Ph.D. - Counseling and Clinical Psychology:
Counseling Psychology Specialization

Department of Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology
CCSP Department Website
Gevirtz Graduate School of Education
University of California, Santa Barbara

Student Information

Counseling Psychology Specialization - 2025-2026

In addition to departmental requirements, candidates for graduate degrees must fulfill University requirements described in the "Graduate Education" section of the UCSB General Catalog.

Time-to-degree: 4 years to advance; 6 years to complete the Ph.D.

Course Requirements

Please indicate the term completed (e.g., "Fall 2026") for each course.

Breadth of Scientific Psychology
Course Number Course Name Units Term Completed
CNCSP 210Neuroanatomy and Psychopharmacology4.0
CNCSP 217Social Cognitive and Affective Bases of Behavior4.0
CNCSP 216Historical and Philosophical Foundation of Professional Psychology4.0
Research Methodology & Data Analysis
Course NumberCourse NameUnitsTerm Completed
CNCSP 200Research Design and Methods in Professional Psychology4.0
CNCSP 209AResearch Practica (6 quarters required) - Includes pre-dissertation research project that is presented at the Research Festival in year 324.0
CNCSP 597Individual Study for Qualifying Examinations (2 quarters minimum)8.0
CNCSP 599Dissertation Research (2 quarters minimum)8.0
ED 214AIntroductory Statistics4.0
ED 214BInferential Statistics4.0
ED 214CLinear Models for Data Analysis4.0
Elective Courses in Research & Data Analysis
Course NumberCourse NameUnitsTerm Completed
CNCSP 202Qualitative Research Methods in Applied Psychology4.0
CNCSP 204Innovations in Health Equity Research: Community Based Participatory Action Research and Communities4.0
ED 201DSingle-Subject Research Design4.0
ED 215BPsychometrics4.0
ED 216AAdvanced Multivariate Statistics4.0
ED 216BFactor Analysis4.0
ED 216CHierarchical Linear Models4.0
ED 216ENonparametric Statistics4.0
ED 216FStructural Equation Models4.0
Scientific, Methodological, and Theoretical Foundations of Practice
Course NumberCourse NameUnitsTerm Completed
CNCSP 220Human Development4.0
CNCSP 223BDevelopmental Psychopathology4.0
CNCSP 224AProfessional Organizations1.0
CNCSP 225Ethical and Legal Standards in Professional Psychology4.0
CNCSP 293Pedagogy in Applied Psychology4.0
Psychology Assessment and Intervention
Course NumberCourse NameUnitsTerm Completed
CNCSP 250Cognitive Assessment in Professional Psychology4.0
CNCSP 251Personality and Emotional Assessment4.0
CNCSP 260ACounseling Theories4.0
CNCSP 264ASupervision and Consultation4.0
Cultural and Individual Diversity
Course NumberCourse NameUnitsTerm Completed
CNCSP 227Social and Cultural Bases of Diversity4.0
CNCSP 267Liberation Psychology4.0
Fieldwork Core
Course NumberCourse NameUnitsTerm Completed
CNCSP 260BBasic Practicum I4.0
CNCSP 260CBasic Practicum II4.0
CNCSP 270Advanced Fieldwork: General (3 quarters)12.0
CNCSP 279A-B-CInternship in Professional Psychology (1500 minimum hours)24.0
Substantive Area Requirements - Counseling (Intervention / Applications)
Course NumberCourse NameUnitsTerm Completed
CNCSP 261Counseling Psychology Seminar4.0
CNCSP 261ACareer Theories and Research4.0
CNCSP 263AAdvanced Psychotherapy4.0
Fieldwork - Counseling
Course NumberCourse NameUnitsTerm Completed
CNCSP 272Advanced Fieldwork: Counseling12.0
Courses That May Not Be Substituted:
  • CNCSP 224A: Professional Organizations
  • CNCSP 270: Advanced Fieldwork General
  • CNCSP 272: Advanced Fieldwork Counseling
  • CNCSP 209A*: Research Practicum
*Please note: If you already have a master's degree, please discuss with your advisor. You may only need 2 years of Research Practicum.
Pre-Advancement Requirement

Each student must write and present a semi-independent research paper that is of publishable quality. This paper is typically completed by the Fall quarter of Year 3 and is included as one of the written products for the student's qualifying exam. In addition, the results of this research must be presented at the annual CCSP Research Festival the fall quarter of the year that the student aims to complete the qualifying exam.

Ph.D. Qualifying Exams and Advancement to Candidacy Status

The Ph.D. qualifying exams consist of two written papers (e.g., theories and research) of publishable quality, and an oral examination that covers clinical theories, research, and ethics. The written examination must be completed before the oral examination. Students are expected to complete the written examination at the end of the Fall quarter of Year 3. Students should aim to fulfill all course requirements and complete the oral examinations by the end of Year 3.

Predoctoral Internship Requirements

Students must complete a predoctoral internship that meets the course requirements for CNCSP 279A-B-C. Students are encouraged to apply to an APA-accredited internship. If a student is accepted to a non-APA approved internship, the CCSP Director of Clinical Training will negotiate an internship agreement with the site.

Dissertation Requirements

Within three quarters of advancing to candidacy, students will prepare a final dissertation proposal to be presented and approved by the doctoral committee. Students are required to complete a public dissertation lecture, pass the doctoral oral defense, and complete an acceptable doctoral dissertation.

Doctoral Committee

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