Department of Counseling

Counseling Psychology (M.A.)

off-site degree optionOff-site degree option: Universities at Shady Grove

Admission Requirements

  1. A completed application
  2. Undergraduate transcripts in psychology or a related field and have a minimum GPA of 2.75. Non-psychology majors must have a minimum of 12 undergraduate credits in the social sciences field.
  3. Submission of three letters of recommendation on official letterhead with an ‘ink’ signature: Two (2) of which are from a college professor or someone who can attest to the aptitude for graduate studies; and one (1) professional (i.e., supervisor).
  4. Letter of interest or Personal Statement which responds to the following:
    • Background information: Family, education and work.
    • Goals: What do you expect to be doing in five (5) years? In ten (10) years?
    • Strengths: What strengths do you have that would contribute to your being a good counselor?
    • Change: What do you believe to be the facets of your personality, behavior, and/or outlook that, if modified or changed, would make you a better person/counselor? What plans, if any, do you have for making any such change(s)?
    • Why Bowie State University?Why did you decide to apply to the counseling program at B.S.U.?
    • Your comments: What additional information, thoughts, feelings, concerns and/or questions do you have?
  5. Applicants may be asked to participate in a phone interview.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, school counseling graduates:

  • Demonstrate the ability to use and interpret an Adlerian Lifestyle Assessment, which is a holistic assessment for case conceptualization and treatment plans.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of major theoretical counseling approaches.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of ethical and legal issues related to the field of counseling psychology.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the use of DSM-5 (Diagnostic Statistical Manual, 5th Edition).
  • Demonstrate skills necessary to plan & complete a research paper.
  • Demonstrate an ability to effectively use the problem-solving process to design and implement counseling interventions.
  • Demonstrate an ability to apply a diverse/culturally responsive framework to all forms of practice (i.e., consultation, counseling, assessment, intervention design and implementation, professional training, etc.)
  • Demonstrate the ability to use & interpret various interest inventories, aptitude tests, and other measures related to education and career choices

Program of Study (48 credit hours)

PSYC 502 Principles and Philosophy of Counseling
EDUC 507 Advanced Human Growth and Development
PSYC 633 Multicultural Counseling
PSYC 608 Career Counseling and Development
PSYC 730 Adlerian Theory and Other Theories
PSYC 780 Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling
PSYC 737 Lifestyle Assessment
EDUC 706 Introduction to Research
PSYC 733 Group Counseling

PSCY 614 Appraisal, Assessment, and Evaluation
PSYC 732 Family Counseling
PSYC 744 Psychodynamics of Psychopathology
COUN 762 Drug and Alcohol Counseling
PSYC 836 Practicum in Counseling Psychology (100 hrs)*
PSYC 858 Internship in Counseling Psychology (600 hrs)*
PSYC 861 Seminar in Counseling Psychology

Counseling Psychology Sequence

Level One

PSYC 502 Principles and Philosophy of Counseling
EDUC 507 Advanced Human Growth and Development
PSYC 633 Multicultural Counseling

Level Two

PSYC 608 Career Counseling and Development
PSYC 734 Adlerian Theory and Other Theories
PSYC 780 Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling
EDUC 706 Introduction to Research

Level Three

PSYC 614 Appraisal, Assessment, and Evaluation
PSYC 733 Group Counseling
PSYC 732 Family Counseling

*PSYC 799 CPCE/Comprehensive Exam. Note: After completing Levels I, II & III classes, students may take the CPCE (Comp Exam). Students must register and pass the CPCE/Comp Exam before registering for PSYC 836, PYSC 858, and PSYC 861

Level Four

PSYC 744 Psychodynamics of Psychopathology
COUN 762 Drug and Alcohol Counseling
PSYC 737 Lifestyle Assessment

Level Five

PSYC 836 Practicum in Counseling Psychology (100 hrs)*
PSYC 858 Internship in Counseling Psychology (600 hrs)*
PSYC 861 Seminar in Counseling Psychology