Overview

Overview

The Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology: Online/Hybrid Format provides a foundation in counseling psychology theory and methodology. Along with coursework, the program offers hands-on, supervised training in counseling-psychology techniques. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared for a wide variety of community mental health positions in the public and private sectors. The online/hybrid format, designed for working professionals and delivered on a part-time basis, offers the convenience of online coursework plus individualized attention through on-campus programming.

Admission Requirements

  • At baccalaureate degree earned from a college or university regionally accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or an equivalent degree from an international college or university
  • 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 to complete a telephone interview with faculty

Degree Requirements

  • Satisfactory completion of all required credit hours, including all required courses
  • Satisfactory completion of 700 clock hours of a counseling practicum
  • Satisfactory completion of a Community Engagement Capstone Project
  • A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and no more than two grades or six credit hours of "C" 
  • Successful completion of the Master of Arts Qualifying Examination (MAQE)
  • Completion 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 Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology: Online/Hybrid Format

Residency Requirement

Three times per year you will come to the Chicago Campus for a Residency Weekend. You will attend in-class instruction for at least 7 1/2 hours on Saturday and Sunday. You may also attend optional networking events and news briefings in the mornings, as well as events hosted by various student organizations in the evenings. The School provides food and refreshments throughout the weekend. In addition, Student Services staff will be available to assist with any needs or questions you may have.

Computer Requirements

To access the online component of the program, you will need a computer with an up-to-date operating system and access to broadband Internet. Please contact the program faculty to obtain specific computer requirements.

Licensure

This degree program satisfies the current academic and pre-degree training and education requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential in the state of Illinois. Licensure requirements in some states may require courses beyond those currently required by the Adler School; please consult state boards and licensure requirements in other jurisdictions and plan your curriculum accordingly. The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards can serve as a good reference.

This program is also approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors as a participant in the Graduate Student Application program. After graduating from this program, you can apply for the National Certified Counselor credential and take the National Counselor Examination. You can submit passing scores to the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation in fulfillment of state licensure requirements.