About the Program

The Counseling Psychology Program emphases lifespan development, including issues related to identity, health, and careers. Counseling psychologists provide direct care at university counseling centers, medical centers, hospitals, or in private practice. Upon graduation, counseling psychologists are employed as academic faculty, researchers, clinicians, and consultants. Our program is generalist in training and prepares practitioners to work with clients across the lifespan.

The UMass Boston PhD in counseling psychology prepares doctoral-level professional counseling psychologists for careers as scholars, university faculty, and practitioners. Our scientist-practitioner training model prepares students to:

• deliver high quality, evidence-based psychological services and interventions;
• employ skilled applied research skills to improve practice and explore social and psychological issues;
• serve as effective instructors and faculty members;
• use innovative approaches to solve problems related to educational and mental health care disparities, improve services for underrepresented populations, and employ systems-level change strategies to advance local and global social justice.