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Master of Arts + Master of Counselling Psychology: School + Youth

Vancouver

The Adler University Master of Arts and Master of Counselling Psychology: School and Youth Concentration offers advanced training through rigorous academics, evidence-based practice, and applied experience for those committed to supporting children, adolescents, and their families.

  • Master of Arts: 59 credits
  • Master of: 55 credits
  • 2-year program, full-time study
  • Part-time opportunities
  • Ranked a top-10 program
  • 700-hour practicum experience
AppLY NOW (opens in a new tab) REQUEST INFORMATION all programs

Admission Deadlines

Term Priority Final
Fall 2026 4/1/2026 8/1/2026

Program overview

Youth counselling is a critical and expanding area of practice in Canada, with rising demand for professionals who can support the mental health and developmental needs of young people. Adler University’s School and Youth Counselling Psychology program provides advanced training in counselling methods, developmental theory, and evidence-based interventions, paired with applied field experiences. Graduates emerge as field-ready clinicians prepared to foster resilience and healthy growth across schools, clinics, and community organizations.

Why choose the counselling psychology program at Adler?

  • Profession-ready curriculum: Designed to meet RCC and CCC requirements so you graduate prepared for licensure.
  • National recognition:  Ranked among the Top 10 Best Master’s in Counselling Psychology programs in Canada by CourseCompare (2025).
  • Transformative clinical training: 700 hours of supervised practicum through Adler’s decades-long partnerships with agencies and community organizations.
  • Expert faculty mentorship: Learn from practitioners and researchers with expertise in child, adolescent, and family counselling.

Thesis + NON-THESIS options

Adler University offers both a Master of Arts and Master of Counselling Psychology: School and Youth Concentration (MACP:SY | MCP:SY), giving students the choice between a thesis or non-thesis option. Both degrees are accepted by the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.

Thesis | MACP:SY

The MACP:SY is designed for those interested in conducting primary research through an additional 4-credit thesis series. Under the guidance of a faculty committee, students engage in a rigorous and systematic investigation for the purpose of completing and defending a thesis, often required for doctoral work in counselling psychology.

Careers That Support Students + change systems

Graduates of Adler’s school and youth counselling psychology program will be prepared to apply their professional skills and knowledge base to various fields in entry-level to middle-management roles.

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EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL

Support student well-being in schools through counselling, assessment-informed planning, and group programming. Education Professionals partner with teachers and families, respond to crises, coordinate referrals, and track progress while upholding ethics and confidentiality. Adler’s MCP: School and Youth builds these skills with rigorous coursework, mentorship, and fieldwork training that prepares graduates for school counselling roles.

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Healthcare professional

Provide risk assessment and counselling for children and families in inpatient and outpatient settings. Healthcare Professionals collaborate with physicians, nurses, and social workers on safety planning, crisis stabilization, discharge, and referrals while maintaining precise records and confidentiality. Adler’s MCP: School and Youth builds these competencies through focused coursework, mentorship, and experiential training.

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Private Practice

Offer evidence-based psychotherapy for children and adolescents. They create treatment plans, run individual, family, and group sessions, and coach caregivers on support strategies. Private Practitioners coordinate with schools and community providers, manage consent and confidentiality for minors, maintain records, and track outcomes. Adler’s MCP: School and Youth builds these competencies through focused coursework, ethics, and supervised training.

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Mental health SPECIALIST

Respond to crises, create safety plans, and coordinate case management and referrals. Mental Health Specialists collaborate with psychiatrists, nurses, and social workers, document care, and monitor outcomes. Adler’s MCP: School and Youth builds these skills through focused coursework, ethics, and supervised practica.

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Social WORKER

Connect children, teens, and families to supports through counselling, case coordination, and advocacy. Social workers run psychoeducation and skill-building groups, partner with schools and community providers, navigate access and funding, and document services with care and confidentiality. Adler’s MCP: School and Youth develops these capabilities through applied coursework, ethics, and supervised practice.

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Behavioural healthcare PROFESSIONAL

Address youth behaviour and emotional challenges through evidence-based counselling, skills groups, and caregiver coaching. Behavioural Healthcare Professionals develop and monitor behaviour support plans, use data to guide treatment, de-escalate crises, and coordinate care with psychiatrists, educators, and community providers. They document services and outcomes while upholding ethics and confidentiality. Adler’s MCP: School and Youth builds these capabilities through applied coursework and supervised practica.

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Substance abuse treatment SPECIALIST

Help youth and families build recovery through counselling, relapse-prevention planning, and group programs. Substance Abuse Treatment Specialists use motivational interviewing and CBT, address co-occurring concerns, de-escalate crises, and coordinate care with schools, physicians, and community providers. They educate caregivers, track outcomes, and protect confidentiality. Adler’s MCP: School and Youth develops these skills through applied coursework, ethics, and supervised practica.

Admissions requirements

Apply Now (opens in a new tab) international applicants

Eligibility

Applicants to the MACP:SY or MCP:SY programs must meet the following requirements:

  • A baccalaureate degree or equivalent from an accredited institution, preferably in psychology or counselling-related discipline.
  • A grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all undergraduate or graduate coursework.
  • The equivalent of at least 15 semester credit hours in baccalaureate-level psychology coursework with a grade of B or better. These courses must include introductory psychology, abnormal psychology, research methods, and a fourth foundational course in life span/development.
  • Coursework or volunteer/work experience that involves the use of counselling-related skills and demonstrates counselling capacity is required.

International students:

  • 92 or better on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) with no band lower than 22.
  • 7.0 IELTS Academic overall with no bands below 6.5.
  • PTE must have a minimum score of 66.

Application Requirements

Applicants are required to submit the following items to be considered for admission:

  • Application fee.
  • Completed application submitted via the online portal.
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae.
  • Statement of Intent.
  • Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate schools attended (U.S. and Canada). International transcripts must be evaluated by a transcript evaluation service.
  • Three letters of recommendation. These should be from someone who can specifically speak to your academic and professional abilities.
  • Faculty interview.  
    • Writing sample as part of the interview process.  

Statement of Intent

Applicants are required to provide a statement of intent answering the following questions. They should be 2-3 pages, double-spaced.

  • Why are you interested in your chosen field and program?
  • Why is Adler University’s program a good fit for you?
  • What are your career goals and interests?

Prerequisites

Equivalent of 15 semester credit hours in baccalaureate-level psychology coursework with a grade of C or better. Courses must include: 

  • General or Introduction to Psychology.  
  • Abnormal Psychology.  
  • Research Methods. 
  • Lifespan Development.
  • Basic Counselling Skills.

How to Apply + Submit Transcripts
  1. Visit Adler University’s online application portal, create an account, and submit your application, fee, Statement of Intent, resume/CV, and references’ details.
  2. Have official transcripts sent directly from each issuing institution or approved service to the Office of Admissions prior to the application deadline. Do not upload official copies to the portal.

    Official electronic transcripts should be sent to admissions@adler.edu.

    Physical transcripts should be sent to:
    Adler University – Office of Admissions
    520 Seymour Street
    Vancouver, BC V6B 3J5

Curriculum | Internships | practicums

The Master of Counselling Psychology: School and Youth is a 55-credit-hour program, and the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology: School and Youth is a 59-credit-hour program, which includes the 55 credit hours in addition to a 4-credit thesis series.

Completion of the program includes the courses below, along with additional requirements outlined in the Adler University Course Catalogue.

Academic Advisement Sheet (Master of) (opens in a new tab)

CORE COURSES

Professional Development Seminar I + II

The course covers advisement and mentoring around Adler degree requirements and mission, orientation to the field of professional psychology, issues of diversity as it relates to the field and students’ personal and professional growth, and overview of the ethical codes and professional standards of psychology.

Group Psychotherapy

This course examines the history, theory, methods and application of group psychotherapy in professional psychology. The development of competence in group methods is enhanced through a combination of lectures, student presentations, class exercises, break-out practice groups, and participation in and experience leading an experiential in-class group.

Introduction to Adlerian Psychology and Psychotherapy

Cover the major principles of Adlerian or Individual Psychology. Students learn the theoretical principles as a basis for understanding each individual’s creation of a “unique style of life” or personality.

Counseling Skills and Intervention

This course is designed to provide students with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level counselling practice. In the area of intervention, the course familiarizes students with the primary elements of the psychotherapeutic relationship, common factors in counselling and psychotherapy, and basic diversity competency in helping relationships.

Research in Counselling Psychology

This course discusses the assumptions and methods of a range of both qualitative and quantitative research designs used in counselling psychology research.

Masters Practicum Seminar I + II

Using a peer consultation model facilitated by a qualified clinical instructor, this seminar provides students engaged in practicum training with an opportunity to integrate learning about assessment, case conceptualization and treatment planning and intervention through application to their clinical practicum experiences.

Structural and Sociocultural Bases of Health and Dysfunction

Traditionally, psychologists and counsellors work within circumscribed clinical contexts within which mental health issues are deemed functions of individual pathology.

Child Development and Counselling

This course provides an overview of developmentally appropriate knowledge and approaches to counselling children (approximately 4-11 years of age). Theories, techniques, and strategies for working with children and adolescents are presented.

THESIS OR CAPSTONE

Adler University offers both a Master of Arts and Master of Counselling Psychology: School and Youth Concentration (MACP:SY | MCP:SY), giving students the choice between a thesis or non-thesis option. Both degrees are accepted by the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.

The MACP:SY is designed for those interested in conducting primary research through an additional 4-credit thesis series. Under the guidance of a faculty committee, students engage in a rigorous and systematic investigation for the purpose of completing and defending a thesis, often required for doctoral work in counselling psychology.

ADLER SOCIAL INTEREST PRACTICUM

Your opportunity to create lasting change on local and global systems, almost from day 1.

The Adler Social Interest Practicum (ASIP) at Adler University’s Vancouver Campus is a non-clinical, community-based experience that reflects Alfred Adler’s concept of social interest. The practicum places students with mission-driven organizations where they complete a minimum of 200 approved hours across two semesters, typically 8–10 hours per week. Alongside their placements, students participate in required workshops. Each practicum is evaluated through midterm and final supervisor reviews, student self-assessments, and feedback on the site and project, with grades of High Pass, Pass, Remediation, or Fail. The experience culminates in a campus-wide presentation of outcomes, assessed by multiple evaluators, offering students both applied training and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful community change.

Photo of William Nichols-Allison

“I gained a broad knowledge of theoretical perspectives, development of counseling skills, and ethical acumen which are the most important qualifications of a beginning school counsellor.”

– William Nicholls-Allison, graduate
Master of Arts in Counselling: School & Youth Concentration
Read more about william'S ADLER EXPERIENCE

Faculty

Meet the faculty leading Adler’s Master of Arts (M.A.) in + Master of Counselling Psychology: School + Youth Concentration program in Vancouver.

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