Counseling Psychology, C.A.S.

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The C.A.S. program provides those students who possess a master's degree in psychology or an allied profession with an opportunity to advance their knowledge and skills in the area of clinical and counseling psychology. Students will take advantage of the opportunity to "tailor" courses to meet specialized job and certification requirements. Students will meet with an academic advisor to arrange for a sequencing of courses to meet their needs. In the past, students have pursued the program to meet credentialing requirements in the areas of family treatment, clinical mental health counselor, etc. Current course offerings include many of those which are required by the Maryland Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors and Therapists to become a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC).

The certificate consists of 30 graduate credits beyond the master's degree. Upon entering the C.A.S. program, students must meet with the program director to plan a 30-credit course of study. No more than six (6) credits may be taken outside of the Psychology Department. C.A.S. students are not required to take comprehensive examinations or write a thesis. C.A.S. applicants do not need to submit Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores. For information about the estimated costs, related standard occupations, and normal completion time for this program, visit www.loyola.edu/department/consumer-information.

Goals

The following general program goals are provided for C.A.S. students. These goals are applied as relevant to each student's individual education and training program.

Goal 1: Ethical Conduct. Students will conduct themselves in accordance with the American Psychological Association Ethics Code 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.

Goal 2: Cultural Diversity. Students will demonstrate sensitivity to cultural diversity-to include all aspects of diversity included in Principle E of the American Psychological Association Ethics Code-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.

Goal 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.

Goal 4: Research and Scholarship. Students will apply the scientific approach to evaluate psychological information and to use this information in professional settings (practitioner and thesis tracks). Students will conduct scientific studies to generate new knowledge and will communicate their findings effectively (thesis track).

Goal 5: Appraisal and Assessment. Students will act in accordance with professional standards in the selection, use, scoring, and interpretation of appraisal and assessment measures appropriate to each client's referral question. Students will use this information to inform case conceptualization and diagnosis and effectively communicate these findings to clients and referral sources.

Goal 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.

Goal 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 the standards of their profession's code of ethics and with sensitivity to individual differences.