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
A minimum of 89 doctoral units is required for the PsyD degree. 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 the 89 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 at part of a MA or EdS degree completed at Pacific may count those units towards their PsyD. Credit value of the dissertation: Not less than 2 nor 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
The Doctorate of Psychology (PsyD) requires a minimum of 89 units with a Pacific cumulative grade point average of 3.0. Students must complete the doctoral core courses as well as a dissertation proposal and defense. 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. 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. Research and Dissertation | ||
| Minimum 5 units | ||
| CPSY 399 | Doctoral Dissertation | 2-5 |
| Electives related to Dissertation at 200-300 level | 0-3 | |
| III. Counseling Psychology Concentration | ||
| Minimum 60 units | ||
| CPSY 305 | Advanced Human Development Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| CPSY 329 | Career Counseling | 3 |
| CPSY 328 | Theories of Multicultural Family Therapy and Collaboration | 3 |
| CPSY 320 | Psychotherapeutic Interventions | 3 |
| CPSY 325 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| CPSY 332 | Crisis Intervention | 3 |
| CPSY 340 | Consultation Methods | 3 |
| CPSY 322 | Advanced Psychotherapeutic Interventions | 3 |
| CPSY 310 | History and Systems in Psychology | 3 |
| CPSY 313 | Law and Professional Ethics for Mental Health Professionals | 3 |
| CPSY 363 | Psychopathology and Wellness Promotion | 3 |
| CPSY 355 | Psychological Assessment | 3 |
| CPSY 358 | Behavior and Personality Assessment | 3 |
| CPSY 360 | Neuropsychology | 3 |
| CPSY 316 | Psychopharmacology for Mental Health Professionals | 3 |
| CPSY 315 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| CPSY 334 | Spousal and Partner Abuse, Detection, and Intervention | 1 |
| CPSY 337 | Alcoholism and Chemical Substance Abuse Dependency | 3 |
| CPSY 335 | Child Abuse Assessment and Reporting | 1 |
| CPSY 317 | Human Sexuality | 1 |
| CPSY 333 | Abuse and Crisis Intervention for Families | 1 |
| CPSY 336 | Trauma Counseling | 1 |
| CPSY 341 | Education, Consultation, Advocacy | 1 |
| CPSY 342 | Supervision | 1 |
| CPSY 394 | Counseling Practicum | 6 |
| Or any Special Topics course (CPSY 393) | ||
| IV. Final Culminating Field Experience | ||
| Minimum 6 units | ||
| CPSY 398 | Internship | 1-3 |
Student Outcomes
- Research – Students will be able to contribute to the mental health field through conducting an original research study.
- Counseling – Students will be able to and apply major theories of mental health counseling to individuals, groups, and families, with diverse needs.
- 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.
- Theory – Students will understand predominant theories of psychology as they relate to practice in the mental health field.
- Diversity – Students will be able to interrogate structures of power from the standpoint of cultural inheritance and critically reflect upon their own cultural biases.
