Move Forward in Your Counseling Career With Our Psy.D. Program
At Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, we encourage everyone to follow their interests and passions as they build their careers. If you are already working in the mental health field and find yourself wanting more opportunities, consider applying to our Doctor of Psychology in Counseling Psychology program. Those who have already obtained a master’s degree in a field related to psychology and mental health will find welcome challenges in this advanced Psy.D. degree program.
Give yourself the chance to go deeper into subjects that fascinate you and gain practical experience in counseling at the doctorate level. Here are a few ways our Psy.D. program may boost your career.
Become a Licensed Psychologist
If you want to provide counseling services independently, our Psy.D. program may be for you. The curriculum provides the theoretical foundation, advanced training, and supervised practica required for graduates to become state-licensed psychologists. While regulations for licensing vary by state, obtaining a doctorate is often a first step. Many of our graduates want to work professionally for themselves as independent practitioners. Others want more choice over client demographics, or they want to focus on specific types of psychological challenges with clients. Our Psy.D. program is practitioner-oriented and prepares students to practice with individuals, couples, families, groups, and organizations.
Expand Earning Potential
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data projects employment of psychologists to grow 6% through 2032, with a median annual wage for psychologists of $92,740 as of May 2023 and the highest 10% earning more than $151,880. Depending on where psychologists work, the median annual wage varies, with industrial-organizational psychologists earning the highest, at $147,420.
Counseling psychologists work in the following industries:
- Outpatient care centers
- Physician offices
- Individual and family services
- Hospitals
Our Doctor of Psychology degree program provides essential competencies that licensed psychologists need, such as assessment, intervention, clinical supervision, consultation, administration, and research.
Apply for Early Entry to the Program
If you are interested in pursuing a doctorate in counseling psychology but haven’t yet earned a master’s degree, there are early entry options for the Psy.D. program. If accepted into the Doctor of Psychology program, students in our M.A. in Counseling and Psychological Services program can fast-track through the master’s level prerequisite courses, eventually completing their M.A. with the Psy.D. courses.
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota also offers an accelerated option for students who are nearing completion of their bachelor’s degree in psychology, such as our online B.S. in Applied Psychology program. Students can apply directly to the Psy.D. program, and if admitted, take graduate-level courses in the M.A. in Counseling and Psychological Services program that count toward the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. If early entry coursework is completed and requisite grade point averages are maintained, students can progress to the Doctor of Psychology program.
Details About Our Psy.D. Program
The Psy.D. program is grounded in the Lasallian Catholic values of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. We promote a focus on ethical behavior and dedication to social justice. Courses are held on our Twin Cities campus in Minneapolis and the program can be completed in five years. Most course credit hours are taken during the first two years of the program. During the second and third years, students are required to spend 15 to 24 hours per week at practicum sites. During the fifth year, students must complete a full-year internship, which may require relocation. Our Psy.D. program is APA-accredited.
Students in the Psy.D. program choose between three broad areas for elective courses, diverse settings, diverse populations, and advanced practice and research. In addition, students are required to complete an individualized mentorship, in which they can focus on an area of psychology not offered as a course. The faculty members and advisers for the Psy.D. program have all earned doctorates in their teaching areas. Additionally, our faculty who teach the applied courses all have professional experience in their areas of expertise.
Earn a Doctorate in Psychology at Saint Mary’s
Is it time to step up your counseling career? A Doctor of Psychology degree can help you engage with more exciting opportunities. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota invites you to explore the various career possibilities made available by earning an advanced degree. Our Psy.D. program is focused on further developing your counseling skills and services, supporting our students as they expand their abilities with evidence-based practices and an exploration of ethical applications. Take your counseling career to new heights. Request information to learn more about the program or apply for admission today.
