M.A. in Counseling Psychology
Oral Exams
The oral exam is required for all students in the Counseling Psychology program. You may take the exam after completing all of your course work or concurrent with the last semester of your course work. You may take no more than 3 courses the semester that you take the oral exam.The objective of the oral exam is to provide a forum for you to demonstrate how you integrate theory, practice, and research related to the training that you have received in the Counseling Psychology program. In essence, you will be asked to describe a conceptual model and to show how this model guides and informs your clinical decision making. Therefore, your skill in case conceptualization is an important aspect of the oral exam. As preparation for the oral exam, you must enroll in PSY790 (Professional Integrative Seminar). Guidelines for the oral exam will be provided during the Professional Integrative Seminar.
Oral exams are scheduled during the fall semester (generally October or November) and the spring semester (generally March or April). Your oral examination committee will consist of 2 faculty members. The oral exam itself is a one-hour exam. During the exam, you are expected to integrate the various elements of your training and study. You will be expected to call upon information from both your course work and internship experience. The procedures for the oral exam will mirror the training that you have received in the program. The exam itself will be conducted in such a way as to maximize your opportunity to exhibit your ability to synthesize and integrate theory, practice, and research. Much more information about the content and expectations of the oral exam will be provided to you when you take PSY790 (Professional Integrative Seminar).
Oral exams carry the grade of pass, fail, or pass with distinction. Your transcript, however, only provides the information that the oral exam was completed and the date of the exam. If you fail the oral exam, you will be given one additional opportunity to demonstrate competence. Generally, the second exam is given no sooner than the next regularly scheduled oral exam period.