Texas Tech University

Admission

The Ph.D. program in Counseling Psychology offers training in the professional practice of psychology – specifically, counseling psychology. The primary objective of the program is to prepare counseling psychologists for professional positions. Our program is firmly committed to a model of balanced professional training. 

 

Our program does not allow for direct 'transfers' per se. Rather, our admission process follows the standard application cycle with a Dec 1st deadline and a yearly matriculation cycle. We use the mentor model to guide our training, so applicants typically apply to our program with the intent to work primarily with one individual, although they may end up working with others and are trained by the whole faculty across classes/etc. Thus, part of the “fit” for our program is an interest in studying the areas in which faculty are working.

 

We have/do accept applicants with prior graduate training, including those with completed masters; however, the decision to waive or not waive courses is not one made on the front-end during the application process. Rather, those determinations happen after acceptance/during matriculation when coursework is reviewed by the individual instructors of those classes to determine if it meets the requirements needed for APA accreditation and if it is equitable to our courses. Some classes may warrant 'waiver'/'transfer', however, it's not possible for us to make that decision prior to admission. Moreover, applicants should be aware that we have a specific policy about waiver which sets a maximum of courses that may be counted. Our handbook details the waiver process in further detail.

Based on the scientist-practitioner model of training, the doctoral program strives to provide students with skills in the following areas:

Department Core Area Requirements

  • Statistics Requirement
  • Research Requirement
  • Breadth Area Requirements
    • Cognitive and Affective Bases of Behavior
    • Biological Bases of Behavior
    • Social Bases of Behavior
    • Teaching of Psychology

Counseling Area Requirements

  • Applied Area Requirements
  • Assessment Requirements
  • Developmental Area Requirements
  • Electives
  • Practicum Requirements
  • Internship Requirements

For specific application information, see our application guide.

The Counseling Psychology Program has made the necessary changes to be in compliance with Texas Senate Bill 17 regarding diversity, equity and inclusion. More information can be found here.

Link to APA Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data

Public Disclosure: Professional Licensure by State

The Texas Tech University Counseling Psychology Program is required to publicly disclose to prospective and currently enrolled students whether our program meets the education requirements for licensure or certification for all 50 states, District of Columbia, and specified U.S. territories. Our program is responsible for determining whether our academic program meets applicable state education requirements for professional licensure or certification. See the TTU Counseling Psychology Program's Professional Licensure by State Table.

Program Acceptance for Licensure by State

APA Accredited, Next Review: 2033

Contact Information for Accrediting Association:

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
750 First Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20002-4242
Phone: 202-336-5979
Fax: 202-336-5978
Email: apaaccred@apa.org
Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation