Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
The University of Saint Mary offers a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology to prepare students for licensure as either professional counselors or masters level psychologists. Depending on the program of study, a student who completes the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology can satisfy the educational requirements for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Kansas and/or Missouri or a Licensed Masters Level Psychologist in Kansas. Licensure is granted by individual states and not guaranteed by the University of Saint Mary.
The goals of the program are to provide opportunities for individuals with the appropriate educational background to:
- Enhance their professional and personal lives through an enhanced understanding of psychological principles and their applications.
- Prepare for further study in the field at the doctoral level.
- Provide the necessary educational background and practicum experience for those individuals wishing to practice in the mental health field as master’s level psychologists or professional counselors.
Program Outcomes
The University of Saint Mary Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology seeks to educate students in the following learning outcome areas: Professional Development, Research and Critical Thinking, Application of Psychological Knowledge, Helping, and Assessment Skills. Success in each of these areas is defined in terms of the objectives indicated below.
I. Professional Development
Outcome: The student will demonstrate a capacity for self-reflection and will develop an identity as a professional in the field of counseling psychology.
Objectives: By the completion of the program, the student will:
- Demonstrate an ability to apply psychological principles to enhance understanding of oneself and interpersonal relationships,
- Identify short- and long-term career goals and provide reasonable strategies to achieve these goals which take into account the student’s self-identified strengths and weaknesses,
- Articulate an understanding of common ethical issues in the helping professions, and demonstrate an adherence to ethical practice during a practicum placement, and
- Articulate an awareness of how credentialing, collegial relationships, and continuing education impact ongoing professional development.
II. Research and Critical Thinking
Outcome: The student will demonstrate an understanding of research in the field of psychology where the student is able to think critically and effectively communicate these thoughts orally and in writing.
Objectives: By the completion of the program, the student will:
- Articulate an understanding of basic concepts used in behavioral research, statistics, and assessment,
- Evaluate empirical research in psychology,
- Conduct effective literature reviews,
- Be able to design a research proposal in psychology,
- Communicate ideas successfully in writing adhering to APA style, and
- Communicate ideas orally in an effective manner.
III. Application of Psychological Knowledge
Outcome: The student will demonstrate knowledge of a range of psychological concepts and their applications.
Objectives: By the completion of the program, the student will:
- Demonstrate an understanding of how the history of psychology shapes the identity of professionals and impacts the conceptualization of current issues,
- Demonstrate an understanding of major counseling approaches,
- Articulate an understanding of group, social, and/or cultural influences on behavior and demonstrate knowledge of group process and group leadership skills,
- Articulate an understanding of the etiology, recommended treatments and diagnostic indicators for major disorders listed in the most current Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and
- Articulate an understanding of cognitive, developmental, and/or biological factors influencing behavior.
IV. Helping and Assessment Skills
Outcome: The student will demonstrate an ability to perform a range of practice skills needed as a mental health practitioner.
Objectives: By the completion of the program, the student will:
- Demonstrate the ability to perform basic helping skills including, but not limited to: displaying warmth and caring, attending, reflecting affect, reflecting content, affirming strengths, questioning, sustaining, refocusing, and confronting,
- Integrate information from a variety of sources and accurately assess the client’s needs and/or diagnosis and intervene accordingly,
- Demonstrate the ability to set goals, develop treatment plans, assess progress, evaluate the counseling process, and appropriately end therapy,
- Apply concepts from various counseling theories and related research findings to enhance the understanding of clients and guide interventions,
- Demonstrate the ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team and appropriately refer and seek consultation when needed,
- Understand the relationship between psychotherapy and psychotropic medication and the ways in which medication may impact client functioning,
- Articulate an understanding of multicultural counseling approaches and how world views can impact the counseling relationship and assessment process,
- Select, administer, and interpret various psychological assessments appropriately within the context of supervision, and
- Communicate in writing the results of clinical assessments and document counseling or psychotherapy sessions in a manner that is concise, accurate, relevant to the referral question, understandable to the target audience, and respectful of the client.
Counseling Psychology Program Dispositions
The University of Saint Mary candidate will demonstrate readiness for a career in the profession of counseling and psychological service through a commitment to:
- professionalism, professional development, and collaboration;
- critical reflective practice, professional ethics and standards of care;
- professional identity and expectations;
- interpersonal communication and skills efficacy.
Dispositions will be assessed throughout the candidates' education experience in the program.
Admission Requirements
In addition to general requirements of admission to the Graduate Division, candidates for the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology require:
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, with a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 (on a 4.00 scale).
- Completion of undergraduate courses in general or introductory psychology; developmental psychology; psychological disorders; one course in social psychology or personality psychology; and an introductory statistics course, all completed with a minimum of a "B" (3.00) average (exceptions may be made if the student can demonstrate the ability needed to be successful in a graduate psychology program through other application materials).
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate work and degree conferral.
- Completed application form and fee.
- Three professional recommendations addressing academic performance and specific dispositions (form provided).
- Personal statement discussing future vocational goals, reasons for wishing to be in the program, and relevant characteristics and/or experiences that support being effective in their future profession.
- An interview (in personal or virtual) with the Graduate Psychology program director and/or faculty.
Students are admitted to the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program twice a year, at the start of the fall and spring semesters. Admission to the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program is competitive and openings are limited. Admission is based on the quality of credentials submitted, the results of an interview with the Graduate Psychology program director and availability of openings in the program. A student not selected for admission may update his/her application materials and reapply during a future admissions period.
Students seeking admission to the program must be able to demonstrate the ability to communicate in the English language receptively and expressively, orally and in written form, with sufficient proficiency to develop professional relationships, function within professional settings, and engage in professional activities with accepted standards of practice.
Students with prior criminal convictions may experience difficulty in obtaining a license to practice.
Graduates of the Master of Arts in Psychology program and former students seeking readmission to the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program may be considered for admission under the following conditions:
- Graduates of the University of Saint Mary Master of Arts in Psychology program wishing to enter the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program must submit a new application including new letters of recommendation. This will also apply to former students who left or were terminated from one or both programs and wish to reapply. Acceptance is not guaranteed. Graduates and reapplying students will be evaluated competitively with new students.
- A former graduate psychology student of the University of Saint Mary who is accepted into either of the graduate psychology programs will receive credit for coursework completed in the last eight years. Any coursework that is older than eight years must be repeated.
- Normally an academic transcript from any previous graduate program containing coursework with a final grade of “C” or below will preclude applicants from being accepted into graduate psychology programs at the University of Saint Mary. However, former University of Saint Mary graduate students may petition the faculty for admittance into a graduate psychology program by submitting a written explanation for the grade of “C” and interviewing with the Division Chair and the Director of Graduate Psychology Programs. If there is sufficient justification, individuals will be accepted on probation for the duration of their academic program. Any grade of “C” or below while on probation will result in automatic dismissal from the program.
- Former students who earned a grade of “C” in more than two graduate courses or a grade of “F” or “WF” in any graduate course even if they repeated the course and earned a higher grade will be refused admission to either of the Psychology graduate programs.
- Any former student admitted to either Psychology program will be subject to all requirements, rules, and regulations in effect at the time of admission.
Continuous Enrollment
Students admitted to the Graduate Counseling Psychology program must be continuously enrolled during the fall and spring semesters until they graduate. Students who fail to enroll, for either the fall or the spring semester, will be dismissed from the program unless they receive a Leave of Absence. Students desiring a Leave of Absence from the program would need to submit a request to the Director of the Graduate Psychology program stating the reasons for their request. The Leave of Absence request would need to be approved by the Social and Behavioral Sciences Division Chair.
Maximum Hours
Students in graduate level psychology programs may not enroll in more than 12 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters, and no more than 6 credit hours during the summer semester, without first obtaining consent from the Social and Behavioral Sciences Division Chair.
Declaring a Licensure Track
Students in the counseling psychology program should declare their desired licensure track(s) no later than the end of the second semester of their program. It is essential to coordinate all licensure track decisions in close coordination with the academic advisor.
Course Scheduling
Required courses are taught once a year and follow a rotation. Students need to take classes year-round (including at least one summer) in order to complete the program. It is recommended that students work with their advisor to establish an academic plan which maps out when they plan to enroll in specific courses.
Students should communicate directly with the state licensure boards to ensure that they are meeting the necessary requirements for their selected profession.
Students wishing to apply for doctoral programs may wish to pursue research activities with Department faculty or outside the University of Saint Mary depending upon their long-term career goals.
Graduate Transfer Credit
Up to nine graduate credit hours may be transferred into the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program provided the courses (and the institutions awarding the credit hours) with which the credits are associated meet the educational requirements described in licensure regulations for Kansas or Missouri. Any courses which do not meet all state educational requirements will not be accepted. The Program Director reserves the right to determine if the courses meet Kansas or Missouri licensure requirements.
Licensure in Professional Counseling (LPC - 60 credits)
Students interested in pursuing licensure as a professional counselor (LPC) in either Kansas or Missouri complete the following program of study. For the Missouri LPC license, state regulations now require students beginning a program on or after August 28, 2023, to complete a 60-credit master's degree. Following this curriculum allows the student to meet the educational requirements of the LPC license regulations in Kansas and Missouri.
Program of Study
| PY 730/SW 730 | Methods of Research and Assessment | 3 |
| PY 741 | Professional Orientation and Ethics | 3 |
| PY 748 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| PY 749 | Helping Relationship Skills | 3 |
| PY 750 | Counseling Theories | 3 |
| PY 751 | Group Processes in Counseling and Therapy | 3 |
| PY 761 | Practicum | 6-15 |
| PY 721 | Advanced Social Psychology | 3 |
| PY 723 | Advanced Psychopathology | 3 |
| PY 724 | Life Span Development | 3 |
| PY 744 | Career Development and Counseling | 3 |
| PY 745 | Cognitive Processes | 3 |
| Electives | 9 |
| | |
| Choose one of the following: | |
| PY 733 | Developmental and Cognitive Assessment | 3 |
| PY 734 | Personality Assessment for Counselors and Therapists | 3 |
Students are required to complete 15 credits of
PY 761
Missouri LPC (48 credits - for students enrolled prior to August 28, 2023)
Students enrolled in the Counseling Psychology program prior to August 28, 2023, and pursuing licensure as a professional counselor (LPC) in Missouri complete a total of 48 credits and complete the following curriculum:
Program of Study
| PY 730/SW 730 | Methods of Research and Assessment | 3 |
| PY 741 | Professional Orientation and Ethics | 3 |
| PY 748 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| PY 749 | Helping Relationship Skills | 3 |
| PY 750 | Counseling Theories | 3 |
| PY 751 | Group Processes in Counseling and Therapy | 3 |
| PY 761 | Practicum | 6-15 |
| PY 721 | Advanced Social Psychology | 3 |
| PY 723 | Advanced Psychopathology | 3 |
| PY 724 | Life Span Development | 3 |
| PY 744 | Career Development and Counseling | 3 |
| Electives | 9 |
| | |
| Choose one of the following: | |
| PY 733 | Developmental and Cognitive Assessment | 3 |
| PY 734 | Personality Assessment for Counselors and Therapists | 3 |
Students are required to complete 6 credits of
PY 761
Licensure in Professional Psychology (KS LMLP - 60 credits)
Students interested in pursuing licensure in psychology as a Licensed Master Level Psychologist (LMLP) complete the following program of study which meets the educational requirements of Kansas LMLP regulations.
Program of Study
| PY 720 | Historical Foundations of Psychology | 3 |
| PY 721 | Advanced Social Psychology | 3 |
| PY 723 | Advanced Psychopathology | 3 |
| PY 730/SW 730 | Methods of Research and Assessment | 3 |
| PY 731 | Statistical Analysis for Counselors and Therapists | 3 |
| PY 733 | Developmental and Cognitive Assessment | 3 |
| PY 734 | Personality Assessment for Counselors and Therapists | 3 |
| PY 741 | Professional Orientation and Ethics | 3 |
| PY 744 | Career Development and Counseling | 3 |
| PY 745 | Cognitive Processes | 3 |
| PY 746 | Psychopharmacology for Counselors and Therapists | 3 |
| PY 748 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| PY 749 | Helping Relationship Skills | 3 |
| PY 750 | Counseling Theories | 3 |
| PY 751 | Group Processes in Counseling and Therapy | 3 |
| PY 761 | Practicum | 6-15 |
Students are required to complete 15 credits of
PY 761