Consulting Psychology: PhD, San Diego

Program Outcomes

All OP Programs

• Knowledge of research design, measurement, and statistical tools appropriate for basic research as well as for applied research in such areas as selection testing, surveys, and program evaluations
• Ability to understand and critically evaluate the literature in a given area
• Ability to integrate knowledge of ethical behavior in organizational studies
• A positive, pro-active and non-judgmental attitude towards diverse cultural and international identities and in their interpersonal and professional interactions.
• Demonstrate an ability to conceptualize and deliver culturally competent professional services in their respective areas to diverse populations.

Additional for PhD in CP (San Diego, and CP portion of Joint MBA/PhD in CP in San Diego)

• Preparation for professional certification and/or licensure (psychology)
• Knowledge of concepts, models, and theories that consulting psychologists use at the individual, group and organizational levels
• Knowledge of the contributions, values and functions of consulting psychologists in organizations
• Knowledge of basic business concepts and practices that guide business investment, strategy and operations
• Skills in designing and budgeting proposals for consulting services, and in writing and presentations for professional and lay audience
• Skills in organizational systems analyses, interventions, development and evaluation processes
• Skills in group dynamics, group process and group facilitation
• Skill in counseling and coaching individuals on career, leadership, conflict management, and change management issues

Training Model

Consulting psychology students go through rigorous practical training during their 3rd. and 4th. year of the graduate program. A minimum of 1240 hours of field placement experience is the requirement. If students desire to prepare for licensure as a psychologist, qualified supervision is provided.

Students go through the same research training as students in the Industrial Organizational Psychology program, which includes a series of research classes, such as statistics, qualitative research, research design, psychometrics and a second year research project.

Graduates of this program not only are involved in applying psychology to work-place projects–like employee selection, surveys, organizational development, team building, and organizational change–but also are well-trained to provide one-on-one coaching, counseling, personality assessment, and conflict resolution. In addition, our graduates complete the specialized training and internships that will permit them to seek licensure as a psychologist in most licensing jurisdictions. The curriculum is designed to permit psychology licensure eligibility, and it is expected that graduates of the program can be licensed as psychologists in relevant jurisdictions when they complete their program, post-graduate supervised experience, and other licensing requirements.

Specialized Admissions Requirements

Students enter the PhD program in Consulting Psychology with a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field and take four to five years to complete the PhD. There are a limited number of openings for students who wish to enter on a part-time basis.

Curriculum and Degree Requirements

Doctoral degree requirements total 102 units.  A description of each course is listed by course number in the Course Description section of the catalog.  Curriculum requirements are subject to change.

Curriculum Plan

Note(s):

• It is expected that the PhD in Consulting Psychology will take a minimum of four years of full-time study plus any additional semesters necessary to complete the dissertation. Taking courses out of the above sequence may result in delayed internships and/or delayed awarding of the MS degree.
• Any Organizational Psychology graduate course for which the student meets the prerequisites may be used as an elective.
• Upon completion of all required first-year and second-year courses, the student is awarded a Master of Science (MS) in Consulting degree.
• Students seeking licensure should use their electives to take licensure-required courses.

Consulting Psychology Program Faculty: San Diego

Faculty for the PhD in Consulting Psychology program are listed below:

Camala Boyce, PhD, Lecturer

Bernardo M. Ferdman, PhD, Professor

Dale Glaser, PhD, Principal Lecturer

John Kantor, PhD, Associate Professor and Program Director PhD in Leadership, Associate Program Director for I-O

Rodney Lowman, PhD, Distinguished Professor

John Renner, PhD, Assistant Professor and Director, Organizational Consulting Center (OCC-San Diego)

For a detailed description of program faculty background and research interests, please see the alphabetical listing of Faculty  in the California School of Professional Psychology.

Required Licensing Information

The PhD in Consulting Psychology program meets the Guidelines for Defining Doctoral Degree in Psychology of the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards/National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. The requirements of the Consulting Psychology PhD program are designed to meet psychology licensure requirements including in the state of California. However, in each jurisdiction there may be additional requirements that must be satisfied (and some may not license psychologists in this particular specialty). For exact information of the psychology licensing laws in the jurisdiction of interest, you should contact the state, provincial or country licensing board in the location(s) in which you plan to apply.

Once licensed, graduates are eligible to apply for credentialing as a Health Service Provider in Psychology. However, there are additional requirements that must be satisfied prior to being listed in the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology©. For further information, consult the National Register’s web site: www.nationalregister.org.