Doctor of Education in Sport and Performance Psychology, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization (EdD-SPP, CMHC Specialization)

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Students who meet all program and university admission requirements may enter this program with a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree.

This doctoral program requires completion of a minimum of 148 quarter-credits (credits may vary for completion of culminating experience) including counseling-specific coursework, clinical experiences and sport and performance psychology coursework. The program coursework addresses the eight core content areas identified as fundamental by national accrediting agencies and most state licensing bodies. The coursework is integrated in a manner consistent with professional practice as both a licensed counselor and a Certified Mental Performance Consultant® (CMPC®). In addition to preparing students for a national counselor exam and potential eligibility for state licensure, it includes content and practical experiences to prepare students for the CMPC® exam and certification. Students are responsible for checking their state licensing bodies for confirmation that the required courses meet state licensure and/or certification standards.

Note: Upon successful completion of the first 90 credits in clinical mental health counseling course content, students will be awarded a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling.

Mission Statement

The mission of the sport and performance psychology programs is to develop competent sport and performance psychology scientist-practitioners who affirm the uniqueness and value of all people. Graduates will be equipped to lead effectively, apply theoretical principles within their chosen profession, implement evidence-based interventions in a variety of performance domains, and improve the performance and mental well-being of individuals and groups.

The mission of the clinical mental health counseling program is to educate and prepare the next generation of professional counselors and leaders who, through commitment, excellence, and engagement, will have meaningful and sustained impact in their communities. Such impact is accomplished by actively and diligently affirming the dignity and self-worth of all persons.

Admission Requirements - EdD-SPP, CMHC Specialization

UWS admits new students into the EdD-SPP, CMHC specialization program in fall (October) and spring (April) academic quarters. Applicants should carefully review the program’s selection criteria to ensure they are making the best possible presentation of their qualifications. The application for admission is available on the UWS website.

Each applicant for the EdD-sport and performance psychology, clinical mental health counseling specialization is evaluated holistically, accounting for personal, academic and professional experiences. Professional standards require faculty to evaluate student fitness for the counseling profession throughout the program.

In addition to the general entry requirements for the College of Graduate Studies, students must also meet the specific entry requirements below for the EdD-SPP, CMHC specialization program.

• Complete standard admissions application.
• Write and submit a personal essay addressing a provided prompt.
• Submit all official transcripts showing conferred bachelor’s and/or master’s degree(s).
• Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA in completed bachelor’s or a cumulative 3.0 GPA in a master’s program.
• Two letters of recommendation, at least one of which must be academic in nature.
• Current resume or curriculum vitae.
• Complete a successful interview (video conference, phone, or face to face) with the director or designee (interview will only be scheduled after applicant has submitted a completed university application meeting the minimum requirements including fee payment).
• Application fee.
• Pass a comprehensive criminal history background check (requirement at admission).

Applicants to the EdD-SPP, CMHC specialization program must be either a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Due to student visa restrictions, international applicants are not eligible for admission at this time.

Students may not be simultaneously enrolled in a program in clinical mental health counseling and a program in sport and performance psychology (the EdD SPP/CMHC program is one comprehensive program so does not fall under this restriction). Students may not be enrolled in two SPP programs simultaneously.

Graduation Requirements - EdD-SPP, CMHC Specialization

The EdD-SPP, CMHC specialization degree is conferred upon an individual who has fulfilled the following requirements:

• Maintenance of enrollment eligibility through satisfactory academic performance, professional development, and behavior.
• Successful completion of all required courses and program requirements or approved equivalents in the MS-CMHC and EdD-SPP portions of the program with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on all required coursework.
• Successful defense of dissertation.
• Successful completion of the mentorship TOPE for students in the Sport and Performance Psychology Consulting concentration.
• Successful completion of minimum graduation requirements as officially communicated to students through the university catalog, student publications, and other official documents of the university.

Advising Requirement - EdD-SPP, CMHC Specialization

A student in the EdD-SPP, CMHC specialization degree is required to meet with their student success advisor within their first two terms of enrollment. A student who fails to meet with their advisor in this timeframe will have a hold placed on their account that prevents registration until the student completes the required advising.

Concentrations - EdD-SPP, CMHC Specialization

Students can select between two optional concentrations designed to allow specialization in an area of interest. A student who wishes to change their concentration may contact their student success advisor at [email protected].

Sport and Performance Psychology Consulting (SPPC) Concentration

The SPPC concentration curriculum has been designed specifically to allow students to complete mentorship hours in partial fulfillment of the requirements to obtain certification as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant® (CMPC®) through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). Students are advised to remain informed of current CMPC® standards and work directly with program faculty to assure compliance with both graduation and CMPC® requirements. Please refer to the SPPC Concentration section for more information.

Rehabilitation Counseling Concentration

Students may select an optional concentration designed to allow specialization in rehabilitation counseling as part of their MS- CMHC licensure program. The courses included in this concentration align with requirements from the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.

Program Learning Outcomes - EdD-SPP, CMHC Specialization

Graduates of the EdD-SPP, CMHC specialization program will be able to:

1. Create a professional identity based on the philosophies, history, and roles of the clinical mental health counseling profession.
2. Apply ethical and legal standards to clinical mental health counseling practices.
3. Develop culturally responsive counseling strategies based on their professional evaluation of the cultural context of relationships, issues, and trends of a multicultural society.
4. Apply effective advocacy strategies to enhance clinical mental health services.
5. Synthesize theories of human growth and development to create differentiated counseling interventions that promote resilience, optimum development, and wellness across the lifespan.
6. Create a career development plan to assess and develop client skills appropriate to their work, relationships, and wellbeing.
7. Integrate theories and best practices related to trauma-informed and community-based strategies to appropriately meet the needs of diverse clients.
8. Develop culturally responsive treatment and/or intervention plans with measurable outcomes for clients.
9. Apply theoretical foundations, group processes, and developmental dynamics, and therapeutic factors to effectively lead group counseling.
10. Implement evidence-based assessment techniques appropriate for mental health counseling professionals to diagnose developmental, behavioral, and mental health disorders in diverse clients.
11. Assess mental health counseling research to inform clinical practice.
12. Evaluate the predominant theories and emergent trends within both the discipline and profession of sport and performance psychology.
13. Determine appropriate professional conduct for a variety of situations based on the legal and ethical codes of clinical mental health counseling and sport and performance psychology.
14. Implement an individual philosophy of performance excellence integrating the disciplines of psychology, sport science, and counseling.
15. Implement culturally responsive consulting strategies based upon the relationships, issues, and trends within a multicultural society.
16. Extend the predominant theory, research, and application trends in sport and performance psychology through the completion of individual research.

Additional Program Learning Outcome for Sport and Performance Psychology Consulting Concentration

• Implement ethical and evidence-based interventions in sport and performance contexts that will lead to improved performance and satisfaction.

Additional Program Learning Outcome for Rehabilitation Counseling Concentration

• Apply rehabilitative counseling theories and policies to assessment and treatment planning.