PhD in Counseling Psychology in Iowa City United States | University of Iowa

The Counseling Psychology PhD program prepares psychologists skilled in providing counseling and psychological services through a blend of community-focused practice and scholarly research.

Our program, accredited by the American Psychological Association since 1980, develops professionals who champion psychology as both a scientific discipline and practical vocation, applying their expertise to improve lives in local, national, and international contexts. Alumni pursue careers in diverse environments such as universities, counseling centers, medical facilities, private practices, and clinical settings. The curriculum covers essential domains: research methodology, foundational psychology principles, core counseling psychology skills, and specialized electives. Practical training occurs through supervised clinical work, research team participation, dissertation completion, and a yearlong predoctoral internship. This full-time program mandates completion of at least 103 semester hours, including 12 dedicated to dissertation work.