Psychology Graduate Degrees in Colorado (A-N)

Meeting the needs of those who require diagnostic and therapeutic treatments for behavioral, mental, social, interpersonal and cognitive issues is the focus of programs providing psychology graduate degrees in Colorado. As recently as 2011, the Colorado Health Foundation updated information on The Status of Behavioral Health Care for Colorado’s citizens. The report determined that Colorado had a lack of qualified behavioral health service providers for its population at that time. Current information from the US Department of Health and Human Services about Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA) in Colorado indicates that shortages still exist, especially in Colorado’s rural areas. As a result, psychologists with graduate degrees are in high demand among rural populations and especially among certain subgroups, including children, older adults, minority cultures, low income families, and industry workers.

Argosy University – Denver

College of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences

Argosy University’s College of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences focuses on training mental health professionals to work as psychologists, behavioral therapists, general counselors, marriage and family therapists and mental health providers. All programs have their foundation in behavioral science based upon solid research and sound clinical applications. Graduates from Argosy’s psychology programs are eligible to practice in many settings, including: Correctional programs, addiction centers, religious institutions, family health practices, government agencies and medical facilities. Argosy University in Denver is accredited by the Council for Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and is regulated by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE).

MA, Forensic Psychology

The focus of the Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology is training and education related to working within the criminal justice system. The program is designed to last 21 months and involves completing 36 credit hours of coursework with concentration choices in four areas: Assessment, Treatment, Homeland Security or Law Enforcement. An MA in Forensic Psychology degree is a popular degree and graduates can expect to start in mid-entry level positions or make more rapid advancement within current job settings. Degree holders often work as educators, government employees or within law enforcement settings. Program learning outcomes include the implementation of the following skills in these areas on the job: Psychological theory and practice; legal theory and application; research and data evaluation; consultation, leadership and ethics; and effective interpersonal communication skills.

MA, Industrial Organizational Psychology

A graduate degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology focuses on applying psychological practices with individuals and groups in work or organizational settings. Career outcomes include: training others in group dynamics; analyzing data; practicing consultation and mediation skills; basing decisions upon statistical analysis; developing organizational structures; providing leadership; and managing human resources. The program design intends for students to complete 14 classes, earning 42 credit hours over a period of 18 months. This degree is especially useful for current employees who wish to advance within their current workplace or for those desiring psychology careers in industry, government or institutional settings.

EdD, Counseling Psychology

Designed for those with a background in mental health, school counseling, social work, psychiatric nursing or pastoral counseling, the Doctor of Education in Counseling Psychology is a good program choice for future advancement in the counseling field. This Doctorate degree increases a practitioner’s skill levels in therapeutic behavioral management techniques while adding credentials necessary for higher level positions as leaders, teachers, trainers and supervisors within organizations, schools and institutional settings. The program requires 63 credit hours of coursework beyond the Master’s degree with 39 credit hours devoted to core concept classes, 12 credit hours in research foundations and 12 credit hours of dissertation. A final comprehensive exam is also required. Typical candidates will finish this degree within 34 months.

EdD,Pastoral Community Counseling

This specialized degree is for religious community leaders and seeks to prepare standpoint. The approach of study for this degree incorporates: behavioral and ideological skills development; growth of an individual’s self-awareness and knowledge; cultural influences that impact the community of faith; relationship issues within a diverse society; reflective practices; and research that examines the impact of faith-based views on the human experience. The program’s flexibility allows working professionals the opportunity to pursue doctoral study while maintaining their current career endeavors. The EdD in Pastoral Community Counseling takes 34 months to complete and covers 60 semester credit hours in: Core classes (18 credit hours), research (12 credit hours), electives (18 credit hours) and dissertation (12 credit hours). Successful program completion also requires a comprehensive examination.

MA, Clinical Mental Health Counseling

A Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is the classic degree for candidates wishing to embark upon professional careers as a counseling practitioners in traditional clinical practices. These highly skilled career psychologists demonstrate their knowledge of social and cultural diversity while maintaining strong ethical standards of practice. Students with this degree background are prepared to take licensure exams to become professional counselors within Colorado and throughout the United States and Canada. An MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling prepares candidates for practice in a number of diverse settings, including: hospitals; mental health clinics; group and private practices; correctional institutions; public and private school and university settings; substance abuse facilities; crisis centers; and government agencies.

Due to the required number of practicum hours that must be met for licensure, along with the rigorous coursework, students in this program have up to five years to complete 60 credit hours of classes, finishing a minimum of 15 credit hours per year or greater. Forty eight credit hours are in core content areas, nine credit hours are spent in practicum and internship experiences and three credit hours are chosen from approved electives.

EdD, Counselor Education and Supervision

This Doctorate program is designed to encourage those currently working in the field of psychology to advance as doctoral level practitioners, educators and supervisors in the field of psychology. Coursework is intended to: Enhance knowledge and application of leadership and advocacy skills; teach higher level pedagogical techniques for instructing therapeutic behavioral methods; and increase competencies among practitioners in the field.

Candidates must complete 60 credit hours beyond the Master’s degree with the following specifications: Professional development (12 credit hours), writing and research (15 credit hours), advanced practice and specialty content (18 credit hours), dissertation (12 credit hours), advanced training experiences (3 credit hours). Employment as a psychologist with an EdD in Counselor Education and Supervision is available across a wide variety of public and private job settings, most notably institutions of higher learning, teacher training programs and medical facilities.

MA, Marriage & Family Therapy

The Public Health Service Act and the National Institute of Mental health both recognize marriage and family counselors as mental health specialists practicing in one of the five core mental health professions. Psychology practitioners with an MA in Marriage & Family Therapy are employable as guidance counselors, marriage counselors and family therapists. Employment opportunities are found in a variety of settings, as well, including schools, community clinics, hospitals and private medical or mental health facilities. Training and education to become a marriage and family therapist takes about 24 months to complete 48 credit hours involving: Family studies; family therapy; growth and development; behavioral principles; ethics and professional studies; longitudinal research; and practicum experiences.

Contacts
For all programs:
Argosy University, Denver
C7600 E. Eastman Avenue
Denver, CO 80231
303-923-4110
866-431-5981 (toll free)
audvisr@edmc.edu (Argosy University Denver Adviser)
Websites:
Forensic Psychology Master of Arts Program
Industrial Organizational Psychology Program
Counseling Psychology Program
Pastoral Community Counseling Program
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program
Counselor Education and Supervision Program
Marriage & Family Therapy Program

Colorado State University

College of Natural Sciences – Psychology

Founded as an agriculture college in 1870, Colorado State University has grown into one of the major research universities in the nation. It offers over 150 programs through eight college divisions and prides itself on providing its students with a world-class education. Among the most renowned educational pursuits at CSU are the diverse graduate degree programs available in the field of psychology. Graduate students can choose areas of study that emphasize clinical research, counseling within the workplace or community-based mental health careers. All doctoral programs include working on a master’s as a prerequisite to the Ph.D being awarded. Colorado State University is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS) in conjunction with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Counseling Psychology (Doctor of Philosophy, Ph.D)

CSU’s graduate program in Counseling Psychology is endorsed and accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). The objectives of the program are to graduate psychology practitioners who are deemed proficient in counseling and therapeutic clinical techniques in areas of: Psychological theory; research principles; assessment and evaluation; and clinical interventions. The entire course of program study is between 102-114 credit hours depending on internship and dissertation choices. In addition to mandatory coursework and periodic comprehensive exams, a one-year internship and a dissertation are required. Those earning a Counseling Psychology Doctorate have numerous job opportunities within the medical and mental health communities and can work in diverse job settings including: Government agencies, correctional facilities, industrial complexes, schools, hospitals and clinics.

Applied Social and Health Psychology (Doctor of Philosophy, Ph.D)

This doctorate degree program focuses on use of multiple research techniques to explore and connect current social issues that have an impact on individuals, organizations and communities. It operates on a mentorship model and offers concentrations in Health Psychology, Occupational Health Psychology, and Environmental Psychology. The program is approximately 60 credit hours with some variation for dissertation and internship credits allowed. Graduates with this degree will work with a wide range of issues in their jobs including: Alzheimer’s and other age-related dementias; conflict resolution; causes and prevention of suicide; school disengagement; relationship processes; adolescent substance abuse; destructive behaviors; and other cultural issues that affect human development from birth through end of life stages. Graduates with this degree are most likely to be employed in social work programs, medical facilities, public schools, senior care centers and local agencies responding to mental health concerns within the community.

Industrial/Organizational Psychology (Doctor of Philosophy, Ph.D)

The purpose of psychologists in the workplace is to promote well being among employees and study how the workplace affects human behavior. This doctoral degree program conducts research and practices foundational psychology techniques as they relate to the behavior of groups and individuals within organizations. The program is 124 credit hours if completing the Master’s (34 credits) and Doctorate (90) portions consecutively. Graduates with this degree find employment in various job sectors, including industry, government, education, business, consultative agencies and research institutes. They often hold consulting positions within businesses and agencies to provide expert opinions on workforce behavior.

Master of Applied Industrial/Organizational Psychology (M.A.I.O.P.)

The M.A.I.O.P program is offered in an online format and requires 38 graduate credit hours for completion. It is designed around an active learning model that incorporates embedded simulations to enhance the learning and application of industrial/organizational psychology components and skills development within the workplace. Coursework covers: Measurement theory; industrial psychology;
organizational psychology and development; cross-cultural and industrial psychology; research methods and design; leadership development; worker performance and feedback criterion models; workforce training; and a practicum experience. The program requires the same amount of time as other on-campus programs but provides the learner a degree of flexibility in arranging classes around current work and family schedules. For many students who wish to advance in their business careers, the M.A.I.O.P degree is a good choice.

Cognitive Psychology (Doctor of Philosophy, Ph.D)

The study of the brain and the human mind is the focus of the Cognitive Psychology program. With a heavy emphasis on research, this degree offers insights into human learning and memory, perception, and performance. Candidates are assigned a faculty mentor to guide them through the research process beginning in their initial year of program study. Students will complete 75 credit hours for degree completion from among a variety of foundational courses and seminars emphasizing: Cognitive therapy approaches; statistics; advanced therapeutic methods; approved electives; and current issues about neural and cognitive psychology. Students completing this program will most likely hold teaching, publishing or research-based jobs within academia, government organizations or mental health facilities.

Cognitive Neuroscience Psychology (Doctor of Philosophy, Ph.D)

This predominantly research based program is designed to foster career choices in neuroscience research and teaching. Cognitive neuroscience psychology examines how the physiology of the body affects brain function and resulting neurology for memory pathways, learning processes, color perception, cognitive output and emotive capacities. Candidates for this Ph.D will take between 98-122 hours of coursework depending upon the number of electives they choose to take. Coursework will cover: Methods of research and statistics; foundations cognitive neuroscience theory; chosen classes from outside the main field of cognitive neuroscience’ four specialty area seminars; and consecutive enrollment each semester in a cognitive and neural sciences current events class. Most students with this degree will continue their careers in academic and/or research settings and find employment in Federal and state agencies, medical facilities, higher institutions of learning, organizational research institutes.

Contacts

For all programs:
Colorado State University
College of Natural Sciences – Psychology Department
201 Behavioral Sciences Building
Attn: Kurt Kraiger, Dept. Chair
Fort Collins, Colorado 80523
970-491-5212
Kurt.Kraiger@colostate.edu
Websites:
Counseling Psychology Program
Applied Social and Health Psychology Program
Industrial/Organizational Psychology Program
M.A.I.O.P Program
Cognitive Psychology Program
Cognitive Neuroscience Psychology Program

Naropa University

Graduate School of Psychology

Since 1940, Naropa University has offered a different approach to psychology degrees, operating from a spiritual perspective to enhance students’ lives while making positive contributions to their communities. Master’s programs in several psychological disciplines encourage critical thinking, effective communication, intellectual growth, and professional and personal fulfillment through contemplative methods. Academics are rigorous but also focus on holistic, well-rounded approaches that encourage community interaction and experiential learning. NU holds accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS).

Contemplative Psychotherapy – Master of Arts

This Master’s in Contemplative Psychotherapy is created for those who wish to meld traditional western methodologies with contemplative practices in therapeutic settings. The program takes approximately three years to complete 63 credits, combining classwork with meditation, retreats and individual mentoring. Instruction is centered around the Buddhist philosophy of the psychology of the mind. A 700 hour clinical internship is a required part of the program. Graduates with this degree go on to work in a variety of public and private settings, including: Abuse and rape crisis centers, family counseling practices, outpatient facilities, mental health programs and substance abuse clinics.

Transpersonal Psychology with concentration in Ecopsychology — Master of Arts

This Master’s program seeks to integrate the disciplines of psychology and ecology to discover how humans and nature are interrelated and how this interrelation benefits society. Using the foundations of transpersonal psychology and contemplative practice, students complete 38 credit hours over two years. Curricula involves online coursework combined with on-campus classes and experiential, outdoor training. Careers in this field are varied. Former graduates report working in a number of career tracks including: Environmental education and advocacy; public and private education; group facilitation and training programs; wilderness guiding; social services; health care and healing practices; coaching; and community development.

Somatic Counseling Psychology with concentration in Dance/Movement Therapy — Master of Arts

Using dance and body movement as therapeutic techniques to promote the centering and healing of the mind is the focus of the Somatic Counseling degree. Requirements include earning a minimum of 60 credit hours over three years. Core courses include: Foundational psychology and contemplative studies; body psychotherapy and how movement and dance act as therapeutic agents; clinical skills; and the dynamics of group relations within the community. Additionally, students must complete a thesis and internship. Graduates enjoy working in a variety of settings as: Massage technicians; body awareness clinicians; occupational therapy coaches; movement coaches for disabled children or senior adults; health coordinators at elder care centers or hospitals; and mental health facilitators in public or private practices.

Transpersonal Counseling Psychology with concentration in Counseling Psychology — Master of Arts

This degree appeals to those who desire a broader perspective of counseling that combines humanistic viewpoints with transpersonal methodologies. The focus of study is about blending the practice of meditation with concepts from Gestalt theory to enhance the counseling relationship. Individualized therapeutic approaches are developed through introspective investigation of the student’s beliefs combined with direct learning experiences. The degree is typically finished in about three years and covers 60 credit hours of study in areas related to the foundations of psychology, Gestalt theory and meditation. A 700 hour internship is also required. Graduates with this degree work in variety of job settings including mental health facilities, community agencies, educational institutions, marriage and family therapy practices and communal retreats.

For all programs:
Naropa University
Graduate School of Psychology
Parmita Campus – 3285 30th St.
Boulder, Colorado 80302
800-772-6951 (toll free)

Jack MacAndrew, Chair
Contemplative Psychotherapy
mjack@naropa.edu
Website

Tina Fields, Director
Ecopsychology
tfields@naropa.edu
Website

Zoe Avstreih, Director
Dance Movement Therapy Program, Somatic Counseling
zoe@naropa.edu
Website

Barbara Catbagan, Director
School of Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies, Graduate School of Psychology
bcatbagan@naropa.edu
Website

Institutions in Colorado offer many types of graduate degree programs in psychology that focus on connecting the human experience with therapeutic approaches to enhance mental well being. However, since most of the state’s high quality mental health service providers are located near major cities, many citizens in lower income sectors, minority cultures, rural areas or certain high pressure job settings have the least exposure to current mental health programs offering psychological care. Graduate programs in psychology offer the opportunity for individuals interested in the well being of others to make significant impacts on the lives of individuals and their communities. Interested students who desire a Master’s degree in any area of psychology can find a variety of programs in Colorado, some emphasizing research and traditional therapeutic techniques and others offering holistic,
introspective approaches. Whichever direction prospective students take, psychology graduate degrees in Colorado are on the forefront of providing excellent mental health care for all of its citizens.
For more Master’s in Psychology Degrees in Colorado, Please see “Psychology Graduate Degrees in Colorado (O-Z)“.
For more information on obtaining your online Psychology Degree, please see ” The Top 15 Best Affordable Online Master’s in Psychology and Masters in Counseling Degree Programs“.