B.A. in Psychology to M.A. in Counseling

Overview

The Counseling programs in the School of Nursing and Health Professions and the Psychology program in the College of Arts and Sciences have implemented the B.A. in Psychology to M.A. in Counseling accelerated program as an opportunity for select undergraduate students in psychology. Students who meet the criteria here below may enroll in approved first-year graduate counseling courses as electives during their undergraduate senior year thus meeting degree requirements at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. This program is especially suited for undergraduate psychology majors who plan to work part-to-full time after graduation while pursuing the Master’s degree. Courses in the counseling program are offered in the evenings in  weekly formats flexible for those working during the day and attending evening courses as part-time students. The counseling program is CACREP accredited, and the 60-credit program can be completed in 3 years in part-time format.

Interested students complete a Pre-screening Information Form available from the psychology program chair.  The pre-screening form leads to an initial screening by faculty in both programs to assess the readiness of the prospective student. If the student is accepted, they may enroll in the graduate courses in their senior year and, upon graduation with their BA, receive accelerated acceptance to the graduate program through the formal graduate admissions application process. Final acceptance to the graduate program is contingent on performance in the introductory counseling courses and conferral of the baccalaureate degree.

Selection Criteria

This opportunity is a selective process. As the students will be concurrently enrolled during their final year of undergraduate  courses in the appropriate Year 1 Counseling courses (i.e., as electives in their undergraduate program), they must apply for this opportunity in junior year. After the initial screening process and receipt of all requested materials, the chairs of the respective programs will review applicants and select candidates for the BA to MA in Counseling:

• Students must have a minimum 3.5 grade point average.
• Students must complete the Pre-screening Information Form and a personal statement showing evidence of interest and commitment to a School Counseling or a Clinical Mental Health program.
• Students must have two recommendations from faculty. One of the recommendations must come from a full-time Trinity psychology professor. The second recommendation may be from a professor in psychology or related program who can attest to the student’s intellectual, interpersonal and emotional maturity.

Timeline

• Sophomore year – Psychology faculty will invite counseling faculty to speak to the appropriate courses to present information about the counseling program and the opportunity offered through the B.A to M.A.
• First semester junior year – Students will meet with their advisor and program chair to complete the Pre-Screening Information Form.
• Second semester junior year – The psychology chair, student’s advisor and counseling faculty select appropriate candidates.
• Senior semester registration periods – Selected candidates will meet with their advisors to register for the counseling courses (i.e., as electives in the candidate’s senior year)
• End of senior year – Selected student(s) formally apply for admissions into the M.A. in Counseling Program
• After graduation – Admissions decisions are made; successful candidates will be assigned a faculty mentor in the counseling program. Students may continue into the graduate program as graduate students and may continue their programs with coursework in the summer of fall after obtaining their baccalaureate degree.

Students with questions about the program or application process should contact their academic advisor and/or a full-time faculty member in the psychology program.

Senior Year Requirements

Orientation for new counseling students:

All new counseling students attend new student orientation at the beginning of their first semester, and register for a mandatory non-credit course, EDCC 601 Orientation: Tools for Graduate SchoolNon-credit seminar for students in their first semester of any School of Education graduate program. Information will be provided to students on general education, certification and graduation requirements. Surveys and writing samples that are data requirements for accreditation of the department will be gathered. Academic policies, APA writing style requirements and university-provided resources will be reviewed. Formerly EDCC 601 - Transition to Graduate School Seminar.
0 credits.  The purpose of these orientations is to inform new students about: policies and procedures, professional dispositions, academic expectations, and a review of scholarly writing and other academic standards. Students will also receive the program handbook for their specialization, and students will have an opportunity to interact with other new students and current students in the program. BA to MA eligible students should attend orientation in the summer before their senior year.

Advising

Students in the B.A. to M.A. counseling program will be assigned a graduate faculty mentor in their specific counseling specialization. The dual-program advisors will facilitate transition into the graduate program, communicate regularly with the undergraduate advisor. and monitor the student’s progress with dual enrollment. Strong advising and student support include helping the student develop a professional identity, problem-solve the dual-degree demands, and adapt to the increased expectations of a graduate professional program.

Program of Study

The senior year schedule for psychology majors varies depending on students’ matriculation through the curriculum and completion of General Education requirements and psychology requirements. Students are typically enrolled in 12-15 credits, including one fall and one spring term graduate course. An example:

Fall Term, Senior Year in CAS

• Psychology Courses (12 credits)
• COUN 535 Introduction to CounselingThis course is designed as one of the initial courses for those candidates with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or in School Counseling. The primary purpose of the course is for candidates to gain an overview of the counseling profession by conducting an in-depth examination of mental health/professional counseling as a helping profession. This examination will occur through readings, class discussion, and experiential activities. In the course candidates will examine: historical, philosophical and social/political influences on contemporary mental health/professional counseling practice and the future of mental health/professional counseling a s a helping profession; professional organizations to which profession al counselors belong, the settings in which they practice, and the roles of mental health/professional counselors in those settings; credentialing and licensing for mental health/professional counseling practice; and knowledge bases critical to mental health counseling including evidence-based practice.
  3 credits (3 credits)
• EDCC 601 Orientation: Tools for Graduate SchoolNon-credit seminar for students in their first semester of any School of Education graduate program. Information will be provided to students on general education, certification and graduation requirements. Surveys and writing samples that are data requirements for accreditation of the department will be gathered. Academic policies, APA writing style requirements and university-provided resources will be reviewed. Formerly EDCC 601 - Transition to Graduate School Seminar.
  0 credits (0 credit orientation requirement)

Spring Term, Senior Year in CAS

• Psychology Courses (12 credits)
• COUN 540 Principles and Theories of CounselingExamines the history, philosophy, practices, and principles of the counseling profession, including the professional roles and functions and the application to various settings, populations, and problems. Topics include current issues and trends, advocacy, ethical and legal standards, professional organizations, credentialing, and technological advances in counseling. The course reviews the major affective, cognitive, and behavioral theories of counseling and psychotherapy, including historical foundations and applications. Current models of counseling are reviewed and students begin to develop a personal model of counseling. A grade of B or higher is required to advance.
  3 credits (3 credits)

Successful Completion of the B.A. in Psychology to Admission into the M.A. in Counseling

Students will continue with their course work as outlined in their Counseling Program of Study and in consultation with their Graduate Faculty Advisor/Mentor.

• M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• M.A. in School Counseling

In general, students complete the M.A. program in 3 years in part-time format.