Overview

Overview

The M.A. Counseling, Specialization in Forensic Psychology prepares students to assess, treat and apply counseling psychology to forensic settings. Courses in the program focus on developing the knowledge and skills necessary to assist with the unique challenges facing incarcerated individuals and their families. Courses also focus on preparing students to provide ethical, high quality services to culturally diverse individuals and organizations -- both within and outside of the criminal justice system. The program combines rigorous academic instruction with field placements through which students achieve hands on experience under the supervision of licensed professionals. Though the primary goal of the program is to prepare master’s level clinicians, it also provides students with some of the necessary foundational courses for pursuing further graduate study in psychology.    

 Specific opportunities for employment include community mental health clinics, child advocacy and domestic violence centers, correctional facilities such as prisons and parole offices, hospital behavioral health units, and court services settings such as mental health courts or drug courts. Graduates will also be prepared to work in general counseling settings should they decide to work outside the criminal justice system at a later date. Graduates of this program will have fulfilled all educational requirements to qualify for licensure in the state of Illinois as a licensed professional counselor (LPC).  

Admission Requirements

• Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited US institution or a comparable degree from an international institution 
• A grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for undergraduate and graduate coursework
• Completion of the following semester courses in psychology with grades of "C" or better: General or introductory psychology, abnormal psychology, and research methods or statistics. Equivalent coursework in other social sciences may also be considered.
• Applicants who meet the admission standards will be invited for an interview with faculty

Degree Requirements

• Satisfactory completion of all required credit hours, including all required courses
• Satisfactory completion of 700 minimum hours of practicum
• Satisfactory completion of at least 200 hours of community service practicum
• A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher and no more than two grades or six credit hours of "C" or "C+" or below
• Successful completion of the MAC Comprehensive Examination
• Submission of graduation application and full payment of all outstanding tuition and fees
• Faculty approval for graduation and recommendation to the Board of Trustees for the conferral of the M.A. Counseling, Specialization in Forensic Psychology

Licensure

Upon completion of the M.A. Counseling, Specialization in Forensic Psychology program, you’ll be able to sit for the Licensed Professional Counselor examination in Illinois.