Overview
Students in the Boston University PhD in Counseling Psychology & Applied 人类发展 Program are trained in four core areas:
- Psychological foundations of behavior
- Research methods and data analysis
- Applied psychological practice
- Counseling psychology foundations and practice
Students follow one of our two program concentrations (child/adolescent mental health or sport/performance psychology) and receive additional training in the concentration area they choose. A list of courses can be found in the BU Bulletin, while a suggested semester-by-semester plan of study can be found in the Doctoral Student Handbook.
Research Training
Through active engagement in research with one or more faculty, students will learn how to apply theory and previous empirical findings in generating studies that produce new knowledge, design and implement intervention and curriculum strategies to promote optimal development, and learn how to translate research findings in ways that are accessible to educators, policy-makers and the lay public.
We deliberately keep our doctoral cohorts small so that we can match each student with one or more faculty who have the time needed to provide personalized support and research development. Most faculty have active research teams that provide students with opportunities to be involved in a wide range of research, and often grant-funded, projects. As students begin to identify a program of research, advanced research courses will be selected that enable the student to continue developing their quantitative and/or qualitative skills.
Clinical Training: Practica and Internships
Applied 人类发展
The doctoral program in Applied 人类发展 provides students to develop their research and applied experiences in a variety of settings. Students should discuss with their mentor how best to approach this requirement. Some students will want to use this experience to enhance their research skills. These students should enroll in research independent study with their mentor, or with another faculty member to immerse themselves in the research process. Other students will want to develop their competencies through practicum training experiences.
Counseling Psychology
The Counseling Psychology doctoral program provides students with opportunities to develop their clinical competencies through practicum training experiences, starting in the second year. During the fourth year, students may choose (although not required) to continue their practica training, enrolling in externships that allow them to gain further clinical experience in either a new setting or a specialized area of training.
In the fourth year, if students have completed their prerequisite milestones, they become eligible to apply for a pre-doctoral psychology internship position. This position is the final clinical training experience prior to graduation. Students have done internships at sites such as hospitals, child & adolescent treatment programs, health centers, and local colleges and universities.
Training Goals
Students in the PhD in Counseling Psychology & Applied 人类发展 program are expected to demonstrate competence in a number of interrelated and mutually reinforcing areas corresponding to the overarching goals of the program. A more detailed description of the program training goals, objectives, and competencies can be found in the PhD Handbook.
Goal #1: To train counseling psychologists and researchers in Applied 人类发展 to work effectively with children through emerging adult populations.
- Understand role and function of professional psychologist in a wide range of clinical, training, and research settings
- Acquire advanced knowledge of theory and research
- Develop skills to work with children through emerging adult populations
Goal #2: To train researchers who are able to contribute to the empirical knowledge base of counseling psychology and applied human development.
- Develop and implement research in schools and communities
- Use advanced knowledge of research methods to conduct independent research
- Critique and advance extant research
Goal #3: To train graduate students who are committed to and serve as role models of cultural competence, ethical practice, and social justice.
- Demonstrate cultural awareness and sensitivity across professional contexts
- Work effectively with culturally diverse groups as professional psychologist and advocate