PROGRAM INFORMATION

The counseling psychology master’s program trains students to facilitate personal, educational, vocational, and group adjustment across the lifespan. Counselors work in a in a variety of settings such as community mental health agencies, group homes, university career and counseling centers, rehabilitation programs, substance abuse treatment centers, and psychiatric hospitals.

The Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology at Towson University offers a practioner track and a research track from which degree candidates choose. Students in the practioner track of the M.A. Counseling Psychology program are trained to work as counselors and therapists at the master’s level. Graduates of the practitioner track may choose to continue their education in a Psy.D. program or enroll in the Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS program) to acrue additional credits toward licensure at the master’s level. The M.A. Counseling Psychology research track provides students the experience, knowledge, and skills required for successful Ph.D. program admission. Students in this track receive intensive training and mentorship in research methodology, statistics, and complete an M.A. thesis. Students who graduate from the research track may choose to apply to doctoral program in counseling or clinical psychology or pursue additional courses to meet requirements for licensure.

Both tracks of the counseling psychology M.A. program require the completion 48 credit hours which includes supervised practicum and internship experience. Advancement to candidacy and comprehensive examinations are also required.

PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS

 

We typically accept 18 new students each year, from 70-100 applicants, to maintain our small student-faculty ratio. Our student body is diverse with respect to gender, age, cultural, educational, and geographic backgrounds. At present we have 35 women and 5 men in the Master’s program; 11 of these students are from visible racial/ethnic group minorities. 

 

More than 90% of all students who have entered the program in recent years have completed or are currently completing their master’s studies. The majority of our students continue at Towson in the post-master’s program (C.A.S.) and seek licensure as Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors (LCPC). Our most recent students have taken positions in community mental health centers and various other practice settings working with diverse populations. Some of our students also gain admission to Psy.D. or Ph.D. programs in clinical and counseling psychology.

 

PROGRAM OF STUDY FOR FULL-TIME COUNSELING STUDENTS

 

 

Fall, Year 1

PSYC607: Applied Counseling Theories (3)

PSYC605: Basic Counseling Techniques (3)

PSYC647: Individual Appraisal (3)

PSYC613: Community Counseling (3)

 

Spring, Year 1

PSYC631: Abnormal Psychology (3)

PSYC615: Research Methods (3)

PSYC609: Advanced Counseling Techniques (3)

PSYC790: Ethical, Legal and Professional Issues (3)

Advancement Exam

 

Fall, Year 2

PSYC731: Group Counseling (3)

PSYC606: Intro to Career Development (3)

PSYC6XX: Elective (3)

PSYC745: Practicum in Counseling (3)

 

Spring, Year 2

PSYC622: Multicultural Counseling (3)

PSYC611: Developmental Psychology (3)

PSYC793: Internship (3 or 6)

PSYC6XX: Elective (0-3)

Comprehensive Exam

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Fall, Year 1

PSYC607: Applied Counseling Theories (3)

PSYC605: Basic Counseling Techniques (3)

PSYC647: Individual Appraisal (3)

PSYC687: Advanced Experimental Design (3)

 

Spring, Year 1

PSYC631: Abnormal Psychology (3)

PSYC615: Research Methods (3)

PSYC609: Advanced Counseling Techniques (3)

PSYC790: Ethical, Legal and Professional Issues (3)

Advancement Exam

 

Fall, Year 2

PSYC731: Group Counseling (3)

PSYC606: Intro to Career Development (3)

PSYC897: Thesis Credits (3)

PSYC745: Practicum in Counseling (3)

 

Spring, Year 2

PSYC622: Multicultural Counseling (3)

PSYC611: Developmental Psychology (3)

PSYC793: Internship (3)

PSYC897: Thesis Credits (3)

 

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Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.S.)

 

The Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in Counseling Psychology is specifically designed for post-master's degree students who wish to take up to 30 credits beyond the master's degree to meet educational and vocational objectives. Often students enroll in the program in order to take the additional coursework that they need to meet the requirements for licensure in the state of Maryland.  Specific information about licensure requirements in Maryland can be found on the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors website.

Each student's program will be designed to meet individual needs and goals. Students who already possess a master's degree from an accredited institution in a human services field may apply to Towson University specifically to enter the C.A.S. program. The following courses will complete state course work requirements for licensure:

PSYC 606 - Career Development (3)

PSYC 722 - Advanced Multicultural Counseling (3)

PSYC 637 - Counseling Strategies for Drug and Alcohol Abuse (3)

PSYC 718 - Techniques of Family Counseling (3)

PSYC 745 - Practicum in Counseling Psychology (3)

PSYC 790 - Ethical, Legal and Professional Issues in Psychology (3)

PSYC 793 - Internship in Counseling (3-9)

Electives (3-9)

 

Admission Requirements

 

Applicants for the CAS program must have completed a master’s degree. To apply for admission, applicants must submit the following to the Graduate School: a completed application, official transcript, two letters of recommendation and a letter of intent indicating why the applicant is interested in enrolling in the CAS program. Admission will be determined on a rolling, competitive basis. Transfer credits will be accepted in accordance with Graduate School policies, and with the approval of the program director. You will find all of the application materials available online.

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