Dr. Gosch and program alumni answer questions from
current students at an alumni-student event.
Q: What is the quality of the student/faculty relationships?
A: The MS in Counseling & Clinical Health Psychology program typically consists of about 30 students per class year; therefore, students who attend PCOM should expect individualized attention from their faculty mentors. The majority of the program faculty are also working in the field and can provide excellent clinical examples in relation to coursework, as well as job referrals. Many of our students enjoy collaborative relationships with the faculty who are actively participating and contributing to the overall clinical development of their students.
Q: How long does it take to complete the Master's program at PCOM?
A: Full-time students complete the program in two years and part-time students generally complete the program in anywhere from three to five years. The general track requires the completion of 48 credit hours, whereas the Addictions and Offenders track requires the completion of 60 credit hours within the same amount of time.
Q: What is the trimester schedule like?
A: The trimester schedule here at PCOM is a bit different from other trimester schedules you might have experienced in undergraduate training. For full-time students, each trimester for the first year includes two night classes per week and one weekend class (Saturday, Sunday) per month. First year students in both tracks are required to take one summer course, and second year students in the Addictions and Offenders track also take one course in the summer following their second year. Second year full-time students do not take weekend classes. Each 12-week trimester is separated by a week-long vacation. Click here for details on the course sequence.
Q: Is it possible to work either full- or part-time during this program?
A: Yes. A number of students who attend classes at both the full- and part-time level are able to maintain 20-40 hour work weeks. Almost all of our students hold at least a part-time job while completing their coursework here at PCOM. Students must complete a total of 700 practicum hours in the second year of the MS program; therefore, many find it difficult to maintain a full-time position during the second year. However, a part-time schedule is still an option.
Q: What is the job placement rate after completion of the program?
A: Surveys of past graduates indicate a nearly perfect job placement history in the fields of counseling, mental health, and psychology. Students often make contacts through PCOM faculty, fellow students, and practicum sites, which aid in securing positions after graduation.
Q: What can I do with a Master's degree in Counseling & Clinical Health Psychology from PCOM?
A: There is a myriad of options available for PCOM MS graduates. The most common routes our students take include: furthering their academic career (CAGS, PsyD, PhD), entering the workforce with the intension of achieving licensure, and teaching at the undergraduate or graduate level. Sample employment settings include primary health care settings, general hospitals, inpatient psychiatric settings, outpatient clinics or group practices, forensic settings, residential treatment, and private or public schools.
For more information, contact:
Carly Iannone, MEd
Coordinator of Distance Learning & Recruitment
(215) 871-6463
CarlyIa@pcom.edu
