COUNSELING

Community Counseling (M.A.)
Counseling (Post-Master's Certificate)
Community Counseling/Forensic Psychology (M.A./M.A.)
Pastoral and Spiritual Care (M.A.)
Pastoral Counseling (M.A.)
Pastoral Counseling (Post-Master's Certificate)
School Counseling (M.A.)

Marymount offers the M.A. in Community Counseling, Pastoral Counseling, Pastoral and Spiritual Care, and School Counseling. The Community Counseling and School Counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Many courses are also available to students majoring in other fields.

Marymount also offers a unique dual-degree program, in which a student can earn a Master of Arts in Community Counseling with licensure eligibility and a Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology. (For more information about Marymount’s Forensic Psychology program, see page 121.)
Admission Requirements for Degree Programs: In addition to all general University graduate admission requirements (see page 19), the following are required:

a bachelor’s degree and acceptable GPA (an undergraduate major in Psychology is preferred, however candidates from other fields will be considered);
official transcripts of all postsecondary education;
acceptable scores on the GRE (including the Analytical Writing score), as determined by the Department;
two letters of recommendation that speak directly to the applicant’s academic and interpersonal skills; and
a personal statement describing the applicant’s background and motivation for entering the field of study for which he/she is applying.

Deadlines:

Students are admitted for the fall semester only. Completed applications must be received by February 15. Applications received after February 15 will be considered for a future academic year.

After the initial review of an applicant’s preliminary materials, he or she may be invited to participate in a two-hour interview process designed to assess interpersonal skills. The process includes group and individual interviews and an orientation to the program. All application materials must be received in order to be considered for an interview. Each program conducts interviews in March or April.

Following the interview process, the Counseling faculty will review the entire application and render a final decision based on an assessment of both academic and interpersonal appropriateness for the program and the counseling profession. Applicants will be notified of their status by the Office of Admissions and are asked not to contact the Counseling Department directly.

See graduate program handbooks for detailed information.

Admission Requirements for Certificate Programs: See “Certificate-Seeking Graduate Students” section on page 20. Applicants for the Counseling certificate and Certificate of Advanced Studies in Pastoral Counseling must already hold a master’s degree in Counseling or a related field.

Special permission by the Counseling faculty is required for clinical courses.

Admission Policies: Students admitted to other Marymount graduate programs must meet the Counseling programs admissions requirements before they transfer into the program.

Nondegree Students: Nondegree students may not register for the following courses: PS 522, PS 523, PS 560, PS 561, PS 597, PS 599.

Academic Progression: The Counseling faculty will review the academic progress and professional development of students in all graduate programs each semester. Students must demonstrate appropriate academic and interpersonal skills in order to progress to practicum and internship placement. Details of the review process and procedures can be found in the graduate program handbooks.

Internship Prerequisite: In order to be admitted to an internship, students must have completed the internship application process, which includes attending a mandatory meeting one semester prior to the placement, a review of student academic progress, completion of appropriate paperwork, submission of the $50 required application fee, documentation of student professional liability insurance, and permission of the faculty.

Students must complete all prerequisites and 24 credits prior to registering for PS 597 Practicum. PS 597 and 30 credit hours of the program must be completed prior to internship placement.

Legal Limitations of Practice: The practice of counseling is regulated by state laws. Questions concerning licensure in a specific state should be directed to that state’s Board of Professional Counselors. Before being placed in a practicum or internship site, agencies may require a national criminal background check of the student. The cost of the investigation (approximately $50) may be borne by the student. Students are required to obtain and present proof of liability insurance prior to the start of a practicum or internship experience.

Minimum Grade Requirement: PS 522, PS 523, PS 597, PS 599 require a minimum grade of B to advance in the program.

Research Requirement: All graduate students are required to log a minimum of 20 hours of research assistance under the guidance of one or more members of the Counseling or Forensic Psychology faculty. See the student handbook for details.

Residency Requirement: Clinical courses (PS 522, PS 523, PS 597, PS 599) must be taken at Marymount.

Transfer Policies: Students in the Counseling programs requesting course substitutions or course transfer from other institutions may be required to submit paperwork for review by the Graduate Counseling Course Review Committee.

Community Counseling (M.A.)

This program provides training and skills in counseling theory, practice, and research to prepare graduates for work in applied settings where training at the master’s level is appropriate. The program also provides a sound foundation for working toward licensure as well as for doctoral-level study. A focus on training in techniques applicable to specific populations provides experiences that are transferable to the contemporary workplace.

Degree Requirements

48 credits

PS 500 Research and Evaluation
PS 501 Bases of Psychopathology
PS 502 Foundations, Ethics, and Professional Issues in Community Counseling
PS 503 Advanced Human Growth and Development
PS 510 Survey of Testing and Assessment
PS 517 Neuropsychological Issues, Treatments, and Assessments
PS 520 Theories of Counseling
PS 522 Counseling for Individuals
PS 523 Group Counseling Techniques
PS 530 Career Development Counseling
PS 536 Advanced Counseling: Theories and Techniques
PS 551 Multicultural Counseling
PS 597 Practicum
PS 599 Internship (6 credits)
One (1) Counseling elective, depending on student goals and interests. Students should consult with their state licensing board to determine an appropriate elective. (NOTE: PS 509 and PS 524 are required for DC, Maryland, and Virginia licensure): PS 505 Advanced Study of Individuals with Exceptionalities, PS 508 Crisis Intervention, PS 509 Substance Abuse Assessment and Intervention, PS 513 Assessment of Personality and Social Functioning, PS 524 Theories and Techniques of Family Counseling, PS 529 Psychopathology of Childhood and Adolescence, PS 534 Counseling Children and Adolescents

With prior approval of faculty, other elective courses can be applied toward the student’s degree.

Counseling (Post-Master’s Certificate)

Individuals who already have a master’s degree in Counseling from an accredited institution and who are working toward national certification or licensure as a professional counselor may opt for this program, which consists of a minimum of 18 semester credits of graduate coursework. Courses must be selected in conjunction with a faculty advisor. Special permission of the Counseling faculty is required to take clinical courses.

Community Counseling/Forensic Psychology (M.A./M.A.)

The combined Community Counseling and Forensic Psychology program provides students with the skills and knowledge required to provide ethical and effective evaluation and therapeutic counseling services in a variety of forensic settings, including probation and parole, victim assistance, policing, law enforcement and investigation, expert evaluation, dual diagnosis settings, and civil/criminal testimony. To accomplish this goal, the dual program provides a balance between traditional psychological knowledge and skills and specialized understanding and experience within the civil and criminal justice systems.

Graduates of this program will be eligible to sit for the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) examination and to begin supervised experience necessary for licensure as a licensed professional counselor. Students must take PS 597C Counseling Practicum and PS 599C Counseling Internship to meet licensure requirements.

Dual program students will be awarded two Master of Arts degrees.

Admission Requirement: Students must meet the admissions criteria for both the Forensic Psychology and Community Counseling programs.

Degree Requirements

75 credits

PS 500 Research and Evaluation
PS 501 Bases of Psychopathology
PS 502 Foundations, Ethics, and Professional Issues in Community Counseling
PS 503 Advanced Human Growth and Development
PS 507 Applied Social Psychology
PS 509 Substance Abuse Assessment and Intervention
PS 510 Survey of Testing and Assessment
PS 517 Neuropsychological Issues, Treatments, and Assessments
PS 520 Theories of Counseling
PS 522 Counseling for Individuals
PS 523 Group Counseling Techniques
PS 524 Theories and Techniques of Family Counseling
PS 530 Career Development Counseling
PS 536 Advanced Counseling: Theories and Techniques
PS 551 Multicultural Counseling
PS 580 Foundations in Forensic Psychology
PS 581 Psychology and the Law
PS 582 Advanced Issues in Forensic Psychology
PS 584 Psychology of Criminal Behavior or SOC 507 Juvenile Justice
PS 585 Forensic Assessment
PS 597C Practicum
PS 599C Internship (6 credits)
SOC 510 Theories of Social Deviance
Elective

Pastoral and Spiritual Care (M.A.)

This is a nonlicensure program that seeks to train competent clinicians who will provide counseling services to individuals and groups from a faith-based and spiritual perspective in a variety of settings.

Service/Research Requirement: All students in the Pastoral Counseling programs are required to log a minimum of 30 hours of service in the community or for the University and 20 hours of research.

Degree Requirements

48 credits

PS 501 Bases of Psychopathology
PS 502 Foundations, Ethics, and Professional Issues in Community Counseling
PS 503 Advanced Human Growth and Development
PS 508 Crisis Intervention
PS 509 Substance Abuse Assessment and Intervention
PS 520 Theories of Counseling
PS 522 Counseling for Individuals
PS 523 Group Counseling Techniques
PS 524 Theories and Techniques of Family Counseling
PS 540 Contemporary and Historical Religious Perspectives
PS 541 Pastoral Counseling Integration
PS 542 Grief and Loss
PS 551 Multicultural Counseling
PS 549 Moral and Spiritual Development and Ethical Issues in Counseling
PS 597PC Practicum in Pastoral Counseling
Elective

Pastoral Counseling (M.A.)

This program trains students in theory, research, and practice to provide counseling services to individuals and groups from a faith-based and spiritual perspective in a variety of settings.

Degree Requirements

60 credits

PS 500 Research and Evaluation
PS 501 Bases of Psychopathology
PS 502 Foundations, Ethics, and Professional Issues in Community Counseling
PS 503 Advanced Human Growth and Development
PS 508 Crisis Intervention
PS 509 Substance Abuse Assessment and Intervention
PS 510 Survey of Testing and Assessment
PS 520 Theories of Counseling
PS 522 Counseling for Individuals
PS 523 Group Counseling Techniques
PS 524 Theories and Techniques of Family Counseling
PS 530 Career Development Counseling
PS 540 Contemporary and Historical Religious Perspectives
PS 541 Pastoral Counseling Integration
PS 542 Grief and Loss
PS 549 Moral and Spiritual Development and Ethical Issues in Counseling
PS 551 Multicultural Counseling
PS 597PC Practicum in Pastoral Counseling
PS 599PC Internship

Pastoral Counseling (Post-Master’s Certificate)

This certificate is available for individuals who already possess a master’s degree in Counseling or a related field, and wish to gain the skills necessary to provide counseling services from a faith-based and spiritual perspective in a religious/spiritual setting. Special permission of the Counseling faculty is required to take clinical courses.

Certificate Requirements

18 credits

Alternate courses may be substituted, upon approval, if any of the following courses have been successfully completed during a master’s program:v

PS 508 Crisis Intervention
PS 524 Theory and Techniques of Family Counseling
PS 540 Contemporary and Historical Religious Perspectives
PS 541 Pastoral Counseling Integration
PS 542 Grief and Loss
PS 549 Moral and Spiritual Development and Ethical Issues in Counseling

School Counseling (M.A.)

The School Counseling program provides the education and training necessary to work as a school counselor in an elementary, middle, or secondary school. Students who successfully complete this program will receive endorsement in Virginia as a school counselor (grades PK-12).

School Counseling courses may be offered in the morning, afternoon, or evening. Field experience, practicum, and internship hours must be completed when school is in regular session: September–June, Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Degree Requirements

Some of these courses require field experience and have prerequisite or corequisite coursework. Please see the course descriptions for details.

51 credits

PS 500 Research and Evaluation
PS 503 Advanced Human Growth and Development
PS 505 Advanced Study of Individuals with Exceptionalities
PS 510 Survey of Testing and Assessment
PS 520 Theories of Counseling
PS 522 Counseling for Individuals (School Counseling section)
PS 523 Group Counseling Techniques (School Counseling section)
PS 524 Theories and Techniques of Family Counseling
PS 529 Psychopathology of Childhood and Adolescence
PS 530 Career Development Counseling (School Counseling section)
PS 534 Counseling Children and Adolescents
PS 551 Multicultural Counseling
PS 560 Foundations, Ethics, and Professional Issues in School Counseling
PS 561 Practices of School Counseling
PS 597S School Counseling Practicum
PS 599S Internship (6 credits)