A cognate--an area of specialization in a degree program--offers you the opportunity to develop expertise in an area relevant to your future professional practice. Doctoral students in counseling must complete one 24-hour cognate in psychology or two 15-hour cognates, at least one of which must be in their field of psychology.

The most commonly chosen cognates include:

• Anthropology
• Consultation
• Couple and family counseling
• Diversity in counseling psychology
• Educational psychology
• Gerontology
• Health psychology
• Neuropsychology
• Psychology
• Psychology assessment
• Rehabilitation counseling
• Research methodology
• School counseling
• School psychology
• Social psychology
• Social justice
• Vocational psychology
• Wellness management