The Graduate Program in Counseling Psychology at Colorado State University is based upon a scientist-practitioner model of training. As such, the goal of the program is to produce students who are capable of advancing psychology as a science and who are proficient in the use of a variety of counseling and clinical techniques. In meeting this goal, students must demonstrate excellence in three basic areas:<br><br>Psychological Theory - Fundamental to being a counseling psychologist is a broad knowledge of the theoretical basis of psychology. Breadth of knowledge in general psychology is developed largely through the core curriculum which includes topics such as human learning and memory, animal learning, personality, social psychology, measurement, history of psychology, physiological psychology, developmental psychology, neuropsychology, and statistics. The core curriculum provides a conceptual foundation of research, scholarship, and the developmental of skills in assessment and intervention. <br><br>Research - Students are expected to become intelligent consumers and contributors. To meet this end, students take courses in both basic and advanced statistical and methodological concepts. Research involvement is required at both the master's and doctoral levels and encouraged throughout the program. Students are encouraged to join faculty in ongoing research endeavors. Faculty have a wide range of both applied and theoretical interests.<br><br>Assessment & Intervention - Training begins during the first year of the program and continues throughout, culminating in a year's internship. Required course work in personality theory, developmental theory, testing, psychopathology, and counseling/psychotherapy theory provide the foundation for a conceptual understanding of problems, life circumstances, and intervention strategies. Additionally, students are expected to develop an area of specialization. For example, a student might choose a child specialty and include courses in child assessment, child interventions, and school consultation, a student might select an adult emphasis and prepare for a career in a university counseling center, or a student might seek experience in family therapy or in medical settings. Skill development through practicum placements begins with interviewing/prepracticum courses in the first year and continues with placements in the University Counseling center the second year and in the Psychological Services Center the third year. In the second year, practicum students work with clients with educational, vocational, and/or developmental problems. As students progress, clients needing short-term psychotherapy may be seen. Clients seen in the third-year practicum are typical of persons seen in a community mental health center. Students begin treating adults, children, and families with various psychological problems during their third-year practicum. Advanced practica are selected based on each student's interests and professional goals. Advanced practica in community settings are encouraged. After completion of academic requirements and the intensive practicum training, doctoral students are required to complete a one-year internship which is consistent with the student's professional goals.