BA/MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling Accelerated Program

Second-semester juniors who are majoring in psychology and have at least a 3.3 QPA are eligible to apply for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Accelerated Program. This joint offering of psychology and the Graduate Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program makes it possible to complete one’s BA in psychology: clinical track and MA in Counseling in five years instead of six.

Qualified applicants must have a minimum 3.3 QPA. In addition the Graduate Clinical Mental Health Counseling application form and three letters of recommendation are required. Any psychology major interested in this option is strongly advised to discuss this with his/her advisor as early as possible to assure selecting a workable sequence of courses. It is recommended that the student complete the internship in the summer prior to senior year.

The following is the course sequence for the fourth year, which is intended to complete the BA and first year of the MA:

Fall Semester

CSL 502Human Growth and Personality Development

3

CSL 504Theories and Techniques of Mental Health Counseling

3

CSL 607Issues in Psychological and Spiritual Integration

3

CSL 621Group Dynamics and Mental Health Counseling

3

PSY 407Internship

3

CSL 502, CSL 504: for elective

CSL 607: for Catholic Psychology elective

CSL 621: for PSY 320 Group Dynamics

Spring Semester

CSL 503Professional, Ethical, and Legal Issues in Counseling

3

CSL 505Theories and Techniques of Marriage and Family Counseling

3

CSL 506Therapeutic Techniques of Counseling

3

CSL 520Mental Health Appraisal

3

 

PSY 434Thesis

1

OR

PSY 435Coordinating Seminar

1

CSL 503, CSL 505, CSL 506: for electives

CSL 520: for PSY 403 Psychological Tests

To make the accelerated program work effectively for the applicant, the courses taken in the first three years will need to fulfill the other requirements for the BA in psychology: clinical track while leaving the courses and substitutions specified above to the 4th year. Given the intensity of the fourth year coursework, it may be advisable to pick up an extra elective beforehand, rather than leaving it until the spring of the fourth year. In addition the student is encouraged to complete the internship during the summer prior to senior year.