Clinical/Counseling Psychology (PhD)

Program Description

The PhD Program in Clinical/Counseling Psychology is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). Counseling psychologists are defined as those who enter into professional relationships with individuals and groups and bring to those relationships knowledge of psychology as a science, knowledge of psychological theory and research, a personally integrated theory of psychology, and a social justice and ethical responsibility.

The major principles underlying the Clinical/Counseling Psychology program are a focus on a developmental understanding of clients; commitment to a health model of intervention; and appreciation of the gendered, cultural, and institutional contexts of people’s lives, as these contexts affect both clients and psychologists.

The program follows the scientist–practitioner model of training and is organized in three areas: general psychology, including statistics and research methodology; clinical and counseling psychology; and patterns of learning experiences designed to meet the professional goals of program matriculants.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the New York State psychology licensing examination and are prepared to practice in diverse settings such as colleges, clinics, hospitals, and community agencies, as well as pursue careers in research and teaching.

Accreditation and Licensure

The Clinical/Counseling Psychology PhD program has been fully accredited since 1981 by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association. It is currently accredited as a Clinical/Counseling Psychology PhD Program, pending a re-accreditation site visit in 2025. Questions related to the program's accreditation status may be directed to this office:

Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 336-5979
apaaccred@apa.org
www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

Graduates of the program become fully qualified psychologists with specialized training in counseling and are eligible for licensure by the state. Learn more about licensure requirements in those states in which students are doing learning placements.

Admissions

Admission to graduate programs in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development requires the following minimum components:

• Résumé/CV
• Statement of Purpose
• Letters of Recommendation
• Transcripts
• Proficiency in English

See NYU Steinhardt's Graduate Admissions website for additional information on school-wide admission. Some programs may require additional components for admissions.

See How to Apply for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.

Program Requirements

For completion of the doctorate, 69-72 credits beyond the bachelor's degree are required. Additionally, as part of undergraduate or other graduate work, 18 credits in psychology including a course in statistics are prerequisites to the PhD program. 

Additional Program Requirements

In addition to course requirements, students must pass a comprehensive examination to be admitted to candidacy, complete a full-year full-time internship, have an approved dissertation proposal and dissertation, and pass a final oral examination of the dissertation.

Sample Plan of Study

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

1. Fulfill the multiple roles of professional psychologists.
2. Demonstrate a high level of ethical sensitivity and behavior in their professional roles.
3. Demonstrate knowledge in counseling/clinical theory, research, and practice.
4. Demonstrate knowledge about the research process and the creation of new knowledge.
5. Demonstrate awareness, knowledge, skills, and attitudes to work effectively with diverse populations.
6. Demonstrate understanding of optimal adaptive and maladaptive human functioning across the lifespan.
7. Have a professional identity of a counseling psychologist and who are able to acquire additional knowledge appropriate to this specialty.
8. Demonstrate understanding of how to maximize psychological flourishing within individuals and across populations and settings.

Policies

Program Policies 

Fieldwork Placement

Be advised that fieldwork placement facilities that provide training required for your program degree, and agencies that issue licenses for practice in your field of study, each may require you to undergo general and criminal background checks, the results of which the facility or agency must find acceptable before it will allow you to train at its facility or issue you a license. You should inform yourself of offenses or other facts that may prevent obtaining a license to practice in your field of study. NYU Steinhardt will not be responsible if you are unable to complete program requirements or cannot obtain a license to practice in your field because of the results of such background. 

NYU Policies

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.

Steinhardt Academic Policies

Additional academic policies can be found the Steinhardt academic policies page.