M.A. Counseling Psychology
Graduates of the M.A. in Counseling Psychology provide services for people of all ages and with diverse backgrounds. The scientifically grounded and empirically supported interventions students learn in the program make them very competitive for desirable positions in settings such as community mental health centers, adolescent and adult residential treatment centers, hospitals, county mental health treatment centers, outpatient treatment, employee assistance programs, private practice, and as consultants to organizations. Working in the model of local clinical scientists, graduates are effective in helping clients make meaningful change and increase the quality of their lives.
The Counseling Psychology program is designed so that full time students will complete the required 56 credits in two years. Part time students generally finish in three years. The program is approved by the Oregon Board of Counselors and Therapists as meeting the educational requirements for becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor.
The Counseling Psychology curriculum is comprised of four components: core counseling psychology courses, organizational behavior track courses, behavior therapy track courses, and the required supervised practical experience. The practical experience fulfills the 600 hour state requirements for pre-degree experience. A few students choose to take both the behavior therapy and organizational behavior tracks.
Students spend the first year studying basic counseling theory and techniques. In the second year, students choose one of two specialty tracks: behavior therapy or organizational behavior. Both of these have proven to be in high demand by employers. Students begin the practical experience the first year and complete the 600 hour internship during the second year at sites throughout the community. During the second year, students prepare an extensive case analysis and a qualifying comprehensive examination.
The M.A. in Counseling Psychology program is currently located at the downtown Portland site of the School of Professional Psychology. By Summer of 2010 it is expected that it will relocate to the Hillsboro Campus of the College of Health Professions.