Combined Counseling/School Psychology, Doctor of Philosophy

In addition to University Requirements:

• Complete individual plan requirements.

• At least three years of full-time equivalent coursework beyond the master's degree
• Two consecutive semesters (Fall and Spring) of full-time residency
• The completion of a one-year internship

Minimum Units for Completion	123
Additional Admission Requirements	Required
Dissertation	Dissertation is required.
Comprehensive Exam	Comprehensive Exam is required.
Oral Defense	Oral Defense is required.
Fieldwork Experience/Internship	Required
Research	Individualized research is required.
Licensure	This program may lead to licensure.

Purpose Statement

This plan prepares students to function as well-rounded generalists with a strong foundation in both counseling psychology and school psychology. Students engage in substantive training utilizing a scientist-practitioner model integrating psychological theory, research, and practice. The combined approach promotes the optimal development of individuals, families, groups, and environmental ...systems using empirically supported, culturally sensitive interventions that include assessment and diagnosis, interdisciplinary teamwork, relatively brief intervention approaches, prevention, consultation, outcome evaluation, career-development, and ethical decision-making,  in a broad array of settings including schools, universities, integrated healthcare, community mental health, correctional facilities, and independent practice. We believe that this core is best realized using a scientist-practitioner training model that includes a systematic analysis of human behavior, careful applications of best practice, and a methodical evaluation of the effectiveness of these applications.
 
The program is organized to emphasize general preparation as counseling/school psychologists through:

• integration of theory, research, and practice of health service psychology
• ethical decision making and commitment to professional standards of practice
• multicultural awareness, knowledge, and skills with particular emphasis on working with peoples in the rural, Southwestern United States (e.g. American Indians, Latinas/os)
• application of  health service psychology theory, research, and practice concepts in training, supervision, and consultation

Student Learning Outcomes

• Graduates will demonstrate ethical behavior and a commitment to professional standards of practice, including multicultural awareness, knowledge, skills, and social justice principles:
  • graduates will demonstrate ethical behavior that adheres to professional standards and legal guidelines for psychologists.
  • graduates will demonstrate skills in self-assessment of competence and self-care.
  • graduates will demonstrate competent delivery of psychological services to diverse populations, particularly those located in the rural Southwest.
  • graduates will demonstrate effective social justice advocacy methods.
• Graduates will demonstrate entry-level practice skills and strong identity as psychologists.
  • graduates will demonstrate evidence-based assessment, diagnosis, and treatment skills.
  • graduates will apply consultation and collaboration skills in interdisciplinary settings, taking into account the unique needs of systems located in the rural Southwest.
  • graduates will demonstrate supervision knowledge and skills.
  • graduates will demonstrate critical thinking about issues and practices central to professional psychology and regularly participate in professional conferences and workshops.
• Graduates will effectively apply scientific theory and research methods to the practice of Counseling and School Psychology.
  • graduates will apply critical thinking and analytical skills to evaluate existing research for use in psychological practice.
  • graduates will demonstrate ability to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment approaches.
  • graduates will generate research that advances the knowledge and practice of psychology.

Graduate Admission Information

• The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.
  
  Admission requirements include the following:

  • Transcripts.
  • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.

  
  Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
  
  Ready to apply? Begin your application now.

  International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.

Additional Admission Requirements

• Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

• • GRE® revised General Test for applicants with a GPA lower than 3.00.  If you have a cumulative GPA of less than 3.00, you are required to submit official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores on the aptitude portion (verbal and quantitative) of the GRE taken within the past six years. Scores, if applicable, must be received by application deadline for admission consideration.

• • 3 letters of recommendation with at least two from faculty
  • completion of bachelor’s degree in psychology, education, or closely-related field prior to enrolling in the program; or a master’s degree in counseling or psychology; or educational specialist (Ed.S.) degree in school psychology prior to enrolling in the program
  • responses to specific essay questions
  • interview
  • Note: Students admitted with a bachelor’s or master’s degree who do not have the prerequisites below will be expected to take these courses early in their programs:
    • Group Counseling/Group Dynamics
    • Human or Lifespan Development
    • Graduate or upper-level Undergraduate courses:
      • Psychological or Educational Statistics
      • Applied Behavior Management
      • Research Methods
      • Special Education

Doctoral Requirements

• This doctoral degree requires 123 units distributed as follows:

  • Psychological Foundations: 21 units
  • Counseling/School Psychology Specialization: 75 units
  • Research Block: 21 units
  • Electives: 6 units

  
  Take the following 123 units:
  
  Psychological Foundations (21 units)

  • EPS 609, EPS 640, EPS 680, EPS 706, EPS 708, EPS 710, EPS 712 (21 units)

• Counseling/School Psychology Specialization (75 units)

  • EPS 590, EPS 601, EPS 604, EPS 607, EPS 620, EPS 621, EPS 622, EPS 660, EPS 664, EPS 669, EPS 670, EPS 673, EPS 674, EPS 675, EPS 678, EPS 681 EPS 690, EPS 692, EPS 737, EPS 738 (64 units)
  • EPS 700, EPS 700, EPS 700 (Topics in Health Service Psychology, 1 unit each (3 units)
  • Select from the following: (6 units)
    • EPS 740 Doctoral Practicum and Supervision in Counseling Psychology (6 units or 3 units plus 3 units of EPS 741)
    • EPS 741 Doctoral Practicum and Supervision in School Psychology (6 units or 3 units plus 3 units of EPS 740).
  • Doctoral Internship (2 units)
    • EPS 796

• Research Block (21 units)

  • EPS 625, EPS 725, EPS 726, EPS 767 (12 units)
  • EPS 799 for the research, writing, and oral defense of an approved dissertation. Please note that you may end up taking more than the 9 units of dissertation credit you can count toward your degree because you must enroll for it each time while you are working on your dissertation. (9 units)

• Electives (6 units)

  • Electives with advisor approval

Additional Information

• Please be aware that the necessary coursework for this plan is only available at Northern Arizona University-Flagstaff.
  
  For more information about residency and other requirements that pertain to this degree, see the Doctoral Requirements Policy.
   

• Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

• Program Fee Information

• Program fees are established by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR). A program fee has been approved for this program. See program fee details. Program fees are subject to change and updated July 1 for the next academic year.

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