Counseling Psychology PhD
- Doctoral
- PhD
- In-Person
- Greeley
Fall
Program Overview
Transform Lives as a Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Our counseling psychology doctoral program prepares you to assess, diagnose and treat mental health conditions across diverse populations — from individuals and couples to families and groups.
You’ll master evidence-based therapeutic approaches and current research methodologies. You can also gain hands-on experience with real clients in our on-campus training clinic. Through this immersive preparation, you’ll develop the clinical competence and confidence needed for independent practice.
The Counseling Psychology PhD prepares students for licensure as doctoral-level psychologists with a balance of research and clinical training.
Program Highlights
- Program Duration: Minimum of 3 full-time academic years
- Residency Requirement: At least 2 years completed full-time at UNC
Core Components
- Introductory Core: Foundational courses in counseling, diagnosis, and research
- Counseling Psychology Core: Career counseling, professional development and lifespan psychology
- Research Core: Quantitative and qualitative research methods courses
- Clinical Training: Practica in individual, group, supervision, and assessment with live supervision. Opportunities for couples and family available.
- Dissertation & Pre-Doctoral Internship: Complete a research-based dissertation and a year-long internship
Optional Opportunities
-
Doctoral Minor: Gain additional research experience with this course in Applied Statistics and Methods
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in psychology, counseling, or related field
- Strong academic record (minimum 3.0 GPA)
- Mental health experience (paid or volunteer)
- Interest in research and working with diverse populations
Application Requirements
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Three letters of recommendation
- GRE scores (taken within last 5 years; UNC code: 4074)
- Current resume listing mental health-related work and research experience
- Statement of Career Goals (max 2 pages, single-spaced)
- Counseling Psychology Survey (submitted online)
Application deadline: Dec. 1 for fall admission
Note: We accept 6-8 students each year. Applications are reviewed on a competitive basis.
Our program fulfills all licensing requirements for professional psychologists. You’ll graduate ready to pursue rewarding careers in:
- University counseling centers
- Private practice
- Hospital systems
- Community mental health agencies
- Veterans Affairs medical centers
UNC’s Counseling Psychology PhD program was accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) in 2010. It meets all requirements for licensure as a psychologist.
Once graduated, you’ll be prepared to work in university counseling centers, private practice, hospitals, community agencies or Veterans Affairs centers.
For more information about APA accreditation, contact the American Psychological Association’s Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation at 750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242 or call 202-336-5979.
At UNC, Passionate Practitioners Become Influential Psychologists
Small classes, personal attention
With only 6-8 students in each class, you get to know your professors. You'll co-teach with faculty, present at national conferences and work on research projects together.
Hands-on training from day one
Work with real clients in our Psychological Services Clinic. Faculty supervise you through one-way mirrors and give you immediate feedback. You'll complete two full years of supervised practice before starting your internship.
Learn all the major therapy types
You'll train in individual and group therapy, with the option of couples and family therapy. You'll also learn how to do psychological testing and supervise other therapists.
Why This PhD Prepares You Differently
Here, you’ll master the clinical skills to help clients heal, design research that answers questions others aren’t asking and develop the professional presence to influence practice beyond the therapy room.
All clinical training is supervised by a licensed psychologist. All Counseling Psychology faculty are licensed psychologist.
After completing extensive on-site clinical training under the supervision of a faculty member, advance students also have the opportunity to gain additional experience through external practica in a variety of settings (e.g., University Counseling Centers, Veterans Administration, Medical/Integrated Care, Correctional Facilities, Community Mental Health Centers, etc) throughout Northern Colorado.
- Provide therapy across settings—from individual sessions to group work and family systems
- Conduct clinical assessments and design treatment plans that make a measurable difference
- Develop cultural humility through supervised work with clients of varied backgrounds
- Graduate with the clinical hours and hands-on experience needed for licensure
- Design original studies that contribute to psychological science
- Master the statistical tools and analytical techniques researchers actually use
- Conduct rigorous qualitative and quantitative research with faculty mentorship
- Learn to evaluate, adapt, and apply evidence-based practices with your own clients
- Share your expertise through teaching, conference presentations and professional writing
- Make ethical decisions with confidence in complex, real-world scenarios
- Provide consultation to organizations working to improve mental health outcomes
- Design and lead programs that address gaps in mental health care delivery
Professional Licensure
UNC’s professional licensure programs are designed to lead to Colorado licensure.
Each state sets their own requirements, so a UNC program might not lead to licensure in other states. Visit the UNC Professional Licensure page to learn more about which states UNC programs meet educational requirements for licensure. It’s important to understand requirements in the state where you plan to work. Visit the State Licensure Boards page to find each state’s licensing agency and contact information.
Why Choose UNC
WICHE Tuition Advantage
Students from 14 participating states can attend at the resident tuition rate, thanks to the program’s approval by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE).
Hands-On Clinical Training
Gain practical experience in individual, group, and couples/family therapy at our on-site Psychological Services Clinic.
Diverse Career Outcomes
Alumni work in university counseling centers, private practice, health care, community agencies, VA settings, and academic roles.