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Counseling psychology is a unique branch within the broader field of psychology that focuses on helping individuals improve well-being in their daily lives. Health service psychologists consider not only the person but also the contexts in which they function to provide the most meaningful techniques for handling distress, resolving crises, and more. Many health service psychologists help individuals navigate work or career-related challenges. If you are interested in a doctorate program in psychology, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota can provide insight into how to become a licensed psychologist. Learn more about our Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology program and the path to licensure.
Job Outlook for Licensed Psychologists
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median pay for psychologists across the country was $40 per hour, or over $85,000 per year, in 2022. The industry is projected to need nearly 200,000 psychologists in the years to come, and the job outlook for psychologists is expected to increase by 6% from 2022 to 2032.
Someone who completes a doctorate program in psychology and becomes licensed as a psychologist can work in many different settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Private practices
- Schools
- Veterans’ administrations
- Community mental health clinics
- University counseling centers
- Organizations and businesses
- Rehabilitation treatment centers
- Mental health courts
- Correctional and other forensic treatment settings
Whichever path you take after completing your Doctor of Psychology program and pursuing licensure as a psychologist, the education you’ll receive at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota will give you the skills needed to excel.
How to Become a Licensed Psychologist
Our Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology program will elevate your professional path, offering opportunities to cultivate expertise and leadership in counseling psychology. The program is guided by the values of diversity and social justice, using Lasallian Catholic educational practices. We also are dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and culture.
The Doctor of Psychology degree can be completed in just five years. The highlights of the program include:
- Early entry into the program for students in the Saint Mary’s MA in Counseling and Psychological Services Program. This option allows students to complete the Master’s degree with courses they take in the PsyD program.
- Guidance and mentorship from a dedicated core faculty with extensive experience in psychology.
- Five elective courses that allow you to individualize your education to align with your specific career goals.
- Practical training through intensive internships allows for real-world experience to support a foundation for post-doctoral work.
Enrolling in Our Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology Program
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota program includes a variety of courses, including:
- Advanced Psychodynamic Theories and Techniques
- Consultation in Counseling Psychology
- The Contemporary Practice of Professional Psychology
- Cognitive Assessment
- Ethics and Professional Issues
- Individualized Mentorship
- Qualitative Research Methods
Along with core courses, students can choose classes based on their professional interests, which will put them on the path to success in the future.
Throughout the program, students who complete the licensed psychology degree will learn about:
- Independent practice of psychology with a diverse range of clients
- Assessment, evaluation, and diagnosis of clients
- Interventions from a variety of theoretical approaches
- Professional consultation and program development
- Qualitative and quantitative research approaches
- Assessment of client outcomes
- Personal and interpersonal functioning across the lifespan of the program
- Supervision of those providing 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). Accreditation through APA promotes consistent quality and excellence in education and training through its programs.
Program Aims
The Psy.D. program has two primary aims:
- Develop professionally competent graduates prepared to demonstrate commitment to the pursuit of social justice and promote well-being across the lifespan.
- Produce counseling psychologists who engage in ethical practice with cultural humility and self-reflection.
Program Competencies
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota will train students in two broad areas:
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, and 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 model of training. The program will prepare graduates for the independent practice of psychology for individuals, couples, families, groups, and organizations. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is one of 178 accredited post-doctoral programs in the country.
Advance Your Career With a Doctorate in Psychology
If you are interested in a career as a health service psychologist, the Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology degree at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is an excellent choice. Those who choose the program will take APA-accredited classes to prepare for life as a licensed psychologist. Whether they want to practice within a healthcare team, as an individual, or work outside the healthcare industry, we are ready to prepare students for the workforce.
We encourage potential students to visit the campus, and we also offer virtual information sessions. For more information about how to become a licensed psychologist, contact us today.
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