FAQ for counseling psychology 23-08-30

	A	B	C	D	E	F
1	0	Area	Question	Response

2	1	Admissions	How are admissions decisions made? What’s most important?	We look at a combination of prior educational performance, GRE scores, research, practical experience and potential fit with a faculty advisor. We have a very strong applicant pool and use a two-phase admission process. Individual faculty have the initial primary responsibility over admission decisions for their research team, but final admission decisions are then made by the entire faculty.	1	1
3	1	Admissions	What are the characteristics of successful students in the program?	Our thriving students seem to share several characteristics. They are developing a clear sense of their professional goals and are self-motivated to achieve them. They are good citizens of the program, department and profession. They work hard and enjoy being a part of a team, and have a strong interest in the science of psychology with an interest in contributing to the research base of counseling psychology. They apply steady energy to developing their identities as writers, researchers and therapists.	1	2
4	1	Admissions	How do I know if a faculty member is accepting a student?	Please fill out our online form and we can forward you information if someone is not taking a student. Otherwise, you can assume all of our faculty will be reviewing files and will consider taking a student.	1	3
5	1	Admissions	Do you allow on-campus visits before formal interviews?	Campus visits can occur, but would be at the faculty member’s discretion and generally, faculty have discouraged such visits during the admissions process. The main reason for this hesitation is that we as a faculty want to be sensitive to financial disparities that may preclude some students from traveling to campus for more than the single visit associated with our invited interviews. There is considerable information available on the web about the program, students and each of the individual faculty members, so potential applicants should make efficient use of all available technology. However, the Department of Counseling and Psychological Services does host regular information sessions on our doctoral programs of study (Email: cpsadmissions@gsu.edu or phone: 404-413-8200). Prospective students can also email the current President of the Counseling Psychology Student Organization, Sally Lee: ylee143@student.gsu.edu.	1	4
6	1	Admissions	How can I learn more about a research team?	We recommend reviewing faculty profile webpages, research team webpages and emailing students directly about their experiences on particular research teams.	1	5
7	1	Admissions	How many students are usually accepted?	We tend to accept between four to six students each year. The number of students accepted varies by faculty needs and funding availability.	1	6
8	1	Admissions	Could you talk about whether there are any academic course requirements for admission? I am asking as someone changing careers to psychology & who did not study psychology in undergrad. Thank you!	It is probably to your benefit to have some exposure and background in psychology or counseling, but this is not required.		999
9	1	Admissions	Do I need a psychology degree?	No		999
10	1	Admissions	What is something that makes an application stand out in the counseling psychology program?	https://education.gsu.edu/program/phd-counseling-psychology/		999
11	1	Admissions	What are the admission requirements and documents needed?	https://education.gsu.edu/program/phd-counseling-psychology/		999
12	1	Admissions	Is there a fee waiver for this program	Yes, email this address and they will point you in the right direction: cpsadmissions@gsu.edu		999
13	1	Admissions	Is a master’s degree required for admission?	no	no
14	2	general	Can I be enrolled part-time?	No, students accepted into the program must be enrolled full-time.	1
15	2	general	How long does it take to get a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at GSU?	Length of training varies on whether you have a prior master’s degree in a counseling psychology-related field. The average student takes approximately four to five years post-master’s degree and five to six years post-baccalaureate to complete the program. This includes a full year of pre-doctoral internship and a completed dissertation.	1
16	2	General	What’s the best thing about the CPY program at GSU?	See the youtube video for a long list. Here is a short answer: A program is only as good as the faculty and students who make up the program, and we have great people in this program. Our faculty are passionate about their work and invested in strong mentorship. Our students not only represent an impressive diversity of identities and experiences but they are also actively involved in research, clinical work and service to the department and community.	1
17	2	General	What do your researchers in counseling psychology tend to focus on?	Our handbook has a description of the specialization within Counseling Psychology.
18	3	Finances	Are students funded? If so, for how long? And, for how much?	Yes! Historically, all of our students have received funding for the duration of their studies. Students have been funded via departmental Graduate Research Assistantships (currently $12,000 stipend per year and tuition remission), Dean’s Fellowships ($27,000 stipend per year and tuition remission), and external grants (at least $12,000 stipend per year and tuition remission).	1
19	3	Finances	Are there opportunities to supplement funding.	Yes, students may take a second GRA (e.g., adding another $12,000 per year or whatever stipend is available). Another very important strategy includes applying for grants and scholarships. In CPY seminar, students work with their doctoral advisor to submit at least one grant/fellowship/scholarship per year. We have had a lot of success in this area. Our centers have large grants that fund students, and we have many faculty who enjoy mentoring others to seek external funding.
20	3	Finances	What are the typical student fees per semester/year?	See information posted here: https://sfs.gsu.edu/resources/tuition/tuition-breakdown/
21	3	Finances	Am I allowed to take a paid position within the community?	Yes, as long as you have received approval from the program and documented that agreement on icollege.
22	4	Work-life balance	Is it possible to be enrolled in the program and still work full time ? I am currently a elementary teacher.	Probably not. Once practicum starts, students take courses, do research, see clients, and often get involved in teaching. So, it would be really busy to try to also work a full-time job.
23	5	Practice and practicum training	What practicum opportunities are available for students?	Our students are sought after by local college counseling centers (e.g., Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory), local hospitals and private practice groups that focus on psychological assessments.	1
24	5	Practice and practicum training	Do I need prior clinical experience?	Prior clinical experience is not required.	1
25	5	Practice and practicum training	Where do students go for internships?	We have an excellent record of a 100% match rate since 2008! Our students have been matched with a variety of APA-accredited internship sites, such as Emory University Counseling Center, Georgia Institute of Technology Counseling Center, Pennsylvania Hospital, Wilford Hall Air Force (United States Air force) and Trenton Psychiatric Hospital.	1
26	5	Practice and practicum training	Are students responsible to secure positions at practicum sites?	Dr. Turner (and Dr. Davis in Year 1) help coordinate practicum placements.
27	6	Research	How much prior research experience do I need?	We operate from a scientist-training model. Thus, students should demonstrate a commitment to research and scholarship. Having publications, presentations of research at local and national conferences and being a member of research teams can help to demonstrate this commitment and will make your application more competitive. In our recent report to APA, we stated, “The Counseling Psychology program’s mission to produce Scientist-Practitioners of Counseling Psychology to work in academic, research and applied settings, is consistent with the missions of the department, college and university.”	1
28	6	Research	What is the ideal candidate for the program?
29	7	teaching	Are there teaching opportunities?	Yes! Students are given the opportunity to teach in person and/or online. Students usually teach entry-level career development and diversity undergraduate courses. Some of the coolest courses in the department (we admit we are biased) are taught by CPY faculty. For example, Dr. Ashby teaches the ever-popular courses in adventure therapy as well as play therapy. Dr. Davis teaches several seminar courses on positive psychology. Dr. Rice teaches a very helpful course that gets people off to a good start on their research courses. Dr. Suh teaches courses on psychological testing (one of the distinctive markers of training in psychology). Dr. Turner teaches or coordinates all of our clinical training courses. All of these professors are open to involving students in their work.	1
30	7	Graduate Assistantships	What kinds of assistantships are available?	Departmental positions include teaching an online class, coordinating admissions, coordinating the undergraduate research pool, managing the assessment lab, or supporting a course taught by faculty in the department. Some students are funded on grant positions as available within the department or broader university.
31	8	post-graduation	What type of things are students doing after they complete the doctoral program?	Our students are employed in a variety of settings, including academic appointments, staff psychologist positions at college and university counseling centers, staff psychologist positions at VA hospitals and positions in private practices.	1
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