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Department of Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology (CCSP)
Top 10+ Reasons to Study in the Department of Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology
1. UCSB Top University in the United States
The U.S. News and World Report ranks UCSB among the top 50 research institutions in the United States. Another study ranked UCSB the #2 public university on the United States adjusted for size. UCSB as a campus has many renowned programs and a remarkable record of faculty receiving Nobel Prizes another research awards. It is a dynamic, forward-thinking campus enrichment.
2. Caring, Outstanding Faculty
Our faculty – many of whom have received notable research awards and recognition – is a cohesive group dedicated to providing you an enriched learning experience. Teaching is valued and emphasized and draws from our faculty’s high level of research productivity and professional leadership. Yes, our faculty members are very active in research and professional organizations because we see these activities as being vital to our department’s mission and because they provide a professional model for our students. We believe it is possible to express your passion through meaningful, applied research and to do so in a way that blends with a rich, fulfilling personal life.
3. Join a Team of Remarkable Students
In CCSP, you will study among a supportive, creative, capable, and caring group of fellow students. Over the years, the CCSP students have ranked among the best on the UCSB campus. They have used this excellence to help creative a positive, supportive learning community. These people will be life-long friends and professional colleagues.
4. The Right Fit for You
CCSP recognizes its responsibility to prepare psychologists who will provide leadership to the profession into the 21st Century. We seek to reach this goal using a mentor-based approach. Students receive intensive support from all faculty while being guided by their primary research advisor. Classes typically have only 10-15 students from each entering cohort.
5. Diversity in Theory, Diversity in Research, Diversity in Practice
CCSP’s hallmark over the past three decades has been a commitment to linking the science and practice of applied psychology as it relates to the mental health needs of individuals and families of diverse life backgrounds. CCSP was the first program nationally to receive the Richard Suinn Award from the American Psychological Association for successfully recruiting, mentoring, and graduating students from diverse backgrounds. Diversity and issues of multicultural competency are infused in coursework, fieldwork experiences, and is typically a topic of faculty and student research.
6. A World Class Setting for World Class Training
There is simply no more beautiful and inviting place to receive professional psychology training in the world. The UCSB campus is located in the central coast region of California with all the advantages of a progressive college community and with immediate access to beaches and mountain wilderness areas. The “Galapagos of North America,” the Channel Islands National Park, is just 25 miles from the campus. The Santa Barbara community has numerous cultural and entertainment venues. In addition, the rich diversity of the Los Angeles metropolitan area is just 100 miles away.
7. Dedication to Service and Community
Santa Barbara County has more community service non-profits than any other county in the United States. It is a community of giving and caring. The CCSP faculty and students support these efforts by working in and with many of these service organizations through volunteer efforts, fieldwork training, and by providing research and evaluation services. CCSP is a part of the Santa Barbara community and we have many public and private research and clinical partners.
8. An Exceptional Educational Value
Financing a graduate degree program is always a consideration and a challenge. UCSB offers world-class research and professional training that is very cost effective. Compared to private universities and professional psychology institutions, academic fees are much lower. In addition, the university offers various support programs to help you realize your professional goals. The campus values and recognizes the importance of graduate degree training and is now constructing a major housing facility just for graduate students.
9. Make a Difference
Through teaching, research, and public outreach, we are dedicated to improving society for future generations. Research and training focus on real-world issues that call for solutions – Autism, school violence prevention, diversity and mental health services, closing the school achievement gap, crisis response, child abuse, delinquency prevention, and substance abuse prevention. Promoting mental health is more than addressing problems; hence, our faculty provides training and research in the promotion of resilience and psychological well-being.
10. Stand on the Leading Edge of Applied Psychology
Positive Psychology, empirically-based practice, multicultural competence, community collaborations (drug court, school-based programs, treatment efficacy in community organization). Our faculty has been rated among the top 10 nationally in diversity research, Autism research, and school psychology research (rated the #2 most productive program). This is not about competition. It is all about focusing on important mental health issues and having the passion and commitment to contribute. The faculty accomplishes this by working collaboratively with each other and creating engaging opportunities for students. CCSP is a place where you can make your passion and energy flourish.
11. We are Unique: Why Choose Only Counseling, Clinical, or School Psychology When You Can Have Them All?
CCSP is only one of two programs nationally that is accredited (through 2013) by the American Psychological Association from applied professional training in all three core substantive areas of psychology. We are the only department in the United States to issue a doctorate in “Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology.” We provide an integrated, high-quality training that is rooted in an appreciation of the diverse tradition in professional psychology. Students graduate with an enriched appreciation of the breadth of applied professional psychology, but with substantial training in their specific area of interest. All are valued. We believe that student’s future research and service is enhanced through this cross-specialization training. There is no room for narrow minds in the world tomorrow. We need psychologists who appreciate what all of their colleagues have to offer.