Educational Psychology

There is a growing need in our society to train counseling psychologists to facilitate effective personal and interpersonal functioning in a variety of settings with diverse persons having varied problems and needs. Our doctoral program reflects a training curriculum that is sequential, cumulative, and graded in complexity.

At the core of the counseling psychology training program at Northern Arizona University is the integration of theory, research, and practice. We believe that this core is best realized using a scientist-professional training model that includes a systematic analysis of human behavior, careful applications of best practice, and a methodical evaluation of the effectiveness of these applications.

We emphasize assessment and intervention strategies that focus on assets and strengths as an individual experiences adjustment and remedial problems in life regardless of the person’s level of cognitive, emotional, or behavioral functioning.

An individual’s adjustment and remedial problems are more fully understood using comprehensive measures incorporating perspectives of: (a) life-span development and transitions, (b) person-environment interactions, (c) individual and cultural diversity, and (d) client empowered decision-making. Our faculty promotes the optimal development of individuals, families, groups, and environmental systems using empirically supported interventions that include relatively brief counseling approaches, prevention, consultation, psycho-education, and career-development.

References

Gelso, C. J., & Fretz, B. R. (1992). Counseling psychology. San Diego, CA: Harcourt, Brace, & Javanovich, Inc.

Epperson, Fouad, Stoltenberg, & Murdock (2005). Model training program in counseling psychology. Retrieved July 14, 2009, from the Council of Counseling Psychology Training. Programs Web site: http://www.ccptp.org/trainingdirectorpage5.html 

American Psychological Association (APA)

Our program philosophy is consistent with the unifying themes of counseling psychology articulated by the Council of Counseling Psychology Training Programs (Epperson, Fouad, Stoltenberg, & Murdock, 2005) and Gelso and Fretz (1992).

1. To prepare psychologists who have a comprehensive foundation in the core and foundational areas of psychology. Students will acquire and demonstrate knowledge competencies in: 
   
   1. biological bases of behavior
   2. cognitive and affective bases of behavior
   3. social aspects of behavior
   4. history and systems of psychology
   5. human development
    
2. To prepare psychologists who use ethical decision-making and responsible professional behavior and apply best practices in counseling psychology assessment, intervention, follow-up, and evaluation when working with individuals, families, groups, and organizations, while demonstrating interpersonal and cross-cultural sensitivity. Students will acquire and demonstrate knowledge and skill competencies in:
   
   1. professional standards and ethics
   2. theories and methods of psychological measurement
   3. assessment and interventions related to a person’s assets and strengths
   4. effective interventions including evaluating their efficacy
   5. individual and cultural diversity
   6. dysfunctional behavior or psychopathology
   7. time-limited interventions
   8. person-environmental interactions
   9. educational and career development theory and practice
    
3. To prepare psychologists who have thorough knowledge and skills in analytical and quantitative methods to effectively consume and generate empirical evidence associated with counseling psychology theory and practices. Students will acquire and demonstrate knowledge and skill competencies in:
   
   1. research methodology
   2. techniques of data analysis
   3. understanding the influence of professional practice on the science of psychology
   4. the application of research methodology and techniques of data analysis during each year of training
    
4. To prepare psychologists who demonstrate the ability to train others in the content and skill areas of counseling psychology and provide effective prevention, psycho-education, and consultation methods with individuals, families, groups, members of environmental systems, and other professionals. Students will acquire and demonstrate knowledge and skill competencies in:
   
   1. pedagogical theory and methods
   2. theories and techniques in prevention and psycho-education
   3. theories and practice of consultation and supervision
    
5. To prepare psychologists who integrate theory, research, and practice and apply their expertise in a variety of settings with diverse persons having varied problems and needs. Students will acquire and demonstrate the knowledge and skill competencies in:
   
   1. applying scientific theory and methods to assessment, intervention, training, prevention, psycho-education, and consultation
   2. integrating psychological theory, research, and practice in applied settings during each year of training

1. For this degree, you must complete 109 semester hours beyond the bachelor’s degree and have a master’s degree.
2. The degree minimally requires two years of full-time equivalent coursework post-master’s, a preliminary examination, comprehensive examination, a one-year internship (2,000 hours), and completion of a dissertation.
3. This is a Flagstaff-based program and most of the necessary coursework is available only in Flagstaff during fall and spring semesters.
4. You must complete at least two consecutive semesters of full-time residency during fall and spring semesters

Prerequisites

Please review the online catalog for selected courses where prerequisites are required. Please check with the department or a faculty adviser if you have questions regarding prerequisites.

Clinical Hours

Please review the clinical hours table for the number of practicum hours and internship hours required in clinical, testing, and intervention Educational Psychology classes.

The program of studies is the agreed-upon plan between you and your faculty adviser on completing program requirements.

It is used as a verification document when you apply for graduation. You should complete the program of studies with your adviser during the first semester of graduate work.

The original, signed program of studies should be given to the Department Chair to be placed in your file in the Educational Psychology Department and you and your adviser should both keep copies.

Amendments to your program of studies can be made with your adviser’s approval.

The timeline policy and residency policies for Doctoral degree can be viewed through the Graduate College.

Related Forms

EPS Course Offerings by Semester

Program of Studies (valid through Fall 2012 admissions)
Program of Studies (effective beginning with Fall 2013 admissions)
Program of Studies Work Sheet 

Students in this doctoral program should follow the professional code of ethics and licensure guidelines established by the following organizations:

American Psychological Association, Inc.
State of Arizona Board of Psychologists Examiners 

Dr. Kathy Bohan, Department Chair and Program Coordinator
Phone: 928-523-0362
Kathy.Bohan@nau.edu  

Dr. Tom DeStefano, Professor
Phone: 928-523-6302
Thomas.DeStefano@nau.edu 

Dr. Susan Longerbeam, Associate Professor
Phone: 928-523-6131
Susan.Longerbeam@nau.edu 

Dr. William E. Martin Jr., Professor
Phone: 928-523-6757
William.Martin@nau.edu 

Dr. Gene Moan, Professor
Phone: 928-523-9604
Eugene.Moan@nau.edu 

Dr. Tim Thomason, Professor
Phone: 928-523-1341
Timothy.Thomason@nau.edu