The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree
Director of Training: Robert J. Nelsen, Ed.D., ABPP
INTRODUCTION
The major objective of the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree program in counseling psychology
is to develop capable professionals who are able to practice independently as psychologists.
Training is oriented toward the acquisition of those skills necessary for effective functioning
in individual, community, or institutional settings. The program seeks to develop proficiency in
four main areas: core psychology, psychotherapeutic intervention, assessment/diagnosis, and
research. In addition to the knowledge expected of any psychologist, the range of skills
expected of each graduate is reflected in the training provided in individual, group, and
marriage and family therapy as well as assessment and diagnosis in each of these modalities.
This program requires that applicants have a master’s degree in a related field. In addition to doctoral coursework and practica, a year-long internship and a dissertation are required. These requirements reflect the scholar practitioner model in the preparation of psychologists. Each student is required to take coursework in supervision and provide supervision to master’s level community counseling students. Participation in the Psychological Services Clinic, a freestanding clinic of the counseling psychology program that serves the local community, or approved externship is also required. These unique features of the program develop psychologists with well-developed clinical skills and the scientific methodology to inform their practice.
PHILOSOPHY OF THE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PH.D.) DEGREE
The Ph.D. degree in Counseling Psychology at Gannon University seeks to educate and train
psychology practitioners who deliver high-quality human services. The program seeks to prepare
practitioners who are skilled in providing psychological services to underserved populations.
The program is committed to education and training which prepares practitioners within a
framework that acknowledges and respects diversity.
PREREQUISITES
Each Applicant Will:
TUITION
Tuition rates and fees are subject to change and are set by the Board of Trustees of Gannon
University. The rates for the 2004-2005 academic year are found earlier in the catalog.
GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATION (GRE)
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for entrance into the PhD program. The GRE is
offered in a computerized version. The computerized version may be taken at any time. Please
check with a local university or college counseling center for those that offer the computerized
version. For information regarding the GRE and testing dates, Please contact:
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
International applicants are prospective students who are neither a citizen nor a permanent
resident of the United States. International applicants are required to take the Test of English
as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) to provide evidence of their proficiency in the English language.
Upon receipt of the application, International applicants will also be required to submit a
financial affidavit. It is important that financial arrangements be made prior to the issuance
of the I-20.
THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS
The admissions process for the Ph.D. degree is designed to select a limited number of highly
qualified graduate students who hold a master’s degree in counseling or a related field and who
have at least two years of relevant work experience. We are seeking students with the academic,
social, and emotional maturity necessary for completing a doctoral degree and providing
high-quality professional psychological services to clients.
Each applicant is evaluated on a number of criteria including: GPA, GRE’s, letters of recommendation, past experience, academic background, and faculty interviews. The Admissions Committee considers not only the above criteria but also seeks to discern a sense of fit between the applicant’s education and training goals and the program at Gannon.
Applications will be reviewed beginning March 1 and should be submitted to: Office of Graduate Studies, Gannon University, 109 University Square, Erie, PA 16541-0001
Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation are required from people who are in a position to assess academic
and clinical potential. These letters are professional recommendations and should not be
provided by one’s friends, relatives, minister, rabbi, priest, or therapist. Recommendation
forms are provided with the application packet.
Transfer of Credit
Nine (9) semester hours may be transferred into the Ph.D. program. All transfer courses must
have been completed after the Master’s degree was awarded. Courses completed during the master’s
degree may be waived as determined by the Ph.D. program. A minimum of 63 semester hours at
Gannon plus a dissertation and a year-long internship are required for the Ph.D. degree.
Application Review
All completed applications are forwarded from the Admissions Office and are evaluated by the
Admissions Committee. The Admission Committee is composed of three faculty members from the
Department of Psychology. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that an application is
complete and forwarded to the Department for consideration. Although applications are not
reviewed until after the March 1 deadline, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their
applications as early as possible.
Admission Procedures
All completed applications are reviewed by the Admissions Committee. A select number of students
are then invited to the campus for an admission interview which includes interviews with the
faculty and interaction with current students and other applicants. A map and directions will be
provided to all invitees.
Admission Decisions
After the completion of admission procedures, students will be notified of the committee’s
decision in approximately two (2) weeks. Letters may take three forms; an acceptance, a
placement on the alternate’s list, or a letter of regret.
Responding to the Acceptance/Alternate List Letter
In accordance with guidelines provided by the American Psychological Association (APA),
applicants offered positions have until the Uniform Response Day (April 15) to make their
decision. However, we request that applicants respond to the letter at their earliest
convenience. After April 15, vacant positions will be offered to those on the alternate list.
Applicants who accept the offer must submit a $500 deposit by April 15 to secure a place in the entering class. This non-refundable deposit is applied to the first semester’s tuition. All applicants who accept the offer are expected to enter the fall semester of the year of their acceptance.
FINANCIAL AID
The Counseling Psychology program has limited funds available for financial assistance. There
are several sources of financial assistance available to qualified students, including student
loans and Graduate Assistantships.
THE DISSERTATION
The Ph.D. degree requires a doctoral dissertation. Given the practitioner focus of the Ph.D.,
the expectation is that doctoral dissertations will reflect studies of practical use and interest
to practicing psychologists. Qualitative and other clinically useful designs are encouraged.
THE INTERNSHIP
The Ph.D. degree requires 2000 hours of pre-doctoral internship as a part of the requirements for
the degree. These internships are pre-approved training sites listed in the APPIC Manual and/or
approved by the American Psychological Association (APA). Internships are paid experiences and
are the culminating experience in the doctoral training program.
CURRICULUM
This course of study is prepared in accordance with the recommendations of the American
Psychological Association (APA) and the requirements for licensing as a psychologist:
Core Psychology - 15 credits
GPSY 803 Physiological Psychology
GPSY 607 Learning and Cognition
GPSY 806 Social Psychology
GPSY 608 Human Development
GPSY 804 History and Systems of Psychology
Research - 26 credits
GPSY 601 Elements of Statistics 1
GPSY 602 Elements of Statistics 2
GPSY 603 Research Methodology 1
GPSY 606 Qualitative Research Methods
GPSY 820 Research Apprenticeship 1
GPSY 822 Research Methodology 2 3
GPSY 899 Dissertation
Professional Counseling Psychology - 25 credits
GPSY 631 Abnormal Psychology
GPSY 861 Advanced Psychopathology
GPSY 605 Group Dynamics
GPSY 612 Family Therapy
GPSY 622 Career Development
GPSY 626 Legal/Ethical Issues in Counseling
GPSY 801 Professional Development Seminar
GPSY 802 Seminar in Counseling and Personality Theory
GPSY 841 Theories of Supervision
GPSY 805 Colloquiun in Couseling Psychology (2 semesters)
Multicultural Competence – 6 credits required
GPSY 623 Psychology of Gender
GPSY 625 Multicultural Aspects of Counseling
GPSY 808 Research with Diverse Populations
Practica and Internship - 30 credits
GPSY 650 Supervised Practicum
GPSY 843 Practicum in Supervision of Psychotherapy
GPSY 850 Introductory Practicum
GPSY 852 Advanced Individual Practicum
GPSY 854 Practicum in Marital and Family Therapy
GPSY 856 Practicum in Group Therapy
GPSY 858 Psychological Services Clinic(3 consecutive)
GPSY 900 Internship in Counseling Psychology
Assessment - 9 credits
GPSY 807 Psychometric Theory
GPSY 871 Cognitive and Intellectual Assessment
GPSY 873 Personality Assessment
Electives - 6 credits
GPSY 632 Systems Intervention and Consultation
GPSY 824 Analysis and Evaluation of Programs
GPSY 865 Introduction to Psychopharmacology
GPSY 867 Clinical Neuropsychology
GPSY 875 Introduction to Projective Techniques
GPSY 879 Neuropsychological Assessment
NOTE: This program is founded upon the principle of a strong advising relationship between faculty and students. Each entering student’s transcript is evaluated for past academic coursework and current competence forming the basis for the development of an individualized plan of study.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
GPSY 601 Elements of Statistics 1
3 credits
This course introduces students to basic statistical knowledge. It covers probability, inference
and sampling, correlation, hypothesis testing, one-way ANOVA, and an introduction to computer
statistics packages.
GPSY 602 Elements of Statistics 2
3 credits
Prerequisite: GPSY 601
This course continues the study of statistics from GPSY 601. Review of one-way ANOVA. Covers
multiple comparisons, factorial designs, nested and mixed models, repeated measures, analysis of
covariance, and use of computer statistics packages.
GPSY 606 Qualitative Research Methods
3 credits
Prerequisites: Graduate Student Standing; Consent of Instructor
This doctoral level seminar serves as an introductory course in qualitative research
methodologies. Students are introduced to qualitative research paradigms and their
epistemologies, theories, and methods. The major focus of the course will be to survey
qualitative methods of inquiry including research designs, specific data collection methods, and
analytic and interpretive procedures. Different approaches to qualitative data collection and
analysis are discussed.
GPSY 607 Learning and Cognition
3 credits
Review of learning theorists and their models of acquisition, elimination, and maintenance of
behavior. Effects of previous experience on responses to new situations. Effects of thinking
differently (changed conditions) upon past, current, and future behavior. Effects of memory,
attention, motivation, social influence, and language.
GPSY 623 Psychology of Gender
3 credits
Intensive review of gender role socialization in a workshop setting emphasizing men’s and women’s
gender role conflicts across the life span. Lectures, readings, discussions, media, and
self-assessments are used to explicate core concepts and themes.
GPSY 632 Consultation and Systems Intervention
3 credits
This course provides the student with a background in the community psychology movement, theories
of consultation and systems intervention.
GPSY 801 Professional Development Seminar: Counseling Psychology
1 credit
A critical review of current issues in the discipline of Counseling Psychology. An introduction
to the specialty of Counseling Psychology and its professional identity. Provides an overview of
the doctoral program in Counseling Psychology and an introduction to the faculty of the
Department of Psychology.
GPSY 802 Seminar in Counseling and Personality Theory
3 credits
A comparative and critical in-depth analysis of personality and counseling theories including the
interrelationship, philosophical foundations and practical applications. Students are encouraged
to begin developing a personal theory of personality and counseling.
GPSY 803 Physiological Psychology
3 credits
This course is an exploration into the biological bases of behavior. The intent of this course is
to familiarize students with the essential methods, terminology, and concepts that constitute the
contemporary field of biological psychology. The focus will be on applying physiological
psychology concepts in understanding clinical issues and behavior.
GPSY 804 History and Systems of Psychology
3 credits
A detailed consideration of the formal systems of psychology (e.g., Structuralism, Behaviorism,
Humanistic-Existentialism) with a brief review of psychology’s roots in philosophy and
physiology. There will be a special emphasis on the history of psychotherapy and intelligence
testing including the impact of gender and culture on their development.
GPSY 805 Colloquium in Counseling Psychology
0 credits
This course is designed to expose doctoral students to a broad range of learning experiences that
encompass topics, speakers, and professional issues beyond the more traditional didactic
experiences of the classroom. Guest presenters from the region are invited to present a two hour
program on their area of expertise.
GPSY 806 Social Psychology
3 credits
This course will cover such topics as self-perception, prejudice, group dynamics, violence,
intimate relationships, persuasion, conformity, and prosocial behavior. In addition, this course
will examine the influence of culture on self-concept and social behavior. Further, this course
will also focus on the application of learned concepts to a counseling setting.
GPSY 807 Psychometric Theory
3 credits
This is a fundamental course in psychological testing and measurement. The emphasis is on test
construction and item analysis. An in-depth investigation of the range of validity and
reliability issues in testing will be followed by the study of the internal consistency of
specific tests. Practical applications are made by way of reading and interpreting test manuals
of various psychological tests, and in the selection and ethical use of tests for specific
assessment purposes and questions. This course culminates in the student’s project to develop a
test instrument to measure a psychological trait or dimension.
GPSY 808 Research with Diverse Populations
3 credits
This course presents quantitative and qualitative data that will increase the helping
professional’s knowledge and understanding of theories and therapeutic interventions for working
with diverse populations. Special emphasis will be focused on populations of color, gay and
lesbians, and women.
GPSY 820 Research Apprenticeship
3 credits
Corequisite: GPSY 852
The course is designed to help students begin the process of integrating research and practice
through the design and implementation of a small research project in a practice setting. The
class typically will assess some aspect of the student’s work with a single case using accepted
methodology.
GPSY 822 Research Methodology II
3 credits
Prerequisites: GPSY 603; GPSY 602 or equivalent
Development of skills in advanced quantitative methods and the integration of sampling, design,
measurement, ethics, and statistical methods with an emphasis on researching relationships.
Students will demonstrate their knowledge of course content by developing a comprehensive research
proposal.
GPSY 824 Analysis and Evaluation of Programs
3 credits
Emphasis on integrated models of consultation and evaluation. The major models of mental health
consultation and contemporary models of evaluation will be examined.
GPSY 841 Theories of Supervision
3 credits
This course provides an exploration and in-depth study of theories of supervision of counseling
practitioners. It involves a study of the problems involved in training individuals to engage in
the therapeutic process.
GPSY 843 Practicum in Supervision of Psychotherapy
1 credit
Co- or Prerequisite: GPSY 841
Practice in the supervision of individual, group and/or family practitioners. May be repeated.
GPSY 850 Introductory Practicum
5 credits
Prerequisites: Majors Only; Permission of Practicum Supervisor
Requires 12 hours per week. This practicum involves live supervision of individual counseling
sessions in a laboratory setting. Supervision will be directed toward development and
improvement of psychotherapy skills. Individual adult, child and adolescent clients may be seen.
GPSY 852 Advanced Individual Practicum
5 credits
Prerequisites: GPSY 850; Permission of Practicum Supervisor; Corequisite: GPSY 820
This is the final supervised practicum experience of this program. Live supervision of sessions
permits in vivo interventions by the supervisor while peers process sessions from behind the
one-way mirror. Seminars involve readings of empirically supported interventions. Students
complete research of single case study design.
GPSY 854 Practicum in Marriage and Family Therapy
5 credits
Prerequisites: GPSY 850
Therapist training with diverse couples and families. Therapists work in co-therapy teams and
receive live supervision. Each student will learn assessment and intervention skills utilizing
major theories of family/couples therapy. Supervision of therapy is conducted in group and
individual format.
GPSY 856 Practicum in Group Therapy
5 credits
Prerequisites: GPSY 850 or equivalent
Receive supervised experience in the role of group facilitator, including feedback on group
process, leadership and intervention skills, and problem areas.
GPSY 858 Psychological Services Clinic Practicum
1 credit per semester
Prerequisites: GPSY 850 and either GPSY 854 or GPSY 856; Consent of Clinic Director
Builds experience as staff clinicians in the Psychological Services Clinic by providing a range
of therapeutic services to clients and engaging in case management procedures under the clinical
supervision of Clinic Faculty. Students enroll for this course for a minimum of three consecutive
semesters.
GPSY 861 Advanced Psychopathology
3 credits
Prerequisite: GPSY 631 or equivalent
This course provides the student with an intensive study of psychopathology from a developmental,
cultural, and family systems perspective.. It provides a thorough knowledge of the etiology and
pathogenesis of clinical disorders through intensive reading, research, and practical knowledge.
Emphasis is placed on distinguishing psychological disorders from physical conditions.
GPSY 865 Introduction to Psychopharmacology
3 credits
An investigation of psychopharmacological approaches to treating psychological disorders. The
purpose of this course is to provide information on psychotropic medication to mental health
professionals who do not prescribe.
GPSY 867 Clinical Neuropsychology
3 credits
This comprehensive course in clinical neuropsychology introduces students to this specialty of
psychology. It is a survey course covering the history and ethics of clinical neuropsychology,
the major adult neurocognitive disorders, the neuropathological conditions that contribute to
these disorders, and recovery of function and rehabilitation. Included in the course is
discussion and demonstration of various methods and instruments used in clinical neuropsychology.
The focus is on reading and understanding neuropsychology reports, recognizing the need to refer
and addressing in psychotherapy the neuropsychological deficits of clients.
GPSY 871 Cognitive and Intellectual Assessment
3 credits
Prerequisite: GPSY: 807
This course is designed to provide the student with a comprehensive knowledge of the process of
psychological assessment of intelligence. This is not an introductory level course, but rather
an in-depth clinical course in the administration and interpretation of intelligence tests.
Multicultural and theoretical issues and controversies are explored. Students score and interpret
tests and present findings in comprehensive reports.
GPSY 873 Personality Assessment
3 credits
Prerequisite: GPSY 807
This course includes the administration, scoring, and interpretation of objective measures of
personality. Emphasis is on formulating a sound data base of information from interviews and
tests and developing interpretational strategies. Special focus is placed upon understanding the
psychometric properties of personality instruments and the ways personality theories are
reflected in the tests. Assigned readings focus on multicultural issues. Students gain experience
in writing interpretive and integrative reports.
GPSY 875 Introduction to Projective Techniques
3 credits
Prerequisites: GPSY 871; GPSY 873
This course is an in-depth study in the conceptual basis for comparing Projective with
traditional psychometric procedures, and develops the skills to administer, score and interpret a
variety of Projective instruments.
GPSY 879 Neuropsychological Assessment
3 credits
Prerequisites: GPSY 867; GPSY 871; GPSY 873
This course is a comprehensive study of neuropsychological assessment methods. Students learn
the administration, scoring, and interpretation of several neuropsychological tests. Discussions
include the limitations including ecological validity issues. Case studies highlight test
interpretations.
GPSY 899 Dissertation
9 credits
Prerequisites: Consent of Instructor; Majors Only; Admission to Candidacy
Students must complete a minimum/maximum of 9 semester hours of credit for the dissertation in
partial fulfillment of requirements for a doctoral degree. S/U graded. May be repeated, maximum
9 credits.
GPSY 900 Internship in Counseling Psychology
1 credit each semester
Prerequisites: Ph.D. Degree Only; Permission of Director of Training, Counseling Psychology
For the doctoral candidate in counseling psychology who will successfully complete a 2000 hour
approved internship in not less than one year nor more than two years after completion of all
course work required for the Ph.D. degree. For the one-year internship, register for three
consecutive semesters and for the two-year internship, register for 6 consecutive semesters.
Students taking the two year options register for 1 credit every other semester and 0 credits
during the alternate semesters. Maximum 3 credits. May be repeated - 3 times for year-long
internship; 6 times for 2-year half-time internships.