Program Details
This program prepares students to become competent scholar-practitioners who are eligible for state licensure and/or certification in their particular specialty area. Graduates of the Master of Science in Counseling Psychology program, regardless of concentration area, demonstrate skills and knowledge in the following areas:
- Professionalism and ethical practice according to the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics and federal and state laws governing counseling practice
- Bio-psychosocial models of human growth and development
- Theoretical approaches to counseling and case conceptualization
- Integrative approach to wellness and prevention
- Helping relationships and counseling skills
- Group counseling, process, and dynamics
- Psycho-education
- Career and vocational development
- Multicultural, social justice, and advocacy in counseling and the profession
- Appraisal and assessment
- Research and program evaluation methods
- Psychopathology and diagnostic systems
Career Paths
Counseling Psychology Concentrations
All 4 concentrations in the Masters of Counseling Psychology program have been designed to meet the educational requirements for students to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) in the state of Pennsylvania. Below is an overview of the 4 areas of concentration in the Masters of Counseling Psychology Program:
Art Therapy
The Art Therapy concentration prepares master-level counselors in the clinical use of art in therapy. Art therapists are knowledgeable about human development, psychological theories, clinical practice, spiritual, multicultural and artistic traditions, and the healing potential of art in working with a variety of clients in hospitals, treatment programs, schools and private practice. Graduates of the art therapy concentration are prepared to work in a variety of settings as LPCs. Students completing the Art Therapy concentration will, as part of their degree program, also complete all the educational requirements to be eligible to apply for the credential of Registered Art Therapist (ATR).
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration prepares master-level counselors to work with adolescents and adults in a community setting. This concentration is designed for students wishing to develop expertise in counseling adolescents and adults. Students also will gain the credentials to assume a supervisory position in community agency settings. Graduates of the clinical mental health counseling concentration meet the educational requirements to become LPCs.
Correctional Counseling
The correctional counseling concentration prepares master-level counselors to work in a wide array of settings including, but not limited to federal and state prisons, court clinics, forensic psychiatric units, child advocacy centers, reintegration programs, and other community-based correctional programs that serve crime survivors. This concentration provides a basic foundation in counseling theory and skills with additional coursework in criminological theory, victimology, and correctional counseling practice. It also offers an opportunity for criminal justice students to expand their passion to include rehabilitation services for offenders and their families. Graduates of the correctional counseling concentration meet the educational requirements to become a LPC.
School Counseling
The school counseling concentration prepares master-level counselors to work as a school counselor in Pre K-12 settings. This Pennsylvania Department of Education-approved school counseling certification program allows students to pursue certification and licensure as a LPC.
Postgraduate Programs
The counseling psychology program offers post-graduate programs for all 4 of its concentrations for those interested in obtaining their LPC or other concentration specific credentials. Each post-graduate plan of study is developed on a case-by-case basis. Post-grad plans are recommended by a counseling psychology advisor, but must ultimately be approved by the respective licensing or credentialing board.