Program Description
The Counseling Psychology Doctoral Program at the University of Miami has been accredited by the American Psychological Association since 1989 and has a proud tradition of preparing students as scholars and clinicians. Firmly committed to the foundational values of the discipline of counseling psychology, including its emphasis on prevention, optimal human development and the promotion of individual, family and community well-being, our program strives to prepare students who will make a difference in the world through research, scholarship, and reflective practice.
The Program advocates the scientist–practitioner model of training in which students receive extensive grounding in the scientific underpinnings of the discipline. In turn, students use this knowledge en route to becoming highly skilled scholars and clinicians. Although a degree from our program prepares students to be licensed as practicing psychologists, it is important to keep in mind that the Ph.D. is a research degree; our priority is to cultivate scholars who are capable of developing original lines of research and of playing leadership roles in both academic and applied settings. Applicants who are exclusively or primarily interested in psychotherapy practice are encouraged to consider more practitioner-oriented training programs like those offering a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree.
Our program values diversity in many senses of the word and we are firmly committed to the development of multicultural competence in each of our students. We adopt the philosophy that cultural competence is not a static achievement, but one of continual striving for excellence in the inclusion and affirmation of diverse populations. The University of Miami prides itself on being a “global university in a global city,” and this context offers students a unique opportunity to explore issues of diversity in all aspects of their lives. In the academic setting, such opportunities include: being involved in clinical training opportunities with diverse underserved populations; participating as research assistants in grant-funded projects addressing the health-related needs of these populations; pursuing original diversity-related dissertation projects; and, for those fluent in Spanish, practicing bilingual counseling skills in supervised practicum experiences. The training we offer on multicultural issues is consistent with the APA Guidelines on Multicultural Education, Training, Research, Practice, and Organizational Change for Psychologists.
Our Program does not adhere to any one theory of human functioning or any one theory of counseling and development. Faculty members work from a variety of theoretical orientations including psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, family systems and humanistic perspectives. We place a high value on students developing a firm grounding in theory and being able to clearly integrate theory in all of their research and clinical work. Diversity is also reflected in the areas of expertise of our faculty. Content areas of expertise include multicultural training, health psychology, social justice, systems and community intervention, and theoretical psychology. Please consult our faculty listings within the e-packet for a more thorough overview of faculty research interests.
For the most up-to-date information about our program, we recommend that prospective students use our most recent web materials as a guide. Information about our program published by others on the web can be inaccurate and misleading.
Program Vision
We are dedicated to excellence in the development of multiculturally competent reflective researchers and practitioners in Counseling Psychology.
Program Mission
To nurture the development of counseling psychology graduate students and faculty as reflective researchers and scientist–practitioners committed to promoting psychological well-being in a multiculturally complex world.
Accreditation Information
The Counseling Psychology Program was first accredited by the American Psychological Association in 1989 and has been continuously accredited since then.
Questions related to the program's accreditation status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 336-5979 / E-mail: apaaccred@apa.org
Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation
