Combined B.A. in Psychology/ M.A. in Counseling (Available in All Specializations)
Highly qualified undergraduate psychology majors at Caldwell University may take advantage of the opportunity to pursue their M.A. in Counseling in an accelerated manner through the combined degree program. The structured B.A./M.A. program combines the existing B.A. in Psychology or the double major B.A. in Psychology and B.A. in Art (Art Therapy Concentration) with the M.A. in Counseling. It is designed for students who have established a record of excellence at the undergraduate level. This program is available for all three counseling specializations: Mental Health Counseling Specialization, School Counseling Specialization, and Mental Health Counseling Art Therapy Specialization. Acceptance into the program will allow up to 12 graduate credits to be “double-counted.” That is, credits will count towards both the B.A. in Psychology or the double major in Psychology and Art (Art Therapy Concentration) and later, the M.A. in Counseling. The student pays undergraduate tuition for graduate courses taken prior to completing the bachelor’s degree. The credits will be double-counted and designated as “applicable to the graduate degree” only after the student receives the bachelor’s degree, matriculates into and completes the M.A. in Counseling program. That designation will be canceled if the student withdraws from graduate study before completing the master’s program. In which case, Caldwell University will only count the credits towards the student’s undergraduate degree.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Applicants must have a grade point average of at least 3.3 and must maintain that GPA throughout the bachelor's part of the program. Grades below B in required graduate-level courses will necessitate that the student retake that course. If a grade below B is earned in an elective graduate-level course, the student may either retake the course or take another graduate-level course in substitution. Students are permitted to take only one graduate course per semester while still an undergraduate. Under special circumstances, a student my be permitted to take two graduate courses, but only with the approval of the Graduate Program Coordinator.
- Applicants must have completed at least 60 undergraduate credits before they may be admitted to the B.A./M.A. program
- Students may apply in the semester prior to the one during which they intend to begin the program
- Undergraduate psychology majors and art/psychology double-majors with an art therapy concentration must have taken at least three of the master’s program undergraduate prerequisite courses in psychology prior to being accepted into the combined program
- Required courses in the undergraduate psychology major, some of which are prerequisites to entering the master’s programs, may not be substituted
Mental Health Counseling
For those undergraduate students with a psychology major who wish to pursue the Mental Health Counseling Specialization, completed courses should include:
Short Title : Psych Statistic
Course Code : PS 208
Course Description :
Introduces descriptive and inferential statistical methods to summarize, organize, and interpret data. Topics include data organization, measures of central tendency, variability, z-scores, logic of hypothesis testing, t-tests, ANOVA, and correlation.
Prerequisites :
MA220, MA130, MA117, MA116, MA208, MA131, MA207, MA222, MA221, MA106, MA108, MA 105, MA 112
- Credit : 3
Course Code : PS 213
Course Description :
This course serves as an introduction to scientific writing and the style conventions set by the American Psychological Association (APA). Students will practice information literacy and enhance their understanding of the writing process as it applies to psychology. Topics will include APA style conventions, components of the scientific paper, information gathering, plagiarism, and the writing process.
- Credit : 3
Short Title : Exp Psychology
Course Code : PS 402
Course Description :
Focuses on research methods and design as applied to contemporary problems in psychology. The course involves independent research projects.
Prerequisites :
BU305, PS208
- Credit : 3
Short Title : Psychopathology
Course Code : PS 309
Course Description :
Examines the symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders.
Prerequisites :
PS204, PS150, PS207.
- Credit : 3
Two courses from the following:
Course Code : PS 150
Course Description :
An introduction to the main theories, methods, and principles of psychology. This course is a social sciences Liberal Arts core requirement for all students who wish to become Psychology majors and is required for further study in the field. Topics will include a brief history of psychology, critical thinking, human development, motivation, emotion and stress, personality, social psychology, and psychopathology
- Credit : 3
Short Title : Gen Psych II
Course Code : PS 207
Course Description :
This course continues the examination of the main theories, methods, and principles of psychology begun in PS150. Topics include research methodology, neuroscience, consciousness, sensation and perception, learning, memory, thinking and language.
Prerequisites :
PS150
- Credit : 3
Course Code : PS 232
Course Description :
Studies major theoretical approaches to personality structure and dynamics, the disorganization of the personality, and problems involved in personality assessment. Theorists studied include: Freud, Jung, Adler, Horney, May, Maslow, Rogers and Skinner
- Credit : 3
One course in human development
School Counseling Specialization
Students who wish to pursue the School Counseling Specialization should have completed these courses (or their equivalents, if the student has transferred to Caldwell University):
Short Title : Psych Statistic
Course Code : PS 208
Course Description :
Introduces descriptive and inferential statistical methods to summarize, organize, and interpret data. Topics include data organization, measures of central tendency, variability, z-scores, logic of hypothesis testing, t-tests, ANOVA, and correlation.
Prerequisites :
MA220, MA130, MA117, MA116, MA208, MA131, MA207, MA222, MA221, MA106, MA108, MA 105, MA 112
- Credit : 3
Course Code : PS 213
Course Description :
This course serves as an introduction to scientific writing and the style conventions set by the American Psychological Association (APA). Students will practice information literacy and enhance their understanding of the writing process as it applies to psychology. Topics will include APA style conventions, components of the scientific paper, information gathering, plagiarism, and the writing process.
- Credit : 3
Short Title : Exp Psychology
Course Code : PS 402
Course Description :
Focuses on research methods and design as applied to contemporary problems in psychology. The course involves independent research projects.
Prerequisites :
BU305, PS208
- Credit : 3
One course in human development
Mental Health Counseling with Art Therapy Specialization
Students in the double major in psychology and art with art therapy concentration who wish to pursue the Mental Health Counseling with Art Therapy Specialization should have completed these courses (or their equivalent if the student has transferred to Caldwell University):
Course Code : PS 150
Course Description :
An introduction to the main theories, methods, and principles of psychology. This course is a social sciences Liberal Arts core requirement for all students who wish to become Psychology majors and is required for further study in the field. Topics will include a brief history of psychology, critical thinking, human development, motivation, emotion and stress, personality, social psychology, and psychopathology
- Credit : 3
Short Title : Gen Psych II
Course Code : PS 207
Course Description :
This course continues the examination of the main theories, methods, and principles of psychology begun in PS150. Topics include research methodology, neuroscience, consciousness, sensation and perception, learning, memory, thinking and language.
Prerequisites :
PS150
- Credit : 3
Short Title : Psych Statistic
Course Code : PS 208
Course Description :
Introduces descriptive and inferential statistical methods to summarize, organize, and interpret data. Topics include data organization, measures of central tendency, variability, z-scores, logic of hypothesis testing, t-tests, ANOVA, and correlation.
Prerequisites :
MA220, MA130, MA117, MA116, MA208, MA131, MA207, MA222, MA221, MA106, MA108, MA 105, MA 112
- Credit : 3
Course Code : PS 213
Course Description :
This course serves as an introduction to scientific writing and the style conventions set by the American Psychological Association (APA). Students will practice information literacy and enhance their understanding of the writing process as it applies to psychology. Topics will include APA style conventions, components of the scientific paper, information gathering, plagiarism, and the writing process.
- Credit : 3
Course Code : PS 232
Course Description :
Studies major theoretical approaches to personality structure and dynamics, the disorganization of the personality, and problems involved in personality assessment. Theorists studied include: Freud, Jung, Adler, Horney, May, Maslow, Rogers and Skinner
- Credit : 3
Short Title : Psychopathology
Course Code : PS 309
Course Description :
Examines the symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders.
Prerequisites :
PS204, PS150, PS207.
- Credit : 3
OR
Course Code : PS 201
Course Description :
Discusses physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development from the prenatal period through adolescence. Genetic, environmental, and socio-cultural influences are considered.
- Credit : 3
OR
Course Code : PS 211
Course Description :
This course examines physiological, social, psychological, and cognitive development from age three until the beginning of adolescence. Topics include brain, motor, emotional, personality, cognitive, and language development, gender roles, play, divorce, child maltreatment, and family and community interaction.
- Credit : 3
Course Code : AT 230
Course Description :
This course offers an introduction to the art therapy profession. Students will learn about the interface of art and therapy, as well as basic theory and application. Students will participate in experiential art exercises which will provide exposure to the use of the creative process of communication throughart.
Prerequisites :
PS150
- Credit : 3
*or their equivalent if the student has transferred to Caldwell University
Short Title : Drawing I
Course Code : AR 111
Course Description :
A foundation class designed to develop the student’s ability to “see” and understand the elements of drawing and composition. Line, form, space, scale and value will be explored through a series of exercises and projects.
- Credit : 3
Course Code : AR 113
Course Description :
An introduction to two-dimensional design as an integral element in the process of art making. Workshop projects will cover areas of perception, balance, value, color, texture and scale.
- Credit : 3
Course Code : AR 118
Course Description :
A foundation studio class that explores the language of three-dimensional form and design principles. Students are introduced to a variety of materials including wire, clay, cardboard, and plaster. Studio work, outside assignments, lectures, slides, and demonstrations.
- Credit : 3
Your degree includes credits from Liberal Arts and Sciences Core, Major, and Electives.
A Catholic Liberal Arts Education
At the core of a Caldwell education is our liberal arts curriculum, designed to guide students to critical thinking skills, appreciate diverse cultures, and acquire a moral and civic awareness.
Students develop the whole self as they absorb learning through our liberal arts core: the humanities; the physical and biological sciences, and mathematics; and the social sciences.