Counseling Psychology Doctoral Program - University of Houston
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College of Education

Counseling Psychology Doctoral Program

Students working together

The University of Houston's Counseling Psychology doctoral program generates new knowledge and trains community-engaged change agents. We provide our students the tools they need to help others navigate the modern world. Our students have the opportunity to contribute to unique research opportunities in behavioral health, multiculturalism and social justice. Situated within one of the nation's most diverse cities, we have developed relationships with a variety of unique practicum locations, including several within the Texas Medical Center, the world's largest medical center.

Note: This Ph.D. program does not require the GRE if you have either a GPA of 3.0 or higher from your undergraduate studies or if you have a master’s or terminal degree.

About the Program

The Counseling Psychology doctoral program trains psychologists to become health service psychologists and psychological researchers. Our nationally recognized and competitive program offers a challenging curriculum, a supportive student environment, student-faculty mentorship, excellent and diverse sites for clinical training, and multiple opportunities for research.

The following faculty are currently accepting new students:

Option: Health Psychology Emphasis

For those Counseling Psychology doctoral students who wish to add a Health Psychology Emphasis to their doctoral training, there is additional coursework that can be integrated into your program. This 15-hour minor includes three courses (two required and one elective) and two semesters of clinical health psychology practicum (which can be one of the practicum placements already included in the doctoral program). Hence, this is only an addition of nine credit hours. It is also possible to gain exposure to this topic by taking one or two courses. For more details on this option, please see pages 11-12 of the doctoral program handbook available on this website.

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 First Street NE
Washington D.C. 20002-4242
Phone: (202) 336-5979
TDD/TTY: (202) 336-6123
Fax: (202) 336-5978
apaaccred@apa.org
  • AccreditedAmerican Psychological Association since 1987
  • 5 - 6 yearsto complete the degree

Students develop professional leadership, ethical, interpersonal, and intrapersonal skills through:

  • Coursework
  • Residency
  • Internship
  • Practicum
  • Candidacy research project
  • Comprehensive exam
  • Dissertation

Since degree plans change periodically, students will follow the degree plan that is in place at the time in which they complete an official, approved degree plan. Students enter the program with either a Master’s or Undergraduate degree. Please see page 13 of the Counseling Psychology Ph.D. Program Handbook for the most current sample degree plans.

The program offers the preparation necessary for students to apply for licensure as psychologists in Texas. Our graduates are employed in settings such as:

  • Hospitals
  • Colleges and University Psychology Departments
  • University and College Counseling Centers
  • Community Agencies
  • Clinics
  • Private Practice
  • K-12 schools
The Counseling Psychology program at the University of Houston meets applicable licensure requirements in the state of Texas. The program has not made a determination whether the curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure in states outside of Texas.

The following is a list of current Counseling Psychology faculty:

Dr. Blake Allan

Counseling Psychology Program

Faculty Profile | Email

Dr. Consuelo Arbona

Counseling Psychology Program

Faculty Profile | Email

Dr. Chakema Carmack

Counseling Psychology Program

Faculty Profile | Email

Dr. Virmarie Correa-Fernández

Counseling Psychology Program

Faculty Profile | Email

Dr. Marcel de Dios

Counseling Psychology Program

Faculty Profile | Email

Dr. Robert H. McPherson

Counseling Psychology Program

Faculty Profile | Email

Dr. Nathan Grant Smith

Counseling Psychology Program

Faculty Profile | Email

Research

The Counseling Psychology faculty's research ranges from stress and coping in the LGBTQ community and tobacco cessation to minority stress and health disparities. Visit the PHLS Research Portal to learn more about our diverse interests and discover faculty pursuing answers to the questions that matter to you.

Feel free to contact faculty directly to learn more about their research. You can find contact information in the Research Portal or by visiting the COE Faculty Directory.

Financial Aid

All Counseling Psychology doctoral students are encouraged to apply for scholarships through the UH and the College of Education. To learn more about how to fund your graduate studies, visit the Graduate Funding page.

Graduate Tuition Fellowship

Graduate Tuition Fellowship (GTF) provides tuition remission for 9 credit hours, during the academic year, to students who enroll in at least 9 credit hours. During the summer term, GTFs are contingent upon available budget. Not all years in the graduate program may be covered by this program.

Assistantships

Graduate appointments are usually available to students during the first two years of graduate studies. The program doesn't cover mandatory fees or course fees. Not all years in the graduate program are covered by this program. 

To learn more about funding your education, contact the COE's College of Graduate Studies at coegrad@central.uh.edu or call 713-743-7676.

Houston, Texas

Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States and one of the nation's most diverse cities. This fact benefits our students and faculty both personally and professionally. Home to more than 100 different nationalities and where more than 60 different languages are spoken, Houston is the perfect environment to practice what you're learning in the classroom. The city also boasts more than 12,000 theater seats and 11,000 diverse restaurants featuring cuisines from around the globe (Don't know where to start? Just ask a Houstonian, and they're sure to bombard you with at least a dozen places to eat.) 

Houston is bustling with culture, energy and offers something for everyone inside and outside the classroom.

(Background photo: “Metropolis” by eflon is licensed under CC BY 2.0.)

Ready to Apply?

Are you ready to apply to the University of Houston Counseling Psychology doctoral program? Yes? You can learn more about the application process by visiting the College of Education's Graduate Admissions page or jump right into the application process by visiting the UH's How to Apply to Graduate School page.

If you need more information about the Counseling Psychology program, we are here to help. You can always contact the COE Office of Graduate Studies by phone at 713-743-7676 or by email.

Farish Hall

Contact Us

The Counseling Psychology doctoral program is a member of UH's Psychological, Health, & Learning Sciences department.

Training and Program Director: Dr. Consuelo Arbona

UH College of Education
Stephen Power Farish Hall
3657 Cullen Blvd., Room 491
Houston, TX 77204-5023

Undergraduate: coeug@uh.edu or 713-743-5000
Graduate: coegrad@central.uh.edu or 713-743-7676
General: coecomm@uh.edu or 713-743-5010

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*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 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
(202) 336-5979
apaaccred@apa.org
http://www.apa.org/ed/accreditation/