Announcement

The Ph.D. program is currently not accredited. Faculty are seeking accreditation with the American Psychological Association (APA). The program faculty is currently pursuing contingency accreditation status with the American Psychological Association. If you have additional questions about our accreditation status and/or the accreditation process: 

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation 
750 First Street NE 
Washington, DC 20002-4242 
Telephone: 202-336-5979 

Program overview

The Wayne State University Counseling Psychology (WSU-CP) Ph.D. prepares the scholar-practitioner to advance the practice of psychology and improve mental health recovery and wellness through research and reflective practice. The WSU-CP doctoral program was formally established in 2018. 

The WSU-CP doctoral program resides within the Theoretical and Behavioral Foundations division of the College of Education. The training prepares practitioners to make professional judgments that take into consideration best practices derived from research and theory, social, political, and policy contexts, ethical principles, and multicultural awareness. Courses emphasize the broad applications of normal and abnormal development, multicultural and ecological approaches such as family and community. Students may also elect to take courses in couples, family therapy, and/or trauma to augment their clinical training. We offer a balance of both urban and metropolitan experiences for all students to ensure familiarity with a range of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.

The curriculum and practical experiences are designed to ensure professional competency and knowledge integration as it relates to scholarship, clinical practice, and advocacy. Program graduates will be prepared for employment within a variety of settings including academic departments, university counseling centers or clinics, community mental health agencies, hospitals, the non-profit sector, and/or independent practice. Graduates of the program meet the requirements for licensure as a psychologist in the state of Michigan.  

• Wayne State University rates and fees
• Additional financial resources

Prerequisites

Strong WSU-CP applicants for the doctoral will demonstrate clear interest, passions, and skills relevant to the field of counseling psychology. Applicants will demonstrate promising academic promise and discipline, cognitive flexibility and innovation, commitment, and tolerance for professional and skill development, as well as an interest in social justice and multiculturalism.  Initial screening of applicants is based on a holistic review of the following:  

1. Academic excellence  
2. Writing skills
3. Alignment of academic  and research interests, employment, and/or service-related experiences
4. Quality of references  

Most applicants will have a bachelor's or a master's degree in psychology, or a closely related field. If you are applying as a Canadian citizen and may be practicing in Canada, you are required to have a bachelor's degree in psychology to be considered for admission, based on Canadian psychology licensing requirements. The program adheres to graduate requirements in addition to a minimum 3.0 GPA to apply; however, the typical student admitted to this program has an undergraduate /graduate GPA above 3.5.  

Program application components 

Applications are submitted through the graduate school. The number of applicants recommended for admission each year varies and is determined primarily by the availability of faculty advisors for incoming students. The following components are part of the application:  

1. All academic transcripts and degrees 
2. Writing sample
3. Three letters of recommendation
4. Personal statement  
5. Resume/Curriculum Vita 

Important dates

• January 15^th  Application due for fall consideration.
• Mid-February  Doctoral Interviews 
• Mid-March  Initial Decisions 
• April 15^th - Offers of admission must be accepted or declined.
• Mid-June  New Student Welcome & Program Overview  

Program requirements

Curriculum

EDP: Educational Psychology; PSY: Psychology; EER: Educational Evaluation and Research; ED: Education; CED: Counseling; and SOC: Sociology

Plan of work

The Plan of Work (POW) reflects a systematic and organized series of courses, seminars, field experiences, etc., designed to provide advanced academic experiences consistent with the student's academic objectives. It should be planned with the counseling and guidance of the major advisor and completed as early as possible following acceptance into the program, but no later than March 1^st of the year following acceptance into the program. Until that time, the program director will act as your advisor.   

The Plan of Work must be approved by the Major Advisor and the College Graduate Officer during the semester in which the student is completing the first 18 semester hours of coursework under advisement. The Plan of Work must conform to the Policy and Procedures stated in this document with at least 24 semester hours of regular graduate coursework in Education. 

Students' Plan of Work can be revised due to changes in scheduling or goals. However, students must discuss any potential changes with his or her major advisor first and obtain permission before a substitution is made and before a student enrolls in an alternative course. A change to the POW form is found on the Education website under Students, Forms, and documents and Doctor of Philosophy forms.

Demographics

Admissions

Matriculated Student Data

IPEDS