed above are substituted for the required prerequisite courses listed in the Psy.D. admissions requirements. All other requirements for admission to the Psy.D. 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 3.4 in their graduate course work.
4. Early entry applicants must provide at least one 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. Courses in which applicants are enrolled at the time of application may be included in the 18 credits.
6. Students admitted to the Psy.D. program under the early entry option are expected 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 (21 credits total). As indicated below, students must also pass PYD881 Qualifying Examination within the doctoral program. If a student does not pass PYD881 and chooses to return to the master’s program to complete their master’s degree, then the student will be required to complete PY723, the capstone course.

PYD818 Multiculturalism and Diversity	3 credits
PYD803 Social and Organizational Psychology	3 credits
PYD816 Personality Assessment	3 credits
PYD820 Common Factors in Counseling	3 credits
PYD827 Vocational Assessment and Career Counseling	2 credits
PYD821 Advanced Cognitive Behavioral Theories and Techniques OR PYD822 Advanced Psychodynamic Theories and Techniques	3 credits
PYD840 & PYD841 Practicum 1-A & 1-B	4 credits
PYD881 Qualifying Examination	0 credit

*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 will need additional coursework and should discuss the necessary requirements with the M.A. Program Director.

Direct Admit Option

Students who have completed a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a 3.0 GPA can apply to the PsyD program near to completion of the bachelor’s degree. If offered admission, they are then admitted to the Master’s program to start the Early Entry courses as described above. They do not need to reapply to the PsyD program, and have a guaranteed place in the next PsyD cohort upon successful completion of the Early Entry courses.

 

Direct Admit Option for Undergraduate Psychology Majors

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Students who have not yet attempted graduate level coursework but who are near to completion of a Bachelor’s degree in psychology may apply for admission to the PsyD program, and, if admitted, may enter the Psy.D. program after completion of the Early Entry course sequence below (approximately one year of full-time master’s level course work).  The PsyD admission is conditional upon successful completion of the Saint Mary’s Early Entry coursework, including practicum, listed below. Students admitted to the Psy.D. program under this option will complete their remaining master’s level coursework as part of their doctoral training, prior to internship applications. 

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

1.  Bachelor’s degree in psychology with a 3.0 or higher GPA.

2. Once in the MA program, the following Early Entry master’s level courses must be completed with a grade of “A”, “B”, or “P” (33 credits total), with an overall GPA of at least 3.4

MPY605 Developmental Psychology	3 credits
MPY606 Psychophysiology	3 credits
MPY608 Psychopathology	3 credits
MPY613 Counseling Theory and Technique	3 credits
MPY620 Statistical Techniques and Research Methods	3 credits
MPY641 Marriage and Family Counseling	3 credits
MPY717 Psychological Assessment I	3 credits
MPY719 Group Counseling	3 credits
MPY722 Ethics and Professional Issues	3 credits
MPY724 Counseling Skills and Practice	3 credits
PY710 Practicum I	3 credits

3.  The requirement that applicants to the Psy.D. program must have completed a Master’s degree is waived for Direct Admit 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 Direct Admit applicants.

4.  Direct Admit applicants must provide at least one of the required letters of recommendation from faculty familiar with their undergraduate level academic work.

6.  Students admitted to the PsyD program under the Direct Admit option 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 (21 credits total).  As indicated below, students must also pass PYD881 Qualifying Examination within the doctoral program.  If a student does not pass PYD881 and chooses to return to the master’s program to complete the master’s degree, then the student will be required to complete PY723, the capstone course.  

PYD818 Multiculturalism and Diversity	3 credits
PYD803 Social and Organizational Psychology	3 credits
PYD816 Personality Assessment	3 credits
PYD820 Common Factors in Counseling	3 credits
PYD827 Vocational Assessment and Career Counseling	2 credits
PYD821 Advanced Cognitive Behavioral Theories and Techniques OR  PYD822 Advanced Psychodynamic Theories and Techniques	3 credits
PYD840 & PYD841 Practicum 1-A & 1-B	4 credits
PYD881 Qualifying Examination	0 credits

*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 will need additional coursework and should discuss the necessary requirements with the MA Program Director.

Application Process

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Applicants must submit the following:

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),

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,

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

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

b) Describe 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 personal strengths you would bring to your work as a student in this program.

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

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.  Reflective Essay: A two to three page reflective essay which addresses each of the following areas:

a) What are your thoughts and beliefs regarding the etiology of client distress?  In other words, how do psychological problems develop and how are they maintained?

b) What are your thoughts and beliefs regarding the nature of the psychological change process?  In other words, how do psychological problems become resolved?

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

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

7.  Copies of any professional licenses or certifications obtained.

8.  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 Minneapolis campus. Applications are due by January 15 for students who wish to begin the program the following fall. Applications for Direct Admits may be accepted on a rolling basis. 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 January 15 deadline for applicants who wish to start the following fall will be considered only if there is still space available in the program.