Counseling Psychology
Cognates or Major Areas of Focus
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
  • Educational psychology
  • Gerontology
  • Health psychology
  • Marriage and family counseling
  • Multicultural counseling
  • Neuropsychology
  • Psychology
  • Psychology assessment
  • Research methodology
  • School counseling
  • School psychology
  • Social psychology
  • Vocational psychology
  • Vocational rehabilitation
  • Wellness management