Doctor of Psychology in Counseling Psychology, Psy.D.

Now Accepting applications for Fall 2025

New Bachelor’s to PsyD program accepting applications for Spring 2025

The Doctorate in Counseling Psychology program prepares students to be ethically and multiculturally competent psychologists who work with communities, groups, families, and individuals at any stage of life to overcome mental health challenges and improve the quality of their lives.

The program utilizes a Pathway model that offers different paths to obtaining a degree. Each pathway has a streamlined curriculum that includes coursework, field training, a dissertation, and an internship that unfolds over 5 years during the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

Compared to completing their degrees separately, each pathway allows students to save on the overall number of credits and costs. Students will complete an individualized plan of study with the Program Training Director and academic advisor to outline their pathway through the program.

Pathway 1 provides an opportunity for students entering with a Bachelor’s degree to earn their Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology en route to their PsyD accruing approximately 102 credits. This pathway allows students to save approximately 24 credit hours.

Pathway 2 allows students entering with a Master’s degree in clinical/counseling or mental health psychology to work with the Director of Training and their academic advisor to determine which foundational coursework is necessary for completion of the program. Post-masters's credits vary between 78-90 credits

Pathway 3 allows students entering the field with a Master’s degree in a related field ( social work, general psychology, public health) to complete foundational coursework while taking PsyD credits. The number of post-master credits may vary depending on the required coursework. There is an addition of a pre-externship placement for Pathway students without prior practicum experience.

Program Details

The Psy.D. program is designed to ensure that students will meet the competencies essential for achieving these three aims:

• To develop knowledge of the fundamental theories and scientific foundations of psychology
• To prepare for the ethical and competent practice of psychology across the lifespan with diverse populations
• To join the scholarship of graduates who ensure the scientific foundation of psychological practice

The program has a strong commitment to the recognition of issues such as culture, race, and ethnicity as well as areas of diversity such as gender, age, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and ability. The program facilitates the development of clinicians who are able to promote psychological wellness across lifespan development for individuals, couples, families, groups, and diverse social systems. The training experience is thoroughly informed by the values of social justice, feminism, and multiculturalism.

Students are expected to meet a minimum of three full-time academic years of graduate study with a minimum of two of the three years of training being completed in residence in Holy Family’s Counseling Psychology Psy.D. program. You will also be expected to complete a full-time, one-year pre-doctoral internship as a requirement of graduation from the program, at an internship site accredited by the APA (or the equivalent thereof ).

Student Journey

Admission Requirements

Applicants must possess the following qualifications for admission to the Doctor of Psychology in Counseling Psychology program: 

• A master’s degree in Counseling or a related field from an accredited college or university. 
• 3.5 GPA from Master’s program. Masters level transcripts will be verified to ensure appropriate coursework and field experience prior to beginning program. 
• Three satisfactory letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic or professional work. 
• An application form with a nonrefundable application fee. 
• Interview with program faculty. 
• A 250-500 word personal statement of clinical and research interests. The quality of the applicant’s statement will be of critical importance to the success of the application for admission. 
• Official transcripts of all previous college or university work. 
• CV or resume 
• Background Questionnaire 

Applicants will be considered based on their academic ability, expression of interests and goals, life experience, and personal interview. All cohorts begin in the Fall. Prior to admission, selected applicants will be invited to complete a personal interview with Counseling Psychology faculty. 

Please note that the program is limited in size because of the intensive training requirements. Although many applicants meet the criteria for admission, it may not be possible to admit all qualified students. 

Core Faculty

Dr. Diane Menago, Program and Training Director, Professor   
Dr. Mindy Parisi Cummings, Associate Professor  
Dr. Kimberly Dasch-Yee, Professor 
Dr. Alissa Hochman, Associate Professor

Associated Faculty

Dr. Chet Rispoli, Affiliate Faculty   

Graduate Counseling Psychology Program Manager

Francesca Maslin, MS

Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data

Non-Discrimination Statement

Our Non-Discrimination Statement can be found at holyfamily.edu/ndstatement or call 267-341-3479.

Career Paths

The University's view of clinical training is consistent with the American Psychological Association’s Standards of Accreditation for Health Services Psychology (HSP) and the guidelines for professional psychology training developed by the National Council for Schools and Programs in Psychology (NCSPP). 

Students who obtain this degree work in:

• Community agencies
• Forensic settings
• Veterans Administration 
• Healthcare settings
• Private practice
• College counseling centers
• Higher education