Introduction
The mission of the MA in psychology with an emphasis in counseling psychology program is to provide its participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to become competent in counseling psychology through academic and experiential learning. The program aims at educating future psychologists who have sound knowledge of the theory and practice of counseling psychology, who are competent consumers and creative producers of social science research, who are competent in counseling practice, and who are ethical and sensitive to the cultures, values, and worlds of various clients.
Viewing research and practice as interdependent and mutually supportive, the MA in psychology with an emphasis in counseling psychology program is based on the scientist-practitioner training model. The program is committed to both (1) preparing counseling psychologists for advanced doctoral studies in psychology and (2) providing training and experience that prepare students for practice. Its goal is to train psychologists who have a sound knowledge of the bases of counseling and psychotherapy. Adopting a multicultural perspective, the program also emphasizes the importance of multicultural competence in both research and practice.
To qualify as a professional psychologist or psychotherapist, a student may be required to complete additional education and licensure proceedings, depending on the national requirements of the country in which he/she wishes to work. For example:
To qualify as a professional psychologist in Austria, students must have both a bachelor's and a master's degree in psychology. To qualify as a psychotherapist in Austria, students must complete the Propaedeutikum (to which the Webster Psychology MA courses contribute) and the Fachspezifikum.
According to Greek law 4093/2012 and subsequent regulations [Government Gazettes: 229/19.11.12, 3324/12.12.12 and 258/08.12.2014], degrees awarded for programs of studies accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC, Webster's accreditation body), are eligible for recognition of professional equivalency to degrees awarded by the Greek standard system of higher education.
To qualify as a professional psychologist in The Netherlands, students must have both a bachelor's and a master's degree in psychology. To qualify as Gezondheidszorg Psycholoog (professional psychologist) in The Netherlands, further post-master's level training is necessary.
Within the United States, the ability to become a licensed counselor (LPC/LMHC/LCPC) is regulated by state licensure boards. Depending on the state, students may be required to complete further clinical supervised training; pass a nationally-normed, field-related examination (NCE and/or NCMHCE); pass a jurisprudence exam in some states, and may need to complete further focused coursework depending on the state after completion of the counseling psychology MA. Required exams, additional focused coursework, and/or a number of required clinical supervised training hours following degree completion is dependent on the state in which the graduate pursues licensure. For delineation of individual state requirements, consult the appropriate agency in the state in which you wish to work.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:
Explain the main approaches to counseling and psychotherapy and the role of the therapeutic relationship.
Describe important theories of human development and examine their significance to counseling psychology.
Discuss the major categories of psychological disorders and use this knowledge to assess and diagnose psychopathology.
Describe the mechanisms of action for a variety of psychopharmacological agents and evaluate the role of psychopharmacology in counseling psychology.
Describe the importance of professional ethics and demonstrate how ethical standards and legal requirements are relevant to the practice of counseling and psychotherapy.
Administer and interpret various widely-used psychological tests.
Construct the appropriate research design, collect data, and implement the necessary statistical techniques to answer research questions relevant to counseling psychology which add to the discipline.
Demonstrate practical counseling skills that can be applied to individuals and groups to address a broad range of issues and settings.
Integrate theory, experience, behavioral observation, and analysis to systematically enhance counseling knowledge and skills.
Evaluate the appropriateness of various counseling approaches to the different cultures, values, and world-views of various clients and thereby choose appropriate approaches.
Curriculum
48 Required Credit Hours
The 48 credit hours required to complete the MA in psychology with an emphasis in counseling psychology program are distributed as follows:
PSYC 5000 Bases of Counseling Psychology (3 hours)
PSYC 5100 Approaches to Counseling and Therapy (3 hours)
PSYC 5200 Advanced Developmental Psychology (3 hours)
PSYC 5300 Psychopathology (3 hours)
PSYC 5400 Research Design (3 hours)
PSYC 5500 Assessment (3 hours)
PSYC 5600 Group Processes and Group Therapy (3 hours)
PSYC 5700 Psychopharmacology (3 hours)
PSYC 5800 Ethical and Legal Foundations (3 hours)
PSYC 5900 Applied Statistics and Research Methods (3 hours)
PSYC 6000 Special Topics in Counseling Psychology (3 hours)
PSYC 6100 Master’s Thesis (6 hours)
PSYC 6200 Practice and Supervision (3 hours)
PSYC 6300 Internship (6 hours)
Special Requirements
The student is subject to the policies and procedures for graduate studies found within this catalog. As stated in the Academic Policies guidelines, the MA in psychology with an emphasis in counseling psychology is excluded from dual major and sequential degree options. Courses in the program are available only to those admitted to the MA in psychology with an emphasis in counseling psychology program unless permission is granted by the instructor and/or the department. All non-degree seeking students must meet program prerequisites. Seek advisement for appropriate course selection.
Admission
Students who are interested in applying to this degree program should also see the Admission section of this catalog for general requirements.
Admission Requirements
A bachelor’s degree in psychology from a recognized university as stated in the Admission section located at the front of this catalog or equivalent.
A cumulative GPA of 3.0 from the applicant's undergraduate degree-granting institution.
Completion of undergraduate coursework in the following areas: (1) introductory or general psychology, (2) statistics, (3) research methods, or experimental psychology.
Preference in the admission process will be given for applicants demonstrating completed coursework in the following areas: (1) social psychology, (2) biological psychology, neuropsychology or physiological psychology, (3) personality theory, (4) human development or developmental psychology, (5) abnormal psychology.
Submission of a curriculum vitae that includes prior employment and related experience.
Submission of two letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant's professional and academic experience, and one academic reference.
A personal statement of approximately 600 words describing the applicant’s academic and professional goals, and reasons for applying for the program.
Official English Language proficiency results as stated in the Admission section found in the front of this catalog.
A personal interview with senior program faculty members prior to the admission decision.
