Loyola's PhD in counseling psychology has been accredited by the American Psychologist Association (APA) since 1984.  The mission of the PhD program in counseling psychology at Loyola University Chicago is to graduate scientist-practitioner-oriented health service psychologists who identify with the field of counseling psychology and who are committed to promoting social justice in all their professional activities.

Curriculum

The PhD in Counseling Psychology requires 69 credit hours of coursework beyond a master's degree, written and oral comprehensive examinations, a culminating portfolio and a dissertation with oral defense. Students develop an area of research expertise by engaging in research with faculty throughout their doctoral study. A 2,000 hour pre-doctoral internship is also required.

Suggested Sequence of Courses

The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework.  An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study.  Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.

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Students may also choose to take a Psychology Core or Research Elective in this term.

Practicum

The Chicagoland area provides a wealth of clinical training opportunities for doctoral students in counseling psychology. Approximately half of our students seek training in university counseling centers in the city and suburbs, while the other half receives their clinical and diagnostic training in hospitals and community mental health centers. Students receive a generalist training, but through site selection can begin to acquire population-specific competencies in working with children, adolescents, families, veterans, gay/lesbian/bisexual clients, and other groups of individuals. Many of the practicum sites also contain APA-approved internship programs where trainees are provided with rigorous supervision and on-site seminars.

Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examination is an oral exam that provides students an opportunity to integrate all course work, individual reading, research, and applied training. The comprehensive examination committee will be composed of the student’s advisor (who will chair the exam) and two counseling psychology faculty members. Comprehensive examination performance will be evaluated by the committee using a rubric published in the Student Handbook and will evaluate student's understanding of profession wide competencies and program competencies.

Culminating Portfolio

The culminating portfolio represents the final pre-internship opportunity for students to demonstrate their integrative knowledge of health service and counseling psychology. The portfolio must be completed and submitted electronically by January 31 of the year the student applies for internship. Successful completion of this portfolio is required before leaving for internship. The following documents are required:

• Approved Dissertation Proposal
• Approved Clinical Case Study
• Approved Assessment Report
• Integrative Paper
• Social Justice Intervention Paper

Dissertation

Students will define an area of research interest and propose a research program leading to a written dissertation. Oral defense of the dissertation required.

All PhD students and students in thesis-based Master's degree programs must successfully complete UNIV 370 Responsible Conduct in Research and Scholarship or other approved coursework in responsible conduct of research as part of the degree requirements. It is strongly recommended that students complete this two-day training before beginning the dissertation/thesis stage of the program.

Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations

Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supercede school policies.

Learning Outcomes

You will engage in independent scholarship on questions important to counseling psychology, and develop and evaluate interventions to promote positive human development. You'll be equipped to practice as a health service psychologist with competencies in research, ethical and legal standards, individual and cultural diversity, professional values and attitudes, communication and interpersonal skills, assessment, intervention, supervision, consultation and inter-professional/interdisciplinary knowledge and skills.