MASTER OF ARTS IN COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY WITH MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING SPECIALIZATION

The Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology offers a 60-credit Specialization in Mental Health Counseling which prepares students to effectively function as mental health counselors in a variety of human service settings. Graduates of this program will hold a master's degree that satisfies fully the coursework requirements for licensure in New Jersey as a Professional Counselor. In addition, program requirements are aligned with CACREP standards for Mental Health Counselors. This program requires that students pass oral and written comprehensive examinations, as well as the successful completion of prescribed course work, practica and internship experiences.

The program particularly emphasizes a cognitive-behavioral theoretical orientation, and the course-work accentuates this approach. While other theoretical perspectives are studied as well, students in this program will have the opportunity to gain a strong conceptual and practical cognitive-behavioral understanding. A central component of the Caldwell master's degree in Counseling Psychology is the intentional integration of spirituality within the program. Students learn to explore the role of spirituality in their personal and professional lives while developing an understanding of the many and varied beliefs, attitudes, and practices that add meaning to the lives of their future clients, colleagues, and others. These beliefs represent a unique source of power in the counseling relationship. Preparing counselors to competently utilize this valuable therapeutic resource in concert with more conventional practice is a priority goal for Caldwell's graduate program in Counseling Psychology.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

  • A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
  • Bachelor's-level course work in General Psychology, Psychology of Personality, Psychopathology, Experimental Psychology, and Psychological Statistics, with at least a C in each
  • Official undergraduate/graduate transcripts
  • Satisfactory scores on either the GRE general test or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT)
  • Writing sample: In lieu of the statement of objectives on the application, submit a research-based paper of at least 10 pages that was previously submitted in an undergraduate or graduate psychology course. APA style preferred. Other subject matter and/or formatting may be considered if the candidate has limited psychology coursework.
  • Two letters of recommendation for graduate study
  • Personal Interview

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Mental Health Counseling Specialization (60 credits)
(Prerequisites are in italics to the right of course's name)

Required Courses (24 credits)

PS 510 Survey of Research Methods & Statistics
PS 545 Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling
PS 557 Counseling Theory and Practice
PS 613 Techniques of Individual Counseling (557)
PS 633 Career Counseling
PS 653 Multicultural Counseling
PS 663 Psychology and Practice of Group Dynamics
PS 667 Lifespan Developmental Psychology

MH Specialization Requirements (18 credits)

PS 520 Introduction to Professional Counseling
PS 535 Biopsychology
PS 575 Psychopathology and Assessment I (557)
PS 585 Psychopathology and Assessment II (575)
PS 647 Counseling and Spirituality
PS 673 Foundations of Brief Psychotherapies

XRequired Practicum/Internship Experiences (9 credits)

PS 590 Counseling Practicum (545, 557, 613)
PS 688a Counseling Internship I (590)
PS 688b Counseling Internship II (688a)

Electives (9 credits) with advisement

PS 619 Methods of Practice in Cognitive/Behavioral Therapies (557, 613)
PS 623 Marriage and Family Counseling
PS 627 Psychopharmacology
PS 637 Substance Abuse
PS 643 Counseling Children
PS 657 Psychology of Death and Dying
PS 670 Principles of Counselor Supervision (545, 557, 613, 590)
PS 677 Human Sexuality
PS 689 Advanced Seminar in REBT (557)
PS 699 Seminar in Special Topics

Practicum Screening Requirements

Practica and internships are the culminating experience in counseling education, preparing students to apply classroom learning to real world concerns. Success in these courses is a requirement for graduation. Some placement sites require certain types of health and other screening in order to protect their vulnerable populations. To qualify for full admission and continue in the counseling program, students must supply all required health information within their first semester. Criminal background and drug screening may be required within 30 days of placement in some facilities. All screenings are the student's responsibility; the Program Coordinator can assist in identifying service providers.

Transfer of Graduate Credit

Caldwell College will accept the transfer of six credits of graduate work in Psychology or a closely related field, provided the credits were completed within five years of the student's graduate registration at Caldwell. Official transcripts of previous graduate work as well as the catalog description of each course must be submitted for review at the time of application. Approval of transfer credit is based on course content and grade earned in the course. Each transfer request will be reviewed by the Program Coordinator.

Statement of Outcomes Assessment

Any student who completes the M.A. in Counseling Psychology must demonstrate professional aptitude and an ability to integrate theory and practice by completing a three-credit supervised counseling practicum experience, followed by a six-credit internship. The academic capstone of the program is a two-part comprehensive exam in the form of a Case Study. One part involves a written treatment plan for a counseling case; the second involves an oral defense/presentation of the case to a committee of faculty members. In general, students should be able to demonstrate the following in the comprehensive exam:

  • An understanding of the fundamental principles of counseling psychology, including treatment methodologies, learning, individual behavior, personality, group processes, human development, psychopathology (abnormal behavior), the role of culture, gender, and spirituality, and the biological bases of behavior, among other areas.
  • An understanding of psychological research, including experimental, quasi-experimental, and non-experimental designs, particularly as they pertain to treatment of psychological disorders.
  • Ability to read, evaluate and utilize reports of psychological research.
  • Ability to write clearly about psychological content and to be able to communicate t effectively.