Mission

The MS in Clinical Professional Counseling provides training to individuals who wish to promote mental health in individuals, couples, families, and other groups. The program strives to provide a learning environment that facilitates the development of skills in critical thinking, diagnostic assessment and conceptualization, and intervention, and one that is grounded in an appreciation for both psychological science and human diversity.

This program prepares students to become Master's level mental health practitioners. The program meets the current coursework requirements for the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) credential in the state of Maryland and also meets coursework requirements for similar credentials in other states, however applicants are encouraged to determine the licensure requirements in the state in which they plan to practice. Graduates typically go on to obtain the supervised postgraduate clinical experience hours required for LCPC licensure.

Learning Aims

Learning Aim 1: Ethical Conduct. Students will conduct themselves in accordance with applicable ethics codes in all interactions and activities in their roles as graduate students and will demonstrate the effective application of ethical decision-making processes when confronted with ethical dilemmas.

Learning Aim 2: Cultural Diversity. Students will demonstrate sensitivity to cultural diversity by behaving inclusively, demonstrating receptivity to feedback, and fostering collaboration based on awareness of privilege in all roles (e.g., peer, clinician, supervisee, assessor, researcher) and in all settings (e.g., classroom, externship site, lab) in which students represent Loyola University Maryland.

Learning Aim 3: Professional and Personal Demeanor. Students will display professional conduct to include written and verbal communications, attire, and interactions appropriate to all settings where students represent Loyola University Maryland, as aligned with departmental and agency policy.

Learning Aim 4: Research and Scholarship. Students will apply the scientific approach to evaluate psychological information and to use this information in professional settings.

Learning Aim 5: Appraisal and Assessment. Students will act in accordance with professional standards in the coordination of assessment and the integration of assessment into diagnosis, conceptualization, and treatment. Students will utilize this information in culturally responsive ways, and will communicate effectively to clients and with other providers.

Learning Aim 6: Treatment and Intervention. Students will demonstrate the ability to develop and implement evidence-based treatment and intervention plans with groups and individuals from a diverse society.

Learning Aim 7: Supervision. Students will actively participate in and effectively utilize supervision while engaged in professional activities. Students will seek out additional supervision when warranted and will be receptive to feedback from supervisors. Students will be aware of and receive/provide supervision in accordance with applicable ethics codes and with sensitivity to individual differences.

Admission Criteria

Applicants for the MS in Clinical Professional Counseling should have a strong undergraduate academic background. Students must have a bachelor's degree in psychology or another field. The applicant's bachelor's degree must be from an accredited college or university with a preferred minimum overall grade point average of 3.000. Applications are considered for fall admission only. The following minimum prerequisite coursework must have been completed at the undergraduate level: introductory psychology, psychopathology, and at least one course relating to the experimental or statistical areas of social science, such as experimental psychology, research methods, psychological statistics, or tests and measurement. All of these courses must have been offered through a social sciences department (e.g., psychology, sociology, etc.).

All applicants must submit a personal statement, resume/CV, and three letters of recommendation. Admitted applicants are required to pass a background check as well as submit immunization records before they can matriculate.

Detailed admission information (application procedures, required documents, deadlines, etc.) can be found under Admission .

Grading and Academic Dismissal

University-wide academic standards can be found in the section on Academic Standards and Dismissal under Academic Regulations and Policies .

In addition, students who receive a grade of less than B- (2.670) in any course will not be permitted to count this course for their degree. Students receiving a grade of less than B- in a required course must retake and successfully complete the course and are encouraged to meet with their advisor to discuss this issue. Both the original and retake grades remain on the student's transcript and will be calculated into the cumulative quality point average (QPA).

Students receiving a grade of less than B- in an elective course must meet with their advisor to determine if they should retake the same course or substitute an alternative elective. In either case, the original course grade remains on the student's transcript and is calculated into the cumulative quality point average.

It is the student's responsibility to make certain that the minimum QPA requirement of 3.000, which is a B average, is maintained. Students who fall below this level of achievement will be placed on academic probation for one semester and, as part of a Professional Assessment Review (PAR) process, must meet with their advisor to discuss their progress. Failure to raise the cumulative QPA to 3.000 in the following semester will result in dismissal from the program. Moreover, either the receipt of one F (0.000) or the accumulation of two grades of C+ (2.330) or lower also will result in dismissal from the program.

Academic dismissal may also result from excessive course withdrawal, academic dishonesty, or other unethical or unprofessional conduct reflecting upon a student's ability to enter into the academic or professional field in which the degree is being offered. If the Psychology Department perceives that a student is not progressing satisfactorily in the development of the competencies and behaviors required at a student's level of professional development, a Professional Assessment Review (PAR) will be conducted for the purpose of remediation or dismissal.