Counseling Psychology

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.

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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

    Patrick Armstrong

    Associate Professor
    Research interests: Identity development, Vocational psychology

  • Monica Marsee

    Monica Marsee

    Associate Professor
    Research interests: Aggression, Bullying, Callous-unemotional traits, Developmental psychopathology

  • Loreto Prieto

    Loreto Prieto

    Morrill Professor and Training Director
    Research interests: Scholarship of teaching and learning

  • David Vogel

    David Vogel

    Professor
    Research interests: Stigma of seeking psychological help

  • Nathaniel Wade

    Professor and Associate Chair
    Research interests: Forgiveness and religion/spirituality in psychotherapy, Group therapy

Affiliated Faculty

Emeritus Faculty

  • Fred Borgen
  • Douglas Epperson
  • Lisa Larson
  • Norm Scott
  • Don Zytowski
  • Meifen Wei

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 informal phone or videoconference interviews in early January. A select group of applicants is then invited for on-campus formal interviews which are typically held in early-to-mid 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.

Accreditation

The Counseling Psychology Program was originally accredited by APA in 1973. We received our most recent 10 year 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.