Curriculum

Counseling Psychology Curriculum

The Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology is a 60 credit hour program that includes coursework and a training practicum. Successful completion of this program includes the courses listed below. Course descriptions can be found in the Adler School Catalog.

• PCO-210: Professional Development Seminar (0 credits)
• PCO-211: Community Service Seminar I (1 credit)
• PCO-212: Community Service Seminar II (1 credit)
• PCO-213: Community Service Practicum I (1 credit)
• PCO-214: Community Service Practicum II (1 credit)
• PCO-337: Group Psychotherapy (3 credits)
• PCO-350: Community Psychology (3 credits)
• PCO-402: Introduction to Adlerian Psychology and Psychopathology (3 credits)
• PCO-433: Parent Education: Adlerian Theory and Interventions (2 credits)
• PCO-438: Introduction to Addictive Disorders (3 credits)
• MAC-472: Basic Skills for Psychotherapy I (3 credits)
• MAC-473: Basic Skills for Psychotherapy II (3 credits)
• PCO-497: Research Methods (3 credits)
• MAC-502: M.A. Practicum Seminar I (2 credits)
• MAC-503: M.A. Practicum Seminar II (2 credits)
• MAC-505: Professional Development, Issues, and Ethics (3 credits)
• MAC-506: M.A. Practicum I (1 credit)
• MAC-507: M.A. Practicum II (1 credit)
• MAC-516: Individual Appraisal for Counselors in Practice (3 credits)
• PCO-520: Theories of Psychotherapy (3 credits)
• PCO-569: Lifestyle and Career Development (3 credits)
• PCO-623: Life Span Development (3 credits)
• PCO-647: Biopsychosocial Bases of Health and Dysfunction for Counselors (3 credits)
• MAF-662: Models of Couple and Family Counseling (3 credits)
• MAC-679: Counseling Multicultural and Marginalized Communities (3 credits)
• MAC-995: Masters Clinical Qualifying Examination (0 credits)
• Elective: Choose from one of the options listed below (3 credits)

Total Credit Hours: 60

Elective Course Options

• CES-436: Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual Aspects of Addictions (3 credits)
• CES-437: Treatment of Addictive Disorders (3 credits)
• MAC-599: Special Topics in Counseling (3 credits)
• MAF-653: Introduction to Sex Therapy (3 credits)
• PCO-699: Using Art in Treatment (3 credits)

Practicum

An integral part of all master's programs at the Adler School is supervised field placements. Ongoing involvement in clinical activities at professional training sites, including Adler Community Health Services, provides an opportunity to apply and further develop the knowledge, skills, values, and competencies gained in coursework.

In your first year, the Community Service Practicum (CSP) focuses on developing skills for community-based interventions, advocacy, social justice, and systemic interventions that benefit human welfare and well-being. You’ll spend eight to ten hours per week over the course of six months at an approved site while concurrently enrolled in required coursework. A minimum of 200 clock hours of practicums is required.

In your second year, the practicum focuses on developing competencies required for entry-level practice upon graduation. Expect to spend at least two days per week over the course of at least nine months at an approved site while being concurrently enrolled in two semesters of practicum seminars. You must complete a minimum of 700 clock hours of Clinical Practicums.

At least one of the following courses must be taken concurrently with CSP I & II:

• Community Psychology (350)
• Professional Development, Issues and Ethics (505)
• Introduction to Adlerian Psychology and Psychopathology (402)
• Social Psychology and Individual Differences (641)

The Director of Clinical Training and Community Service will work with you to identify and approve clinical experiences. Because the focus is on integrating master's-level education with master's-level clinical training, the Adler School does not grant transfer credit for practicum credits earned elsewhere. Please refer to the Practicum Handbook for detailed information.