Assumption College Graduate Program

M.A. in Counseling Psychology

Admission and Degree Requirements

The program uses a rolling admission procedure and you may submit your application to the Graduate office at any time during the year.  When complete, your application will be forwarded to the Counseling Psychology admissions committee for their review.  Candidates will be informed of their decision in writing through the Office of the Graduate School.  If you are applying for a Graduate Fellowship, your application must be complete by March 1.

Enrollment is open to qualified individuals who meet the following academic admissions standards:

  • A baccalaureate degree and at least (6) psychology courses completed at an undergraduate level.  You must complete the requisite six psychology courses before consideration of your application for admission to the graduate program;
  • A minimum grade point average of 3.0, both overall and in psychology courses

You do not need to have majored in psychology as an undergraduate student to enter the program.  However, if your undergraduate program did not include at least 6 psychology courses, you must complete additional courses before you can be admitted to the program.  If you are considering applying to the program and have not yet taken the required six (6) undergraduate psychology courses, the Program Director will address your questions regarding entrance requirements and will assist you in selecting appropriate preparatory course work.

The Admissions Committee will consider several factors when evaluating your application.  One important consideration is the strength of your background and preparation in psychology.  The Admissions Committee may recommend admission if your overall GPA is below 3.0 but your GPA for the last 2 years is strong and your performance in your psychology courses is strong.  If you believe that you have evidence of extenuating circumstances that explains a weak overall GPA, you may contact the Program Director regarding your application.

The Admissions Committee also requires that you submit three strong positive recommendations from your professors or other professionals for whom you have worked.  Only letters that are academic or professional in nature will be considered.  At least one recommendation must be from a professor you had for at least one course.  If you have been out of school for several years and are unable to obtain an academic reference, you must contact the Program Director for guidance in identifying individuals who can provide suitable recommendations.  It is important to choose individuals who know your academic ability, research skills, or clinical work well.

Finally, the Admissions Committee will consider the match between your professional interest and Assumption's program offerings.  We recommend that you give considerable thought to the content of your essay as it is an important part of the evaluation process.  Success in the counseling program and in the field requires high levels of responsibility, integrity, interpersonal skills, as well as mastery of theory and research methodology.  We are seeking candidates who have thought deeply about their place within the field of counseling and who possess strong academic credentials.  We encourage you to reflect this thought and to describe your preparation thoroughly in the essay you submit.

Applying to the Master of Arts Program

A complete application includes the following:

  • A complete application form and application fee (fee waived for Assumption matriculated students or alumni/ae);
  • Official transcript(s) of undergraduate and graduate records;
  • Three (3) letters of recommendation.  As outlined above, these letters must be academic or professional in nature with a minimum of one letter from a professor you had for at least one course.  Any exception is to be reviewed with the Program Director before an application is considered complete.  Recommendations must be submitted on the official recommendation form found in the Graduate School Catalog or on the Assumption Graduate School web site.
  • An updated resume showing your academic and work experiences
  • An essay of approximately 600 words that answer each of the following
    questions:
    1. Describe the academic preparation and skills that you have that you
        believe qualify you for the rigorous training involved in our master's
        program in Counseling Psychology. Discuss experiential and field-
        based experiences that you believe prepare you for our counseling
        program.
    2. Describe what you hope to accomplish academically during your
        graduate program and the career goals you have for yourself.
        Focusing on the actual job you would like to have five years after
        completing your graduate study will bring specificity to your essay.
    3. Describe the qualities that you see as essential for an effective
        counselor and then assess yourself in terms of these characteristics.

Notes:

1. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required.
2. An interview is not required, however, candidates are welcome to contact the Program Director at any time with questions about the program.
3.) The Counseling Psychology admissions committee reserves the right to request additional material in support of the candidate's application.

Candidates for the Master of Arts or CAGS in Counseling Psychology are to note the following:

  • All documents, transcripts and other papers submitted for admission become the property of the College and will not be returned.
  • Courses taken by correspondence will not satisfy prerequisite or program requirements.
  • A student is not officially admitted or denied admission until he/she has been notified by the Director of Graduate Enrollment.  Applicants are notified of their status in writing.
  • After official notification of acceptance, application and transcripts are kept on file for one year.  If the candidate has not matriculated within that year, he/she ordinarily reapplies and is subject to the rules and regulations that are in effect at the time of the new application.
  • There is no conditional admission into the Counseling Psychology graduate program.
  • Incomplete dossiers are kept on file no more that one year.
  • The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires that, prior to attending classes, graduate students must be immunized against measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, Hepatitis B and meningitis.  For specific information call the Graduate Medical Secretary 508-767-7507.
        

The Counseling Psychology program can be completed on a full-or part-time basis, with classes taken during the summer, fall, or spring semesters. The program requires 60 credits for completion and offers two optional concentrations: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Child & Family Interventions. The curriculum is broken into four main segments which include:

Required Entry-level Courses (15 credits):
PSY 500- Abnormal Psychology
PSY 501- Psychology of Personality
PSY 502- Psychology of Development
PSY 504- Psychology Measurement
PSY 600- Counseling (Principles & Practices)

Required General Core Courses (15 credits):
PSY 604- Ethical Principles for Counselors
PSY 627- Issues in Professional Practice
PSY 630- Cultural Competencies in Counseling
PSY 650- Research Seminar
PSY 790- Professional Integrative Seminar

Required Advanced Courses (18 Credits):
PSY 705- Group Approaches to Counseling and Psychotherapy
PSY 708- Cognitive Assessment & Psychotherapy
PSY 801- Counseling Practicum
PSY 802- Counseling Internship I
PSY 803- Counseling Internship II

Electives and Optional Concentrations:
Once you have satisfied these program requirements, you may select advanced elective courses in specific areas of concentration. These electives provide you with an opportunity to develop specialized skills in working with particular client groups and in using specific approaches to counseling. You may also use your electives towards gaining sophisticated and in-depth expertise in a particular concentration. Concentrations currently include Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies and Child and Family Interventions. You can fulfill the requirements for both concentrations in the 60-credit program (that is, without taking additional courses). To fulfill the requirements for both concentrations, you must complete both PSY711 and PSY712.

Oral Examination:
The oral exam is required for all students in the Counseling Psychology program. The exam itself will be conducted in such a way as to maximize your opportunity to exhibit your ability to synthesize and integrate theory, practice, and research.

"));