May 16, 2025

2015-2016 Argosy University Academic Catalog—Graduate Programs | Volume 6, Issue 1

2015-2016 Argosy University Academic Catalog—Graduate Programs | Volume 6, Issue 1 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology Degree Program—Argosy University, Seattle

Program Overview

The Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling Psychology degree program is designed to provide students with a sound foundation for the eventual practice of mental health counseling. The program is designed to emphasize the development of attitudes, knowledge, and skills essential in the formation of professionals who are committed to the ethical provision of quality services.

The MA in Counseling Psychology degree program is designed to prepare students to enter a professional career as master’s level counseling practitioners who can perform ethically and effectively as skilled professionals with demonstrated knowledge of social and cultural diversity. Curriculum is designed to integrate basic counseling skills, theoretical foundations of professional counseling, and practicum field experience into appropriate client interaction and intervention skills for application in a wide variety of settings with diverse client populations. 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.

Eligibility for Licensure

Graduates of the MA in Counseling Psychology degree program may wish to pursue licensure as a mental health counselor. The program curriculum includes courses in each area of study required by the state of Washington for master’s-level licensure. Additional post-master’s degree program requirements must be met prior to licensure. For more information and application materials to apply for licensure in the state of Washington, see the Department of Professional Regulation Website at www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/ProfessionsNewReneworUpdate/MentalHealthCounselor.aspx

Master’s-level certification or licensure varies from state to state. Students should determine the requirements for professional licensure in the state they wish to practice. The American Counseling Association (ACA) and the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) frequently publish information on issues of importance to professional counselors, including licensure, online at: www.counseling.org and www.nbcc.org.

Graduation Requirements

Students enrolled in the MA in Counseling Psychology degree program are eligible for graduation when the following requirements are met:

Successful completion of 50 semester credit hours as follows:
- 41 credit hours of core course requirements
- 9 credit hours (600 on-site) of required practicum and practicum seminar groups
Completion of a practicum and practicum seminar.
Successful completion of the Psychotherapy Competency Examination (PCE).
A minimum grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) and a grade of “B-” or better in all courses
Satisfactory completion of all program requirements within five years after matriculation into the program.
Submission of a completed Petition to Graduate to campus administration.

Suggested Incremental Time Frame Completion Rates

All students must complete the program within five years after matriculation. Students who have temporarily withdrawn from Argosy University will have five years plus the length of time that they were not enrolled, not to exceed one year, to complete the program.

The suggested incremental time frame requirements are listed below:

Suggested Incremental Time Frame Completion Rates

End of Year One: 9 credit hours

End of Year Two: 18 credit hours

End of Year Three: 27 credit hours

End of Year Four: 36 credit hours

End of Year Five: 50 credit hours

Program Requirements

Students enrolled in the MA in Counseling Psychology degree program are required to satisfactorily complete 50 semester credit hours distributed as follows: core course requirements, 41 credit hours; practicum and practicum seminar requirements, 9 credit hours. In addition the stated core course and practicum requirements, students are required to successfully complete the Psychotherapy Competency Examination (PCE).

The program curriculum is designed for delivery in a specific sequence. Courses offered to first year students are designed to provide a theoretical and practical foundation for courses that will follow. Students must satisfy all stated prerequisites for a course before registration can be considered official. Any student who wishes to take a course or courses out of sequence must petition the department chair in writing for special permission.

Core Course Requirements — Students Are Required to Take the Following

Core Course Requirements—41 Credit Hours

Practicum and Practicum Seminar Requirements — Students Are Required to Take the Following

Practicum and Practicum Seminar Requirements — 9 Credit Hours

Practicum and Practicum Seminar Requirements

Practicum

The practicum is an opportunity provided to students for field training in counseling. During the practicum, students work under supervision with a client population within a mental health delivery system. The practicum is an essential part of training in counseling and all students are required to participate in the practicum experience. Liability insurance is included in the cost of the practicum tuition.

Please see the Practicum Training Manual for your academic year for specific details of practicum requirements and the practicum application process.

Practicum Seminar

All students enrolled in a practicum must also concurrently attend a practicum seminar. The seminar meets biweekly throughout the practicum year and allows the student to reflect on various practicum experiences and to acquire additional skills and attitudes useful in field training. The specific content and emphasis of the seminar varies according to the practicum setting and focus of the enrolled students and the professional expertise of the faculty member.

Psychotherapy Competency Examination Requirements

The Psychotherapy Competency Examination (PCE) normally takes place during the third or final practicum seminar. The PCE evaluates the growth and development of clinical competency, in accordance with the standards of Argosy University, Seattle, and ensures acquisition of the appropriate skill levels for subsequent supervised clinical practice.

The PCE assesses competency in assessment, case formulation, and treatment planning and implementation. This requirement is accomplished through a presentation of a treatment session and an accompanying presentation of the assessment, case formulation, course of treatment, and analysis integration of at least one counseling theory orientation to the case. Students must choose a session that has not been supervised and not been previously presented in the practicum seminar.

Please see the Psychotherapy Competency Examination Handbook for additional information

Course/Credit Transfer

The MA in Counseling Psychology degree program does not accept any credit hours earned as military credit, credit by examination, credit by correspondence, credit for life experience, or credit from non-accredited schools.

The maximum number of credit hours or courses eligible for transfer in the MA in Counseling Psychology degree program is 12 credit hours, i.e., four courses. The following is a list of courses that may not be transferred at Argosy University, Seattle:

Recommended Course Sequence for the Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling Psychology Degree Program at Argosy University, Seattle

Student progress through the program is intended to be sequential. Certain courses are offered to first-year students that are designed to provide a theoretical and practical foundation for courses that will follow in subsequent years. Students must satisfy all stated prerequisites for a course before registration for that course can be considered official. The MA in Counseling Psychology degree program recommended course sequence can be obtained from the department chair.