Doctoral Program Information
The doctoral program in Counseling Psychology at Fordham University is dedicated to the preparation of psychologists in the scientist-practitioner model.

Our Ph.D. program is designed to provide strong grounding in the major areas of psychological theory and research, and the union of these areas with practice.

The program accepts students who have high academic ability, and whose primary goals lie in applied and/or academic settings. Students who complete our program are qualified to enter various professional settings, including: college counseling centers, hospital clinics, mental health centers, community agencies, independent practice, business and industry and teaching departments in colleges and universities.

Students gain the expertise to enter professional practice though course work and extensive supervised experience. The program provides academic and practical training in many aspects of psychology. The coursework affords students the opportunity to delve into various research methodologies and theoretical perspectives.

Students who want preparation in primarily one particular theoretical approach to counseling or in a special area within counseling psychology can accomplish this goal through their practica and internship. Otherwise, intensive specialization is usually attained in postdoctoral experiences. Graduates of the program leave with a solid background in counseling theories, research, and practice, and are prepared to function as general practitioners, academicians, or to seek specialization through further study or supervised experience.

The Counseling Psychology program was reaccredited by the American Psychological Association for five years beginning in 2003.

General Admission Requirements

Applicants seeking admission to the Ph.D. program in counseling psychology must meet the general requirements for admission to graduate study in the Graduate School of Education and these program-specific admission criteria:

• Possess a baccalaureate or a master’s degree from an accredited college or university with a suitable foundation in the behavioral sciences, with at least 15 credits in psychology, at either the undergraduate or graduate level, that must include introductory, developmental, experimental, abnormal psychology and psychology of personality. Applicants who lack one or two of these prerequisites may be admitted to the program and are expected to make up these prerequisites concurrently with program course work
• Have academic and professional goals consistent with the objectives and purposes of the program
• Show evidence of professional promise (personal, interpersonal, and intellectual characteristics appropriate to the profession and the ability to communicate effectively). Such evidence may be contained in the student’s application for admission and/or be sought in an interview with the program faculty
• Have earned a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (B or better) and/or a minimum graduate grade point average of 3.5 (B+ or better)
• Provide two reference reports
• Have earned satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Aptitude Section; test scores must be less than five years old
• Demonstrate satisfactory command of oral and written English
• Provide proof of immunization against measles, mumps and rubella