Clinical and Counseling Psychology

  

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS 

Students who are accepted into the master’s program will have the opportunity to receive a Master of Science (M.S.) degree. This degree is designed to prepare students to sit for the licensure examination and to apply to doctoral programs. 

 

MASTER OF SCIENCE (M.S.) 

Master of Science (M.S.) students must complete a minimum of 48 graduate credits. Of these 48 credits, 21 credits come from the Core Curriculum (7 courses) and at least 9 credits come from the field placement. Students without an undergraduate degree in psychology or closely related field are evaluated on an individual basis. It is recommended that the non-psychology applicant has taken at least four undergraduate psychology courses including: General Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Statistics or Research Methods, and any other psychology course. 

Students may concentrate in one of five areas or take a generalist curriculum. These credits are distributed in the following manner: 

  • Addictions Treatment: 12 concentration credits and 6 elective credits 
  • Child and Adolescent Therapy: 12 concentration credits and 6 elective credits 
  • Marriage and Family Therapy: 18 concentration credits 
  • Trauma Studies: 12 concentration credits and 6 elective credits 
  • Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders: 12 concentration credits and 6 elective credits 
  • Generalist Curriculum: 18 credits selected from among any of the concentration or elective courses 

Students who need to take a third term of internship may do so in place of 3 elective credits. 

 

CURRICULUM 

Students without an undergraduate degree in psychology or a closely related field are encouraged to apply.  Their applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Additional undergraduate courses may be required as outlined above. 

   

Core Courses 

These courses are required for all students. Prerequisites are in parentheses. 

 

PSYG          500               Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy    

PSYG          503               Psychopathology (500, may be taken concurrently with  

                                           500) 

PSYG          506               Techniques of Counseling and Psychotherapy I (503) 

PSYG          508               Techniques of Counseling and Psychotherapy II (506) 

PSYG          510               Research Design and Methodology 

PSYG          512               Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling and Psychotherapy  

                                           (500, 503) 

PSYG          514               Development  Across the Lifespan: Individual & Family 

 

Concentration Courses 

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY (18 credits required) 

 

PSYG          608               Marriage and Family Therapy (required)  

PSYG          612               Advanced Theories of Marriage and Family Therapy (608)  

                                           (required) 

PSYG          614               Marriage and Family Therapy Techniques (608) (required) 

PSYG          616               Advanced  Marriage and Family Therapy  

                                           Techniques (608) (required) 

PSYG          618               Human Sexuality and Marriage (required) 

 

          and one of the following: 

 

PSYG          604               A Systemic Approach to the Problems of Adolescents 

PSYG          638               Systemic Treatment of Addictions 

  

Those pursuing a license as a Marriage and Family Therapist should take all seven courses. 

 

CHILD AND ADOLESCENT THERAPY (all required) 

PSYG          602               Play Therapy (500) 

PSYG          604               A Systemic Approach to the Problems of Adolescents 

PSYG          608               Marriage and Family Therapy  

PSYG          615               Special Topics (title of course will be included on transcript) 

 

ADDICTIONS TREATMENT (12 credits required) 

PSYG          630               Foundations of Addictive Behaviors (required) 

PSYG          632               Treatment Approaches to Substance Abuse  (630) (required) 

 

         and two of the following: 

 

PSYG          634               Spirituality of the Twelve Steps 

PSYG          636               Special Topics (title of course will be included on transcript) 

PSYG          638               Systemic Treatment of Addictions 

 

TRAUMA STUDIES (all required)  

PSYG          622               Introduction to the Assessment and Treatment of   

                                            Psychological Trauma 

PSYG          624               Treatment of Complex Chronic Trauma Responses (622) 

PSYG          626               Acute Incident Responding: Trauma Prevention and Early          

                                           Intervention Strategies (622) 

PSYG          628               Working Effectively in Trauma-Intensive Communities (622) 

 

TREATMENT OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS (all required)  

PSYG      652                    Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders  

PSYG      654                    Treatment Approaches to Autism Spectrum Disorders (652) 

PSYG      656                    Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Psychosocial, Legal  

                                            Medical Issues (652) 

PSYG      658                    Treating Families with an Autistic Member over the   

                                            Lifespan (652)                                                                                                                                  

            

Electives (note: students may also use concentration courses to fill elective requirements) 

PSYG          530               Group Therapy (LPC required) 

PSYG          532               The Role of Culture and Gender in Counseling and  

                                           Psychotherapy (LPC & LMFT required) 

PSYG          536               Psychological Assessment (503) (LPC required) 

PSYG          540               Introduction to Psychopharmacology 

PSYG          542               Career Development and Counseling (LPC required) 

PSYG          544               Eating Disorders 

PSYG          546               Bereavement Counseling 

PSYG          645               Special Topics 

         

Field Experience (see below for prerequisites)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

PSYG          705               Practicum (except for MFT students) 

PSYG          710               MFT Internship I 

PSYG          715               Internship I  

PSYG          725               Internship II 

PSYG          735               Internship III (optional except for MFT students) 

  

Students in the MFT concentration take 710, 725, and 735 and do not take 705. All other students must take 705 first and then 715 and 725.  Students may also opt to take 735 if needed.  

 

APPLICATION TO PSY.D. PROGRAM 

Students in the master’s program who intend to apply to the Psy.D. program at Chestnut Hill College after receiving their master’s degree should include among their concentration or elective courses PSYG 532 The Role of Culture and Gender in Counseling and Psychotherapy and at least two of the following courses: 

 

PSYG 530         Group Therapy 

PSYG 542         Career Development and Counseling 

PSYG 602         Play Therapy 

PSYG 604         A Systemic Approach to the Problems of Adolescents 

PSYG 618         Human Sexuality and Marriage 

PSYG 622         Introduction to the Assessment and Treatment of Psychological Trauma 

PSYG 630         Foundations of Addictive Behaviors 

 

PRACTICUM 

The practicum is mandatory for students seeking licensure as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC). The practicum is a 100-hour experience that includes 6-7 hours per week at the practicum site, plus 1.5 hours of classroom supervision weekly. Content for the practicum experience includes biopsychosocial assessment, case formulation, diagnosis, and treatment planning. Students may engage in: milieu therapy, group therapy co-facilitation, case conferences, educational experiences, and individual therapy and group therapy when considered appropriate by the site supervisor. The overall goal of the practicum is preparation for internship. Because of the requirements of our various sites, practicum can begin only during the fall or summer sessions.  Please plan accordingly.  Consult with your advisor or the Coordinator of Master’s Field Placements if you have any questions. 

 

Practicum Prerequisites 

•    Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy 

•    Psychopathology 

•    Techniques of Counseling and Psychotherapy I 

•    Legal & Ethical Issues 

 

Students typically continue with internship immediately after the practicum.  Please be sure you have completed enough coursework to be able to continue into internship. 

 

INTERNSHIP 

Students accept the responsibility of applying and interviewing for their internship. A detailed procedure for this process is presented at the internship information sessions that students are required to attend.  Please contact Leslie Shralow, Ph.D., Coordinator of Masters Field Placements, by calling 215-248-7024 or shralowl@chc.edu for dates and times of these sessions.  

 

Internship Prerequisites 

Prior to registering for internship, students must have successfully completed a minimum of 30 credits including all of the following courses: 

•    Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy 

•    Psychopathology 

•    Techniques of Counseling and Psychotherapy I 

•    Techniques of Counseling and Psychotherapy II (May be taken concurrently with the first semester of internship) 

•    Legal and Ethical Issues 

•    Practicum (PSYG 705) or MFT Internship I (PSYG 710) for Marriage and Family Therapy students only 

•    Two Concentration Courses (students in the generalist curriculum may use any two non-core courses) 

 

Important Procedures/Policies (in preparation for practicum/internship) 

  • Contact the Coordinator of Master’s Field Placements to pre-register for practicum/internship.  You are required to pre-register two terms prior to the term you plan to begin. Group information sessions will be held each term. Students may begin the practicum/internship sequence in the summer or fall terms only.  No student may begin a field placement in the spring semester. 
     
  • A practicum/internship resource book is available from the internship coordinator. This book contains a listing of previously used sites and information regarding the sites. Students may also seek new practicum/internship placements. However, the Coordinator of Master’s Field Placements, consistent with program policies, must approve all sites. 
     
  • Prepare a resume, as you will need it to interview for practicum/internship. All other paperwork necessary for the interview process will be distributed at the practicum/internship information sessions. 
     
  • Once you have decided on a site, your prospective supervisor should complete all designated paperwork and send it to the Coordinator of Master’s Field Placements. 
     
  • As part of the practicum/internship process all students are required to procure liability insurance. Applications for liability insurance will be available at the information sessions or from the Coordinator of Master’s Field Placements. Students are not permitted to begin a practicum or internship without liability insurance and must maintain it until the internship is completed. Students are required to submit verification of coverage to both the Coordinator of Master’s Field Placements and the field site supervisor. 
     
  • A practicum or internship may not be completed at a site where the student is or has been employed. 
     
  • All students are required to participate in a group supervision class each term of their practicum/internship. You may register at the beginning of each term for one of the practicum or internship classes upon approval by the Coordinator of the Master’s Field Placements. 

 

Internship Requirements 

During the actual internship placement students must meet the following requirements: 

  • Students interested in seeking LPC licensure must work at the field site a minimum of 700 hours over a minimum of three terms, including the practicum semester and two semesters of internship. Of these 700 hours, 240 must be spent in direct-client contact. Students seeking LMFT licensure must complete a total of 300 direct-client contact hours over the course of a full calendar year (3 terms) and a total of 700 hours at the internship site.   
     
  • Students must attend a weekly seminar at the College. The seminar will provide an opportunity for students to raise issues about their cases and their internship experience. (Note: Students must register for the corresponding seminar for each term of Internship: PSYG 710, PSYG 715, PSYG 725, PSYG 735.)  
     
  • Final grades will be based on regular attendance and participation in the weekly seminar, performance at the internship site, the timely submission of required paperwork, and the site supervisor’s written evaluation.
           
  • All students are expected to comply with the rules and regulations of the internship site and conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times.