College of Education

Graduate Studies

Counseling psychology

Department of Educational Leadership & Counseling Psychology

The counseling psychology program offers a Ph.D. degree and master of arts degree, available in Pullman. (Please note that the masters program on the Tri-Cities campus is being phased out.)

For general information about all counseling psychology and counseling graduate programs, email gradstudies@wsu.edu or call (509) 335-7016 or (509) 335-9195.

Ph.D. program in counseling psychology

This program prepares students for careers in counseling, teaching, research, and other professional roles as counseling psychologists. For example, graduates obtain positions in university counseling centers, academic faculty in counseling psychology departments, private or group practice in psychology, or other mental health settings as therapists. Graduates of the program are license-eligible in most states. The Ph.D. program has been accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) since 1990.

Master's programs with emphases in school and community counseling

Note: The School Counseling program is not accepting applications at this time. We are still accepting applications for the Community Counseling program.


Notice: Community Counseling Master's Students Accepted for Fall 2012

Effective Fall 2012, the master's in Community Counseling will increase from a 48 credit hour program to a 60 credit hour program. Although the 48 credit hour program meets licensure requirements for a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Washington, we believe the additional hours will provide flexibility for students considering licensure in states that require 60 credits, for example our neighboring state of Idaho. Please check the website soon for a current handbook that will apply to students admitted for fall 2012.

Master's degrees in counseling focus on one of two professional options: (1) school counseling, which prepares students for residency certification as K-12 school counselors, and (2) community counseling, which, in combination with the fulfillment of additional post-degree requirements, prepares students for licensure as a mental health counselor. Students in either program can pursue the master of arts (M.A.) degree, with or without thesis. TThe M.A. degree, with thesis, can be helpful for students who plan to subsequently apply for doctoral programs or who have a strong interest in conducting research, although M.A. graduates without thesis also apply for and enter doctoral programs.

School counselor certification program

Prospective students who already hold a master's degree in counseling from WSU or another accredited institution, and who seek residency certification in the state of Washington as a school counselor, can apply for our school counseling certification (non-degree) program. This program is distinct from our master's degree program in school counseling, which also leads to certification as a school counselor in Washington (see masters programs, above).

College of Education, Cleveland Hall, PO Box 642114, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-2114, Contact Us