Counseling Psychology, M.S.

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Master’s Degree Programs

Applicants are judged on the basis of prior academic record, GRE scores, three letters of recommendation from persons qualified to assess the applicant’s readiness for graduate study, and personal statement. Applicants are expected to have completed appropriate undergraduate foundation courses in psychology (e.g., statistics, experimental, and history and systems). A student may be invited to come to campus for a personal interview as part of the application process. The department typically receives applications from a larger number of qualified applicants than it can enroll.

Prospective students should specify their intended emphasis area at time of application. Descriptions of each of these areas are available online at www.usm.edu/psychology. New students are admitted only for fall semester. Applications received by March 1st will receive full review.

The Department of Psychology values diversity, and members of underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. Additionally, whereas participation in on-campus admissions seminars and interviews is highly recommended for applicants who enter the final selection pool, alternative arrangements may be requested through the director of training for those individuals who are unable to travel to Hattiesburg.

Plan of Study. Students must submit their signed, official Plan of Study form to the Graduate School by the end of the first semester they are enrolled. The Plan of Study forms are available at www.usm.edu/graduateschool/planofstudy.php. - click on the “Plans of Study” link.

Research and Scholarly Integrity Education

All faculty holding Regular or Associate graduate faculty status, must complete CITI training modules required by the Graduate School and their departments. All graduate students must complete the CITI training modules required by the Graduate School and their departments the first semester they are enrolled in graduate school. The RSIE policy and training information are found on the Graduate School web page –www.usm.edu/graduate-school. Contact the Dean of the Graduate School if you have any questions regarding the policy of training information.

Continuous Enrollment Requirement: Students must meet the requirements specified in the front section of this Bulletin for continuous enrollment.

Curriculum:

The Master of Science in Counseling Psychology is designed to accommodate the needs of students who plan to seek employment in human services agencies or pursue additional doctoral studies. A thesis option is available for students who wish to prepare for doctoral studies. The program is offered only on a full-time enrollment basis.

Master’s comprehensive examination requirements are described in the General Academic Requirements section of this Bulletin. A 3.0 GPA is required for graduation.

Required Core Courses and Practica (60 hours)

Foundations (9 hours):

Research Tools (6 hours)

PSY 659 - Counseling Psychology Research Methods 3 hrs.
PSY 662 - Quantitative Methods I 3 hrs. or
REF 761 - Quantitative Analysis I 3 hrs.

Professional Core (36 hours):

PSY 607 - Ethics and Current Issues in Psychology 3 hrs.
PSY 613 - Cultural Bases of Behavior 3 hrs.
PSY 614 - Testing and Individual Analysis 3 hrs.
PSY 630 - Introduction to Counseling Psychology 3 hrs.
PSY 652 - Counseling Psychology Practicum I 3 hrs.
PSY 710 - Group Counseling and Psychotherapy 3 hrs.
PSY 712 - Assessment and Diagnosis 3 hrs.
PSY 713 - Intermediate Counseling Theory 3 hrs.
PSY 714 - The Psychology of Vocational Development 3 hrs.
PSY 727 - Counseling Supervision 3 hrs.
PSY 762 - Counseling Psychology Practicum II 3 hrs.
PSY 717 - Theory and Practice of Developmental Counseling 3 hrs. or
PSY 679 - Advanced Developmental Psychology 3 hrs.

Internship (3 hours):

PSY 796 - Field Internship 3-12 hrs. (3 hrs. required)

Specialized studies (6 hours)

Non-Thesis 6 hrs. or
Thesis option: PSY 698 - Thesis 1-6 hrs. for a total of 6 hrs.

Note:

Course planning is undertaken with the backgrounds and needs of students in mind. The curriculum may be slightly modified to meet individual needs of students (with approval of adviser). Detailed curriculum guides are available upon request.