Counseling Psychology (PsyD)

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Counseling Psychology (PsyD) Overview

Chatham University's Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Counseling Psychology program is one of a small number of APA-accredited Counseling Psychology PsyD programs in the nation. Our program is distinguished by the practice of counseling grounded in the science of psychology; a focus on clients' assets and strengths; a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and social justice; and access to a broad range of training opportunities on- and off-campus. The PsyD is a full-time program, admitting students each fall.

Degrees Offered
  • Doctorate
Program School
School of Health Sciences

Application Deadline

Applicants who wish to be considered for Fall 2021 entry should have all application materials submitted by December 1, 2020. Applicants will be notified by mid-January regarding selection to participate in full-day program interviews, which will take place in February.

Credits Required

106

This number includes 85 post-master's-degree credits

Cost Per Credit

$1,017

Cost consists of program tuition (cost per credit times number of credits) as well as any applicable University and degree-specific fees.

Program Excellence

Accreditation

Chatham University's Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Counseling Psychology program is one of a small number of APA-accredited Counseling Psychology PsyD programs in the nation.

Explore the Psychology (PsyD) Degree:

Students entering with a Bachelors will earn both a Master of Arts in Psychology (MAP) and their PsyD through a streamlined program of 106 credits, including coursework, practicum training, dissertation, and internship. After 48 credits, the Master of Science in Counseling Psychology degree will be bestowed. This approach allows students to save 27 credits (approximately $27,000) when compared with completing the MSCP and PsyD programs sequentially.

Students entering with a master's degree will work with their advisor to complete an individualized plan of study, taking into account graduate-level coursework already completed. 

 

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 - resume and essay can be uploaded to the application but can also be sent independently
  • Official Transcripts (must be sent from the school's Registrar’s Office) from all colleges and universities attended, including transfer credits, community colleges, AP credits, summer courses, study abroad, etc.
  • Curriculum vitae or resume
  • Three (3) academic or professional letters of recommendation (must be sent by the recommender) in the form of a Word or PDF document. This is a free form recommendation and there will not be a link or form sent to your recommenders.
  • Official GRE test scores (general test only) – Chatham Code 2081
  • Admissions essay of three to five double-spaced pages (750-1250 words) on what has led you to pursue doctoral study in psychology and how do you hope this study will shape your future, and describe your thoughts about how change occurs in people and what the change process involves.

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.

A list of these documents can be found on the International Admission web pages.

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

Our PsyD program is focused on training students for careers in psychology practice that are firmly grounded in scientific knowledge, ethical principles, and multicultural awareness. Our faculty work to provide mentorship to guide students’ development as both practitioners and scholars.

— Mary Jo Loughran, Ph.D., Program Director, Counseling Psychology

Our Faculty

Faculty members are accomplished teachers, scholars, practitioners, and active leaders in the field.

Full Faculty

Desired Applicants

The Doctor of Psychology in Counseling Psychology program invites applications from students holding a bachelor’s or master’s degree in psychology, counseling, or a related field. The program is designed to be completed in five years post-bachelor’s and four years post-master’s.

Graduate Psychology Assistantships

Our competitive Graduate Psychology Assistantships are available to full-time graduate students in the Master of Science in Counseling Psychology (MSCP) and Doctor of Psychology in Counseling Psychology (PsyD) programs.

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Graduate Counseling Psychology Research

Students have opportunities to engage in a broad array of faculty-led research, from investigating counseling modalities to exploring issues related to diversity and identity. 

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Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data

This page details the student admissions, outcomes, and other data for Chatham University's Doctorate in Counseling Psychology.

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In Touch Newsletter

Learn about student and faculty accomplishments, alumni achievements, and various activities that occurred over the last academic year—in Pittsburgh, and all over the country.

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Alumni Profile: Stephanie Harrison, PsyD '18

Chatham's Master of Science of Counseling Psychology (MSCP) and Doctorate of Counseling Psychology (PsyD) programs empower students to pursue their interests to guide their studies and research as well as make a positive impact in the communities in which they are involved. This way, students can create lives of purpose in the areas in which they will work after they graduate.

Watch the Video

Alumni profile: Nicholas Uram, PsyD ’16, MAP ’10

Coming of age in the early 2000’s, as war raged in Afghanistan and Iraq, Nicholas Uram, PsyD ’16, MAP ‘10 thought he might follow in his grandfather’s footsteps and enlist in the military. But after his friends began returning home from combat with mental health issues, Uram’s sense of duty led him on a different mission.

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Chatham Counseling Psychology: Research Focus

Chatham’s Counseling Psychology program received a behavioral workforce education and training grant that funds a variety of student training opportunities, including stipends for practicum sites, conferences, on-site trainings, and more. Dr. Jen Morse, associate professor of counseling psychology, and Ehren Emter, PsyD '18 discuss the impact of the grant on the student experience.

Watch the Video