Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology

Overview

Fine-tune your knowledge of the behavioral sciences with USM’s counseling psychology graduate program. The USM Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology degree will give you a comprehensive array of skills necessary for success as a mental health practitioner.

The University of Saint Mary evening Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program meets the needs of busy individuals trying to balance work and family commitments. At USM, we make getting your master’s degree in psychology and counseling affordable, convenient, and easy.

USM has assembled a very stable all-Ph.D. faculty with years of practical field experience. They’ll be there to provide one-on-one attention and give you an advanced education in the behavioral sciences.

The curriculum of the psychology master’s programs is directly aligned with state licensure requirements for both Kansas and Missouri—something many larger universities in the Kansas City area are unable to claim.

Our counseling psychology graduate program is ideal for students looking to

• Practice as a master’s level clinician in a mental health center or hospital (Counseling Psychology)
• Work with children and families
• Use knowledge of psychology to enhance performance in another career field such as teaching or coaching
• Pursue a doctoral degree in psychology
• Enter private practice

Is it for you?

USM’s psychology master’s programs eliminate hurdles and bend the curve of achievement in your favor.

• Take accelerated classes at our conveniently-located Overland Park Campus
• Our small class sizes encourage greater professor-student interaction
• School advisors tell you, up front, exactly what courses you need to take and when, and they’re totally committed to your success
• A majority of our students qualify for financial aid

Flexible Scheduling

USM’s evening Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program is designed to meet the needs of busy individuals balancing work and family commitments.
We offer:

• Programs that are flexible and individually-personalized
• Evening classes that meet one night a week
• Semesters that last 16 weeks

We recommend that you submit your application materials at least three months prior to the start of the term.

Apply Now! Request More Information

Curriculum

The University of Saint Mary Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program is designed to help you advance your professional development, improve your research, assessment, and critical thinking skills, and hone your ability to apply psychological knowledge.

Classes are taught by faculty members who have expertise in a variety of mental health areas. Our instructors hold doctorate degrees in psychology or related fields, and the majority have practiced in the mental health field.

In the graduate counseling psychology program, you’ll learn:

• Group, social and cultural influences, as well as cognitive, developmental and biological influences on behavior
• Recommended treatments and diagnostic indicators for major mental disorders
• Basic concepts used in behavioral research and the ability to evaluate empirical research; design research proposals; and communicate ideas effectively
• Common ethical issues in the mental health profession
• Self-evaluation techniques that identify personal strengths and weaknesses that may impact your career development

The counseling psychology curriculum calls for 48 credit hours, including a six-credit hour practicum and 14 courses for licensure in Missouri as a licensed professional counselor. Licensure in Kansas as licensed master’s level psychologist requires 60 credit hours, including a fifteen-credit hour practicum and 15 courses.

Depending on the curriculum you complete, you’ll be prepared to apply to become a licensed professional counselor in Missouri or a Licensed Master’s Level Psychologist in Kansas.

Please Note: Licensure is granted by the individual states and is not guaranteed by the University of Saint Mary.

Core Courses

All core classes are three credit hours unless otherwise indicated, and are offered in a rotation. See our course descriptions tab for more specific information on courses.

• PY 720 Historical Foundations of Psychology
• PY 721 Advanced Social Psychology
• PY 723 Advanced Psychopathology
• PY 730 Methods of Research and Assessment
• PY 731 Statistical Analysis in Psychology
• PY 733 Developmental and Cognitive Assessment
• PY 734 Personality Assessment
• PY 741 Issues in Ethics and Professional Development
• PY 744 Career Development and Counseling or PY 746 Psychopharmacology for Psychotherapists
• PY 745 Cognitive Processes
• PY 748 Multicultural Counseling
• PY 749 Helping Relationship Skills
• PY 750 Counseling Theories
• PY 751 Group Process
• PY 761 Practicum (six credit hours)

Course Descriptions

Required courses are offered once a year and follow a rotation. Nine classes are common across both the graduate psychology and counseling psychology programs.

You can request to transfer up to six credit hours of applicable coursework from another graduate program toward the USM Master of Arts degree.

All courses are three credit hours unless otherwise noted.

• PY 720 Historical Foundations of Psychology
• PY 721 Advanced Social Psychology
• PY 723 Advanced Psychopathology
• PY 730 Methods of Research and Assessment
• PY 731 Statistical Analyses in Psychology
• PY 741 Issues in Ethics and Professional Development
• PY 744 Career Development and Counseling
• PY 750 Counseling Theories
• PY 751 Group Process
• PY 733 Developmental and Cognitive Assessment
• PY 734 Personality Assessment
• PY 745 Cognitive Processes
• PY 746 Psychopharmacology for Psychotherapists
• PY 748 Multicultural Counseling
• PY 749 Helping Relationship Skills
• PY 761 Practicum
• PY 780 Summary Portfolio

PY 720 Historical Foundations of Psychology

Studies the founding and development of the discipline and profession of psychology from its philosophical and physiological roots to the contributions of major exemplars in the 19th and 20th centuries. Attention is paid to the importance of the scientific method and the influence of social and cultural factors in the progression of the discipline over time. The diversification of the field into counseling and clinical psychology as well as other specialty areas is also addressed.

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PY 721 Advanced Social Psychology

Investigates scientific explanations of human interaction and behavior. The following topics are addressed: attitudes, persuasion, group influence, prejudice, aggression, attraction, altruism, and others. Recommended: Previous coursework in research methods.

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PY 723 Advanced Psychopathology

Studies the range and variety of psychopathological disorders with reference to DSM IV. The etiology, symptoms, treatment, and prognosis of major disorders are addressed.

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PY 724 Life Span Development

This course is designed to examine major theories of human growth and development throughout the lifespan. Critical incidents of human development and implications for each theory will be discussed.

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PY 730 Methods of Research and Assessment

Examines principles and approaches to research design in the behavioral sciences. Models and methods of hypothesis testing, research analysis, and assessment will be reviewed. Students will develop the skills to evaluate empirical research and design a research proposal. PY 731 is required prior to or concurrently with enrollment in this course.

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PY 731 Statistical Analyses in Psychology

Statistical logic and procedures, properties of statistical analyses, and application to data collected in a psychological context are emphasized. Descriptive and inferential statistical tests constitute the major portion of statistical analyses and reasoning. Also stressed is the interplay between statistical questions and answers and research questions and answers. Recommended: An undergraduate course in statistics.

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PY 741 Issues in Ethics and Professional Development

Reviews ethical guidelines related to the practice of helping relationships with attention to abuse assessment and reporting, privileged communication, client rights, confidentiality, and legal issues. Professional development issues are also explored. PY 750 should be taken prior to or concurrently.

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PY 744 Career Development and Counseling

Theories of career development and various approaches to career counseling are studied. The use of career assessment instruments and career exploration resources is also a focus. In addition, issues affecting special populations and effective adjustment in the workplace are topics explored.

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PY 750 Counseling Theories

Explores theories and approaches (such as psychodynamic, behavioral, humanistic, cognitive, and systems) that examine how people develop and function at an optimal level. The integration of various theoretical approaches and the application of theory to practice is a focus. In addition, outcome research as it applies to clinical practice is addressed.

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PY 751 Group Process

Addresses theories of group process. Group types, leadership styles and strategies, stages of group development, member behavior and other factors related to group functioning are explored. The course is didactic and experiential in nature. Ethical issues specific to the group process are also reviewed.

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PY 733 Developmental and Cognitive Assessment

Developmental and cognitive assessment instruments are surveyed with an emphasis on intellectual assessment. Principles of measurement are reviewed and students administer, score, interpret and write reports communicating results of selected instruments. Diagnostics, diversity, and ethical issues surrounding the measurement of intelligence are also addressed. Lab fee may apply. Limited enrollment. To enroll, students must be pursuing the Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology degree or have the approval of the graduate psychology program director.

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PY 734 Personality Assessment

Major personality instruments are surveyed with both objective and projective approaches addressed. Test construction and principles of measurement are reviewed and students administer, score, interpret and write reports communicating results of selected instruments. Issues related to diagnosis and treatment planning are addressed and cultural and ethical issues relevant to assessment are topics also explored. Lab fee may apply. To enroll, students must be pursuing the Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology degree or have the approval of the graduate psychology program director. Prior completion of PY 723 is recommended and completion of PY 750 is required.

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PY 745 Cognitive Processes

Major theoretical approaches in the area of cognitive processes are explored and integrated with research findings. Perception, memory, problem solving, and language development are among the topics addressed.

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PY 746 Psychopharmacology for Psychotherapists

Focuses on major groups of psychoactive drugs. Those typically prescribed in psychiatric medicine are emphasized and commonly abused drugs are reviewed. The pharmacology (including mechanisms of action, administration, and absorption as well as side effects) of these drugs is studied. Issues related to collaboration, referral, and the role of psychologist in the treatment of patients taking medication are discussed.

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PY 748 Multicultural Counseling

Through a process of cultural self-assessment, this course seeks to increase the student’s understanding of the impact of cultural variables in individual identity development. Students also develop an understanding of general characteristics, which distinguish cultural groups, primarily emphasizing ethnic groups within the U.S. This knowledge is applied to the development of multicultural competencies in counseling.

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PY 749 Helping Relationship Skills

Explores the nature of the helping relationship. Attention is given to the potential impact of helper characteristics on the counseling interaction. The course is experiential. The following counseling skills are addressed: listening, reflection and clarification, interviewing, effective confrontation, goal setting, and implementing basic change strategies. Issues related to working with other professionals to meet client needs are also discussed.

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PY 761 Practicum

Fieldwork that involves the supervised implementation of assessment and counseling skills in a placement approved by the department. Graded on a pass/fail basis. Fifty hours of participation is required for each credit hour. To enroll in practicum hours, the student must be in good academic standing and have completed at least 24 credit hours in the graduate psychology program including completion of PY 723, PY 733 or PY 734, PY 741, PY 749 (a grade of “B” or better is required in PY 749), PY 750 and PY 751. Other courses may be required for particular placements. Other screening procedures may apply and consent of the graduate psychology program director is required. Arrangements for the practicum experience must be made in advance of the semester in which the student wishes to enroll. Practicum credits vary. View a pop-up of students’ reflections about their practicum experience.

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PY 780 Summary Portfolio (one credit hour)

The summary portfolio serves as the culminating experience for students in the Master of Arts in Psychology (general track). Its purpose is for students to demonstrate both what they have learned and to reflect on how they have changed as a result of participating in the program. The portfolio is pursued during the last semester in the graduate program and is graded pass/fail.

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Admissions Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in psychology from an accredited college, or completed college courses in general or introductory psychology, social psychology or personality psychology, developmental psychology, statistics, and psychological disorders
• Completed application and $25 application fee.
• Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate work.
• Minimum grade point average of 2.75 (on a scale of 4.0).
• Three professional recommendations—please use this recommendation form and waiver

Students are admitted to the USM graduate programs in psychology and counseling psychology twice a year, at the start of the fall semester and the start of the spring semester.

Admission to the Master of Arts in Psychology and Counseling Psychology programs are competitive and openings are limited. Admission is based on credentials and availability of openings in the programs. A student not selected for admission may update his or her application materials and re-apply during a future admission period.

Students seeking admission to the program must be able to demonstrate the ability to communicate receptively and expressively in English with sufficient proficiency to conduct interviews, prepare written reports, and engage in psychotherapy compatible with accepted standards of practice.

Students with prior criminal convictions may experience difficulty in obtaining a license to practice.

Continuous Enrollment

Students admitted to the graduate psychology program must be continuously enrolled during the fall and spring semesters until they graduate. Students who fail to enroll for either the fall or the spring semester will be dismissed from the program unless they receive a leave of absence. Students desiring a leave of absence from the program will need to submit a request to the director of graduate psychology programs stating the reasons for their request. The leave of absence request would need to be approved by the psychology department.

Transferring Credits

You can request to transfer up to six credit hours of applicable coursework from another graduate program toward the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology degree.

Mail all application materials to:
Graduate Admissions
University of Saint Mary Overland Park Campus
11413 Pflumm Road
Overland Park, KS 66215

Graduation Requirements

The USM Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology degree program calls for 48 credit hours, including a six-credit hour practicum and 14 courses.

At the completion of the program, you’ll be prepared to become a licensed professional counselor in Missouri. If you wish to pursue licensure as a Licensed Master’s Level Psychologist in Kansas, you must complete the counseling psychology curriculum plus additional coursework for a total of 60 credit hours. This includes a 15-credit hour practicum.

Please Note: Licensure is granted by the individual states and is not guaranteed by the University of Saint Mary.

Continuous Enrollment

Students admitted to the graduate psychology program must be continuously enrolled during the fall and spring semesters until they graduate. Students who fail to enroll for either the fall or the spring semester will be dismissed from the program unless they receive a leave of absence. Students desiring a leave of absence from the program will need to submit a request to the director of the graduate psychology program stating the reasons for their request. The leave of absence request will need to be approved by the psychology department.

Core Courses

All core classes are three credit hours unless otherwise indicated, and are offered in a rotation. See our course descriptions tab for more specific information on courses.

• PY 720 Historical Foundations of Psychology
• PY 721 Advanced Social Psychology
• PY 723 Advanced Psychopathology
• PY 724 Life Span Development
• PY 730 Methods of Research and Assessment
• PY 731 Statistical Analysis in Psychology
• PY 733 Developmental and Cognitive Assessment
• PY 734 Personality Assessment
• PY 741 Issues in Ethics and Professional Development
• PY 744 Career Development and Counseling or PY 746 Psychopharmacology for Psychotherapists
• PY 745 Cognitive Processes
• PY 748 Multicultural Counseling
• PY 749 Helping Relationship Skills
• PY 750 Counseling Theories
• PY 751 Group Process
• PY 761 Practicum (six credit hours)

Faculty

Program Advisor

Les Hemphill, Ph.D.
Director of Graduate Psychology Programs
M.A., University of Tulsa; Ph.D., Kansas State University
(913) 319-3015
hemphill48@stmary.edu

Dr. Hemphill has worked as a probation counselor with adolescents and as a prison psychologist. He has also conducted individual and group therapy and provided emergency services for Pawnee Mental Health Services in Concordia, Kansas. He taught full-time at Haskell Indian Junior College and at Cloud County Community College—where he served as the director of advisement and counseling for 10 years. He came to USM in 2008. He is particularly interested in developing programs and services that meet the needs of students with psychological and physical disabilities as well as non-traditional and first-generation students.

David Greene, Ph.D.
Professor
M.A., University of Northern Colorado; Ph.D., Colorado State University
(913) 758-6105
greened@stmary.edu

Dr. Greene spent over fifteen years serving with a variety of public and private counseling agencies, most recently as director of adult out-patient and emergency services for Larimer County, Colo. He became a full-time faculty member at the University of Saint Mary in 1994. He is particularly interested in counseling psychology and social psychology, and has conducted research in the area of chronic illnesses, especially diabetes.

Nancy King, Professor
M.S.; Ph.D. University of Kansas
(913) 758-6103
kingn@stmary.edu

Dr. King received her B.S. in Education from Central Missouri State University, and her M.S. and Ph.D. in Psychology of Sport from University of Kansas.  She is a former K-12 physical education teacher and coach.  She came to Saint Mary in 1991 as a counselor and drug education coordinator in Student Life. She became a member of USM’s psychology faculty in 1994.  Since then, she received the Sullivan Award for Teaching Excellence in 1996, and was inducted into USM Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.  She has also coached USM basketball, softball, and volleyball.  

David Strohm, Assistant Professor of Psychology
M.A., Chapman University; Ph.D., Kansas State University
(913) 319-3012
strohm57@stmary.edu

Dr. Strohm has worked as a mental health counselor and a high school counselor in Kansas and Nebraska. He taught in the graduate counseling programs at Emporia State University and directed the Counselor Education Clinic that provided mental health services to the region. He joined the faculty at the University of Saint Mary in 2009. His research interests encompass career counseling and development in adolescents and mid-life career changers, with emphasis on career decision making. 

Cathy Bogart, Adjunct Professor
M.A., University of Missouri-Kansas City; Ph.D., University of Kansas

Leif Leaf, Adjunct Professor,
M.A., California State University; Ph.D., Indiana State University

Arthur Ross Jr., Adjunct Professor
M.A.; Ph.D., University of Missouri-Kansas City

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I need to have a bachelor’s degree in psychology?
• What are the qualifications of the faculty?
• Does this program prepare students for licensure in the mental health field?
• What if I am not interested in pursuing licensure?
• How long does it take to complete the program?
• What do I need to know about practicum?
• Does the university assist the student in finding a practicum placement?
• Is financial aid available?

Do I need to have a bachelor’s degree in psychology?

No. Applicants not majoring in psychology may be accepted if they have completed coursework in the following areas:

• general or introductory psychology
• social psychology or personality psychology
• developmental psychology
• psychological disorders
• statistics

Exceptions may be made. After reviewing your application materials, the program coordinator will determine if you have demonstrated the ability to be successful in a graduate psychology program.

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What are the qualifications of the faculty?

Our classes are taught by a balanced combination of both full-time and adjunct faculty who have expertise in numerous areas of psychology. Faculty in the graduate psychology program hold doctorate degrees in psychology or related fields. The majority have practiced in the mental health field.

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Does this program prepare students for licensure in the mental health field?

USM’s program offers the coursework needed to pursue licensure as a Professional Counselor (LPC) in Missouri or a Masters Level Psychologist (LMLP) in Kansas. Students wishing to pursue licensure as a LPC in Missouri complete the counseling track, which is 48 credit hours and includes a six-credit practicum. Students wishing to pursue licensure as a LMLP in Kansas complete the counseling track as well as additional coursework offered through the University of Saint Mary. These students complete 60 graduate credits including a 15-credit practicum. The USM program does not guarantee licensure, which is granted by the individual states.

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What if I am not interested in pursuing licensure?

The general M.A. Psychology Degree may help students to pursue continued study in psychology. It is recommended that students wishing to pursue doctoral degrees research the admission requirements of programs in their area of interest. Many students also pursue the M.A. Psychology Degree in order to advance in a related field.

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How long does it take to complete the program?

The length of time needed to complete the program depends on your professional goals and whether or not you plan to take classes full or part-time. Courses are offered once a year and follow a rotation.

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What do I need to know about practicum?

Students pursuing the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology will complete a practicum at a site approved by the graduate psychology program director. You will enroll in practicum during your last year of the program after you have completed the necessary prerequisite coursework. Although some practicum activities can be completed during the evening, successful completion of the practicum usually requires you to have some availability in your schedule during the normal work week.

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Does the university assist the student in finding a practicum placement?

We will assist you in finding a practicum placement that is in line with your interests. Students have pursued placements in a variety of settings, such as psychiatric hospitals, mental health centers, private practice, neuropsychological assessment, and others.

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Is financial aid available?

Yes, contact the Financial Aid Office at the University of Saint Mary by calling1-800-752-7043 or visit our Financial Aid page for payment plans or Call 913-345-8288 for payment options.