Collaborative Program in Counseling Psychology

Program Overview

The University of Akron is home to a highly regarded and fully APA accredited doctoral program in counseling psychology. Graduates are prepared for the practice of professional psychology and for academic and research positions in diverse settings. This full-time program follows a scientist-practitioner model and is grounded in the humanistic tradition of counseling psychology, which emphasizes human growth, development, and an appreciation of environmental and cultural contexts. Coursework and practica are designed to provide a solid generalist foundation in counseling psychology, with an emphasis on individual counseling with late adolescents and adults. Specialized interests may be pursued through elective coursework and supplemental practica.

The program is a collaboration between the faculty and resources of the Department of Counseling in the College of Education and those of the Department of Psychology in the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences. Although the Collaborative Program in Counseling Psychology (CPCP) is a single program, it has two points of entry. Prospective students who hold Master’s degrees in a psychology or counseling related field apply through the Department of Counseling, and prospective students with Bachelor’s degrees apply through the Department of Psychology. The material below provides a brief synopsis of the CPCP. Prospective students should refer to http://www3.uakron.edu/psychology/counseling for more complete program and admissions details.

Mission

The philosophy of the Counseling Psychology program at The University of Akron is ultimately one that values and respects the integrity of all persons. The psychological perspective we take in training students is growth-based in that it focuses on students’ strengths and potentials with respect to their personal and professional development. We believe that this training perspective will prepare students to help clients cope with problems, regardless of level of complexity, in a way that maximizes their development as unique human beings.

The mission of our program, more specifically, is to facilitate the professional, personnel, and ethical development of our students. Our philosophy of training is consistent with the scientist-practitioner model and the Counseling Psychology humanistic tradition. It includes emphases on the appreciation of diversity and on the development of open and critical thought processes. The goals that follow this mission are presented in detail below:

1. To develop broadly competent, critically thoughtful psychological scientists who have the knowledge of and the ability to apply basic and advanced research methods.
2. To develop competent, critically thoughtful psychological practitioners who integrate theory, research, and experiential knowledge to accurately assess conditions, promote well-being, alleviate distress, and increase personal and organizational functioning.
3. To develop professionals who are aware of relevant ethical standards and guidelines, who are able to engage in ethical decision-making, and who are ethical in their functioning as professionals.
4. To develop professionals who are sensitive to, who appreciate, and who promote a multicultural perspective, broadly defined.
5. To develop professionals who will actively identify with and be committed to the profession and positive traditions of Counseling Psychology.
6. To provide a safe and nurturing environment for our students that fosters their growth as persons and professionals.
7. To facilitate students' personal development by encouraging them to engage in continuous personal and professional self-study and re-evaluation.

Admission Standards

Students wishing to pursue a doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology should apply through the Department of Counseling if they hold a Master's degree in a psychology or counseling-related area. They should apply to the M.A.-Ph.D. option through the Department of Psychology if they have earned a Bachelor's degree.

Admission decisions are based on numerous criteria, including grade point average (GPA); letters of recommendation; Verbal, Quantitative, and Advanced Psychology GRE scores; and fit with the mission of the CPCP, as assessed by a statement of goals and telephone interview data. Admission to the CPCP is competitive, with many more applicants than the limited number of openings each year. Specific admissions standards and application procedures are detailed on the following site: http://www3.uakron.edu/psychology/counseling

Placement Objectives for Graduates

The primary objective of the Collaborative Program in Counseling Psychology is to produce scientist-practitioner Counseling Psychologists who are capable of contributing to the field through practice, teaching, and research. Of the 44 students who became graduates of the Collaborative Program between 1999 and 2004, fully 89% had APA-accredited internships. Further, all but one of the 39 graduates we were able to track (the exception recently moved to a new locale) were employed in 2004 as psychologists or postdoctoral fellows. Approximately 72% of our recent graduates work in applied settings; 28% are in academic settings. The applied settings which employ our graduates include university counseling services, community mental health centers, state hospitals, private practices, and correctional settings.

Addressing the Needs of the State and the Region

Student enrollment has remained relatively steady over the past few years reflecting the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics report projecting faster than average growth in counseling positions at both the masters and doctoral level through 2012 (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2004-05 Edition). Growth in Ohio is expected to parallel the national picture as reflected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics report.

The Collaborative Program in Counseling Psychology addresses this need by offering a high quality program for training counseling psychologist to work in Ohio and across the nation. The Collaborative Program in Counseling Psychology is the only active APA-accredited program in Counseling Psychology in the State of Ohio.

Additional Information and Links