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Offering Campuses
Argosy University, Atlanta; Argosy University, Chicago; Argosy University, Dallas; Argosy University, Sarasota; Argosy University, Schaumburg; Argosy University, Washington DC
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Program Overview
The Master of Arts (MA) in Community Counseling degree program at Argosy University is designed to provide students with a sound foundation for the practice of community counseling, with a multifaceted focus on developmental and preventive mental health services. The program introduces students to the basic skills of counseling, integrating individual, group, family, and organizational interventions. The program is designed to emphasize development of the attitudes, knowledge, and skills required for the ethical provision of quality professional counseling services. As such, the program is committed to educating and training students to enter the counseling profession as ethical, effective, skilled, and culturally competent practitioners, able to work in a variety of settings with diverse client populations. This goal is achieved through a curriculum designed to integrate foundational counseling skills, counseling theories, and clinical field experiences taught by experienced practitioners.
Since licensing may change and often varies from state to state, students should verify the current requirements of the state in which they plan to become licensed.
Admission Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or an appropriately certified foreign institution.
- A grade point average (GPA) on a scale of 4.0 as described below. Additional requirements may apply.
- 3.0 for the last 60 hours of coursework (including graduate work).
- Applicants with grade point averages lower than the stated program minimums may be considered for admission with significant evidence of academic and professional potential demonstrated by the career and/or professional accomplishments indicated in the statement of academic and professional goals, the career summary, and academic or professional letters of recommendation. Such Admission must be recommended by the Admissions Committee and program chair and must be justified, documented, signed, placed, and retained in the student’s academic file.
- A minimum score on an Argosy University pre-approved English language proficiency test is required for all applicants whose native language is not English or who have not graduated from an institution at which English is the language of instruction as specified in Section Five, Admission Policies, “English Language Proficiency Policy ”
- Completion of an interview with a member of the program Admissions Committee.
All applications for admission must be submitted to the Admissions Department. An admissions representative is available to help interested applicants complete the following required documentation:
- Completed Application for Admission Form.
- Application fee (Non-refundable, except in California and Arizona. In the state of Arizona, the application fee is refundable if the application is canceled within three business days of the applicant signing the Enrollment Agreement.).
- Personal/professional goal statement with a self-appraisal of qualifications for the profession.
- Current résumé (or career summary).
- Three completed Applicant Recommendation Forms.
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended.
Applications to Multiple Campuses
An applicant who wants to apply to more than one campus must complete a separate application and forward a full set of application materials to each campus.
Admissions Notification
Students are notified in writing of the decision made by the Admissions Committee. The Admissions Committee decisions are final and not subject to appeal. Applicants who have been denied admission may reapply after the passage of one year from the date of denial by submitting all documents required of a new applicant. Individuals who intend to reapply for admission are required to contact the Admissions Department prior to reapplying.
Graduation Requirements
Students admitted into the MA in Community Counseling degree program are responsible for completing the program requirements in effect at the time of admission. The school retains the right to modify these requirements in accordance with the demands of the counseling profession. Coursework and degree requirements should be completed in the order recommended by the department administration. Faculty advisors must approve any changes. To be eligible for graduation, students must meet the following requirements:
- Completion of 48 semester credit hours
- GPA of at least 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0)
- Successful completion of the Comprehensive Examination
- Successful completion of all practicum and internship requirements and assessments
- Completion of all requirements within four years of matriculation into the program
- A completed Petition to Graduate submitted to campus administration
Note
Students who have temporarily withdrawn from the University will have the maximum amount of years, plus the length of the approved leave (not to exceed one year) to complete the program.
Academic Progress Requirements
To make satisfactory progress toward a degree, students must:
- Maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0
- Complete the program requirements within the stated limits
Academic dismissal will occur if a student fails to raise a low GPA to 3.0 or higher within two semesters. Refer to your campus-specific program description for additional information regarding academic dismissal.
Program Outcomes
Professional Identity: Value all aspects of professional functioning, including history, roles, organizational structures, ethics, legalities, standards, and credentialing
Social and Cultural Diversity: Apply core theory and research of the cultural context of relationships, issues, and trends in a multicultural and diverse society to the counseling profession
Human Growth and Development: Interpret and apply core theory and research of the nature and needs of individuals at all developmental levels
Career Development: Apply core theory and research of career development, the psychology of work, and related factors
Helping Relationships: Ethically and effectively deliver a range of counseling and consultation services
Group Work: Understand the theoretical and experiential foundations of group purpose, development, and dynamics; will apply group counseling methods and skills
Assessment: Understand principles of testing and measurement, and will apply both individual and group methods of assessment and evaluation
Research and Program Evaluation: Understand methods and roles of research, statistical analysis, needs assessment and program evaluation
Communication: Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in written communication
Interpersonal Effectiveness: Students will develop and improve positive relationship skills via effective communication, respect for others, appreciation of diversity and cultural sensitivity, and awareness of their impact on others.
Endorsement Policy
Argosy University faculty will endorse students for professional placement and licensure only if they have completed all formal coursework, including all practicum/internship requirements. Recommendations for job placement, both oral and written, will be specific to the practice of counseling.
Program Formats
Argosy University offers a variety of program formats. Refer to the campus-specific program descriptions for more detail.
Practicum and Internship and Seminar Requirements
The practicum and internship are an essential part of the MA in Community Counseling degree program. These are supervised field training experiences within a mental health services system. A required, essential component of the degree program, students are supervised by experienced clinicians who teach relevant skills, provide supervision of on-going work, and serve as role models of professional identity and behavior.
Training may not be done in a student’s place of employment, nor is any student exempt from the practicum/internship requirements. Students with extensive clinical backgrounds are encouraged to consider training sites in areas where they have an interest and do not have previous experience. Detailed guidelines and application materials are available from the program.
All students who enter the practicum and internship application process must be in good academic standing, have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0, and have completed all the practicum prerequisite courses prior to the beginning of training with a “B-” or better.
All students enrolled in a practicum/internship are concurrently enrolled in a seminar. The seminar meets throughout the placement and allows the student to reflect on various training experiences while acquiring additional skills and attitudes. Specific seminar content and emphasis varies according to the training setting, focus of the enrolled students, and the professional expertise of the faculty member.
The goals of the training seminar are:
- Development of counseling and case formulation skills
- Provision of information and consultation to supplement the experiences provided at the practicum/internship site
- Assistance developing a professional style for case presentations
- Improved ability to provide and receive feedback in an effective manner
- Discussion of ethical issues as they pertain to specific counseling cases
- Preparation for the campus-specific capstone assessments
Practicum and Internship Evaluation
The goal of the experience is to train competent counselors capable of effective counseling and therapeutic intervention. Student evaluation during field training includes: theoretical knowledge, counseling skills, and professional attitude. A thorough review of site and seminar evaluations is conducted by the Community Counseling Program. An overall grade of “Credit” (CR) or “No Credit” (NC) is included in the student’s academic record along with a comprehensive overview of the student’s practicum/internship experience.
Professional Conduct
Students are expected to adhere to professional standards outlined by the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics.
Additionally, students are expected to demonstrate professional behavior:
- Interpersonal interactions with others,
- Appropriate self-awareness and self-evaluation,
- Openness to professional feedback and supervision, and
- Ability to resolve problems effectively and professionally.
Students who fail to demonstrate professional behavior may be subject to a variety of campus-specific interventions up to and including referral to the Student Professional Development Committee (SPDC) and/or Student Conduct Committee (SCC). Outcomes may include advisement, remediation, or dismissal from the program.
Students will receive feedback regarding personal, academic and professional strengths, weaknesses, and performance as they progress through the program.
Writing Program
Students are expected to be proficient in written and oral communication and to produce written work consistent with accepted standards in the field. Those who are identified by faculty as needing further development of writing skills will be required to address identified deficits.
Student Advisement
The department assigns advisors to students enrolled in the MA in Community Counseling degree program. The advisor is available for consultation on student professional development, academic/ training progress, and professional issues.
Students are encouraged to meet with an advisor as often as necessary to review progress through the program and to discuss performance in classes, seminars, and practicum/internship.
Comprehensive Examination Requirements
All MA in Community Counseling degree program students are required to successfully complete a Comprehensive Examination. The information tested by the exam covers the end-of-program learning outcomes required of students in the Community Counseling program. Students must have successfully completed all required coursework, with the exception of practicum and internship, to be eligible to take the Comprehensive Exam. Additional information regarding registration, qualification, format, and dates of the exam can be obtained from the MA in Community Counseling degree program.
A student who fails the Comprehensive Exam is required to contact his/her faculty advisor who will assist in developing a remediation plan. Any student who fails the Comprehensive Examination a third time is automatically dismissed from the program.
Course/Credit Transfer
For information about course/credit transfers, please refer to Section Seven, Academic Policies and Procedures .
Campus-Specific Program Requirements
To review the program requirements for a given campus, click on the relevant link below:
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