Counseling Psychology, Ph.D.

Admission Requirements

When applying to the counseling psychology program, you will need to submit several documents for review.

• Online application
• $50 application fee
• Goals statement (upload with the application)
• Resume (upload with the application)
• Writing sample (upload with the application)
• Three letters of recommendation (identify your recommenders on the application)
• Proof of completion of a bachelor’s or master’s degree
• Official transcript(s): graduate (minimum 2.5 undergraduate GPA if no master’s). Submit transcripts from all colleges/universities attended either electronically to gradapplytranscripts@gsu.edu or by mailing directly to Georgia State University | Office of Admissions — Graduate School |P.O. Box 4018 Atlanta, GA 30302.
• GRE scores: An official score on the Graduate Record Examination General Test is required for admission to Ph.D. programs in the College of Education and Human Development. While it is important to note that GRE scores are used along with other criteria established by departments and programs when determining admission, a score of 155 or higher on the verbal section and 151 or higher on the quantitative section will make the application more competitive
  • institution code 5251
  • scores may not be more than five years old at time of application

Please Note

Program faculty will be reviewing applications for fall 2022 and conducting virtual interviews for fall 2022 admissions. If selected for a virtual interview, applicants will be notified by the Counseling & Psychological Services Department.

Advising Note

Students admitted to the doctoral program should have completed a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in an appropriate major (e.g., counseling or clinical psychology). Students with a bachelor’s degree or lacking a counseling/clinical master’s degree will be required to complete compensatory curricular experiences as stipulated by their doctoral advisory committees.

Program emphases

1. We value applicants with research experience and research interests that are closely associated with those of our faculty.
2. We are committed to increasing the levels of commitment to valuing multiculturalism and diversity among our doctoral students.
3. Professional experience as a practitioner and experience in the work world are highly valued.
4. Involvement with the American Psychological Association, especially Division 17 (Counseling Psychology), is highly desirable.

Application essay
Your essay should describe your match with our program, including:

1. Why a Ph.D. in counseling psychology is the best fit for your career goals
2. How this program will help you meet your career goals
3. How your background matches characteristics we seek in applicants
4. Your research interests and how they relate to those of specific faculty who you would like to work with

Preferences for interviews are given to applicants with:

1. GRE scores at or above the 50th percentile (we evaluate scores in the context of culture, nation of origin, and language)
2. Master’s and bachelor’s degrees with high GPAs from rigorous programs, including counseling psychology/counseling programs (or other applied programs).
3. Previous journal publications, national presentations, theses or comparable supervised research experiences
4. Complex understandings of multiple cultural perspectives, experience working with diverse cultural populations, related research interests and/or diverse cultural backgrounds
5. Professional experience counseling clients
6. Letters of recommendation providing evidence you are a top candidate
7. Initiative, self-direction, creativity, the ability to contribute to the field, etc.

Licensure/Certification Education Requirements by State

Program of Study

A. Core Area (18)

The Core Area consists of 15 semester hours of research coursework and 3 semester hours of Social Foundation of Education and Psychology of Learning coursework.

Research Core (15 hours)

Choose one course (3):

• EPRS 8500 Qualitative/Interpretive Research in Education (3)
• EPRS 8530 Quantitative Methods and Analysis in Education (3)

Required (12):

• A two-course sequence (6 hours) in research methodology (see below for specific tracks/courses)
• Two courses (6 hours) in advanced research methods as identified by the Doctoral Advisory Committee

Quantitative Methodology

• EPRS 8540 Quantitative Methods and Analysis in Education II
• EPRS 8550 Quantitative Methods and Analysis in Education III (3)
• EPRS 8820 Program Evaluation and Institutional Research (3)
• EPRS 8830 Survey Research, Sampling Principles and Questionnaire Design (3)
• EPRS 8840 Meta-Analysis (3)
• EPRS 8660 Bayesian Statistics (3)
• EPRS 9550 Multivariate Analysis (3)
• EPRS 9560 Structural Equation Modeling (3)
• EPRS 9570 Hierarchical Linear Modeling I (3)
• EPRS 9571 Hierarchical Linear Modeling II(3)
• EPRS 9900 Research Design (3)

Qualitative Methodology

• ANTH 8010 Qualitative Methods in Anthropology (3)
• EPRS 8510 Qualitative Research in Education II (3)
• EPRS 8520 Qualitative Research in Education III (3)
• EPRS 8640 Case Study Methods (3)
• EPRS 8700 Visual Research Methods (3)
• EPRS 9120 Poststructural Inquiry (3)
• EPRS 9400 Writing Qualitative Research Manuscripts (3)

Single-Case Methodology

• EPY 8850 Introduction to Single-Case Methodology (3)
• EPY 8860 Applications of Single-Case Methodology (3)

Historical/Philosophical Methodology

• EPSF 9850 Historical Research in American Education (3)
• EPSF 9930 Philosophical Analysis and Method (3)

Measurement Methodology

• EPRS 7920 Classroom Testing, Grading, and Assessment (3)
• EPRS 8920 Educational Measurement (3)
• EPRS 9350 Introduction to Item Response Theory (3)
• EPRS 9360 Advanced Item Response Theory (3)

Social Foundations of Education and Psychology of Learning course (3)

Choose One Course (3):

• EPY 8200 Advanced Developmental Psychology: Cognition and Intellect (3)
• EPY 8220 Advanced Developmental Psychology: Personality and Socialization (3)

B. Major Area (50-51)

Required (38):

• CPS 8350 Biopsychology and Medication (3)
• CPS 8370 Advanced Career Counseling (3)
• CPS 8450 Advanced Group Counseling (3)
• CPS 8530 Professional Issues and Decisions (3)
• CPS 8650 Advanced Counseling Theory (3)
• CPS 8660 Applied Practice II: Professional and Rehabilitation Counseling (6)
• CPS 9480 Supervision of Counseling Services (3)
• CPS 9680 Doctoral Internship (3)
• CPS 9920 Research and Publication (2)
• CPS 9962 Counseling Psychology Seminar (6)
• PSYC 8500 History of Psychology (3)

Select one course (3):

• PSYC 8510 Advanced Social Psychology (3)
• EPY 8220 Advanced Developmental Psychology: Personality and Socialization (3)
  (If EPY 8220 is completed to satisfy the Core area requirements, PSYC 8510 must be completed to satisfy this requirement. EPY 8220 can only be applied to one area of study. It cannot satisfy both the Core Area and the Major Area.)

Select one course (3):

• CPS 8100 Psychobehavioral Diagnosis (3)
• CPS 8540 Child/Adolescent Psychopathology Assessment (3)

Required (3):

CPS 9665 Assessment Practicum (3)

Select one course (3-4):

• CPS 9410 Assessment of Intelligence (3)
• CPS 9420 Adult Personality Assessment (3)
• PSYC 8030 Assessment II (4)

C. Cognate Area (18)

Required (9):

• CPS 8340 Advanced Multicultural Counseling Strategies and Intervention (3)
• CPS 9660 Applied Practice III (6)

The cognate area provides the students an opportunity to enrich their preparation as counseling psychologists with further study in a related area of expertise. The students must select one of the following cognate areas (9): child and family, clinical assessment, health psychology, human sexuality, psychotherapy, multicultural, geriatric psychology, organizational development, rehabilitation psychology, or research methodology. Students should contact their Doctoral Advisory Committees for a program outline for Counseling Psychology. The program outline describes the course sequencing and describes additional cognate course requirements.

D. Dissertation (15)

Required (15):

CPS 9990 Dissertation (15)

Program total: Minimum of 101-102 semester hours

Funding Your Graduate Education

Cost of attendance and funding opportunities are integral to your decision to attend graduate school. Georgia State University is proud to offer a variety of funding opportunities, from assistantships to fellowships.

Awards and Assistantships

Various awards, assistantships and fellowships are available to new and current graduate students. We encourage you to contact your department, college, school or institute of interest to get more information about the assistantships and fellowships that they offer their students.

The Scholarship Resource Center offers guidance and support to students seeking financial assistance through scholarship opportunities, including this scholarship library.

Fellowships

The Office of Graduate Programs’ Fellowship Advisor works with students interested in applying for nationally prestigious and competitive fellowships. The Office of Graduate Programs also coordinates the application process for students applying to the Second Century Initiative, the Provost’s Dissertation Fellowship and the Dissertation Library Travel Awards.

Cost Calculator

Our calculator can help you get an idea of the costs associated with attending the university.

Student Resources

• CPY Student Handbook
• APA Division 17
• Georgia Psychological Association
• APPIC
• EPPP
• Atlanta Visitor’s Bureau
• GSU Women’s Study Institute Video
• Counseling Psychology Ph.D. FAQs
• 2010-2020 CPY Student Admissions Outcomes and Other Final Data

Affiliations and research interests of our faculty:

Jeff Ashby, Ph.D., training director — stress and trauma and cognitive structures (e.g., perfectionism).
Cirleen DeBlaere, Ph.D., program coordinator — intersection of multiple minority identities and its impact on mental health.
Don Davis, Ph.D. — humility and forgiveness. Dual appointment with Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Joel Meyers, Ph.D. — dual appointment with School Psychology program.
Ken Rice, Ph.D. — stress management, coping and perfectionism. Matheny Endowed Chair.
Tamara Turner
Han Na Suh,  assistant professor in the Department of Counseling and Psychological Services.