Program Overview

Program Aim and Outcomes

Aim

Our program aim is to prepare students to be counseling psychologists in health service psychology.

To achieve our program aim, students acquire foundational discipline-specific knowledge (DSK) in the areas of: 1) history and systems of psychology, 2) basic knowledge in scientific psychology, 3) integrative knowledge in scientific psychology, and 4) methods of inquiry and research. Students use the discipline-specific knowledge to develop profession wide competencies (PWC) in the areas of: 1) research, 2) ethical and legal standards, 3) individual and cultural diversity, 4) professional values, attitudes, and behavior, 5) communication and interpersonal skills, 6) assessment, 7) intervention, 8) supervision, and 9) consultation and interprofessional/interdisciplinary skills. These nine PWCs are operationally defined using multiple elements for each competency area and student evaluations are linked to the respective nine PWC areas (see CP PWC Evaluation Form). Students achieve competency as defined by the elements that are associated with each of the nine PWC areas. Program wide outcomes are evaluated accordingly.

DSK Outcomes

Outcomes for the discipline-specific knowledge areas and each of the nine profession wide competency areas include the following:

DSK Outcomes:

1.      Students demonstrate knowledge of the history and systems of psychology

2.      Students demonstrate knowledge of the basic content areas in psychology related to different aspects of behavior (i.e., affective, biological, cognitive, developmental, and social)

3.      Students demonstrate integrative knowledge in scientific psychology

4.      Students demonstrate knowledge of methods of inquiry and research (i.e., quantitative methods and psychometrics)

PWC Outcomes

Profession Wide Competency Outcomes: Students demonstrate competency in all nine profession wide competency areas and summary descriptions based on the respective elements for each competency area include the following:

1.      Research

Students demonstrate an ability to formulate, conduct, evaluate, and disseminate research (based on knowledge of scientific methods, procedures, and practices).

2.      Ethical and Legal Standards

Students demonstrate knowledge of and act in accordance with ethical, legal, and professional standards of counseling psychology in all areas of professional work of health service psychology (e.g., research, practice), as well as an ability to recognize ethical dilemmas, apply ethical decision making processes to resolve dilemmas, and conduct self in an ethical manner.

3.      Individual and Cultural Diversity

Students demonstrate knowledge, awareness, sensitivity, and skills related to cultural and diversity issues (defined broadly) in all areas of professional work/activities (e.g., research, practice) of health service psychology.

4.      Professional Values, Attitudes, and Behavior

Students demonstrate knowledge of the professional values and attitudes that reflect the professional identity of counseling psychology (e.g., holistic worldview, developmental strength-based perspective, prevention focus, vocational issues, social justice orientation) and behavior that also reflects the professional values and attitudes of health service psychology (e.g., integrity, accountability, deportment, concern for others, self-reflection, self-care, open to feedback/supervision, independence).

5.      Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Students demonstrate effective communication (oral/written) and interpersonal skills in all professional interactions with others (e.g., colleagues, supervisors, organizations, those receiving professional services) using professional language and concepts.

6.      Assessment

Consistent with conducting evidence-based assessment in health service psychology, students demonstrate knowledge and ability to apply knowledge related to diagnostic systems and processes, while understanding functional and dysfunctional behaviors within its context (e.g., social, cultural) from a counseling psychology perspective (e.g., holistic, strength-based, developmental focus) and demonstrate knowledge and skills in selecting, applying, interpreting, and communicating (oral/written) assessment data/results based on current empirical literature that reflect science of measurement/psychometrics and professional standards of health service psychology.

7.      Intervention

Consistent with evidence-based interventions in health service psychology and derived from a variety of theoretical orientations, students demonstrate an ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships in service related activities while considering cultural, diversity, and contextual issues and an ability to develop, implement (based on current research), adapt, modify, and evaluate evidence-based approaches/interventions that is consistent with a counseling psychology perspective (e.g., holistic worldview, developmental strength-based perspective, prevention focus, vocational issues).

8.      Supervision

Students demonstrate knowledge of supervision models and practices.

9.      Consultation and Interprofessional/Interdisciplinary Skills

Students demonstrate knowledge and respect for the roles and perspectives of other professions and knowledge of consultation models and practices.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Systematic Integration of Research

As an APA-accredited Counseling Psychology PhD program that adheres to the integration of empirical evidence and practice in professional training, research is a core part of our students’ training. Our program is strongly committed to training future counseling psychologists who can create, disseminate, and utilize psychological research to engage in evidence-based practice. Thus, doctoral students in the Counseling Psychology program at UNC are introduced to research and mentored in research skills in a systematic manner:

• A rigorous sequence of courses is required through the department of Applied Statistics and Research Methods (SRM), including: SRM 600, SRM 602, SRM 603, and SRM 610.  Students are not only introduced to the principles of research, design, and analysis, but they also master statistical concepts ranging from descriptive statistics to multiple regression, various forms of ANOVA, and factor analysis while increasing their familiarity of computer statistics packages.  For a description of SRM courses, please visit http://catalog.unco.edu.  Completion of the required research core will leave you one course (3 credits) shy of earning a Doctoral Minor in Applied Statistics and Research Methods
• At the outset, students are required to complete an online training series in the Responsible Conduct of Research through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) in order to demonstrate initial basic competencies in ethical research practices (see Appendix B in CP Handbook)
• Training in evidence-based practice in psychology is integrated throughout coursework and practica experiences

 Sequence of Research and Statistical Experiences

• First Year
  
  

  • Students are expected to have some level of background knowledge and experience with statistics and research methodology prior to admission to the graduate program (e.g., undergraduate and/or master’s level statistics courses prior research experience, and if applicable, a master’s level thesis).  Depending upon the level of one’s prior course work, select classes may be substituted with more advanced ones.  This research-based foundation is continually built upon throughout the program, starting in the first year
  • Over the course of the first year, students typically enroll in the following research courses: SRM 600- Introduction to Graduate Research (note: this course is frequently waived for students with their Masters’ degree that have taken an equivalent research course), SRM 602- Statistical Methods I, and SRM 603- Statistical Methods II (note: some students with a Bachelor’s degree may decide to take SRM 603 in their second year).  Students are introduced to the principles of research, design, and analysis, and they also master statistical concepts ranging from descriptive statistics to multiple regression and various forms of ANOVA while increasing their familiarity of computer statistics packages
  • APCE 701- Professional Development Seminar in Counseling Psychology introduces students to the process of program evaluation through both didactic and experiential components, wherein students will collect, compile, analyze, and present their findings from a program evaluation of our in-house clinic or approved community project
  • Training in evidence based practice in health service psychology is integrated throughout coursework and practicum experiences
  • At the outset, students are required to complete an online training series in the Responsible Conduct of Research through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) (Appendix B in CP Handbook) in order to demonstrate initial basic competencies in ethical research practices
  • Faculty actively pursue a wide variety of research interests and act as research mentors for students.  First year students are further ushered into the research process through their participation in faculty-led research teams, often as part of their graduate assistantship. Students may compile IRB materials, conduct literature reviews, further existing research projects or start new ones, develop manuscripts, run statistical analyses, edit, and/or submit their work for relevant journals and professional conferences
  • Students are strongly encouraged to submit class- and team-based research projects to both regional and national APA conferences/conventions starting from their first year onward, wherein they gain valuable experience as presenters and co-authors
  • Students must present their research on an annual basis in which they have been in a leadership role on the research project. Thus, students whose research has not been accepted to a regional or national conference are required to present at the annual UNC Research Day, which allows students to present their research work to colleagues and faculty and to gain valuable experience in the dissemination of research results locally
  • Other opportunities to gain experience in dissemination of research results are available within the University such as SRM Research Night
• Second Year
  • Second year students continue their didactic and experiential learning of the research process in advanced quantitative and qualitative research methods courses.  Students are required to take both SRM 680- Introduction to Qualitative Research and SRM 700- Advanced Research Methods. In addition to classroom-based learning, both classes culminate in a student-led research project that students must present at SRM Research Night. Students are strongly encouraged to subsequently submit their work to conferences and for publication
  • Depending on whether one chooses a quantitative or qualitative route for their dissertation, students must take additional specialized coursework in their respective research methodology.  At minimum, students must complete one of these advanced courses
  • Students are required to continually expand their research base by enrolling in both SRM 610- Statistical Methods III during their second or third year, and elective statistical courses throughout the remainder of their program. Note: students with a Bachelor’s degree should take SRM 603 in their second year if not completed during their first year
  • Many second year students continue to participate as part of faculty-led research teams.  Students may continue their work on existing research projects, though most begin to work on additional projects.  Second year students may be assigned additional responsibilities as it reflects their increased knowledge base and understanding of the research process.  Students are again strongly encouraged to submit their work for conference presentations and publication
  • Faculty mentorship frequently moves to the individual level at some point during one’s second year, as students closely work with a chosen faculty member and work with them on writing, research, and professional scientific and scholarly endeavors that align with their research interests. Students gain experience working collaboratively in the planning, application, and/or dissemination of a research project related to the field of Counseling Psychology and develop a repertoire of research skills. Faculty pairing is frequently based on methodological and topical alignment, though faculty certainly supports student research growth based on their individual interests
  • Students are required to take APCE 733 – Seminar in Research Methods in Counseling Psychology. This course focuses on research methods in counseling psychology, including topics such as strengths, limitations, interpretation, and technical aspects of rigorous case study; correlational, descriptive, and experimental research designs; measurement techniques; sampling; replication; theory testing; qualitative methods; meta-analysis; and quasi-experimentation. This course has a heavy emphasis on preparing students in formulating a rigorous research project by completing a “Result Masked Review Manuscript” (e.g., resembles a dissertation proposal in form, but the coherence of a well-constructed journal manuscript with results masked for review). Students also learn how to critically evaluate research and perform a result masked review of a manuscript. Note: students with a Bachelor’s degree often take this course in their third year
• Third Year and Beyond
  • Third year students elect to take advanced courses in statistics and research methodology, such as SRM 686- Qualitative Case Study Research; SRM 606/625- Multiple Linear Regression Analysis; or SRM 629-Structural Equation Modeling. These choices are often influenced by a students’ decision to conduct either a quantitative or qualitative dissertation study
  • Students choose their dissertation topic based on their research interests, which may or may not overlap with faculty research interest; however, research topics must be within the counseling psychology field
  • In preparation for their dissertation, students enroll in APCE 797- Doctoral Proposal Research.  This class leads to the dissertation proposal and working closely with one’s Research Advisor and dissertation committee.  One’s proposal is typically scheduled at the beginning of the fall semester and is required before students can apply to internship.  Faculty members continue to mentor students throughout the dissertation process. Please see the Internship Procedures section in the handbook for additional information related to expectations for internship eligibility.
  • Additionally, students must enroll in APCE 799- Doctoral Dissertation while working on their dissertation.  The dissertation must be successfully defended and approved before one’s dissertation committee in order to graduate.  Students are strongly encouraged to do so prior to beginning their internship at the start of their fourth or fifth year
  • Lastly, UNC students are required to compile an extra chapter in their dissertation, which is a manuscript, ready for submission for professional publication in a peer-reviewed journal and/or presentation to the APA National Convention or Regional conferences (e.g., Rocky Mountain Psychological Association).