ObjectivesThe Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program is designed for those who are seeking to develop or refine job-related psychological skills and knowledge. There are two tracks within the program. The first, the Mental Health Counseling Track, is a traditional counseling psychology track, preparing students for work in the mental health field. The second, the Child and Adolescent Counseling Track, is designed to train students to provide counseling services to children, adolescents, and families in both public and private settings. Both tracks apply theory and research to practical problems of human adjustment and development. Goals for the program follow the recommendations of the American Counseling Association and meet the state of Illinois requirements so that students can sit for counseling licensing exams. The program’s goals are to:
* Provide a knowledge base in relevant areas of psychology, including personality, psychopathology, therapy, multicultural issues, and evaluation and assessment.
* Expand student skills in interviewing, assessment and techniques of therapy.
* Create student understanding of client uniqueness, multicultural sensitivity, and student attitudes of flexibility in their work with clients.
* Endorse student development of appropriate ethics and professional identification.
Entry requirementsAll students must present evidence of a baccalaureate degree awarded by a regionally accredited institution of higher education and a completed application which includes a personal statement of professional goals. Because this program is directed toward adults, it is expected that personal maturity and experience are prime indicators of success in the program.
Course descriptionCOURSE OF STUDY OVERVIEW
To obtain a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, students must specialize in one of two tracks. Track A, Mental Health Counseling, offers a traditional counseling psychology curriculum designed to prepare the student to work in a wide variety of mental health settings. Track B, the Child and Adolescent Counseling Track, offers a counseling psychology curriculum designed to prepare students to work with children, adolescents, and families in both public and private settings.
COURSE FORMATS AND CREDIT
Courses are offered in the evening, and workshops are offered on weekends, each semester and summer. The normal load for a full-time graduate student is three courses, or nine semester hours. For those who are working full time, the normal semester load is two courses, or six semester hours.
SPECIALIZATION: MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING - TRACK A
I. Core Courses (45)
26-505 Research in Counseling and Guidance (3)
26-511 Individual Appraisal (3)
26-512 Interviewing Skills (3)
26-520 Advanced Developmental Psychology (3)
26-522 Career Development Theory (3)
26-541 Psychopathology (3)
26-565 Group Therapy (3)
26-567 Treatment of Substance Abuse (3)
26-571 Counseling Theories: Insight-Oriented Therapies (3)
26-572 Counseling Theories: Behavior and Cognitive Therapies (3)
26-575 Family Dynamics and Family Therapy (3)
26-578 Professional Issues in Counseling (3)
26-579 Multicultural Issues in Counseling (3)
26-585 Practicum in Counseling (3)
26-590 Internship in Counseling (3)
II. Elective (3)
Three credit hours may be chosen from graduate psychology, education, criminal/ social justice, business, nursing, or leadership courses. Three one-credit workshops may take the place of this elective course.
SPECIALIZATION: CHILD AND ADOLESCENT COUNSELING – TRACK B
I. Core Courses (45)
26-505 Research in Counseling and Guidance (3)
26-512 Interviewing Skills (3)
26-513 Individual Appraisal: Child and Adolescent Emphasis (3)
26-520 Advanced Developmental Psychology (3)
26-522 Career Development Theory (3)
26-543 Psychopathology: Child Emphasis (3)
26-565 Group Therapy (3)
26-567 Treatment of Substance Abuse (3)
26-571 Counseling Theories: Insight-Oriented Therapies (3)
OR
26-572 Counseling Theories: Behavior and Cognitive Therapies (3)
26-574 Counseling Theories: Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy (3)
26-575 Family Dynamics and Family Therapy (3)
26-578 Professional Issues in Counseling (3)
26-579 Multicultural Issues in Counseling (3)
26-585 Practicum in Counseling (3)
26-590 Internship in Counseling (3)
II. Elective (3)
Three credit hours may be chosen from psychology, education, criminal/social justice, business, nursing, or leadership graduate courses. Three one-credit workshops may take the place of this elective course.