Counseling Psychology (PsyD)

Pre-requisites

• A baccalaureate or master's degree from an accredited college or university
• Master's degree in counseling, psychology, or related field (36 credit hours minimum); with a 3.2 minimum graduate GPA
• Or an undergraduate degree with a minimum of 15 undergraduate psychology credit hours; with a 3.5 minimum undergraduate GPA (with B's or above in psychology coursework)

Application Requirements

Applicants to the PsyD program must submit the following information to the Office of Admissions for review:

• Completed online application
• Official Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
• Curriculum vitae or resume
• Essay
• Three (3) academic or professional letters of recommendation (must be sent by the recommender) in the form of a Word or PDF document. 
• Official GRE test scores (general test only) – Chatham Code 2081
  • The GRE test has been waived for the December 1, 2020 application deadline (Fall 2021 start).  

All admissions documents should be submitted by email or mailed to:
Chatham University
Office of Graduate Admission - Berry Hall
Woodland Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15232

Application documents should be sent to the Admissions Office only.

Admission Process

After verifying that the minimum academic requirements are met, the program utilizes a holistic approach in reviewing the candidate's entire application. This process is intended to seek talented and qualified individuals of all backgrounds. Taking multiple factors into consideration during our admissions process positively achieves the educational benefits of a student body that is both diverse and academically excellent. This approach includes an evaluation of each candidate’s academic achievement as well as their personal characteristics, attributes and experiences. As part of the holistic review, Chatham reserves the right to request a background check prior to offer of admission.

Applicants will be informed by the Office of Admissions whether they have been accepted into the PsyD program.

International Applicants

International applicants to the Doctor of Psychology program must submit additional documentation to the Office of Admissions.

PSY711: Multicultural and Diversity Issues in Counseling Psychology

The course provides an in-depth exploration of cultural differences as they impact the counseling relationship. Identity development theory will be examined, as will multicultural research methods and findings. Finally, the significance of both between-group and within-group differences will be explored for their relative influence on the process of therapeutic change.

PSY816: Health Psychology Practice

The course focuses on the interface between psychology and medicine, preparing students to use psychology interventions in the treatment and management of illness and to understand the role of the psychologist in the interdisciplinary healthcare team. Theory, research, and practice of health psychology will be presented.

PSY810: Advanced Data Analysis

This course introduces advanced concepts in data analysis, with an emphasis on ensuring that students are capable of designing research studies and selecting and implementing appropriate methods of data analysis. Students will work on their dissertation proposals in this course.

PSY730: Psychology of Emerging Adulthood

This course explores developmental theory pertaining to the timespan between adolescence and adulthood. Identity exploration in the areas of education, work, interpersonal relationships, and culture will be examined through current and seminal research. Developmental considerations for working with this population will be highlighted.

View Full Curriculum

Social justice ​and multicultural competence are key values of counseling psychology. This year our country witnessed several prominent incidents reminding us of the work that remains to be done to create a society in which all humans are equally prized. 

In May, George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man was choked to death while in police custody following his arrest on suspicion of forgery.

Simultaneously, the COVID19 pandemic has raged unchecked through the country, with people of color and disadvantaged socioeconomic status being overly represented in infections and deaths. 

As a faculty and staff, we are diverse along many dimensions, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, privilege, gender, sexual orientation, political perspectives, and age. We are, however, united in our condemnation of oppression and our commitment to work toward equity. We acknowledge the pain of individuals and communities who are suffering. We understand the need for ongoing self-reflection so that we can continue to open our hearts and minds to needed change. We recognize this as a necessary step toward helping others create change in their own lives.

In our profession’s clinical work, we will be called to provide treatment to people from all backgrounds and with widely divergent presenting concerns. Providing competent, ethical, and effective assessment and treatment will require that we check our own assumptions and unconscious biases, to listen intentionally, and to understand perspectives that may or may not differ from our own. We will encounter victims as well as perpetrators of violence. We will be called to help first responders and police officers, and family members of those who may have been mistreated by members of the same.

These incidents are tragic and disheartening, and yet they also serve to remind us of the importance of our work as mental health professionals in a position to enact positive change at the individual, community, and societal levels. Our program’s faculty and students co-created the Antiracism Collective (ARC), the purpose of which is to envision and take action steps to engage in antiracism work at a personal level. Students have created an allyship group dedicated to exploring and dismantling White privilege. We have created space for BIPOC and non-Black POC to share their experiences as students in a predominantly White institution (PWI). Our shared aims are to walk this journey with company.

Finally, we encourage self-care so that we can provide comfort and guidance to those entrusted with our care.