Announcement

PhD program in Counseling psychology at Wayne State University Accrediated, on Contingency  Consistent with IR C-29 D, the date of expiration of contingent status  is June 21, 2029.

Commission on Accreditation
c/o Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
202-336-5979
TDD: 202-336-6123

Virtual Counseling Psychology open house sessions

Please join our virtual Counseling Psychology Programs Open House! Learn more about our Masters and Doctoral programs, meet faculty, and Q&A forum for potential applicants.

• Jan. 7, 2025 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
• Zoom Meeting
• Meeting ID: 943 8536 2457
• Passcode: 131030

Program overview

The program prepares students to address personal and interpersonal functioning across the lifespan with a focus on strengths and wellness. It encourages students to conceptualize self and others as holistically situated in multiple relational, sociocultural, and ecologically systemic contexts interacting with interpersonal experiences. Clinical preparation and training at WSU Counseling Psychology engages students as generalists and reflective practitioners, emphasizing theoretically and empirically informed methods that fit flexibly with individual, family, and community contexts and benefit clients through the healing effects of common factors of therapy.  

Counseling Psychology at Wayne State strives to embed and integrate multiculturalism and issues addressing diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and justice throughout our training system. This includes coursework, research, and clinical practicum experiences. Practicum and research experiences are situated in diverse settings with children, families, and individuals, with a wide range of presenting concerns, and who represent a wide array of diversity across intersecting dimensions of race, ethnicity, religion, spirituality, ability status, age, sexual orientation, and gender identities as well as socioeconomic and geographic backgrounds. 

• Wayne State University rates and fees
• Additional financial resources

Prerequisites

Applicants to the Counseling Psychology programs can apply following the completion of a degree in higher education from an accredited university and meet the admission pre-requisites. Applicants may apply following an earned bachelor's, master's, or doctorate. A minimum of 15 credit hours of psychology coursework and a minimum overall 3.0 GPA is required. It is suggested that students have courses in foundational areas of psychology, such as developmental psychology, abnormal psychology, personality, behavioral, social psychology, and research methods for the social sciences. Most applicants will have a bachelor's or a master's degree in psychology, or a closely related field. 

Canadian applicants are encouraged to review information through the Canadian Psychological Association. This site provides information for those trained in psychology in Canada and who want to move to a Canadian jurisdiction to practice. Applicants wishing to practice in Canada may have additional pre-requisites to apply. Some jurisdictions require a bachelor’s degree in psychology or majored in psychology from their undergraduate institution. Please visit the Provincial and Territorial Regulatory Bodies and for Ontario applicants, the College of Psychologists of Ontario licensure regulations before applying.

Program application components 

Graduate admission to the program is based on the requirements of the Wayne State University Graduate School, College of Education, and the Counseling Psychology Program. 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. Applications to Counseling Psychology Programs require the following for a holistic review process.  

• Graduate School application 
• All academic transcripts and degree 
• Three letters of recommendations (one preferably from faculty from former institution)
• Counseling Psychology Program Area Application 
• Personal Statement (1 page minimum) 
• Writing sample 
• Resume or Curriculum Vita 
• Optional - Graduate Record Examination (GRE)  

Important dates

• January 15^th: Application due for fall consideration.
• Mid-February: Doctoral interviews for selected candidates
• Mid-March: Initial decisions 
• April 15^th: Offers of admission must be accepted or declined.
• August: Orientation

Please note: Applicants recommended for admission will be required to complete a background check prior to formal offers.  Information will be sent to you concerning how to complete the legal background check and associated fees incurred to you. Admission is contingent upon university and faculty review and approval, however applicants concerned with this requirement are encouraged to apply as well reach out to the Program Director.  

Applicants may apply following an earned bachelors from an accredited university and meet the admission pre-requisites. Applicants applying while enrolled in a master's or doctorate program, or who have previously earned a graduate degree in counseling psychology or a closely related field from an accredited university and meet the admission pre-requisites are also eligible to apply. Applicants admitted to a clinical master's program in the Division of Theoretical and Behavioral Foundations or programs in Educational Psychology at Wayne State University (e.g., Counseling Psychology, School Psychology) can apply to the PhD program at any point in their matriculation or following their graduation.

Program requirements

Curriculum

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Milestones: Register and take Qualifying Exams in Fall semester. File for MA Graduation, TLLP licensure, and defend dissertation prospectus by end of year 3.
Note: Important to solidify dissertation topic by beginning of Fall semester.

Year 4

Milestones: Internship readiness determined by October 1; Apply for APPIC internships

Year 5

Note: Students enroll in Internship for 0 credit hours but register through maintenance credit.

Plan of work

The Plan of Work (POW) serves as the student's guide for completing the program. It reflects a systematic and organized series of courses, practicum experiences, program milestones, etc., designed to keep students on track and graduate in a timely manner. It should be planned with the counseling and guidance of the Major Advisor and approved by the Program Director and the College Graduate Director.

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.

Faculty

As a doctoral student in counseling, you work closely with faculty who are accomplished scholars and experienced practitioners. But above all, they're dedicated to your success. As advisors, teachers, and mentors, they cheer you on at every step of your journey.

Core faculty

• Francesca Pernice, Ph.D., Program director
• Shannon Chávez-Korell, Ph.D., Director of clinical training
• Elizabeth Barton, Ph.D.
• Lucetry Dalton-Trusty, Ph.D.
• Sarah Kiperman, Ph.D.

Dedicated to student success

The Student Affiliates in the Society of Counseling Psychology (SAS-CP) is a student group under APA's Division 17. Focused on creating a culturally responsive network for WSU Counseling Psychology students, SAS-CP addresses legislative and ethical issues affecting the field, shares employment and internship opportunities, and promotes interdisciplinary knowledge exchange. It offers educational, social, and supportive resources to enhance professional development.

Counseling Psychology Ph.D. demographics

Admissions

Matriculated Student Data

IPEDS