M.A. in Counseling & Psychological Services
The Master of Arts Program in Counseling and Psychological Services prepares graduates for professional work in counseling, psychotherapy, and other psychological services. It is designed to enhance the student's understanding of the complex nature of human behavior and social interaction, and to develop tools for assessing human problems and assisting individuals in developing greater understanding and acceptance of themselves and their relationships with others. Graduates work in a wide variety of settings applying their education.
Program Structure
The program is designed to help students meet the educational requirements for Minnesota licensure for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC). In addition coursework is offered for the educational requirements for Minnesota Licensure for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC). Students planning to seek licensure with the Minnesota Board of Psychology after earning a doctorate can work toward some of their educational requirements in the master's program.
The core of this 48 credit program consists of six required courses which total 18 semester credits. Beyond the core students take courses in assessment, counseling, ethics, social psychology, psychophysiology, and near the end of the program, do a practicum. A variety of electives is offered. Students may take electives from several other related master's degree programs such as Marriage and Family Therapy, Human Development and Education.
A maximum of six graduate semester credits earned prior to admission at Saint Mary’s University may be accepted as transfer credits upon the recommendation of the program director/site coordinator and the approval of the academic dean.
Program Delivery
The program is offered on the Twin Cities campus and in Rochester. Core classes are also offered at our Minnetonka site. For the convenience of students, many of whom work, most classes are offered in the evenings. Sections of some classes, including core courses are offered during the day including Saturdays.
Locations
Twin Cities
Rochester
Admissions Contacts
Twin Cities
Faith Seim
(612) 238-4520
Rochester
Mark Stedman
(877) 768-4545
Admissions
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs
2500 Park Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55404
tc-admission@smumn.edu (Letters for Reference, Resume and Personal statement can be sent via email to this address.)
Phone: Toll Free at (866) 437-2788 or (612) 728-5100
Core Courses | 18 credits |
Assessment Courses | 7 credits |
Counseling Courses | 8 credits |
Additional Required Courses | 9 credits |
Required Practicum Experience | 4 credits |
Integration Paper and Oral Examination | 0 credits |
General Electives | 2 credits |
Total: | 48 credits |
Required Courses
PY575 Orientation to the Profession of Counseling (1)This course provides an orientation to the profession of counseling. The history and philosophy of the field are covered as well as the roles and settings of professional counselors. Additionally, the developmental process involved with acquiring an identity as a professional counselor will be addressed.
PY576 Social Psychology (2)This course is an introduction to the perspectives, research, and empirical findings of social psychology. Topics covered include self and identity, social influence, attribution theory, attitudes and attitude change, personal relationships, gender, age and race, and their application in mental health.
PY605 Developmental Psychology (3)The course examines characteristic changes in behavior and functioning in each stage of life from conception to death. Physical, cognitive, affective, and social bases of behavior are explored.
PY606 Psychophysiology (3)This course examines the basic anatomy of the nervous system, the normal physiological functions of the nervous systems, the biological bases of behavior, behavioral disorders, and brain diseases. The course reviews current research on the role of biological basis of behavior.
PY607 Theories of Personality (3)Major theories of personality are covered as represented by the biophysical, intrapsychic, existential, and behavioral approaches.
PY608 Psychopathology (3)This course examines the healthy personality, maladjustment, transient disorders, anxiety states, psychosis, mood, psychosomatic and personality disorders. The course focuses on the description of the main criteria and associated features of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) diagnostic groups. In addition, etiology, prognosis, prevention, and treatment of the disorders are considered.
PY613 Counseling Theory and Technique (3)Major approaches to counseling and psychotherapy are analyzed with emphasis on applications in the theoretical relationship. Professional psychological writing style is discussed in this course.
PY620 Statistical Techniques and Research Methods (3)The course provides an overview of research methods commonly used in clinical and counseling psychology. Both research methodology and statistical analysis are reviewed. The course focuses on the interpretation and understanding of research and applied statistical procedures.
PY621 Psychological Assessment (3)This course investigates the principles and history of psychological testing, both individual and group, and assessment. Theories of measurement and selected psychological tests and inventories are covered.
PY625 Ethics and Professional Issues in Psychology (3)Ethical principles and issues underlying the professional practice of psychology are examined. Attention is focused on the Ethical Principles of the American Psychological Association (APA) and the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics and standards of practice and the related State of Minnesota statutes and rules, and current issues of concern to the field.
PY631 Personality Assessment: Adolescent and Adult (2)The course examines and compares various methods of personality assessment of adolescents and adults, including standardized tests, behavioral analyses, and interview techniques. Special attention is given to the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), and Rorschach.
PY632 Child Assessment (2)The course provides a detailed overview of various methods used in assessing social, intellectual, and personality development of children including standardized testing, behavioral ratings, observations, and interview techniques. Practical problems occurring in child assessment are examined.
PY633 Personnel and Vocational Assessment (2)This course includes a study of vocational and personnel assessment, including the history, theory, and current utilization of testing. The course covers testing and non-testing approaches to career assessment in a variety of settings.
May be taken instead of PY632.
MFT611 Foundations of Family Therapy (3)This course examines the structure and function of families and relationships, connecting theoretical and research underpinnings to the major models of family therapy. Family development, roles and interactions are studied as foundational in the practices of systemic/relational therapy interventions. Efficacy research for individual models and for common factors across models are presented.
PY642 Group Therapy (2)The course covers the history and practice of group therapy grounded in social psychology. Students study the basic tasks and methods of the group therapist, the design of effective therapy groups, and the therapeutic factors and problems commonly encountered in group therapy and counseling.
PY648 Multicultural Counseling (2)This course provides a comprehensive overview of multicultural counseling. Developmental, social, and cultural contributions of ethnic and minority groups are explored. Ethnocentrism, acculturation, communication patterns, and racial conditioning are discussed. Emphasis is placed on implications of counseling in a culturally diverse society.
PY665 Counseling Skills and Practice (2)Students practice the fundamental skills associated with effective helping relationships. Counseling skill acquisition and application are emphasized. Ethics and diversity are integrated into counseling skills acquisition and application.
PY695 Practicum I (2)Students work in a counseling or mental health setting under the supervision of a licensed psychologist, for a minimum of 20 hours per week for a total of 350 hours. Half of the hours at the practicum site must be in counseling and other direct client services. A practicum seminar must be taken concurrently as part of the practicum requirements. The supervision seminar provides an environment for discussion of case material as well as problems and concerns that arise in the practicum setting. Personal and professional issues relevant to the practicum experience are examined. Planning for the integration paper is introduced.
PY696 Practicum II (2)Students work in a counseling or mental health setting under the supervision of a licensed psychologist, for a minimum of 20 hours per week for a total of 350 hours. Half of the hours at the practicum site must be in counseling and other direct client services. A practicum seminar must be taken concurrently as part of the practicum requirements. The supervision seminar provides an environment for discussion of case material as well as problems and concerns that arise in the practicum setting. Personal and professional issues relevant to the practicum experience are examined.
Program Staff
TC - Master of Arts in Counseling & Psychological Services Program - Program Director
TC - Counseling & Psychological Services - Core School Associate Professor, TC - Master of Arts in Counseling & Psycholo
TC - Counseling and Psychological Services/Marriage and Family Therapy - Program Coordinator