The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) provides graduate-level psychology and counseling courses to individuals seeking to further their education in clinical psychology or to meet credentialing requirements. CAGS applicants from non-PCOM programs must have a master’s degree in psychology, social work, counseling, school psychology, pastoral counseling, or a related area. PCOM MS C&CHP students may enroll in the CAGS program while completing the MS degree. CAGS courses may be used to complete the curriculum required with a master’s degree to take the licensure exam that leads to a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential in Pennsylvania.
Applicants must have completed a master's degree in psychology, social work, creative arts therapy, counseling, school psychology, marriage/family therapy or pastoral counseling from an accredited institution with a B average or better. Master's degrees in other specialty areas will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
As an applicant to the PCOM Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies program, you are responsible for ensuring that all admissions materials are completed accurately and submitted in a timely manner.
The CAGS admissions process begins with submission of the following:
- Application fee of $50
- Application, including autobiographical statement
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work
- Writing Sample (preferably graded)
- Two completed reference forms and accompanying letters of recommendation
The CAGS program utilizes a rolling admissions policy, so applications will be considered throughout the year as they are received. The Admissions Committee screens applications, invites some applicants, invites some applicants for an interview, evaluates the applicants and selects new students. Following the completion of the admissions process, each applicant is notified in writing of the Admission Committee's decision, including any conditions that must be satisfied prior to or following enrollment.
In effort to foster the safety and well-being of the entire campus community, as well as to ensure that students accepted to PCOM will be permitted to perform clerkships/internships required to successfully complete their degree requirements, PCOM requires all first year students to complete a criminal background check prior to matriculation. All students must have their criminal background checks processed through PreCheck. The Admissions Office will send notification of the process after confirmation of enrollment and must have this information on file prior to orientation; students will not be allowed to start classes without this information.
Prior to enrollment, all candidates are required to complete the college's
Technical Standards for Admission and Matriculation.
