School of Applied Psychology and Counselor Education

The School of Applied Psychology and Counselor Education offers graduate programs in counselor education, professional counseling, counseling psychology and school psychology, which prepare students for careers in schools, community agencies, industry, higher education and private practice. Service courses are offered for other programs at both graduate and undergraduate levels.

In addition, the School of Applied Psychology and Counselor Education offers services to the University and the local community through its clinic, a research and training facility. The master's programs in School Counseling and Community Counseling, the emphasis area in Couples and Family Therapy and the doctoral program in Counselor Education and Supervision are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.

The doctoral program in School Psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association and approved by the National Association of School Psychologists. The educational specialist degree program in School Psychology is also approved by the National Association of School Psychologists. The doctoral program in Counseling Psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association.

Professional Counseling

The Counseling faculty views potential candidates as unique, with strengths and assets to be identified, encouraged and developed during their graduate education. The knowledge and human relations skills necessary to help individuals recognize their own and other persons' unique promise and discover opportunities for its expression form the core of professional preparation for students in professional counseling. Such knowledge and skills are learned in part from research and study in the behavioral and social sciences, various skill development activities and supervised practica. Opportunities for a broad understanding of human behavior and human relationships are included in the education of the student in Counseling.

The Counseling faculty is committed to the development of broadly based competent professional counselors skilled in helping people with personal, interpersonal and career concerns in community agencies. The requirements of the program are conceptualized within the framework and standards set forth by accreditation standards, the counseling profession, Colorado state law, Graduate School and job requirements.

Location: McKee 248	Telephone: 970.351.2731
School Psychology Faculty: Michelle S. Athanasiou, Ph.D.; Achilles N. Bardos, Ph.D.; Rik Carl D'Amato, Ph.D.; Robyn S. Hess, Ph.D.
Professional Counseling Faculty: Linda L. Black, Ed.D.; David M. Gonzalez, Ph.D.;Elizabeth (Libbe) Gray, Ph.D.;Heather Helm, Ph.D.; Brian D. Johnson, Ph.D.; Sandy Magnuson, Ed.D.;M. Sean O'Halloran, Ph.D.;Basilia (Lia) C. Softas-Nall, Ph.D.
Counselor Education Faculty: Linda L. Black, Ed.D.; Heather Helm, Ph.D.; Sandy Magnuson, Ed.D.
Counseling Psychology Faculty: David M. Gonzalez, Ph.D.; Elizabeth (Libbe) Gray, Ph.D.; Brian D. Johnson, Ph.D.; M. Sean O'Halloran, Ph.D.; Basilia (Lia) C. Softas-Nall, Ph.D.

Admission. The prospective student must apply for admission to and be accepted by the program area faculty. Admission to the program requires a GPA of 3.0 on the last 60 hours of course work. If the applicant's GPA is below 3.0, the Graduate Record Exam (General Test) score must be submitted. It is recommended that the applicant have a total score that meets or exceeds 1000 on the Verbal and Quantitative subtests, with no score below 400. The Analytical Writing subtest should have a minimum score of 3.5. Two years of post bachelor's degree work experience is recommended for applicants under 25 years of age. Attendance at a pre-admission workshop is required for this admission process to be completed. When attendance at the preadmission workshop is an extreme hardship for the applicant, special arrangements are made.

Clarity of career goals.

Intellectual qualities.

Professional judgment of appropriate personality characteristics as evidenced by a structured interview, interpersonal communication style and personal references.

Clinical Counseling M.A.

The Clinical Counseling program at the master's level prepares professional counselors to work in various agency settings such as mental health centers, probation and parole departments, substance abuse centers and residential treatment centers.

Couples and Family Therapy Emphasis

The requirements of the emphasis are directed toward the development of competent professionals in the practice of marital and family therapy. The emphasis area deals primarily with relationships, interpersonal interaction and systems theory.

School Counseling M.A.

The School Counseling program is designed at the master's level to develop a professional who counsels with children and adults in elementary, middle and high schools.

Counselor Education and Supervision Ph.D.

This program prepares an individual for employment as a counselor educator and supervisor for colleges and universities offering training in school counseling, community counseling, marriage and family counseling/therapy, counseling with children and adolescents, and gerontology. Graduates are also qualified for licensure as professional counselors, and may be employed in such sites as community agencies, schools, counseling centers, employee assistance programs, and private practice.

Admission: Application must be complete and on file in the Applied Psychology and Counselor Education Office by January 1, with decisions announced by the first week of April.

Total score of 1000 for the Verbal and Quantitative subtests of the GRE, and a minimum score of 3.5 on the Analytical Writing subtest is recommended.

A master's degree in counseling or a related area is required.

Three letters of recommendation are required from individuals who are familiar with the student's academic and clinical skills.

GPA of 3.25 in the last completed degree is desired.

Written statement must be completed regarding the relationship of the doctoral program to the future career goals of the applicant.

Attendance at a pre-admission workshop is required for the admission process to be completed. Admission decisions are based on the professional judgment of the Counselor Education faculty, considering the above data, including personal characteristics and interpersonal communications style as assessed in the pre-admission workshop. Applications are evaluated on a competitive basis for a limited number of positions.

Prerequisites: Required of All Counselor Education and Supervision Ph.D. Students

Entering doctoral students should have completed graduate courses in the following areas:

Abnormal Psychology

Career Counseling and Theory

Counseling Theories

Developmental Psychology

Family Systems

Group Counseling/Guidance

Learning Theory

Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling

Personality Theories

Substance Abuse

Testing: Analysis and Interpretation

Tests and Measurement

Students who have not completed coursework in these areas must complete these courses as deficiency coursework not to be counted toward the hours required for the degree.

Counseling Psychology Psy.D.

This program is designed to develop individuals who will be effective counseling psychologists in community, agency or system settings. The program focuses primarily on training effective persons for therapy and assessment of individuals and groups, supervising others in the helping professions and researching and evaluating programs relative to counseling. Secondarily, the objectives are to teach and train professionals and paraprofessionals in psychology and to develop skills in documenting the effectiveness of these programs and consulting in prevention and treatment models. All graduates of the Psy.D. program will meet APA standards which lead to eligibility for licensing as a psychologist.

Admission: Applications must be complete and on file in the Applied Psychology and Counselor Education office by December 15, with decisions announced by the first week of April.

All entering doctoral students will hold a bachelor's or master's degree in psychology/counseling or a related field; a minimum of 1000 combined score on the Verbal and Quantitative subtests of the GRE, with no score below 450, and a minimum of 3.5 on the Analytical Writing subtest; 3.25 GPA.

Three letters of recommendation from individuals who are familiar with the student's academic and clinical skills.

A further review process is conducted by the faculty for admission. Finalists are invited to attend an admission screening workshop.

Admission decisions are based on the professional judgment of the faculty, considering the above data, including personal characteristics and interpersonal communications style as assessed in the pre-admission workshop. Applications are evaluated on a competitive basis; positions are limited.

School Psychology

The Programs in School Psychology are housed within the School of Applied Psychology & Counselor Education and offer graduate training at two levels:

Specialist (Ed.S.)

Doctoral (Ph.D.)

The aim of these programs is to develop professionals who are able to apply psychological and educational principles to improve the psychosocial environments of children (ages birth-21) and their families. Attention is directed toward the development of skills in the assessment of the intellectual, emotional, and social development of children; planning and implementing direct academic and social/emotional interventions with a focus on evidence-based and culturally sensitive practice; and providing individual and systems consultation within schools and the larger community. Students who successfully complete either the Ed.S. or Ph.D. are eligible for state licensure and national certification.

Admission Requirements. The Graduate School application must be submitted by December 15. In addition to meeting the admission requirements of the Graduate School, the student must submit the following data to the Applied Psychology and Counselor Education Office by December 15. The master's degree is not required for admission. Educational Specialist - admission decisions are announced by March 30. Doctoral - admission decisions are announced by March15.

Supplementary Data Sheet (included in APCE Application Packet).

Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant's academic skills and relevant experience

Current vita.

A written statement regarding the relationship of the program to the personal and professional goals of the applicant. This statement should be forwarded to the School Psychology Admissions coordinator.

An official report of scores on the Graduate Record Examination. A minimum of 1000 combined score on the Verbal and Quantitative subtests is recommended, with no score below 450, and a minimum of 3.5 on the analytical writing subtest.

Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended (minimum 3.25 GPA recommended).

Applications are evaluated competitively for a limited number of positions. The application must demonstrate clear potential for success in a School Psychology program.

School Psychology Ed.S.

The Specialist program is designed for those students who wish to become school psychologist practitioners. Training is primarily oriented toward the acquisition of those skills necessary for effective functioning in the educational environment as a school psychologist. The program is based on the student's entering with a bachelor's degree. A student with a master's degree in psychology or professional psychology should meet with his or her advisor to develop a specific plan of study. A course in abnormal psychology is a prerequisite to the program and must be completed by any student who has not had it. In consultation with the advisor, a student should select the number of hours and specific courses to merit licensure requirements, complete the program, and prepare the student to be a professional school psychologist.

School Psychology Ph.D.

The principal goal of the doctoral program is the training of a scientist-practitioner who possesses general practitioner skills and has developed proficiency in the areas of advanced intervention, assessment, consultation, research, and evaluation. Doctoral graduates, in addition to being eligible for licensure as psychologists and school psychologists, may also be qualified to assume positions as university professors, educational evaluators, private consultants, and therapists.

The program is based on the student entering with a bachelor's degree. A student with a master's or specialist's degree in psychology or professional psychology should meet with his or her advisor to develop a specific plan of study. A course in abnormal psychology is prerequisite to the program and must be completed by any student who has not had it. In consultation with the advisor a student should select the number of hours and specific courses to meet licensure requirements, complete the program and prepare to be a professional school psychologist.

School Psychologist Licensure

Institutional recommendation for endorsement in School Psychology is based on the completion of the Ed.S. or the Ph.D. program in School Psychology. No prior teaching experience is necessary.

Students wishing to obtain Colorado licensure in this area are required to successfully complete the National School Psychology Certification Examination (NCSP).

Students desiring licensure in states other than Colorado should note that requirements for licensure are set by each state's Department of Education and should become familiar with the requirements for any other state from which they seek licensure.

Near the end of the semester that the licensure program is to be completed, the candidate should complete application forms in the Teaching/Special Services Licensing Office in McKee 216. Applications are processed as soon as official transcripts, ordered by the applicant, are received from the Registrar showing completion of requirements. School recommendations are required before institutional endorsement is granted.