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Those with a master’s degree in a mental health-related area and looking to advance their careers should consider the Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology degree program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. The courses are accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and will help you elevate your professional path. With classes designed to cultivate expertise and leadership, students can access the tools they need to thrive. Learn more about our program and the role that clinical supervisors play in the psychology field.
About Clinical Supervisors
A clinical supervisor often works in a hospital or health clinic. Their main role is to supervise counselors and psychologists on their team. A clinical supervisor’s responsibilities also may include:
- Conducting meetings with staff to discuss treatment plans or facility policies
- Recruiting, hiring, and developing mental health practitioners
- Helping practitioners assess clients’ mental health
- Developing optimal treatment plans for clients
- Ensuring staff keeps accurate records and documentation
- Making sure the facility meets safety regulations
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the mean annual salary for those in clinical and counseling psychologist positions was $102,740 as of May 2022. What’s more, BLS also projects that demand for healthcare manager positions will increase by more than 30% through the year 2030.
Learning How to Become a Clinical Supervisor
Enrolling in the Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology program will prepare you for a career as a clinical supervisor with expertise and leadership. At Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, our mission follows Lasallian Catholic educational practices. Our program is guided by diversity and social justice. We are also dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and are appreciative of art and culture.
Courses for students in the Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology program include:
- Clinical Supervision: Theory and Practice
- Social and Organizational Psychology
- Psychometric Theory and Application
- Cognitive Assessment
- Multiculturalism and Diversity
The Doctor of Psychology degree can be completed in five years. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota offers an Early Entry Program through the MA in Counseling and Psychological Services degree program. This means students without a master’s degree can fast-track the master’s level prerequisite courses. Then, if they are accepted into the Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology degree program, they complete the MA with the standard Psy.D. courses.
Other highlights of the Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology program include:
- Mentorship and guidance from a faculty with extensive experience in psychology
- Degree plans that allow for the customization of individualized career goals
- Practical training through intensive internships that allow for real-world experience to support a foundation for post-doctoral work
Along with core courses, students can choose classes based on their professional interests, like Trauma Treatments, Neuropsychological Assessment, or Counseling with Substance Use and Addictions. These classes will put you on the path to success in the future.
Preparing Students to Work as Clinical Supervisors
Saint Mary’s instructors work diligently to prepare students for real work as clinical supervisors. We offer the resources needed to help students thrive post-graduation. By the end of their program, students who complete their psychology degree from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota will learn how to:
- Assess, evaluate, and diagnose clients of all types
- Intervene with clients using a variety of theoretical approaches
- Practice psychology with a diverse range of clients
- Provide professional consultation and develop programs
- Assess client treatment outcomes
- Facilitate personal and interpersonal functions across the lifespan of the program
- Supervise those who provide psychological services
Our APA Accredited Program
The Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). This recognition promotes consistent quality and excellence in education and training through its programs at different colleges and universities. Saint Mary’s is one of only two APA-accredited Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology programs in the Midwest and one of the few programs of its kind in the country.
As an APA-accredited program, we deliver quality education for those in our community. Our Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology courses cover a variety of topics relevant to the psychological space. The curriculum is delivered in the context of the overall Program Aims:
Program Aims
- Aim 1: Develop professionally competent graduates prepared to demonstrate commitment to the pursuit of social justice and promote well-being across the lifespan
- Aim 2: Produce counseling psychologists who engage in ethical practice with cultural humility and self-reflection.
Program Competencies
There are two broad areas of psychological learning that graduates will become familiar with before the end of their time at our university, such as:
Discipline-Specific Knowledge
Training in this area covers the scientific foundations of psychology. It includes:
- Biological bases of behavior
- Cognitive bases of behavior
- Developmental psychology
- Social psychology
- Research methods
- Affective bases of behavior
Profession-Wide Competencies
Training in this area covers competencies crucial for competent and ethical functioning as a psychologist. It includes:
- Research
- Ethical and legal standards
- Individual and cultural diversity
- Professional values and attitudes
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Assessment
- Intervention
- Supervision
- Consultation and interprofessional/interdisciplinary skills
The program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota follows the Vail Model and adheres to a practitioner-scholar training model. The program will prepare graduates to be clinical supervisors in a variety of settings, including hospitals, health clinics, and private practices.
Get Ahead in Your Career With a Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology Degree
If you are interested in pursuing a career as a clinical supervisor, a Doctor of Psychology in Counseling Psychology degree is an excellent choice. Those who choose our program will take APA-accredited classes to prepare for life as a clinical supervisor.
We encourage potential students to make a virtual visit to the program. We also offer virtual information sessions. For more information about how to become a clinical supervisor, contact us today.
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