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Master of Science in Clinical Counseling

(60 credits)

The Master of Science in Clinical Counseling is a graduate professional degree designed to prepare students to become independent professional mental healthcare practitioners. Degree requirements are designed to meet the educational standards for future licensure as a professional counselor (LPC) in the State of Connecticut. It is the individual student’s responsibility to ascertain what will be needed in states where one intends to reside. In addition to educational credentials, licensure requires appropriate postgraduate experience and passage of a licensure examination. No college or university can award a government-issued license, but our graduates should be well prepared to achieve these remaining goals.

The program offers two tracks, one in mental health counseling and one in addiction counseling. The mental health counseling track includes advanced coursework on assessment, psychotherapy, and case conceptualization. The addiction counseling track includes specialized coursework on psychopharmacology, addictive behavior, and addiction counseling. Students completing the addiction counseling track will be eligible to apply for the Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) credential in the State of Connecticut in addition to the LPC. This will require appropriate experience and passage of an examination as well as the degree.

Upon completing the program of study in Clinical Counseling, students will:

Meet the educational standards for future licensure as a professional counselor (LPC) in the State of Connecticut.

Mission

The Master of Science in Clinical Counseling is committed to cultivating highly proficient counselors and psychotherapists who will be able competently to address the needs of persons (clients) presenting with a wide range of problems and drawn from diverse backgrounds— to provide individualized assessment and treatment using techniques known to be efficacious, and to do so in accordance with the highest ethical standards. In addition to this very practical application, we aim to offer an educational experience that will be humanistically enlarging.

Admission Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from a nationally or regionally accredited institution approved by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.*
Personal interview.
Proficiency in the business application of personal computers.
For non-native English-speakers, a minimum score of 550 paper-based, 80 internet-based, or 213 computer-based on the Test of English as a Foreign Language .
Proof of immunization in accordance with Connecticut state requirements.
Applicants intending to use VA benefits submit a copy of their certificate of eligibility to a school certifying official.

Completion of at least 15 credits in psychology including a course in statistics for behavioral social sciences.*

The applicant must submit:

- Official transcripts from all nationally and regionally accredited degree-granting institutions, approved by the USDE or CHEA, attended.
- A substantive writing sample (such as a term paper from an upper-level undergraduate course) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test score.
- A personal statement (of 250-500 words, double-spaced) to a prompt relating to the applicant’s motivation and self-assessed suitability for a career in counseling.
- Two letters of recommendation from former professors or professional associates.

* Decisions concerning admission will be made based on a holistic review of the complete application. Applicants who lack 1– 2 of the expected undergraduate psychology courses may be admitted on a provisional basis.You are required to complete the outstanding requirements before the end of your first year in the program. Applicants whose grades fall slightly below the 3.00 threshold, but who believe that those grades do not accurately reflect their current abilities, are encouraged to include in their application an explanation of what factors impeded their previous performance and what has changed in the interim.

Transfer Credits

Albertus Magnus College will accept a maximum of 12 graduate hours from nationally or regionally accredited institutions approved by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) toward satisfying the program requirements. Such credits must have been completed prior to entrance into the program and must satisfy degree requirements. Transfer credits must have been completed with a minimum grade of 3.0 within the last five years. Transfer credits will be considered on an individual basis. Students must submit an official transcript showing proof of completion of the course(s) to be transferred. All requests to transfer credits must be completed prior to starting the program. Practicum and internship credits cannot be transferred.

Tuition and Fees

Costs vary by graduate program; please consult https://www.albertus.edu/admission-aid/business-office/accelerated-degree-program/graduate-tuition-fees.php.

Application Fee: $50.00
Tutorial Surcharge: $500.00 (for student requested tutorial)
Thesis Continuation Fee: $250.00 per registration period (within seven years of matriculation) until completion of the thesis.

Fees and rates are subject to change.

Accreditation

Albertus Magnus College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

The Master of Science in Clinical Counseling is accredited by the State of Connecticut Office of Higher Education.

Program Format

Classes are offered in a traditional semester format, which consists of two, sixteen-week terms and one, eight-week summer module during the calendar year.

Students that choose the addiction counseling track will also take eight-week, module-based courses.

Academic Advisement

Admitted students are assigned a faculty advisor, typically the program director. Together the student and advisor will develop a program of study. Throughout the program the advisor will assist students with course planning, registration and regular academic review.

Course Load

Students may register for no more than 12 credits per semester.

Good Standing

Students who maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 and students who receive fewer than three course grades of 2.0 are considered in good standing. If a student receives a grade below “B–” (2.70), this will trigger a review of said student’s status in the program.

Academic Review, Probation, and Dismissal

Program faculty will review the status of any student who fails to meet the above standards. In extreme cases, academic dismissal may result. In such cases, the student will have the opportunity to appeal the dismissal. If the appeal is granted, a remediation plan will be developed and the student will be placed on academic probation. The remediation plan might include documented medical care or counseling.

Academic probation will be imposed in all cases not resulting in academic dismissal. Students on academic probation will be required to earn grades of “B” (3.00) or better in all courses during the ensuing term or until the cumulative G.P.A. has risen above 3.00, whichever is longer.

A remediation plan will also be developed. This may include treatment of any medical or psychosocial problems and/or pursuit of academic support (such as tutoring or additional work on writing or other academic skills). Although the college’s regular support services may suffice for this purpose, it is possible that in some cases a student will need to pay out of pocket for private assistance. Our intention in all cases will be to maximize the student’s opportunities to make necessary improvements and succeed in their studies.

If a student already on academic probation earns a G.P.A. below 3.00 for the term or obtains any course grade below “B-” (2.70), that student will be academically dismissed. Such students will have the right to appeal their dismissal, but the final decision will rest with program faculty, the relevant Dean, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Good Professional and Clinical Standing

Professional counselors must exhibit certain personal qualities, including (but not limited to) ethical integrity, sensitivity to others, self-awareness, and the ability to navigate close human relationships. Training professional counselors is, therefore, not solely a matter of maintaining academic standards. Students are expected to display appropriate behavior in their interactions with faculty members, peers, clinical supervisors, and (most of all) clients. Students who persistently fail to do so may be placed on probation or, in extreme cases, dismissed from the program.

Program faculty will meet to discuss student progress twice annually. Students will be advised of any significant concerns. “Significant” concerns are defined as those that either appear repetitively or are considered especially egregious. In some cases, these concerns may trigger a review of the student’s status (see below). In addition, grades of “B-” or below in a clinical practicum or internship will automatically trigger a review.

Professional Probation, Remediation, and Dismissal

If program faculty determine that a student’s behavior raises significant concerns, said student will be informed of these concerns and of the need to make changes. If this initial warning does not result in positive change, or if the initial concerns are sufficiently serious, the student may be placed on professional probation. In this situation, a formal remediation plan will be developed by program faculty and discussed with the student. Acceptance of and adherence to this plan will be a condition of continuation in the program. In some cases, this remediation plan may include participation in personal psychotherapy. Such treatment will never be provided by persons serving on the college faculty, as this would constitute a conflict of interest. The intent underlying the remediation plan is to enable the student to make necessary changes and become a more effective professional counselor. Failure to meet the conditions laid out in the remediation plan may result in dismissal from the program. Only the most egregious violations of professional conduct will result in dismissal without the opportunity to engage in remediation. In all cases, students will have the right to appeal their dismissal through the usual College channels.

Graduation Requirements

Completion of all requirements within seven years of matriculation, including completion of the capstone course.
Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
Minimum grade in each course of 2.0.
Payment of all tuition and fees.

Graduation with Honors

Master’s degree candidates who have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.90 or above and a grade of “A” in all components of the final project/capstone course/thesis are awarded honors and will have the notation included on their transcript and diploma.

PROGRAM OF STUDY

Clinical Counseling, M.S. - Mental Health Counseling

YEAR ONE

The first year of the program involves foundational courses: acquiring the knowledge and basic skills essential to all future counselors. Students in both tracks take all classes together. There are no fieldwork requirements this year.

YEAR TWO

The second year of the program involves immersion in courses relating to one’s chosen area of specialization. The fall term also features the foundational course in research methodology. The spring term also includes the first field experience, a 120-hour practicum.

Fall (9 credits)

PY 534 - Research Methods and Quantitative Analysis
PY 553 - Clinical Assessment II: Personality Dynamics
PY 554 - Advanced Counseling and Psychotherapy I: Cognitive-Behavioral Methods

Spring (9 credits)

PY 570 - Counseling Practicum
PY 555 - Advanced Counseling and Psychotherapy II: Couples and Family Therapy
PY 556 - Advanced Counseling and Psychotherapy III: Integrative Techniques

YEAR THREE

The third year centers on the internship experience: 600 hours of supervised counseling practice at an approved site and participation in a thesis-related seminar on campus. It is the student’s responsibility to secure a site, but the program will provide support and guidance throughout the process. Most of the academic experiences during this year will tie in with the internship in one way or another.