Clinical Counseling Psychology

In addition to satisfying these program requirements, you must select four elective courses. These electives allow you to develop specialized skills in working with particular client groups and in using specific approaches to counseling. You may also use your electives to gain in-depth expertise in a particular concentration. Concentrations are optional and include Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies and Child and Family Interventions. You can fulfill the requirements for both concentrations in the 60-credit program without taking additional courses. To fulfill the requirements for both concentrations, you must complete both PSY 711 and PSY 712 plus one additional elective from each concentration.

This concentration reflects the influence and activities of the Aaron T. Beck Institute for Cognitive Studies and the expertise of departmental faculty. Structured, problem-focused cognitive-behavioral therapies focus on the interrelationship of thinking, behavior, and emotion. They are a collaborative undertaking in which the client and therapist develop the means to solve the client’s problem, thus enabling the client to live a responsible and productive life. 

Upon completion, you will receive a Certificate of Graduate Training from the Aaron T. Beck Institute for Cognitive Studies.

If you select this concentration, you must complete at least three of the following courses:

This concentration reflects the expertise of the faculty in the areas of childhood trauma, adoption, school interventions, and major psychopathology in children, adolescents, and young adults. The concentration focuses on skills used when working with children, adolescents, and families in a variety of contexts. A broad developmental perspective is integrated within this concentration. 

If you select this concentration, you must complete at least three of the following courses:

The Clinical Counseling Practicum-Internship Sequence is comprised of three indivisible and consecutive courses: the Practicum, and Internships I and II. Supervised Practicum and Internships are required for the Master of Arts degree in Clinical Counseling Psychology. Only degree candidates of Assumption University may enroll in these courses.

The Practicum (PSY 801) is a one-semester summer course, which immediately precedes two semesters of Internship (PSY 802 and 803). The Practicum requires a minimum of 100 hours at a clinical agency or school. Students must attend an informational meeting in December prior to the summer in which they enroll in their practicum. Minimal qualification for Practicum is satisfactory completion of PSY 500 (Abnormal Psychology), PSY 504 (Psychological Measurement), PSY 600 (Counseling Principles and Practices), PSY 604 (Ethical Principles for Counselors), and PSY 708 (Cognitive Assessment and Psychotherapy). Students may not terminate their Practicum placement or withdraw from the Counseling Practicum Seminar (PSY 801) except in extraordinary circumstances and only with the written permission of the Practicum-Internship Coordinator. Students are not permitted to re-enroll in the Practicum course without written permission of the Practicum-Internship Coordinator.

The Internship (PSY 802 and 803) is a two-consecutive-semester program which begins in the fall and concludes in the spring of the same academic year. Over the course of two semesters, students must complete a minimum of 600 hours at a clinical agency or school. Students cannot withdraw from or terminate their placement in the middle of the internship sequence except in extraordinary circumstances and only with the written permission of the Practicum-Internship Coordinator. Students are not permitted to re-enroll in the Internship courses without written permission of the Practicum-Internship Coordinator. To enroll in the Internship courses, students must have successfully completed Counseling Practicum (PSY 801) and two 700-level advanced courses.

Licensure is important for professional practice as a mental health professional and the Clinical Counseling Psychology program is designed to prepare graduates to meet the educational requirements for licensure as a Mental Health Counselor in Massachusetts. For students who are interested in applying for licensure in other states, the Clinical Counseling Psychology program faculty will provide assistance in locating and understanding the licensing regulations for those states. The faculty also will provide assistance in developing an educational plan of study that will allow students to compile a portfolio that can be submitted to the licensing board in other states.