Program Philosophy, Aims and Competencies

The combined doctoral program in counseling psychology and school psychology adheres to the scientist-practitioner model of training. Based on this philosophy of training, professional psychologists are encouraged to conduct research on significant social and educational issues, ensure that professional practice is based on a strong empirical foundation, and examine their practices by conducting ongoing research and evaluation. Given this model, the program is designed to prepare psychologists who can evaluate, provide and enhance human services through scientific inquiry and practice. As a result, graduates are firmly grounded in psychological science that addresses etiology, prevention and intervention with contemporary problems.

In keeping with the standards of accreditation from the American Psychological Association, our program has three primary aims, and our curriculum is focused on the following nine competencies and corresponding elements.

Project Aims

Aim 1

To facilitate students’ professional identity development as psychologists and foster strong commitments to ethical guidelines and the provision of services in the context of a multicultural, pluralistic society such that individual differences and differences in culture, race/ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, religion, ability and sexual orientation are understood, respected and addressed.

Aim 2

To train students in the scientist-practitioner model who are competent in the evaluation, production, and dissemination of research.

Aim 3

To provide students with in-depth training of evidence-based practices under supervised conditions in assessment and intervention.    

Program Competencies and Elements