Master of Science in Counseling & Clinical Health Psychology (M.S.)

The Master of Science Program in Counseling and Clinical Health Psychology includes two tracks:  1) the 48-credit General Track and 2) the 60-credit Addictions and Offender Counseling Track. Both tracks prepare graduates to provide evaluation, counseling, therapy, and consultation services in a variety of clinical settings. Grounded in the cognitive behavioral tradition, the programs train highly skilled, compassionate counselors and psychotherapists to provide empirically-based, active-focused, and collaborative treatment.

For students in the general track, specialized training in behavioral medicine provides a foundation for treatment of the whole person, incorporating knowledge of physical and mental health as well as for collaboration with primary care physicians.  Students in the Addictions and Offender Counseling Track undertake additional coursework and specialized practicum/internship experience to prepare them to work in addictions treatment and forensic treatment (correctional) settings.

The 48-credit M.S. curriculum, in conjunction with four CAGS courses (see below) prepares students to take the Pennsylvania licensing examinations in counseling, and NBCC certification leading to the credentials of National Certified Counselor (NCC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).  The 60-credit M.S. curriculum prepares students to take the Pennsylvania licensing exam and NBCC certification in addictions counseling leading to the credentials of Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor (CADC).
 
The Master of Science programs are offered at the Philadelphia PCOM campus only.  Courses are offered on evenings and weekends, and the programs take two years to complete.  These programs may also be completed on a part-time basis.

More information about the M.S. in Counseling and Clinical Health Psychology program.

REQUIREMENTS & CRITERIA

Applicants must have completed a bachelor's degree in psychology, counseling, education, social work or nursing from a regionally accredited institution with a B average or better. Bachelor's degrees in other specialty areas will be considered on a case-by-case basis. In order to ensure that program courses are taught at the highest possible level, applicants must have completed, prior to admission, at a bachelor's level or above, the following courses:

• Introduction to Psychology
• Research/Statistics
• Abnormal Psychology/Psychopathology

• Application Fee of $50.00
• Application, including autobiographical statement
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work
• Three letters of recommendation with recommendation forms
• Official Miller Analogies Test or GRE scores (PCOM institutional code for GRE - 2662)
• Writing sample (preferably graded)

This program utilizes a rolling admissions policy, so applications will be considered throughout the year as they are received. Students will be accepted into the program until a class size of approximately 30 students is reached. Classes begin in the fall term (early August).

The Admissions Committee screens applications, invites some applicants for an interview and writing sample, evaluates the applicants and selects new students.  Following the completion of the admission process, each applicant will be notified of the Admission's Committee decision in writing, including any conditions that must be satisfied prior to or the following enrollment. 

As an applicant to PCOM's Master of Science in Counseling and Clinical Health Psychology program, you are responsible for ensuring that all admissions materials are completed accurately and submitted in a timely manner.

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.