Supporting Healing and Community Wellbeing

Counseling Psychology at APU is uniquely designed for Alaskans seeking a program that develops the knowledge and skills needed to move directly into careers in behavioral health, addictions treatment, and other related helping professions. The program balances strong theoretical foundations with applied, hands-on learning to ensure students are career-ready upon graduation. Students are also encouraged to build meaningful connections with local service agencies, supporting pathways into practicum placements, internships, and future job opportunities.

Counseling Psychology

Bachelor of Arts

Prepares students for immediate entry into careers in behavioral health, addictions treatment, and related helping fields
Flexible course delivery with evening and e-learning options to support working adults and busy schedules
Part-time study options available
Up to 32 credits of prior learning or relevant work experience may be applied toward degree requirements
Combines strong theoretical foundations with applied, service-based field experiences to support career readiness

Whether you are a behavioral health professional needing a bachelor’s degree for career advancement or a veteran wanting to apply your military service and experience to a career in counseling, Counseling Psychology at APU is uniquely designed for Alaskans seeking a program focused on knowledge and skills that prepare them to move immediately into careers in behavioral health, addictions treatment and other, related helping fields. In addition to a traditional daytime schedule, many courses are offered during the evening or in e-learning formats to support working adults with busy lives. Students needing to pursue their degree on a part-time basis are also welcome to apply to this program. Up to 32 credits of relevant learning gained through work or other experience prior to admission can be applied toward required degree credits.

Career Opportunities

Residential Behavioral Health Specialist
Chemical Dependency Counselor
Behavioral Health Technician
Case Manager
Rehabilitation Specialist
Mental Health Specialist
Child Life Specialist

Professional Orientation and Ethics (PY 21000)

Students begin the applied study of psychology by exploring a broad range of career pathways in the profession, developing an understanding of the challenges of psychological science and practice, and engaging in ethical decision-making processes, with particular attention to how these principles apply to practice in Alaska.

Diversity and Social Justice (PY 31000)

Students examine the impact of culture on human perceptions, emotions, expectations, and values while building practical skills that strengthen interpersonal sensitivity and support effective advocacy for social justice needs.

Behavioral Health Interventions (PY 42500)

Students develop advanced skills in providing services, including treatment interventions for addictive behaviors and mental health challenges. Advanced counseling strategies are applied to prevention, rehabilitation, and the remediation of distress.

Minors

The Counseling Psychology minor can be tailored to individual student interests and career goals, with opportunities to focus on areas such as personal growth, counseling, applied psychology, and advanced research. Students work closely with an advisor in the Counseling Psychology Department to design a course of study that best aligns with their academic and professional aspirations.

Degree Completion

128 credits minimum are required to complete the degree program. Core competencies, foundational, major, and self-determined studies are offered in a mixed format of:

On-campus
Online via synchronous learning

Mission

The mission of the Alaska Pacific University Doctor of Psychology program is to prepare culturally competent, doctoral-level psychologists who, through their practice, will help to alleviate suffering and empower individuals, groups, and communities towards health and well-being in a state with diverse populations and geographical challenges.

Program History

The APU Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program was developed in 2011 in response to the need for doctoral-level training programs for psychologists located across the vast state of Alaska. The majority of the state of Alaska qualifies for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) designation of Mental Health Professional Shortage Area (MHPSAs), and the need for licensed, doctoral-level psychologists in the state is clear. Currently, the APU PsyD program represents one of only two training programs for doctoral-level psychologists in Alaska. The unique training model of the APU PsyD program allows it to serve students even in the most remote areas of the state.

Program Philosophy

The APU PsyD program prides itself as a unique and comprehensive training model built for the distinctive needs of students living in the geographically challenging state of Alaska. This model is based on:

Accessible curriculum

APU’s program is designed for working professionals. APU PsyD faculty members have developed an effective class structure that allows for the blending of face-to-face and technology-supported instruction to meet the needs of students separated by geography that challenges the ability to provide traditional education. Courses meet for three intensive three-day weekends and six two-hour synchronous eLearning sessions in the evening over the course of the semester. Synchronous eLearning sessions allow for content delivery while intensive three-day weekends, practicum placements, and internship allow for application of theory and technique. While this program structure does allow students to continue to live and work in their home communities, APU’s graduate education remains rigorous and time-consuming. Doctoral education in counseling psychology is frequently incompatible with full-time professional work schedules.

Counseling Psychology

The program’s educational philosophy and curricula are based on the core themes of Counseling Psychology, rather than Clinical Psychology. Counseling Psychology seeks to look at human behavior in social context and acknowledges strengths along with deficits, in contrast with Clinical Psychology which has traditionally had more of a focus on pathology.

Social Justice

While designed to meet requirements for accreditation and licensing, the curriculum also has a strong emphasis in social justice. Social justice from the Counseling Psychology perspective could be defined as introducing and emphasizing societal concerns, including issues of equity, self-determination, interdependence and social responsibility into the counseling arena. The program seeks to facilitate a social justice emphasis by:

Encouraging ongoing self-examination to understand our own perspectives and biases better,
- Encouraging the sharing of power, giving voice to others who may not have the wherewithal to advocate for themselves,
- Facilitating consciousness raising of all,
- Learning to build on strengths rather than having a deficit mind-set,
- Understanding the ramifications of western colonialism on the field of psychology and the people we work with,
- Assessing student competencies in relation to APU’s values of wisdom, respect, reciprocity, relevance, and responsibility, and
- Leaving clients (or students) with the tools for social change.

Foundational Studies

Written Communication
Presentation & Media Literacy
Critical Thinking
Computation
Intellectual Traditions
Creative Endeavors
Intercultural & Spiritual Understandings
Biological/Physical Scientific Inquiry
Social/Behavioral Scientific Inquiry
Social Responsibility
Personal Responsibility

Major Studies

Introduction to Psychology
Professional Orientation & Ethics
Lifespan Human Development
Statistics for Behavioral Sciences
Research Methods in Psychology
Diversity and Social Justice
Indigenous Well-Being and Ways of Knowing
Counseling Skills
Psychopathology
Behavioral Health Interventions
Focused Electives: Students work with advisors to demonstrate practical work experience in the field, select focused elective courses, and complete a Senior Project prior to graduating.

Self-Determined Studies

Students are encouraged to expand on one of the elective areas above or to declare a minor. Some classes may count towards a State of Alaska certification as a Chemical Dependency Counselor I or a Behavioral Health Counselor I.

Application
Application Fee*
Official Final High School Transcript**
Official College Transcript(s)

*Fee waiver available for those who qualify
**If less than 24 college credits earned

Minimum GPA: 2.5 or higher – If you have a GPA lower than 2.5, there is an additional step in the admissions process, and we are happy to work with you to complete your application.

APPLY FLYER

Counseling Psychology

Master of Science

Combines rigorous coursework, hands-on training, and field placements to prepare working professionals, career changers, and recent graduates for successful careers in counseling psychology while building valuable professional networks
Delivered through synchronous online evening classes with on-campus intensives every six weeks
Strong emphasis on skill development and preparation for internship placement and professional practice
Small cohort model and close faculty mentorship provide personalized support throughout the program
Opportunities to build professional networks and gain real-world experience through field placements and internships

APU’s Master of Science in Counseling Psychology is a wellness and skills-based degree program grounded in a strength-based approach to psychology. Whether you’re already a practitioner in a mental health field seeking career advancement, a professional outside the field wanting to change careers, or a recent graduate of a bachelor’s program in psychology or a related field, close mentoring by experienced program faculty and a close-knit cohort for your learning community provide the support you need throughout your program to pursue your individual interests and achieve your personal goals.

Graduate coursework is delivered through synchronous online, evening classes and on-campus intensives every six weeks during the semester. Our online courses provide time for material delivery and discussion while the on-campus intensives offer the opportunity for students to practice skills in person, in preparation for internship placement.

Alaska Pacific University is accredited by the Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities, which is authorized by the Alaska Council of Postsecondary Education. The Master of Science in Counseling Psychology program is designed to meet State of Alaska requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor designation.

Career Opportunities

Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Child and Adolescent Therapist
Residential Clinical Therapist
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Substance Abuse/Addictions Counselor
Intake Clinician
School Counselor

Discipline Specific Knowledge:

PY 62000 – Lifespan Development
PY 63300 – Research Methodology in Counseling Psychology
PY 61200 – History and Systems of Psychology
PY 61400 – Biological Basis of Behavior
PY 61700 – Cognitive and Affective Bases of Behavior
PY 61800 – Social Bases of Behavior
PY 65600 – Techniques of Data Analysis

Profession Wide Competency and General Program Classes:

PY 60401 – Assessment in Counseling and Substance Abuse Evaluation
PY 60601 – Interventions for Prevention, Wellness, and Resiliency
PY 60602 – Interventions for Anxiety and Affective Disorders
PY 60603 – Interventions for Children and Families
PY 60900 – Ethics of Professional Practice
PY 61100 – Professional Values and Attitudes
PY 61500 – Counseling Skills and Theories
PY 64000 – Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
PY 64600 – Individual and Cultural Diversity
PY 64900 – Group Counseling
Students complete a total of 60 credits, including 600 hours of practicum experience

Counseling Psychology

The program’s educational philosophy and curriculum are grounded in the principles of Counseling Psychology, which emphasizes understanding human behavior within social, cultural, and environmental contexts. This strengths-based approach recognizes individuals’ resilience and potential for growth while addressing challenges and barriers. In contrast, Clinical Psychology has traditionally focused more heavily on the assessment and treatment of psychological disorders and pathology.

Social Justice

While designed to meet accreditation and licensure requirements, the program places a strong emphasis on social justice as a core component of Counseling Psychology. From this perspective, social justice involves addressing issues of equity, self-determination, interdependence, and social responsibility within counseling practice.

Students are encouraged to examine their own perspectives and biases, understand the impacts of historical and ongoing colonialism, and recognize the strengths and resilience of individuals and communities. The program fosters the sharing of power, amplifies voices that have been marginalized, and promotes approaches that build on strengths rather than deficits. Student development is assessed in relation to APU’s values of wisdom, respect, reciprocity, relevance, and responsibility, with the ultimate goal of preparing graduates to empower others and contribute to meaningful social change.

Application
Application Fee
Official Transcripts
Essay
Test Scores
Personal Statement
Letters of Recommendation
Interview
Background check

*Fee waiver available for those who qualify
**If less than 24 college credits earned

Minimum GPA: 3.0 or higher – Applicants with a GPA lower than 3.0 may be considered upon review by the graduate Program Director and or Graduate Studies Committee.

Applicants with a GPA between 2.75 and 2.99 may be considered appropriate by the Program Director of the graduate program. If an applicant’s GPA is below a 2.75, the Program Director will make a decision based on the recommendation of the department in which the program is offered. The Program Director has the option of seeking input from the Graduate Studies Committee in uncertain cases. The Program Director will report the admission of students with a GPA below a 2.75 to the Graduate Studies Committee.

APPLY FLYER