Counseling Psychology (PsyD)

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Counseling Psychology (PsyD) Overview

Chatham University's Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Counseling Psychology program is one of a small number of APA-accredited Counseling Psychology PsyD programs in the nation. Our program is distinguished by the practice of counseling grounded in the science of psychology; a focus on clients' assets and strengths; a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and social justice; and access to a broad range of training opportunities on- and off-campus. The PsyD is a full-time program, admitting students each fall.
Degrees Offered
  • Doctorate
Program School
Application Deadline

December 1

The option to apply for Fall 2024 will open up in our application portal near the end of the current academic year. Once the application opens, applicants who wish to be considered for Fall 2024 entry should have all application materials submitted by December 1, 2023

Credits Required

85-103

For students entering with a bachelors degree, 103 credits are required to complete the PsyD. For those entering with a masters degree, dependent on which foundational coursework requirements have been met, 85-103 credits are required.

Cost Per Credit

$1,160

Cost consists of program tuition (cost per credit times number of credits) as well as any applicable University and degree-specific fees.

Program Excellence

Accreditation

Chatham University's Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Counseling Psychology program is one of a small number of APA-accredited Counseling Psychology PsyD programs in the nation. Chatham's PsyD program received reaccreditation until 2031.

Explore the PsyD in Counseling Psychology Degree:

The PsyD degree at Chatham University offers a streamlined curriculum that includes coursework, practicum training, dissertation, and internship. There are three primary ways to enter the PsyD program and students complete an individualized plan of study with the Director of Training and their academic advisor to chart their path through the program.  
 
First, students entering with a Bachelor's degree earn both a Master of Arts in Psychology (MAP) and the PsyD by accruing approximately 103 credits. This streamlined approach allows for students to save 27 credits (approximately $27,000) when compared to completing a masters and doctoral degree separately.
 
Second, students entering with a Master's degree will work with the Director of Training and their academic advisor to determine which foundational coursework that they have completed or still need to take in the program. Typically, students entering with a master's degree in Counseling Psychology and Clinical Mental Health Counseling have the required foundational coursework and can launch into the PsyD curriculum. Such students accrue 85 post-masters credits. 
 
Third, students entering with a master's degree in a related field such as Social Work, Sports Psychology, Athletic Counseling, General Psychology, and/or Public Health typically need to complete some foundational coursework while taking PsyD credits. The number of post-master's credits may vary between 85-103.
 
Please note: All students that enter with a master's degree regardless of field are not expected to accrue more than 103 credits.

Pre-requisites:

  • A baccalaureate or master's degree from an accredited college or university
  • (PsyD) Master's degree in counseling, psychology, or related field (36 credit hours minimum); with a 3.2 minimum graduate GPA
    OR
    (EPsyD)Undergraduate degree with a minimum of 15 undergraduate psychology credit hours; with a 3.5 minimum undergraduate GPA (with B's or above in psychology coursework)

Completed application for admission by the posted deadline, including:

    • Online application
    • Admissions Essay (current prompt found in application portal)
    • Curriculum vita or Resume
    • Three letters of recommendation
    • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended

As part of our admission’s review, Chatham reserves the right to request a background check prior to the offer of admission.

Admissions Materials can be uploaded in the application or submitted to:
Chatham University
Office of Graduate Admission-Berry Hall
Woodland Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
Email Admissions

Admission Process

After verifying that the minimum academic requirements are met, the program utilizes a holistic approach in reviewing the candidate's entire application. This process is intended to seek talented and qualified individuals of all backgrounds. Taking multiple factors into consideration during our admissions process positively achieves the educational benefits of a student body that is both diverse and academically excellent. This approach includes an evaluation of each candidate’s academic achievement as well as their personal characteristics, attributes and experiences.

Students will be notified if they are chosen for the required admissions interview.

As well, applicants will be informed by the Office of Admissions whether they have been accepted into the PsyD program.

International Applicants

International Applicants must submit additional documentation to the Office of Admissions. A list of these documents can be found on the International Admission web page.

PSY711: Multicultural and Diversity Issues in Counseling Psychology

The course provides an in-depth exploration of cultural differences as they impact the counseling relationship. Identity development theory will be examined, as will multicultural research methods and findings. Finally, the significance of both between-group and within-group differences will be explored for their relative influence on the process of therapeutic change.

PSY816: Health Psychology Practice

The course focuses on the interface between psychology and medicine, preparing students to use psychology interventions in the treatment and management of illness and to understand the role of the psychologist in the interdisciplinary healthcare team. Theory, research, and practice of health psychology will be presented.

PSY810: Advanced Data Analysis

This course introduces advanced concepts in data analysis, with an emphasis on ensuring that students are capable of designing research studies and selecting and implementing appropriate methods of data analysis. Students will work on their dissertation proposals in this course.

PSY730: Psychology of Emerging Adulthood

This course explores developmental theory pertaining to the timespan between adolescence and adulthood. Identity exploration in the areas of education, work, interpersonal relationships, and culture will be examined through current and seminal research. Developmental considerations for working with this population will be highlighted.

View Full Curriculum

View Sample Course of Study

Social justice ​and multicultural competence are key values of counseling psychology. Our country recently witnessed several prominent incidents reminding us of the work that remains to be done to create a society in which all humans are equally prized. 

In May of 2020, George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man was choked to death while in police custody following his arrest on suspicion of forgery.

Simultaneously, the COVID19 pandemic has raged unchecked through the country, with people of color and disadvantaged socioeconomic status being overly represented in infections and deaths. 

As a faculty and staff, we are diverse along many dimensions, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, privilege, gender, sexual orientation, political perspectives, and age. We are, however, united in our condemnation of oppression and our commitment to work toward equity. We acknowledge the pain of individuals and communities who are suffering. We understand the need for ongoing self-reflection so that we can continue to open our hearts and minds to needed change. We recognize this as a necessary step toward helping others create change in their own lives.

In our profession’s clinical work, we will be called to provide treatment to people from all backgrounds and with widely divergent presenting concerns. Providing competent, ethical, and effective assessment and treatment will require that we check our own assumptions and unconscious biases, to listen intentionally, and to understand perspectives that may or may not differ from our own. We will encounter victims as well as perpetrators of violence. We will be called to help first responders and police officers, and family members of those who may have been mistreated by members of the same.

These incidents are tragic and disheartening, and yet they also serve to remind us of the importance of our work as mental health professionals in a position to enact positive change at the individual, community, and societal levels. Our program’s faculty and students co-created the Antiracism Collective (ARC), the purpose of which is to envision and take action steps to engage in antiracism work at a personal level. Students have created an allyship group dedicated to exploring and dismantling White privilege. We have created space for BIPOC and non-Black POC to share their experiences as students in a predominantly White institution (PWI). Our shared aims are to walk this journey with company.

Finally, we encourage self-care so that we can provide comfort and guidance to those entrusted with our care.

Our PsyD program is focused on training students for careers in psychology practice that are firmly grounded in scientific knowledge, ethical principles, and multicultural awareness. Our faculty work to provide mentorship to guide students’ development as both practitioners and scholars.

— Mary Jo Loughran, Ph.D., Program Director, Counseling Psychology

Our Faculty

Faculty members are accomplished teachers, scholars, practitioners, and active leaders in the field.

Full Faculty
Photo of a student success coach speaking to a student outside on Shadyside Campus

Success Coach Program

Success Coach Graduate Assistants (SCGAs) receive 12 credits of tuition remission and a $6,000 annual stipend in return for working 15 hours per week from mid-July through May to help support undergraduate students in their transition to college.

Explore the SCGA Program : Checkerboard 2 - Success Coach Program
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Interprofessional Education (IPE)

Interprofessional education involves students from two or more health professions learning together during their training. The goal of IPE is to enhance communication and decision-making, allowing various domains of knowledge to complement each other.

Learn About IPE : Checkerboard 4 - Interprofessional Education (IPE)
Redbrick academic buildings on Chatham University's Shadyside campus are framed by colorful budding trees and green grass.

WELL Project

Chatham University’s Counseling Psychology graduate programs received an HRSA-funded Behavioral Workforce Education and Training grant in the Fall of 2017 for the Supporting Wellness: Expanding Psychology Training in Integrated Care Project, or the WELL Project. The project is completed.

Explore the WELL Project : Checkerboard 5 - WELL Project
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HAPPY Project

Chatham University’s Counseling Psychology graduate programs received an HRSA-funded Behavioral Workforce Education and Training grant in fall 2021 for the Healthcare Alliance Promoting Pittsburgh Youth Project (the HAPPY Project).

Explore the HAPPY Project : Checkerboard 6 - HAPPY Project
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IM4Q Program

The Independent Monitoring for Quality (IM4Q) Program at Chatham aims to improve the quality of life for people with intellectual disabilities by affording them the opportunity to independently communicate their perception of services provided by Allegheny, Beaver, Greene and Washington County’s contracted residential providers.

Explore the IM4Q Program : Checkerboard 8 - IM4Q Program
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Telehealth Training

Students work virtually with standardized patients to practice and receive feedback on competencies for interacting with patients facing a combination of medical and behavioral health challenges, assessing the key training themes, and developing the skills to complete these interactions not only competently but well over virtual platforms.

Rolling grassy hills, historic red brick buildings, and multicolored autumn trees decorate Chatham University's Shadyside campus in Pittsburgh.

Accreditation

Chatham University's PsyD program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). Chatham's PsyD program received reaccreditation until 2031.

  • Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
    750 First Street NE
    Washington, DC 20002-4242
    202-336-5979

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Do you have questions?

We make it easy to get in touch:

Call Us

800-837-1290

Text Us

412-419-3772 (standard text/SMS rates will apply)

Email Us

graduate@chatham.edu

Request Information

Complete our Request for Information form

Or, answer a few questions and we will be glad to help.

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