Doctoral students may choose a concentration as part of their doctoral studies that provides education and training in a focal area of study. They may also earn the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology degree while pursuing the Psy.D. Students can earn these additional credentials by satisfying the admission and graduation requirements for concentration areas or the Master of Arts degree as specified in this Catalog. Many graduates report that these additional credentials enhanced their value to internship directors and employers. The attainment of the Master of Arts degree has assumed increased importance in recent years for students seeking internships in certain settings that require a graduate degree for reimbursement of services. Course and practicum requirements for successful completion of a Master's Degree or concentration area vary depending on the training necessary for this additional qualification. As a result, pursuing the M.A. in Counseling Psychology degree or a concentration area in addition to the doctorate typically will result in longer completion times for the doctoral degree. Doctoral students planning to add the Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology are eligible to take the Licensed Professional Counselor Exam which would allow them to become licensed as Masters level clinicians in the state of Illinois. Other states may require more extensive training at the MA level for licensure. Students interested in M.A. level licensure in other states should consult requirements for those states.

 

Students must complete a form that requires the signature of the Concentration Coordinator or Masters of Arts in Counseling Program Director and their faculty advisor available from the Office of the Registrar in order to add a concentration or the Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology degree.

 

Doctoral students interested in earning the Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology must complete the following requirements:

•  Take course 337 Group Therapy to satisfy one of their Basic Intervention electives.
• Take either course 662 Overview of Marriage and Family Therapy Models or course 663 Effective Marriage and Family Counseling to satisfy one of their Basic Intervention electives.
• Take the following additional courses: 569 Career and Lifestyle Development and 510 Preparation for Counseling Practice.
• Successfully complete the doctoral therapy practicum and Therapy Clinical Qualifying Exam. 

The concentration areas available to doctoral students include the following:

• Advanced Adlerian Psychotherapy
• Art Therapy
• Child and Adolescent Psychology
• Clinical Hypnosis
• Clinical Neuropsychology
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Marriage and Family Counseling
• Organizational Development
• Primary Care Psychology

Click here for more information on doctoral concentrations.