Master of Arts in counseling psychology

Designed for students with degrees in psychology and related fields, our program in counseling psychology prepares future professionals to support personal and interpersonal health and recovery across the lifespan. Faculty prepare graduates to understand best practices derived from research, theory, ecological contexts, ethical and multicultural awareness.

Important dates

  • January 1: Fall applications due

Announcement

GRE scores are recommended by not required as part of the holistic review process for admissions for 2023-2024.

Program Application

The Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Counseling Psychology has a separate program application that must be completed along with the application to the Wayne State University Graduate School.

Prerequisites

A minimum of 15 hours of psychology or a closely related field is required. It is suggested, but not required, that students have courses in the foundational areas of psychology, such as abnormal psychology, personality, behavioral, statistics and research methods. If students do not have sufficient statistics/research design backgrounds, they may take EER 7630 Fundamentals of Statistics or EER 7640 Fundamentals of Quantitative Research, which can be taken the spring/summer before the program begins or during any other semester both courses are typically offered each semester. Applicants applying from Canada must hold a bachelor's in psychology per the requirements of the Canadian Board of Psychology for people seeking licensure in Canada.

Applicants applying from Canada must hold a bachelor's in psychology per the requirements of the Canadian Board of Psychology for people seeking licensure in Canada.

Course Requirements 

The Master of Arts degree in counseling psychology is a two-and-a-half to three-year program and includes full-time coursework, pre-practicum experiences, and a 500-hour clinical practicum in a clinical setting. Students must earn a grade point average of 3.0 and no more than one C grade in any required course to remain in the program. Students will complete a Plan of Work with their graduate advisor. The Plan of Work outlines the required courses for graduation.

Most graduate classes are offered after 5:00 p.m. Clinical pre-practicum and practicum meeting hours may vary during the second year of the program. Students must complete all classes in the sequence offered to the cohort group that begins in the fall each year. Students may begin their clinical practicum (20 hours per week) during the spring/summer of year two, or during the fall semester of year three, as determined by the student and the clinical training/practicum supervisor. Classes are held on the main campus and a satellite location at the Oakridge Campus of Oakland Community College.

Curriculum

Fall Semester Year 1

Courses Cr. Hrs.
Total 10
EDP 7200 Systemic Theories and Family Therapy 3
EDP 7410 Human Developmental Psychology 4
EDP 7520 Professional Ethics and Standards for Psychologists 3

Winter Semester Year 1

Courses Cr. Hrs.
Total 9
EDP 7370 Psychopathology & Diagnosis 3
CED 7730 Cultural and Diversity Issues in Mental Health Treatment Research 3
EDP 7400 Foundations of Social Psychology 3

Spring Semester Year 1

Courses Cr. Hrs.
Total 4
EDP 7220 Psychotherapy with Children and Adolescents 4
EDP 7561 Assessment of Cognitive Functioning 4

Fall Semester Year 2

Courses Cr. Hrs.
Total 10
ED 7999 Terminal Masters Project 3
EDP 7240 Systems of Psychotherapy 3
EDP 7430 Applications 1: Behavioral Psychology and Social Learning 4

Winter Semester Year 2

Courses Cr. Hrs.
Total 10
EDP 7190 Couples Therapy 3
EDP 7562 Assessment of Personality and Social-Emotional Functioning 4
EDP 8319 Pre-Practicum in Clinical Procedures 3

Spring/Summer Semester Year 2 OR Fall/Winter Semester Year 3

Courses Cr. Hrs.
Total 5
EDP 8320 Practicum in Clinical Procedures 5

Students have the option to begin their clinical practicum in the spring/summer through the fall (5 credits), with the acceptance of a cooperating site and the university practicum/internship supervisor. These students will register for two credits of EDP 8320 in spring/summer semester and three credits in fall semester. Students make arrangements with the practicum/internship supervisor for the practicum and supervision. Otherwise, students will begin their clinical practicum in the fall through the winter (5 credits).

Contact

Francesca Pernice, Ph.D. LP, LMFT     
Associate professor      
Program Director and Supervisor
313-577-1718       
francescapernice@wayne.edu

Theoretical & Behavioral Foundations

Phone: 313-577-1613

Career insights

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