Program Overview
Adler University’s Counselling Psychology: School and Youth Concentration programs prepare students with comprehensive knowledge, skills, and real-world experience to provide therapeutic services for children, adolescents, and their families across a wide range of settings. Students gain a strong foundation in counselling theories and methods and are trained to be self-reflexive, socially responsible clinicians.
Students gain the knowledge and skills to create real change for youth and adolescents, and our diverse faculty brings together rigorous classroom learning with individualized mentorship and hands-on professional experience.
Graduates work as psychotherapists, behaviour analysts, counsellors, case managers, guidance counsellors, and in many more positions. Our innovative program aligns with the requirements of the registering bodies for master’s level counsellors in British Columbia and Canada (the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association).
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Thesis & Non-Thesis Options
Adler University offers two options of its Counselling Psychology: School & Youth programs for students. The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Counselling Psychology: School & Youth program includes a thesis, and the Master of Counselling Psychology: School & Youth program is a non-thesis option. Both options are accepted by the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.
Adler University’s Master of Counselling Psychology: School & Youth program provides a non-thesis option for students interested in a practitioner-based master’s degree credential, and empowers students with clinical coursework that reflects contemporary challenges counsellors of children and adolescents face.
Student Outcomes
Service Canada projects positive job growth and need for counsellors. Our mission-driven program is designed to prepare counselling professionals to work with individuals, families, and groups to address specific mental and emotional health issues across a range of settings. These include:
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Private practice
- Mental health centers
- Social service agencies
- Employee assistance programs
- Behavioural healthcare organizations
- Substance abuse treatment centers
- Residential treatment centres
Our innovative program aligns with the requirements of the registering bodies for master’s level counsellors in British Columbia and Canada (the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association).
Gain the knowledge and skills to create real change for youth and adolescents. Our diverse faculty brings together rigorous classroom learning with individualized mentorship and hands-on professional experience. Under the guidance of a faculty committee, students also engage in a rigorous and systematic investigation for the purpose of completing and defending a thesis, often required for doctoral work in counselling psychology.
Additionally, students will complete a 700-hour counselling practicum emphasizing the application of counselling skills with children and adolescents in a wide range of settings. These settings include: primary and secondary schools, clinics, hospitals, mental health centres, community organizations, government organizations, and others.
Graduate Spotlight
William Nicholls-Allison, graduate
Master of Arts in Counselling: School & Youth Concentration
Pre-service school counsellors are faced with, among other things, a mountain of responsibility which must be shouldered if they are to be successful in their studies and, eventually, their practice. A broad knowledge of theoretical perspectives, development of counseling skills, and ethical acumen are generally considered the most important qualifications of a beginning school counsellor.
Curriculum
The Master of Counselling Psychology: School & Youth is a 55-credit hour program. The Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology: School & Youth is a 59-credit hour program, which includes the 55 credit hours from the Master of Counselling Psychology: School & Youth program, in addition to the 4-credit thesis series. Successful completion of this program includes the core courses, and two of the five elective courses listed below.
Find course descriptions and more information in the Adler University course catalog here.
Core Courses
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.
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.
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 covers 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.
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.
The 473 pre-practicum lab is designed to provide additional practice of basic counselling and intervention skills before the students start their clinical practicum experience. Students will have the opportunity to work with their peers or in community, build clinical relationships, receive support and feedback from the lab supervisor, and experience a peer consultation group.
This course discusses the assumptions and methods of a range of both qualitative and quantitative research designs used in counselling psychology research.
This course is designed to provide students with a solid foundation for the ethical practice of counselling psychology. Students will become familiar with the codes of ethics used by counsellors as well as a systematic process of ethical decision making when faced with ethical dilemmas.
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.
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.
This course will familiarize students with assessment and evaluation commonly used in counseling practice. The following topics will be addressed: theoretical and historical bases for assessment techniques, validity, reliability, appraisal methods, strategies for selecting, administrating, interpreting, and using assessment and evaluation instruments and techniques in counselling.
This survey course presents an examination and analysis of the major theories, principles, and techniques of psychotherapy.
This course offers students a framework to implement multicultural counselling competencies from a social justice perspective through developing necessary attitudes, knowledge, skills, and advocacy interventions when working with diverse populations.
Upholding the complementary relationship between assessment and intervention, this course is designed to provide students with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level clinical practice.
This course offers an in-depth understanding of several evidence-based models for intervening with families and couples. This course covers a range of dysfunctions within couple and family systems and appropriate interventions.
Traditionally, psychologists and counsellors work within circumscribed clinical contexts within which mental health issues are deemed functions of individual pathology.
This course presents an overview of the history, theory, and neurobiology of trauma and how to treat its various presentations. The impact of early trauma and/or neglect on the brain and nervous system, and how this impact differs from trauma events later in life will be reviewed.
This course will broadly explore the role of the school counsellor in K-12 education settings. Students will critically examine how current theories in counselling psychology inform various therapeutic approaches to supporting the social, emotional, and behavioural needs of students in elementary, middle and secondary schools.
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 are presented.
This course provides an overview of developmentally appropriate knowledge and approaches to counselling adolescents (approximately 12-19 years of age). Theories, techniques, and strategies for working with adolescents are presented.
The Qualifying Examination consists of the presentation of a clinical case including an audiotape, an analysis of key interchanges within the session presented, a written case conceptualization and treatment plan, a paper integrating research with the clinical case, and a paper examining social issues pertinent to the clinical case.
Thesis Series
Master of Arts (M.A.) students only.
Social Justice Practicum
200-hour internship to give students real world experience
A unique and proven program designed to give students real-world experience throughout their time at Adler University, the Social Justice Practicum is a required 200-hour internship that spans four courses (or terms for online programs). Every student is given a number of civic-minded categories to choose from. They submit their desired areas of interest. After which, they are assigned a specific and aligned community outreach site where they will work 8 to 10 hours per week.
Faculty Spotlight
Asa-Sophia Maglio, Ph.D.
Core Faculty, Program Director, M.A. in Counselling Psychology,
Program Director, Master of Counselling Psychology
Counselling or therapy is a calling. Given this, I believe that students have an inborn wisdom. For me, teaching is helping the student use this wisdom for the purpose of reducing another’s pain. Learning occurs through acquired knowledge and skill, experience, mentoring, and self-trust. Openness, compassion, self-reflection, and critical thought are also doors for the student to enter on a path of transformation. My teaching philosophy is to create environments to facilitate this transformation.
Admissions Requirements
At Adler University, we take great pride in our diverse student body. Students represent a wide range of professional interests, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and academic and work histories. We admit individuals with a strong record of academic achievement and a commitment to social responsibility.
Applicants to the program must have the following:
- 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 12 semester credit hours in baccalaureate-level psychology coursework with a grade of C 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.
Applicants are required to submit the following items to be considered for admission:
- Application and application fee
- Statement of Intent (2-3 pages double-spaced) answering the following questions:
- 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?
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate schools attended (U.S and Canada)
- Please have official transcripts sent directly to the Office of Admissions
- Unofficial transcripts are accepted for any schools in which a degree was not received
- Three letters of Recommendation
- These should be from someone who can specifically speak to your academic and professional abilities
Approved applicants will be invited to complete an interview with faculty. Please submit all application materials to the Office of Admissions prior to the application deadline.
International applicants are also required to submit the following:
- Course-by-course transcript evaluation
- All transcripts from outside of North America (including Mexico) must be evaluated by a transcript evaluation service such as World Education Services (WES) (www.wes.org) or Educational Credentialing Evaluators (ECE) (www.ece.org). Please note that we require all official transcripts (and official translations if not in English) as well as the course-by-course international credential evaluation.
- If a WES ICAP course-by-course evaluation is ordered, applicants will only be required to submit the official international credential evaluation to the University as this service provides a verified copy of the official transcript(s) and translations to the University.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition for Adler University’s programs is charged each term according to the number of registered academic credits. The number of credits a student will register for varies by academic program and by term. To estimate the amount of tuition and fees that would be charged in a given term, please use our Tuition Estimator tool below, or read about tuition and fees for all Vancouver programs.