The Counseling Psychology Program at Iowa State is a place where students matter. We seek to offer world-class training in research and practice. We value inclusion and diversity. We strive to be one of the best Counseling Psychology training programs in the country.
Training Model: The Counseling Psychology Program is committed to a scientist-practitioner model that accords dual emphases to the acquisition of scientific knowledge and research skills, along with the development of professional competencies in psychotherapy, diversity and inclusion, assessment, consultation, and supervision.
An important part of our training model is the mentoring that students receive. Each student is paired with a faculty mentor, who guides their research and assists with their development through the program. Therefore, shared research interests between students and their faculty mentors is foundational to success in the program.
Core Faculty
Patrick Armstrong
Associate Professor
Research interests: Identity development, Vocational psychology
Monica Marsee
Associate Professor
Research interests: Aggression, Bullying, Callous-unemotional traits, Developmental psychopathology
Loreto Prieto
Morrill Professor
Research interests: Scholarship of teaching and learning, Psychopathology & Diagnostics
David Vogel
Professor
Research interests: Stigma of seeking psychological help
Nathaniel Wade
Professor
Research interests: Forgiveness and religion/spirituality in psychotherapy, Group therapy
Meifen Wei
Professor
Research interests: Emotion regulation, Minority stress, Multicultural competence, Counseling training and processes
Affiliated Faculty
- Carolyn Cutrona
- Sunde Nesbit
- Warren Phillips
- Karen Scheel
- Brooke Arterberry
Emeritus Faculty
- Fred Borgen
- Lisa Larson
- Norm Scott
- Don Zytowski
Funding: The Psychology department is committed to funding our graduate students. Students receive a monthly stipend, tuition remission, and health insurance as a part of their Graduate Assistantships. More information about funding can be found here.
Application Process: Applications for the Counseling Psychology program are due December 1. After initial review of applications, we typically conduct phone interviews in early January. A select group of applicants is then invited for on-campus interviews which are typically held in early February. First round of offers typically go out by the beginning of March. All decisions for admission are usually completed by April 15. More information about graduate admissions to the Psychology department can be found on the department’s admissions page. For the current application cycle (for admissions starting in Fall of 2023), most faculty will be reviewing applicants, although Meifen Wei will not be taking a student. Also, please note that it is very rare for Affiliate Faculty to admit students in the Counseling Psychology area.
Faculty accepting students to be admitted Fall 2023:
Dr. Armstrong; Dr. Marsee; Dr. Prieto; and, Dr. Vogel
Accreditation: The Counseling Psychology Program was originally accredited by APA in 1973. We received our most recent reaccreditation in 2018. (Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, American Psychological Association, 750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002 / Phone: (202) 336-5979 / Email: apaaccred@apa.org / Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation.)
Contact: For more information about the Counseling Program, please contact the Program Director: Dr. Loreto Prieto, (515) 294-2455, lprieto@iastate.edu