The MS Program in Counseling and Clinical Health Psychology offers a dynamic curriculum designed to prepare professionals to provide assessment and psychotherapy services in a broad range of mental health settings. Our graduates are highly skilled counselors and psychotherapists with specialized training in cognitive behavioral therapy. The program offers two tracks of specialized training:
- 48-credit General Track
- 60-credit Addictions and Offender Counseling Track
Both tracks emphasize treatment of the whole person, educating clinicians in a biopsychosocial approach to health and well-being. The program seeks to blend classroom teaching, clinical experience, and research skills to provide students with the best education possible. Our faculty follow the practitioner-scholar model, offering research and valuable clinical experience to the classroom. We emphasize the importance of creating a personalized learning experience for each student with individualized attention and mentorship from faculty members who are experts in their field.
The 48-credit General Track:
- Cognitive behavioral approach to treatment
- Specialized training in behavioral medicine & collaboration with primary care physicians
- Option to enroll in 4 Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) courses [Fulfills requirements for becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Pennsylvania and many other states and a national certified counselor (NCC)]
The 60-credit Addictions and Offender Counseling Track:
- The same coursework and theoretical model as in the general track plus additional specialized coursework
- Specialized practicum experience to prepare students to work in addictions treatment and forensic treatment (correctional) settings
- Prepares students for the LPC in Pennsylvania and many other states and Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor (CADC) credentials
Students may attend classes on a full- or part-time basis. Most courses are offered in the evenings from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. A few courses meet for a full weekend once a month.
*Please view the Program Mission & Learning Goals for additional information about the tracks of study.
