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.S./M.A. program combines the existing B.S. in Psychology or the double major B.A. in Psychology and 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: Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization, School Counseling Specialization, and Clinical 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.S. 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.S./M.A. program
- Two letters of recommendation from undergraduate faculty in psychology and/or art (forms provided)
- Submission of an APA style paper
- Personal or group interview with program coordinator
- Completed graduate application form
- Students may apply in the semester prior to the one during which they intend to begin the program
- Required courses in the undergraduate psychology major, some of which are prerequisites to entering the master’s programs, may not be substituted
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Students who wish to pursue the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization should have completed these courses (or their equivalents, if the student has transferred to Caldwell University):
Course Code : PS 208
Course Group(s) : Psychology 200 Level Courses
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.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MA220, MA130, MA117, MA116, MA208, MA131, MA207, MA222, MA221, MA106, MA108, MA 105, MA 112
Course Code : PS 213
Course Group(s) : Psychology 200 Level Courses
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 402
Course Description :
Focuses on research methods and design as applied to contemporary problems in psychology. The course involves independent research projects.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
BU305, PS208
Course Code : PS 309
Course Group(s) : Psychology 300 Level Courses, Psychology Cluster 4
Course Description :
Examines the symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
PS204, PS150, PS207.
Two courses from the following:
Course Code : PS 232
Course Group(s) : Psychology 200 Level Courses, Psychology Cluster 4
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):
Course Code : PS 208
Course Group(s) : Psychology 200 Level Courses
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.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MA220, MA130, MA117, MA116, MA208, MA131, MA207, MA222, MA221, MA106, MA108, MA 105, MA 112
Course Code : PS 213
Course Group(s) : Psychology 200 Level Courses
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 402
Course Description :
Focuses on research methods and design as applied to contemporary problems in psychology. The course involves independent research projects.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
BU305, PS208
One of the following (or another course in human development):
Course Code : PS 211
Course Group(s) : Psychology 200 Level Courses, Psychology Cluster 3
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
OR
Course Code : PS 216
Course Group(s) : Psychology 200 Level Courses, Psychology Cluster 3
Course Description :
This course examines physiological, social, psychological, and cognitive development from the beginning to the end of adolescence. Topics include puberty and sexual development, identity, peer interaction, drug and alcohol use and abuse, suicide, and family and community interaction.
Credit : 3
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 101/PS 150
Course Description :
This course provides a survey of the major areas of psychology, the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Major content areas include research methodology, biopsychology, learning, psychopathology, and cognitive, social, and developmental psychology
Credit : 3
OR
Course Code : PS 208
Course Group(s) : Psychology 200 Level Courses
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.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MA220, MA130, MA117, MA116, MA208, MA131, MA207, MA222, MA221, MA106, MA108, MA 105, MA 112
Course Code : PS 213
Course Group(s) : Psychology 200 Level Courses
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 309
Course Group(s) : Psychology 300 Level Courses, Psychology Cluster 4
Course Description :
Examines the symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
PS204, PS150, PS207.
OR
Course Code : PS 211
Course Group(s) : Psychology 200 Level Courses, Psychology Cluster 3
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 Group(s) : Fine Arts Requirement
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 communicating through art.
Credit : 3
*or their equivalent if the student has transferred to Caldwell University
Course Code : AR 111
Course Group(s) : Fine Arts Requirement
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 200
Course Description :
AR200 is 3 credits, 2D Design and Color is an introduction to the visual arts. Students are introduced to the process of visual element selection for the purpose of expressing themselves. Emphasis on the orchestration and analysis of point, line, shape, value, texture and color will enhance visual perception, and an understanding of the concepts, vocabulary, and skills for building 2D visual literacy. Color analysis, aesthetic investigation, techniques, materials, and composition are explored through hands-on projects which will complement and reinforce learned 2D principles.
Credit : 3
*or their equivalent if the student has transferred to Caldwell University
Course Code : AR 118
Course Group(s) : Fine Arts Requirement
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
Undergraduate elective courses may be substituted with graduate courses as follows:
Substitutions for ALL Combined B.S. in Psychology/ M.A. in Counseling tracks:
Students may fulfill program requirements or elective requirements with advisement from the list below. Note that the undergraduate courses which are prerequisites to the graduate program may not be substituted:
Undergraduate Class |
Graduate Class Substitution |
MHC |
SC |
AT |
400-level Psychology Elective |
CPS510- Research Methods & Stats |
X |
X |
X |
400-level Psychology Elective |
CPS545-Legal and Ethical Issues in Coun |
X |
X |
X |
PS201- Human Growth & Dev |
CPS667- Lifespan Dev |
X |
X |
X |
PS410- Special Topics |
CPS699- Special Topics CPS621- Crisis Counseling |
X |
X |
X |
PS330- Psyc of Addiction |
CPS637- Sub Use |
X |
X |
X |
PS310- Career Counseling |
CPS505- College and Career Couns |
|
X |
|
PS310- Career Counseling |
CPS633- Career Counseling |
X |
|
X |
PS313- Counseling Psyc |
CPS520- Intro to MH Counseling |
X |
|
X |
PS313- Counseling Psyc |
CPS500- Intro to School Counseling |
|
X |
|
PS304-Biopsyc |
CPS535-Biopsyc |
X |
|
X |
PS318-Cross Cultural Psyc |
CPS653- Multicultural Counseling |
X |
X |
|
PS318-Cross Cultural Psyc |
CAT509- Cult and Soc Div |
|
|
X |
PS326-Cognitive Psyc |
CPS619- Cog and Beh Theories |
X |
|
|
400-level Cluster 4 Psyc Elective |
CPS557- Counseling Theory and Prac |
X |
X |
|
400-level Cluster 4 Psyc Elective |
CAT514- Theory and Application 1 |
|
|
X |
AT310- Art Therapy Methods |
CAT507- Art Therapy Methods |
|
|
X |
AT320- Art Therapy in Practice |
CAT501- His and Dev AT |
|
|
X |