Psychology (MA) with an Emphasis in Counseling Psychology

The mission of the MA in psychology with an emphasis in counseling psychology program is to provide its participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to become competent in counseling psychology through academic and experiential learning. The program aims at educating future psychologists who have sound knowledge of the theory and practice of counseling psychology, who are competent consumers and creative producers of social science research, who are competent in counseling practice, and who are ethical and sensitive to the cultures, values and worlds of various clients.

Viewing research and practice as interdependent and mutually supportive, the MA in psychology with an emphasis in counseling psychology program is based on the scientist-practitioner training model. The program is committed to both (1) preparing counseling psychologists for advanced doctoral studies in psychology and (2) providing training and experience that prepare students for practice. Its goal is to train psychologists who have a sound knowledge of the bases of counseling and psychotherapy. Adopting a multicultural perspective, the program also emphasizes the importance of multicultural competence in both research and practice.

To qualify as a professional psychologist or psychotherapist, a student may be required to complete additional education and licensure proceedings, depending on the national requirements of the country in which they wish to work. For example:

• To qualify as a professional psychologist in Austria, students must have both a bachelor and master degree in psychology. To qualify as a psychotherapist in Austria, students must complete the Propaedeutikum (to which the Webster Psychology MA courses contribute) and the Fachspezifikum.
• According to Greek law 4093/2012 and subsequent regulations [Government Gazettes: 229/19.11.12, 3324/12.12.12 and 258/08.12.2014], degrees awarded for programs of studies accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC, Webster's accreditation body), are eligible for recognition of professional equivalency to degrees awarded by the Greek standard system of higher education.
• To qualify as a professional psychologist in The Netherlands, students must have both a bachelor and a master degree in psychology. To qualify as Gezondheidszorg Psycholoog (professional psychologist) in The Netherlands, further post-master's level training is necessary.
• Within the United States, the ability to become a licensed counselor (LPC/LMHC/LCPC) is regulated by state licensure boards. Depending on the state, students may be required to complete further clinical supervised training; pass a nationally-normed, field-related examination (NCE and/or NCMHCE); pass a jurisprudence exam in some states, and may need to complete further focused coursework depending on the state after completion of the counseling psychology MA. Required exams, additional focused coursework, and/or number of required clinical supervised training hours following degree completion is dependent on the state in which the graduate pursues licensure. For delineation of individual state requirements, consult the appropriate agency in the state in which you wish to work.