Master Of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology

Sr. Jeannine Marie O’Kane, Ph.D.
Coordinator

The M.A. program in Counseling Psychology prepares students to function as counselors in the mental health field. Students are trained to counsel clients and are instructed in areas relevant to the professional discipline of counseling psychology.

*A separate faculty interview is required for admission into certification programs. Initial certification candidates must satisfy a pre-requisite of 6 credits both in Mathematics and English-composition and literature. Certification also requires satisfactory completion of PA state-mandated tests (see section on Educational Leadership). All certification candidates accepted after June 2010 and those certified after January 2013 must complete 9 credits of special education and 3 credits of teaching English language learners.

Students may pursue the M.A. in Counseling Psychology with or without pursuing a certification track. Students who already hold a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology or a related field may pursue a certification track by taking certification courses in a program of study.

Master Of Arts In Counseling Psychology (48 Credits)

Program Competencies And Expected Outcomes

Upon program completion, students are expected to have demonstrated competency in the following areas:

1. Research design and analysis
2. Assessment strategies and applications
3. Human development and atypical behavior
4. Multicultural applications
5. Counselor ethics
6. Counseling theory
7. Counselor intervention

Master Of Arts Degree In Counseling Psychology With School Psychology Certification (60 credits)

The combined M.A. degree in Counseling Psychology with School Psychology Certification prepares the graduate to work in the field of mental health as well as in the school system. The school psychology curriculum emphasizes assessment and the development and application of counseling and consultative skills in the school setting. Course scheduling is done with advisement.

Program Competencies And Expected Outcomes

Upon program completion, students are expected to have demonstrated competency in the following areas:

1. Research design and analysis
2. Human development and atypical behavior
3. Assessment strategies and intervention procedures
4. Counseling intervention
5. Consultation strategies
6. Psychological and educational foundations of school psychology practice
7. Legal, ethical, and professional foundations
8. Social and cultural influences
9. Diagnosis of exceptionalities
10. Psychology interventions in schools
11. Practice roles

Master Of Arts Degree In Counseling Psychology With Elementary School Counselor Certification (51 credits)

The combined M.A. degree in Counseling Psychology with Elementary School Counselor Certification prepares students to work in the field of mental health and in schools. The elementary school counselor curriculum emphasizes counseling and consultative strategies for working with elementary school children.

Program Competencies And Expected Outcomes

Upon program completion, students are expected to have demonstrated competency in the following areas:

1. Philosophical foundations of school counseling and current trends
2. Physiological and psychological growth and development with emphasis on children and youth
3. Social and cultural influences on child development
4. Theories, models, and processes of counseling and consultation
5. Career choice and lifestyle
6. Assessment techniques
7. Organization and management of school counseling programs
8. School curriculum design and technology
9. Characteristics and range of exceptional students and services for at-risk children and youth

Master Of Arts Degree In Counseling Psychology With Secondary School Counselor Certification (51 credits)

The combined M.A. degree in Counseling Psychology with Secondary School Counselor Certification prepares the graduate to work in the field of mental health as well as the school system. The secondary school counselor curriculum emphasizes counseling and consultative strategies for working with secondary school students.

Master Of Arts Degree In Counseling Psychology With Elementary And Secondary School Counselor Certification (54 credits)

The combined M.A. degree in Counseling Psychology with dual certification as an Elementary and Secondary School Counselor prepares students to work in the field of mental health and in schools. The school counselor curriculum prepares students for counseling and consultative strategies for working with both elementary and secondary school students.

Certification Only*

• School Psychology Certification Only (57 credits)
• Elementary School Counselor Certification Only (39 credits)
• Secondary School Counselor Certification Only (39 credits)
• Secondary And Elementary School Counselor Certification Only (42 credits)