Mission

The philosophy of the Counseling Psychology program at The University of Akron is ultimately one that values and respects the integrity of all persons. The psychological perspective we take in training students is growth-based in that it focuses on students' strengths and potentials with respect to their personal and professional development. We believe that this training perspective will prepare students to help clients cope with problems, regardless of level of complexity, in a way that maximizes their development as unique human beings.

The mission of our program, more specifically, is to facilitate the professional, personal, and ethical development of our students. Our philosophy of training is consistent with the scientist-practitioner model and the Counseling Psychology humanistic tradition. It includes emphases on the appreciation of diversity and on the development of open and critical thought processes.

Competencies

The program’s nine competencies are directly aligned with those required by the American Psychological Association’s Standards of Accreditation for Health Service Psychology. A full list of competencies, objectives, outcomes, and minimum levels of achievement can be found in our handbook in the "For Current Students" section.

APA-required competencies:

• Research
• Ethical and Legal Standards
• Individual and Cultural Diversity
• Professional Values and Attitudes
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• Assessment
• Intervention
• Supervision
• Consultation and Interprofessional/Interdisciplinary Skills