Applied Counseling Psychology, PsyD
Program Overview
Aligned to 91ɬÂþ mission of providing high quality, practice-based education, the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Applied Counseling Psychology (non-clinical) is a counseling-focused, 72-unit accelerated doctoral program designed for professionals seeking advanced expertise in applied psychology outside of clinical licensure pathways. Guided by the university leadership and service mission, this rigorous curriculum emphasizes research, scholarship, and systems-level applications of counseling psychology. Students develop advanced knowledge in areas such as lifespan development, wellness promotion, multicultural frameworks, and integrative therapeutic models, supported by in-depth training in qualitative and quantitative research methods.
The program features a structured three-phase dissertation process and is delivered in an accessible, fully online format. This degree does not include clinical practicum or internship training. Graduates are prepared for non-clinical roles in higher education, organizational consulting, program development, community leadership, and research.
The PsyD program is designed for working professionals residing in the United States. Using a 7.5-week term format, this program is offered in online and hybrid modalities, in English. The program is delivered asynchronously with structured faculty support, allowing flexibility for working professionals.
Learning Outcomes
These outcomes reflect doctoral-level competencies in applied, non-clinical psychology aligned with 91ɬÂþ emphasis on professional, research, and leadership development.
- Synthesize and critically evaluate core and emerging theories in counseling psychology, including advanced perspectives on human development, psychopathology, and relational dynamics across individual, couple, family, and group systems.
- Apply advanced ethical reasoning to complex dilemmas in research, teaching, supervision, and other non-clinical professional contexts, demonstrating the ability to formulate ethically sound responses grounded in current standards and philosophical frameworks.
- Analyze and address cross-cultural, multicultural, and global issues in applied psychology, demonstrating cultural humility and the ability to adapt research and theoretical knowledge to diverse non-clinical populations and settings.
- Compare, critique, and integrate theoretical models of counseling from systemic and relational perspectives, with an emphasis on their implications for academic, research, policy, and educational contexts rather than direct clinical application.
- Design and conduct original research in counseling psychology that contributes new theoretical or applied knowledge to the field, demonstrating expertise in both qualitative and quantitative methods.
- Apply and evaluate advanced statistical techniques in the analysis of psychological data, demonstrating the ability to interpret complex findings and use them to inform non-clinical decisions, policies, or interventions.
- Produce scholarly writing at the doctoral level, including publication-ready manuscripts, presentations, and applied reports that effectively communicate complex psychological ideas to academic, organizational, and public audiences.
- Generate innovative insights and critically synthesize current trends in counseling psychology, positioning themselves as thought leaders capable of influencing future directions in research, education, and applied psychological practice in non-clinical domains.
Admission Requirements
For details about admission requirements, please check the Admissions page.
Pathway Program
Students who have completed the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program may be eligible to apply for admission to the Program. Qualified MA in Psychology graduates will have satisfied the 18 units of Foundational Courses. Students who have not completed the MA in Counseling Psychology may apply to the traditional PsyD in Applied Counseling Psychology program and complete the foundational courses as part of that program.
Curriculum
Requirements for the Doctor of Psychology in Applied Counseling Psychology
The PsyD in Applied Counseling Psychology requires completion of 72 units of credit-bearing coursework, including 18 units of foundational coursework, 30 units of advanced doctoral coursework, and 24 units of dissertation work. In addition, students must complete two non-credit program requirements: the Doctoral Readiness Portfolio and the Comprehensive Examination.
These foundational courses provide essential theoretical and cultural frameworks for advanced doctoral study. They are typically completed at the master level in counseling psychology or a related discipline and serve as a prerequisite foundation for the doctoral program. These courses do not include clinical training and do not fulfill requirements for licensure.
Upon completion of foundational coursework, students submit a Doctoral Readiness Portfolio consisting of selected academic writing and a reflective statement. The portfolio demonstrates the student integration of core concepts and readiness to enter the advanced doctoral curriculum.
Students must pass a comprehensive examination demonstrating mastery of doctoral-level Psychology concepts, practice, and research methods before advancing to candidacy.
