2016-2017 Graduate Academic Catalogue 
    
    Apr 29, 2024  
2016-2017 Graduate Academic Catalogue [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Pastoral Counseling, M.S./Ph.D.


The M.S./Ph.D. combination program was developed to address the needs of highly competent candidates who are seeking the opportunity to pursue the two degrees in a seamless manner. The program may be completed in six to seven years by highly motivated candidates willing to commit at least two to three days per week of full-time study including summers.

The M.S. portion of the M.S./Ph.D. program is very similar to the M.S. program . Students must achieve at least a 3.000 GPA or better in these eight courses (below) to be eligible to begin their clinical internships. A Professional Assessment Review (PAR) is required of all students who do not meet this minimum requirement. Second, a PAR is required of all students who do not achieve at least a B in PC 675 - Helping Relationships .

Degree Requirements


Degree requirements and course offerings are detailed in the following sections. For additional information on a specific degree, please contact the Pastoral Counseling Department.

Program of Study


The typical program of study consists of five to six years of full-time coursework and clinical training. The following coursework is required in order to obtain the Master of Science (M.S.) portion of the M.S./Ph.D.:

Key:


* Doctoral level courses, different from the M.S. program that count toward the M.S. degree for M.S./Ph.D. students.

** The electives offered to M.S./Ph.D. students will be crosslisted as M.S. and Ph.D. courses. M.S./Ph.D. students must sign up for the doctoral level, i.e., the 800 level of their chosen elective.

*** These clinical courses and their requirements are the same for M.S. and M.S./Ph.D. students.

Transition into the Ph.D. Program


Candidates typically matriculate into the doctoral part of their studies upon completion of the master's degree. Students should consult with their doctoral academic advisor and review the M.S.-Ph.D. typical program guides in order to sequence their courses appropriately. The M.S. is conferred upon successful completion of all required coursework and clinical requirements for the degree. Candidates complete all required coursework for the Ph.D. program as outlined above.

State Licensure


The MS and MS/PhD programs of study integrate the coursework required for Maryland state licensure as a professional counselor. Some states require that the program of study coursework be taken in a prescribed order; therefore, students are encouraged to become familiar with their anticipated state of residence's licensure and examination requirements.

A pastoral counseling faculty member is assigned to act as the liaison between the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and the department. Students may request current licensing information from this person. Information about the licensing requirements of other states is available in the pastoral counseling department office. Further, the University is an approved site for the National Counselors Exam (NCE) administered by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). The NCE is required for Maryland state licensure. However, other states and the District of Columbia may require different examinations and/or academic requirements. Loyola offers the NCE twice a year, prior to a student's graduation from the program of study.