Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology with School Counseling Specialization

The Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology offers a Specialization in School Counseling for qualified individuals who wish to pursue the profession of School Counselor. This program parallels the master’s program in Counseling Psychology (including a practicum experience). Graduates of this master’s program may also take an extra 12 credits to satisfy the educational requirements for the credential of New Jersey Licensed Professional Counselor.

In addition to its fidelity to N.J. Department of Education (DOE) requirements for the credential of School Counselor, the program is designed to prepare students to work within American School Counselor Association (ASCA)’s “National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs.”

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

  • A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
  • Bachelor’s-level course work in General Psychology, Theories of Personality, Psychopathology, Experimental Psychology, and Psychological Statistics, with at least a C in each
  • Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts
  • Satisfactory scores on either the GRE 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 – 48 credits

Counseling Core (18 credits)

PS 500 Introduction to School Counseling (3)
PS 545 Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling (3)
PS 565 Counseling Theory & Practice: The Modern Theories (3)
PS 613 Techniques of Individual Counseling (3)
PS 633 Career Counseling (3)
PS 663 Psychology & Practice of Group Dynamics (3)

Testing and Evaluation (3 credits)

PS 560 Goals & Processes of Evaluation (3)

Psychology Courses (6 credits)

(To include Childhood and Adolescent, Learning, and Exceptional Children)
PS 595 Principles of Applied Behavior Modification (3)
PS 667 Lifespan Developmental Psychology (3)
ED 521 Overview of Students in Special Education (3)
ED 557 Learning Disabilities: Concepts, Characteristics and Identification (3)

Sociological Foundations (6 credits)

PS 550 School & Society: Problems & Interventions (3)
PS 570 The School Counselor & Community Resources (3)
PS 653 Multicultural Counseling (3)

Statistics and Research (3 credits)

PS 505 Research Methods & Statistics I (3)

Practicum Experiences (6 credits)

PS 580 Counseling Practicum I (2 or 3)
PS 590 Counseling Practicum II (2 or 3)
PS 600 Counseling Practicum III (2)

Electives (6 credits)

Preferred Electives (others may be selected with advisement)
PS 575 Psychopathology & Assessment I (3)
PS 637 Substance Abuse (3)
PS 643 Counseling Children (3)
PS 647 Counseling & Spirituality (3)
PS 670 Principles of Counselor Supervision in Educational Settings (3)
PS 673 Theoretical Foundations of Brief Psychotherapy (3)
PS 677 Human Sexuality (3)

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

Students who complete the M.A. in Counseling Psychology with the Specialization in School Counseling must demonstrate professional aptitude and an ability to integrate theory and practice by completing a six-credit supervised counseling practicum experience, including work in a school setting. The academic capstone of the program is a two-part comprehensive exam in the form of a Case Study. The first part requires a written description of counseling and intervention and/or referral services for a student scenario; the second is in the form of an oral 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 school counseling and intervention procedures. The student will be able to articulate appropriate treatment methodologies, a knowledge of human development, learning, individual behavior, abnormal/disruptive behavior, group processes, as well as the role of culture, gender, and spirituality, and the biological bases of behavior, among other areas.
  • An understanding of research, including experimental, quasi-experimental, and non-experimental designs, particularly as they pertain to the profession of School Counselor.
  • Ability to read and evaluate reports of psychological research and educational testing.