1. Competence in developing an interpersonal relationship with clients and clinical supervisors
2. Competence in clinical assessment
3. Competence in implementing counseling interventions
4. Ethical and professional conduct in relationships with clients and agency
5. Research in domains that contribute to the practice of mental health counseling

The 60-credit Master of Arts degree curriculum is structured for students to complete the program in as few as two years. The program has three-course levels: entry level courses which stress the counseling process and its application in field settings; general core courses which provide a broad background in scientific and professional foundations of mental health counseling; and advanced counseling courses. The curriculum includes 12 elective credits which allow you to pursue career interests and to gain in-depth training in a particular area.

The entry-level courses are designed to provide you with a broad overview of theories, models, and research findings that have shaped the field of Counseling Psychology. After you complete these entry-level courses, you will have a broad, comprehensive understanding of the field. The advanced counseling courses will build on this foundation by helping you develop and master specialized skills in cognitive-behavioral therapies.

The curriculum is organized so that full-time students can complete the required 19 courses, including practicum and internship, in either two or three years depending on when they begin taking courses. Full-time students may begin in the summer or fall semester. Part-time students may begin in the summer, fall, or spring semester. To complete the program in two years, however, you must begin during the summer semester in order to complete your oral exam during the spring semester of your second year; oral exams are not conducted during the summer semester. The two-year full-time program requires five three-course semesters and one four-course semester.

We have organized the program so that it is possible to complete the degree on a 3-year schedule. With this plan, you will take 2 courses for 8 semesters and 3 courses for one semester.

Part-time students are welcomed in the program and you can take courses on a pace that fits your circumstances. Students have up to 7 years to complete all requirements for the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology.

Required Courses

After satisfying the program requirements, you may select four elective courses. These electives allow you to develop specialized skills in working with particular client groups and in using specific approaches to counseling. You may also use your electives to gain in-depth expertise in a particular concentration. Concentrations include Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies and Child and Family Interventions. You can also fulfill the requirements for both concentrations in the 60-credit program without taking additional courses; to do so, you must complete both PSY 711 and PSY 712.

Concentration in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies

This concentration reflects the influence and activities of the Aaron T. Beck Institute for Cognitive Studies and the expertise of departmental faculty. Structured, problem-focused cognitive-behavioral therapies focus on the interrelationship of thinking, behavior, and emotion. They are a collaborative undertaking in which the client and therapist develop the means to solve the client’s problem, thus enabling him or her to live a responsible and productive life.

If you select this concentration, you must complete at least three of the following courses:

Upon completion, you will receive a Certificate of Graduate Training from the Aaron T. Beck Institute for Cognitive Studies at Assumption College.

Concentration in Child & Family Interventions

This concentration reflects the expertise of the faculty in the areas of childhood trauma, adoption, school interventions, and major psychopathology in children, adolescents, and young adults. The concentration focuses on skills used when working with children, adolescents, and families in a variety of contexts. A broad developmental perspective is integrated within this concentration.

If you select this concentration, you must complete at least three of the following courses:

The Practicum (PSY 801) is a one-semester summer course which immediately precedes two semesters of Internship (PSY 802 and 803). The Practicum requires a minimum of 100 hours at a clinical agency or school. Students must attend an informational meeting during the spring semester prior to the summer in which they enroll in their practicum. Minimal qualification for Practicum is satisfactory completion of PSY 500 (Abnormal Psychology), PSY 501 (Psychology of Personality), PSY 600 (Counseling Principles and Practices), and PSY 604 (Ethical Principles for Counselors).

Students may not terminate their Practicum placement or withdraw from the Counseling Practicum Seminar (PSY 801) except in extraordinary circumstances and only with the written permission of the Practicum-Internship Coordinator. Students are not permitted to re-enroll in the Practicum course without written permission of the Practicum-Internship Coordinator.

The Internship (PSY 802 and 803) is a two-consecutive-semester program which begins in the fall and concludes in the spring of the same academic year. Over the course of two semesters, students must complete a minimum of 600 hours at a clinical agency or school. Students cannot withdraw from or terminate their placement in the middle of the internship sequence except in extraordinary circumstances and only with the written permission of the Practicum-Internship Coordinator. Students are not permitted to re-enroll in the Internship courses without written permission of the Practicum-Internship Coordinator. To enroll in the Internship courses, students must have successfully completed Counseling Practicum (PSY 801) and two 700-level advanced courses.

Licensure is important for professional practice as a mental health professional and the Clinical Counseling Psychology program is designed to prepare graduates to meet the educational requirements for licensure as a Mental Health Counselor in Massachusetts. For students who are interested in applying for licensure in other states, the Clinical Counseling Psychology program faculty will provide assistance in locating and understanding the licensing regulations for those states. The faculty also will provide assistance in developing an educational plan of study that will allow students to compile a portfolio that can be submitted to the licensing board in other states.

Copies of Massachusetts 262 CMR 2.00 Requirements can be downloaded from the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health Professionals website.

After completion of all of your course work or during your last semester of coursework, you will be scheduled to take an Oral Exam. The Oral Exam is required of all students in our CCP program and will be conducted in either the Fall or Spring semester (Oral Exams are not conducted in the summer). The Oral Exam is designed to provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in CBT and to integrate theory, practice and research. 

In accordance with its standards, the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) requires programs to report program statistics (applications, admissions, graduations) and program outcomes. Below, please find information requested by MPCAC. 

Clinical Counseling Psychology Program Data - Assumption University

The Assumption University Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling Psychology program prepares you for a career as a mental health counselor, fully integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) theory and practice in addressing common clinical problems like aggressive behavior in children, ADHD, depression, anxiety and substance abuse. 

Why Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is So Crucial and Relevant for Today’s Clinician 

CBT and other evidence-based treatments have repeatedly proven their effectiveness in clinical settings throughout the United States and around the world. 

For a number of the most common mental health conditions, CBT has proven to be the most effective treatment. As a result, CBT is increasingly being recognized, promoted and reimbursed by federal healthcare-policy makers, insurance companies and HMOs. The domino effect is that employers are actively seeking skill-based counselors with practical cognitive therapy experience. 

The M.A. Program is Built on a Set of Competencies in Five Major Domains: 

1. Competence in developing an interpersonal relationship with clients and clinical supervisors 
2. Competence in clinical assessment 
3. Competence in implementing evidence-based interventions 
4. Competence in evaluating psychological research in domains that contribute to the practice of mental health counseling 
5. Ethical and professional conduct in relationships with clients, faculty, and colleagues

Students and graduates of the Clinical Counseling Psychology program are known for their high-caliber skills and work ethic. Employers seek out our students for both practicum-internship opportunities and full-time employment after graduation. Hear from a few of the employers who hire our graduates below. 

“Both students and graduates from Assumption are encouraged to join us at CHL. We know the caliber of the students at Assumption is high, and our experience has been that Assumption graduates possess keen analytical skills and are successful at solving complex problems. Given the complicated clients that often receive services at CHL, those skills are essential! We look forward to having more Assumption students and alumni join us in our work to help people recover from mental illness, addiction, and homelessness.” 

Nicole Gagne, MA 
President and CEO 
UMass Memorial Community Healthlink 

“As a clinical supervisor, I have had phenomenal experiences working with students and graduates from the Assumption Clinical Counseling Program. Resumes that indicate education from this program excite me because of the readiness the student will have to jump into clinical work based on strong theoretical background and excellent clinical documentation skills. Rigorous academic training along with real-life applicable clinical knowledge make Assumption graduates attractive in job markets. My gratitude toward the Assumption program gets stronger whenever I work with highly well-trained clinicians from Assumption!” 

Yeonjoo Son 
Clinical Supervisor 
Spectrum Health Systems, Inc. 

“Open Sky Community Services has a time-honored tradition of recruiting and hiring students from the Clinical Counseling Psychology Program at Assumption University. From direct care workers to licensed clinicians, Assumption graduates have found meaningful careers where they can learn, grow and make a difference in the lives of the individuals they support. The internship program, especially, has been an effective way for interns to earn hours toward licensure while expanding their knowledge, gaining experience and moving their careers forward. Students recognize our recruiters are readily available to meet them on campus at career fairs and showcases. We are always happy to talk about career opportunities with Assumption students!” 

Ken Bates 
President and CEO 
Open Sky Community Services

"Family Continuity is proud to have established and maintained a partnership with Assumption University to work collaboratively with their Graduate School’s Clinical Counseling Psychology students. Many Assumption graduates transition their internship directly into employment opportunities with our agency. In some instances, students who express an interest in continuing with Family Continuity past their graduation will begin to build a caseload so that they can begin their employment immediately upon completion of their Master’s level, clinical counseling psychology program. Through our years of collaboration, we have found that Assumption students have been well educated to provide treatment interventions to the people Family Continuity serves with great efficacy." 

Craig Maxim, M.Ed., LMHC 
Divisional Director of Behavioral Health 
Family Continuity

How many credits is the Clinical Counseling Psychology program?
The Clinical Counseling Psychology program is a 60-credit program.

What is a full-time course load?
Full-time students take 3 courses (minimum of 9 credits) per semester.

What is the cost of the program?
You can find current cost per credit and fee information on our website at www.assumption.edu/gradfinaid.

Do you have both full-time and part-time options?
Yes, students can take our program full-time or part-time.

What is the average length of time to complete the program?
Most students complete the program in 2 – 3 years. On average, students complete the program in about 7 semesters.

How long does it take to complete the program if I am a part-time student?
You are welcome to take courses as a part-time student. A part-time course load is 1 or 2 courses a semester. You can take up to 7 years to complete the program – that would be one course per semester.

What is a typical class size?
Class size will vary from as many as 25 students to as few as 5 students. Required courses may have as many as 25 students. Advanced assessment or intervention courses often have lower sizes – sometimes as few as 5 students. Practicum and Internship Seminar classes have 5 – 10 students.

How many classes do students take per semester?
Part-time students take 1-2 classes per semester. Full-time students take 3+ courses. It is important to know that in order to be eligible for Federal Financial Aid in the form of student loans, student’s must be enrolled in at least 2 graduate courses (6 credits) per semester.

Are courses held online or on campus?
The program meets in person and is an on-campus program.

What time and how often do courses meet?
Courses meet Monday – Thursday once weekly in the late day or evenings.

Is there support in finding a placement site for the internship/practicum?
There is a Practicum-Internship coordinator who will assist you in your placements.

Can I work while I take classes?
Classes are scheduled during the late afternoon or evening to allow students to work while they are taking classes. Some students work full time, but it is very challenging to hold a fulltime job while taking a full course load. It will be particularly difficult and stressful if you try to work full time during your internship.

What are the requirements for practicum & internship?
Practicum and internship is a 12-month clinical experience. You will enroll in the Practicum Seminar during the summer session. For your practicum, you will spend at least 10 hours per week at a community agency developing your counseling skills. For at least 40% of your time, you will provide direct counseling services to children, adolescents, adults, families, or couples. During the fall and spring semesters you will enroll in the Internship Seminar. For your internship, you will spend at least 20 hours per week at a community agency. For at least 40% of your time, you will provide direct counseling services to children, adolescents, adults, families, or couples.

Can I do my practicum and internship at the place where I work?
Students are rarely permitted to do their practicum and internship in the same place where they work. The practicum and internship experience is designed to help you develop new counseling skills that will advance your professional development and career. You will get the full benefit of the practicum and internship experience by working with different client populations or problems.

Are there opportunities to become involved with research?
Yes. Several Clinical Counseling Psychology Program faculty have active research programs, and you are welcome to work with a faculty member on his or her research. The program also has close ties with the Psychiatry Department at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School and other agencies in the community, and there are opportunities to become involved in research projects off campus.

What are the start terms for the program?
The program begins in the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters.

What are the deadlines to apply?
Application deadlines will vary by program and can be found on the upper left column on the main program page.

Do applicants need to take the GMAT/GRE to apply to a graduate program?
We do not require the GRE/GMAT. Our applications are reviewed more holistically focusing on an applicant’s academic transcript, letters of recommendation and personal statement.

Are there grants, fellowships or scholarships available?
Each year the program offers up to 10 Graduate Fellowships. Tuition waivers are granted for 30 credits. Fellowship opportunities are available to both new and returning students.

What does a Graduate Fellowship do?
A Graduate Fellow works closely with a Clinical Counseling Psychology program faculty mentor for 2 semesters on advanced psychological research. This experience is particularly beneficial for students who expect to apply to a doctoral program in clinical or counseling psychology.

How do I apply for the Graduate Fellowship?
Candidate should apply by email to Dr. Regina Kuersten-Hogan, Ph.D by March 1 regardless of the semester they are beginning the program. Please attach the application letter as a word document and email it to Dr. Kuersten-Hogan (kuersten@assumption.edu). The main purpose of the letter is to identify applicants who are interested in receiving a fellowship. Briefly describe any research experience you may have had, and/or your research interests. The letter does not need to be more than two or three paragraphs in length. All Graduate Fellowship candidates will be notified by the date outlined in the link above regardless of their semester start or returning date (spring, summer, or fall).

Do you offer financial aid to graduate students?
Federal Financial Aid is offered in the form of unsubsidized student loans. Student’s must be enrolled in a minimum of two courses per semester to be eligible.

Is your program accredited?
The program in accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. and the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council.

What are the licensure requirements?
The licensing requirements for Mental Health Counselors include at least 60 graduate credits, with specific courses in 10 content areas. There are other requirements related to practicum and internship experiences.

What are the GPA/application requirements?
A 3.0 GPA is required. However along with your official transcript, all application materials are considered including three professional letters of recommendation, personal statement and resume. Refer to the program page for specific admissions information.

How long does it take to receive a decision after applying?
Typically applicants will be notified within a few weeks after application completion (including the submission of all materials). This is an approximate time and may vary.

If I am admitted, can I defer my enrollment?
Students are strongly encouraged to apply to the semester in which they wish to commence their graduate studies. Due to the competitiveness of Assumption University’s Clinical Counseling Psychology program and the limited number of students admitted each term, students can only defer their enrollment in the case of extenuating circumstances. Accepted students need to request their deferral request in writing to the Program Director and submit an enrollment deposit by the stated deadline for deferment consideration.

I am looking to change careers. What should I do to be admitted into the program?
Applicants who are trying to change careers are welcome in the program. In recent years, applicants who left careers in sales, business, law, nursing, or education completed the program and are now working as a counselor. If you have not completed 6 undergraduate psychology classes, you must complete these preparatory courses. You are welcome to contact the Dr. Regina Kuersten-Hogan, Program Director, kuersten@assumption.edu, to discuss your career interests and to request feedback about selecting courses to fulfill the admissions requirements.