https://education.pacific.edu/education/degree-programs/graduate-programs/psyd-counseling-psychology
Location: Gladys L. Benerd Building
Degree Program
Doctorate of Psychology in Counseling Psychology (Psychologist License Eligible)
Admissions Requirement
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better for the last 60 units of college or post baccalaureate work.
- A Bachelor's degree from an accredited university.
- A completed application portfolio to Graduate Admissions, an essay indicating qualifications for the program, official transcripts from all college-level coursework
- including official verification of the awarding of degrees, and three letters of recommendation that attests to the candidate’s ability to undertake doctoral studies.
- Program Interview
- Evidence of qualities and character in keeping with the philosophy and standards of this University and Benerd Education Programs.
Program Stages
The approval of the dissertation proposal by the student's committee and completion of all coursework not including dissertation and internship units advances the student to Doctoral Candidacy. Students may not hold their dissertation proposal meeting until they have completed 54 units in the program. Students must propose their dissertation before the start of internship.
Dissertation
An acceptable dissertation must be based on an original investigation. It must present either a contribution to knowledge and/or understanding, or an application of existing knowledge to the candidate’s special field of study. The dissertation must be submitted by the appropriate deadlines as stated in the current Graduate Academic Calendar. Students admitted to the PsyD program in the Benerd College require a minimum of 2 units and maximum of 5 units of Dissertation units (CPSY 399). Students are not required to register in the semester immediately following a successful final defense.
Period of Candidacy
The maximum time allowed for completion of an PsyD program is governed by the following: All requirements for the Doctor of Psychology degree must be completed within the time limit outlined in the Residence and Time Limits section of the Academic Regulations page of the graduate catalog. Students who do not meet these deadlines are dropped from the doctoral program.
Final Oral Examination
A final oral examination, conducted by the candidate’s dissertation committee, is held in accordance with the deadline established by the university. This oral exam concerns itself with the candidate’s dissertation. Supplemental information is available in the Benerd College department offices.
Semester Hour Requirements
The Doctorate of Psychology (PsyD) requires a minimum of 99 units with a Pacific cumulative grade point average of 3.0. Up to 9 semester units can be transferred at the Master's level and up to 12 semester units at the doctoral level. Additionally, up to 9 credits used toward a master’s degree earned at another institution may be approved by petition for transfer and count toward doctoral units. After successful completion of the first 32 units of the program, students who meet the requirements for the MA degree with a concentration in Counseling Psychology may apply for and be awarded the MA degree. Students who take PsyD courses as part of a MA or EdS degree completed at Pacific may count those units towards their PsyD. Students who enroll in the PsyD with a concentration in School Psychology should simultaneously enroll in the EdS in School Psychology to earn the credential. Credit value of the dissertation: Not less than 2 no more than 5 units.
Grade Point Average Requirements
Grade point average of at least 3.0 in all work taken while in graduate studies is required. Preferably this should be 3.5.
Minimum Residence
The period of residence work represents an opportunity to secure additional competency in the area of specialization as well as the development of an acceptable dissertation. Residency requirement can be met by taking 18 units of coursework within 12 calendar months.
Doctorate of Psychology
Students must complete research core, theoretical core, field experience, dissertation, final culminating field experience, and concentration courses. Based upon state and federal laws, additional requirements may be necessary for those students electing to earn a license along with the graduate degree (e.g., licensed psychologist). Students interested in earning a license should work closely with their advisor. Students will be required to complete a dissertation at the conclusion of the program.
| I. Research Core | ||
| Minimum 21 units | ||
| CPSY 370 | Techniques of Research | 3 |
| CPSY 371 | Statistical Thinking and Communication | 3 |
| CPSY 377 | Qualitative Research Design and Methods | 3 |
| CPSY 378 | Quantitative Research Design and Methods | 3 |
| CPSY 382 | Applied Research in Psychology I | 3 |
| CPSY 383 | Applied Research in Psychology II | 3 |
| CPSY 384 | Applied Research in Psychology III | 3 |
| II. Theoretical Core | ||
| Minimum 18 units | ||
| CPSY 304 | Biological Bases of Behavior | 3 |
| CPSY 305 | Advanced Human Development Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| CPSY 310 | Advanced History and Systems in Psychology | 3 |
| CPSY 312 | Cognitive and Affective Aspects of Behavior | 3 |
| CPSY 315 | Advanced Social Psychology | 3 |
| CPSY 363 | Psychopathology and Wellness Promotion | 3 |
| III. Field Experience | ||
| Minimum 6 units | ||
| Counseling Practicum | ||
| III. Research and Dissertation | ||
| Minimum 2 units | ||
| Doctoral Dissertation | ||
| IV. Final Culminating Field Experience | ||
| Minimum 6 units | ||
| Internship | ||
| V. Concentration | ||
| Students must select a concentration in one of the areas listed below. | ||
| Counseling Psychology | ||
| Minimum 46 units | ||
| CPSY 314 | Law, Ethics, and Professional Practice | 3 |
| CPSY 317 | Human Sexuality | 1 |
| CPSY 318 | Introduction to Counseling Psychology | 3 |
| CPSY 320 | Psychotherapeutic Interventions | 3 |
| CPSY 322 | Advanced Psychotherapeutic Interventions | 3 |
| CPSY 325 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| CPSY 327 | Theories of Multicultural Couples Therapy | 3 |
| CPSY 328 | Theories of Multicultural Family Therapy and Collaboration | 3 |
| CPSY 329 | Career Counseling | 3 |
| CPSY 333 | Abuse and Crisis Intervention for Families | 3 |
| CPSY 336 | Trauma Counseling | 3 |
| CPSY 337 | Alcoholism and Chemical Substance Abuse Dependency | 3 |
| CPSY 341 | Education, Consultation, Advocacy | 3 |
| CPSY 342 | Supervision | 3 |
| CPSY 355 | Psychological Assessment | 3 |
| CPSY 358 | Behavior and Personality Assessment | 3 |
| Clinical Psychology | ||
| Minimum 46 units | ||
| CPSY 314 | Law, Ethics, and Professional Practice | 3 |
| CPSY 317 | Human Sexuality | 1 |
| CPSY 319 | Introduction to Clinical Psychology | 3 |
| CPSY 320 | Psychotherapeutic Interventions | 3 |
| CPSY 322 | Advanced Psychotherapeutic Interventions | 3 |
| CPSY 325 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| CPSY 328 | Theories of Multicultural Family Therapy and Collaboration | 3 |
| CPSY 333 | Abuse and Crisis Intervention for Families | 3 |
| CPSY 336 | Trauma Counseling | 3 |
| CPSY 337 | Alcoholism and Chemical Substance Abuse Dependency | 3 |
| CPSY 341 | Education, Consultation, Advocacy | 3 |
| CPSY 342 | Supervision | 3 |
| CPSY 355 | Psychological Assessment | 3 |
| CPSY 358 | Behavior and Personality Assessment | 3 |
| CPSY 361 | Advanced Psychological Assessment | 3 |
| CPSY 380 | Structural Equation Modeling | 3 |
| School Psychology | ||
| Minimum 46 units | ||
| CPSY 301 | Introduction to School Psychology | 3 |
| CPSY 314 | Law, Ethics, and Professional Practice | 3 |
| CPSY 317 | Human Sexuality | 1 |
| CPSY 321 | Psychotherapeutic Interventions for Children and their Caregivers | 3 |
| CPSY 325 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| CPSY 328 | Theories of Multicultural Family Therapy and Collaboration | 3 |
| CPSY 333 | Abuse and Crisis Intervention for Families | 3 |
| CPSY 337 | Alcoholism and Chemical Substance Abuse Dependency | 3 |
| CPSY 340 | Consultation Methods | 3 |
| CPSY 342 | Supervision | 3 |
| CPSY 350 | Behavior Assessment and Intervention | 3 |
| CPSY 351 | Academic Assessment and Intervention | 3 |
| CPSY 355 | Psychological Assessment | 3 |
| CPSY 358 | Behavior and Personality Assessment | 3 |
| CPSY 360 | Neuropsychology | 3 |
| CPSY 374 | Program Evaluation | 3 |
Student Outcomes
- Research – Students will be able to contribute to the mental health field through conducting an original research study.
- Ethical and legal standards – Students will be able to recognize ethical dilemmas as they arise and apply ethical decision-making processes to resolve the dilemmas.
- Individual and cultural diversity – Students will be able to interrogate structures of power from the standpoint of cultural inheritance and critically reflect upon their own cultural biases.
- Professional values, attitudes, and behaviors – Students will engage in self-reflection regarding one’s personal and professional functioning and engage in activities to maintain and improve performance, well-being, and professional effectiveness.
- Communication and interpersonal skills – Students will produce and comprehend oral, nonverbal, and written communications that are informative and well-integrated and will demonstrate a thorough grasp of professional language and concepts.
- Assessment – Students will be able to administer, interpret, and communicate findings from major assessment instruments and use assessment findings to generate and implement treatment plans.
- Intervention – Students will be able to apply major theories of mental health counseling to individuals, groups, and families, with diverse needs.
- Supervision – Students will demonstrate knowledge of supervision models and practices.
- Consultation and interprofessional/interdisciplinary skills – Students will demonstrate knowledge of consultation models and practices and will demonstrate knowledge and respect for the roles and perspectives of other professions.
