Counseling Psychology and School Psychology, PhD

You must have a bachelor’s (BA/BS) or master’s degree in a related field. While an undergraduate major in psychology is not required, we suggest that you present a broad background in the applied social sciences including anthropology, psychology and sociology. 

Submit your completed online application, which includes:

• Application fee: A $50 non-refundable application fee, submitted electronically through UB’s ePayment system.
• Contact information for at least three individuals who will each be asked to provide an electronic recommendation letter.
• Unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended. (UB transcripts are automatically submitted for current UB students and alumni.)
• Statement of interest: Statement of your career goals and objectives.
• Diverse backgrounds statement: On the application, you will be directed to submit a 300–400-word response to the following: Describe any interests and experiences you have had working with individuals from different backgrounds than yourself (e.g., ethnic/racial, cultural, socio-economic, religious, ability status, sexual orientation). How have these experiences influenced you?

Personal Interview Upon University Request: Applicants must make themselves available for interviews with faculty. In recent years, admissions interviews have been conducted virtually.

Former/Birth Name: Please provide us with your former/birth name if you have one. When requesting transcripts, please ask the sending institution to indicate your current name and former/birth name.

Admission Decision: The admission decision will be communicated to you as soon as the review is complete. The decision is based on several factors and is the result of a thorough and deliberate process. All decisions are final and cannot be appealed.

Our graduates go on to become licensed psychologists in:

• Hospitals
• Mental health centers
• School systems
• University counseling centers

As articulated in Standard I.B.2, programs may have “admission and employment policies that directly relate to affiliation or purpose” that may be faith-based or secular in nature. However, such policies and practices must be disclosed to the public.

This program does not require students, trainees, and/or staff to comply with specific policies or practices related to the institution’s affiliation or purpose. Such policies or practices may include, but are not limited to, admissions, hiring, retention policies, and/or requirements for completion that express mission and values.

Effective July 1, 2024, federal regulation requires institutions of higher education to make a determination whether a Title IV eligible academic program that leads to professional licensure or certification meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the U.S. State where the institution is located and the U.S. States where “distance education” students are located at the time of initial enrollment in the program, as well as U.S. States where the program is advertised as meeting such requirements, and if applicable, the U.S. State where students attest they intend to be licensed/certified. The combined doctoral program in counseling psychology and school psychology at the University at Buffalo (UB) is registered by the New York State Education Department and thus meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification for New York State. Through a good faith effort, and for the purpose of complying with the federal regulation, we have determined that the combined doctoral program in counseling psychology and school psychology at UB meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the state of New York; however, it is important to note that UB is not the licensure/certification authority in these U.S. States and cannot assess whether an individual candidate will be issued a license/certificate in these U.S. States and instead each individual candidate must contact the licensure/certification authority in the U.S. State in which they are seeking licensure/certification to obtain guidance on the application policies and procedures for licensure/certification.

Our combined doctoral program in counseling psychology and school psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).  Our program’s accreditation follows the Standards of Accreditation for Health Service Psychology (SoA) as developed by the APA Commission on Accreditation and approved by the APA Council of Representatives. Completion of the program qualifies graduates for a variety of positions in schools, universities, hospitals, private practice, mental health centers, university counseling centers and community clinics. Graduates meet the educational requirements to sit for the psychology licensure examination in New York. 

Our combined doctoral program in counseling psychology and school psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA): 750 First St., NE; Washington, D.C. 20002-4242; 202-336-5979.