Program Overview

Introduction to the Counseling Psychology Program

The Counseling Psychology program offers both Master of Arts (MA) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees. The MA degree program is specifically designed for students who are simultaneously enrolled and first admitted to the Counseling Psychology PhD program.

Program Requirements

The MA degree in Counseling Psychology requires the completion of the following courses:

• COUNÚ130: Contemporary Issues in Counseling Psychology (3 hours)
• COUNþ250: Advanced Assessment and Diagnosis in Counseling (3 hours)
• COUNþ320: Counseling Theories (3 hours)
• COUNþ330: Counseling Diverse Populations (3 hours)
• COUNþ340: Group Counseling (3 hours)
• COUNþ350: Introduction to Counseling Practice (3 hours)
• ERMAÞ350: Advanced Measurement Theory (3 hours)
• Select 6 hours of COUNþ910 or COUNÞ910 (6 hours)
• Stats courses approved by the program (6 hours)

Total Hours

The total hours required for the MA degree in Counseling Psychology is 33 hours.

Additional Requirements

In addition to the above-stated requirements, students must:

• Submit documentation of their clinical hours, including hours of direct provision of psychotherapy services to clients.
• Complete evaluation forms by external supervisors for the two semesters of COUNþ910 (or COUNÞ910, if used as a substitute).
• Complete annual self-evaluations required by the program using the program form.

Program Outcomes

Students must meet the following additional outcomes beyond completion of courses with grades of Satisfactory (for S/U courses) and a GPA of 3.0 or better for traditionally graded courses:

• Accumulate 100 hours of direct provision of psychotherapy services to clients.
• Receive ratings of "consistent with beginning practicum student" or better in two semesters of practicum (COUNþ910 or COUNÞ910) for the following items on the student evaluation form completed by external supervisors:
  • Ability to form good relationships with clients.
  • Ability to work with diverse clients (a rating of "cannot judge" is acceptable for one of the two semesters of this particular outcome, but no ratings of "below expectations" or worse are acceptable for the two semesters used to meet this required outcome for the MA degree).
  • Ability to handle cases more effectively as a result of supervision.
• Receive two semesters of practicum ratings in which they did not receive a rating suggesting that the supervisor believes the student violated ethical principles of psychologists.
• Successfully complete an outcome assessment assignment used in COUNþ910 (successful completion is defined as "acceptable/meets expectations/satisfactory" or better).
• Receive a rating of satisfactory on making progress in research from program faculty during annual faculty evaluations of students.

Practicum Requirements

COUNÞ910: Advanced Practicum can substitute for COUNþ910, provided that the student still completes 6 credits total from COUNþ910 or COUNÞ910.