Community Counseling (M.A.)
Counseling (Post-Master's Certificate)
Community Counseling with Forensic Psychology Option (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. Many courses are also available to students in other fields.
The Community Counseling, Pastoral Counseling, and School Counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The School Counseling program also is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
Marymount also offers a Forensic Psychology option for students in the Community Counseling program. This is a unique opportunity to earn both a master’s degree in Community Counseling and a master’s degree in Forensic Psychology, then complete the academic requirements needed to become a licensed professional counselor (LPC).
Admission Policies: Students admitted to other Marymount graduate programs must reapply to the University and meet the Counseling programs admissions requirements before they will be admitted into a Counseling program.
Nondegree Students: Nondegree students may register for the following courses only: CE 500, CE 501, CE 502, CE 503, CE 505, CE 508, CE 520, CE 529, CE 532, CE 540, CE 541, CE 542, CE 549, CE 551.
Admission Requirements for Degree Programs: In addition to the Universitywide graduate admission requirements, the following are required:
Enrollment Policies and Application Deadlines:
Community Counseling, Pastoral and Spiritual Care, and the Pastoral Counseling programs: Students are admitted for the fall, spring, or summer semester. Completed applications must be received by January 15 or May 3 for fall and summer enrollment, and by October 5 for spring semester enrollment. Applications received after these deadlines will be considered for a future academic year.School Counseling program: Students are admitted for the fall semester only. Completed applications must be received by January 15 or May 3. Applications received after these deadlines will be considered for a future academic year.
Process:
After the initial review of an applicant’s preliminary materials, he or she may be invited to participate in a one-hour interview process with the faculty. 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. The Office of Graduate Admissions will contact those applicants selected for an interview with the date.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 Graduate Admissions and should not contact the Counseling Department directly.
Admission Requirements for Certificate Programs: In addition to Universitywide requirements for graduate and post-master’s certificate-seeking students, 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. CE 597C, CE 597P, CE 597S, CE 599C, CE 599P, and CE 599S are reserved for those admitted into degree programs.
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 in the program and to be placed into a practicum and internship. Details of the review process and procedures can be found in the graduate program handbooks.
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 Requirements:
Community Counseling and Pastoral Counseling programs: CE 501, CE 520, CE 522C, CE 523C, CE 523P, CE 597C, CE 597P, CE 599C, and CE 599P require a minimum grade of B to advance in the program.
School Counseling program: CE 520, CE 522S, CE 523S, CE 560, CE 561, CE 597S, and CE 599S require a minimum grade of B to advance in the program.
Practicum and Internship Prerequisite: In order to be admitted to a practicum or an internship, students must have completed the internship application process, which includes attending a mandatory meeting one semester prior to the placement, a satisfactory review of student academic progress, completion of appropriate paperwork, submission of the $65 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 CE 597C, CE 597P, or CE 597S Practicum. The Practicum and 30 credit hours of the program must be completed prior to internship placement.
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 faculty or another approved faculty member. See the student handbook for details.
Residency Requirement: Clinical courses (CE 522C or CE 522S; CE 523C, CE 523P, or CE 523S; CE 597C, CE 597P, or CE 597S; CE 599C, CE 599P, or CE 599S) must be taken at Marymount.
Scheduling of Courses: Courses listed are not offered every semester. Students should consult their program advisor for guidance on course rotations and scheduling.
Transfer Policies: Students in the Counseling programs requesting course substitutions or course transfer from other institutions are required to submit paperwork for required courses for review to the Department of Counseling’s Course Review Committee. Upon approval by the department, students may transfer a maximum of 12 credits. After admission into a program, students may transfer a maximum of 6 credits.
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.
Marymount’s Community Counseling program provides an opportunity to earn a degree in 48 credit hours and, upon completion of the degree, begin an additional 12 credit hours of coursework needed for licensure as a professional counselor (LPC). Such individuals are then eligible to sit for the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) examination toward the end of their program of study and begin the supervised experience necessary to become a licensed professional counselor.
Degree Requirements
48 credits
With prior approval of faculty, other elective courses can be applied toward the student’s degree.
This program is for individuals who have earned a master’s in Counseling at an accredited institution other than Marymount. Those who are working toward national certification or licensure as a professional counselor may enroll in this program, which consists of a minimum of 18 semester credits of graduate coursework. All 18 credits must be taken at Marymount. No transfer courses are permitted. Courses must be selected in conjunction with a faculty advisor. Special permission of the Counseling faculty is required to take clinical courses. Certificate students may not take any section of CE 597 or CE 599 as part of their certificate program.
Marymount offers a Forensic Psychology option for students in the Community Counseling program. Through this program, the student has an opportunity to earn a Master of Arts in Community Counseling and a Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology.
Marymount’s Forensic Psychology program balances traditional psychological knowledge and skills with a specialized understanding of the criminal justice and legal systems, while tapping into the rich resources of the nation’s capital. Coursework is interdisciplinary, combining study in sociology, criminal justice, and public policy, in addition to many subfields in psychology.
The Community Counseling program provides an opportunity to earn a degree in 48 credit hours and, upon completion of the degree, begin an additional 12 credit hours of coursework needed for licensure as a professional counselor (LPC). Such individuals are then eligible to sit for the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) examination toward the end of their program of study and begin the supervised experience necessary to become a licensed professional counselor.
Admission Requirement: To be admitted to this program, students must first seek admission to the Community Counseling program. After completion of 32 credit hours in the Community Counseling program, the student must apply and be admitted to the Forensic Psychology program.
Total Program Requirements
75 credits
In addition to courses required for the M.A. in Community Counseling, students will complete the following courses to earn an M.A. in Forensic Psychology:
*Students who have taken CE 509 or CE 524 as part of their Community Counseling program should consult with an advisor for an acceptable elective to meet the 75-credit program requirement.
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
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. This program provides the foundation for working toward licensure as a professional counselor (LPC).
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
60 credits
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 students may not take any section of CE 597 or CE 599 as part of their certificate program.
Certificate Requirements
18 credits
All 18 credits must be taken at Marymount. No transfer courses are permitted. Alternate courses may be substituted, upon approval, if any of the following courses have been successfully completed during a master’s program:
The School Counseling program provides the education and training necessary to work as a school counselor in an elementary, middle, or high school. Students who successfully complete this program will be eligible for licensure as a school counselor (grades PK-12) in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
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 experiences and have prerequisite or corequisite coursework. Please see the course descriptions for details.
51 credits
*The internship takes place over two semesters and will be completed for a total of 6 credits (3 credits per semester).