Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology

Our Ph.D. program is intended for those preparing to become counseling psychologists. Through coursework and hands-on experience, you will learn to evaluate theories and research critically, while gaining a deeper understanding of the communities and individuals you will serve.

The program offers areas of focus, where you can further your skills and become better equipped to provide solutions for the societal and interpersonal challenges facing clients. Students will be able to integrate research into practice and engage in practice that is informed by research. Some faculty research areas include:

  • Multicultural counseling
  • HIV counseling
  • Psychotherapy research
  • Romantic relationships
  • Health psychology and health disparities
  • Group dynamics
  • Supervision and training
  • Vocational psychology and career development
  • Cancer survivorship

Upon completion of our Ph.D. program, and with the additional post-doctoral required hours, you’ll be able to apply for licensure as a psychologist in Colorado. The University of Denver has not yet determined whether the program meets licensure requirements in a state other than Colorado or in any U.S. protectorates. For students seeking licensure in a state other than Colorado, students should contact the state’s Board of Education to determine whether the program meets licensure requirements.

The following faculty are accepting Ph.D. Students for the 2024-25 admissions cycle:

Dr. Lisa Brownstone - View Profile

Dr. Jesse Owen - View Profile 

Dr. Ruth Chao - View Profile

Dr. Julia Roncoroni - View Profile 

Dr. Trisha Raque - View Profile 

Dr. Pat Garriott - View Profile

Dr. Keiko McCullough - View Profile 

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View Counseling Psychology Admissions Requirements to get admissions details and start your application process.

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Our students spend an average of 5.5 years in this program.

For more than a decade, 100% of our students who've applied for APA/CPA-accredited internships have gotten them.

More than 90% of our graduates successfully earn their Colorado psychology licensure.

Learning Outcomes

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    Students develop a knowledge base in the broad and general areas of psychology, including biological, cognitive, affective and social aspects of behavior, history and systems, psychological measurement, individual differences, human development, and ethics.

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    Students demonstrate knowledge of basic and advanced methodological and research skills.

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    Students demonstrate competencies in the clinical practice and core areas of counseling psychology, developing a knowledge base in the models, theories and empirical support that exists within substantive areas important to the research and practice of counseling psychology.

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    Students attain competencies in the broad and general areas of psychology, also known as Discipline Specific Knowledge, (History and Systems of Psychology, Affective Aspects, Biological Aspects, Cognitive Aspects, and Development Aspect, as well as an Integration of some of these aspects, Research Methods, and Quantitative Methods, and Psychometric Theory) that serve as a foundation for further training in counseling psychology and the practice of health service psychology.

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    Students will attain competencies in the profession-wide areas including: ethical and legal standards; individual and cultural diversity; professional values, attitudes, and behaviors; communication and interpersonal skills; assessment; supervision; and consultation and interprofessional/interdisciplinary skills.

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    Students attain the ability to conduct research and provide interventions in the field of health service psychology, but most importantly, they gain the ability to competently integrate their research with their practice.

Program Requirements

You will need to complete a minimum of 90 quarter credit hours. Other requirements include:

  • Two supervised practica
  • A supervised, 12-month, full-time predoctoral psychology internship
  • Comprehensive exams
  • A pre-dissertation research project
  • A dissertation

Accreditation

The Counseling Psychology (CP) PhD program at the University of Denver has been accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) since 1986 when we received full accreditation. Our program has been continuously accredited since that time. Our last APA site visit occurred in 2018 when we received re-accreditation for 10 years until 2028. 

For data related to the program as part of APA accreditation, please see: Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data.