Psychology and Counseling
David Hunt, LPC, PhD, Program Director
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The M.A. program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling prepares students to function as counselors in the mental health field. Students are trained to counsel clients and are instructed in areas relevant to the professional discipline of Clinical Mental Health Counseling. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
Students may pursue the M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with or without pursuing a certification track. Students who already hold a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or a related field may pursue the School Counseling certification track by taking certification courses in that program of study. Certification requires satisfactory completion of PA state-mandated tests (i.e., Praxis tests).
Post graduate study is an option for students who already hold a master’s degree and want to acquire additional requirements for professional counselor licensure in Pennsylvania. Students may take up to 15 credits at the master’s level as a post graduate student in counseling. (see page 14).
Program Competencies and Expected Outcomes
Upon program completion successful students will demonstrate professional knowledge skills, and practices necessary to address a wide variety of circumstances within the clinical mental health counseling community. Specific knowledge outcome areas include the following.
- Professional Orientation and Ethical Practice
- Social and Cultural Diversity
- Human Growth and Development
- Career Development
- Helping Relationships
- Group Work
- Assessment
- Research and program Evaluation
- Diagnosis
- Crisis Intervention and Trauma
Required Courses (60 credits)*
| GEN 501 Human Development | (3) |
| GEN 503 Interpersonal Relations | (3) |
| COUN 599 Comprehensive Exam | 0 |
| COUN 600 Research and Program Evaluation | (3) |
| COUN 601 Counseling Skills and Techniques | (3) |
| COUN 602 Theories of Counseling | (3) |
| COUN 604 Group Process | (3) |
| COUN 606 Family Counseling | (3) |
| COUN 608 Psychopathology | (3) |
| COUN 609 Career and Vocational Counseling | (3) |
| COUN 614 Substance Abuse Education and Counseling | (3) |
| COUN 618 Professional Orientation and Ethical Issues | (3) |
| COUN 630 Crisis Intervention and Counseling | (3) |
| COUN 640 Diversity Counseling | (3) |
| COUN 641 Assessment for Counselors | (3) |
| COUN 691 Practicum in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | (3) |
| COUN 692 Internship I in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | (3) |
| COUN 693 Internship II in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | (3) |
| ELECTIVES Clinical Mental Health Counseling Electives | (9) |
* Students must earn a minimum grade of “B-” (80%) in all required courses. A student who receives a course grade below a “B-” in any required course must repeat the course.
School Counseling Certification PK-12
(with Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling)
Sr. Angela M. Mastrangelo, IHM, Coordinator, School Counselor Certification
Students may obtain School Counseling Certification by taking the courses below in addition to the courses required for the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. The School Counseling curriculum prepares students for counseling and consultative strategies needed to work with individuals and groups in a PK-12 academic setting.
Students must complete their courses for CMHC before taking courses in School Counseling. However, their 9 elective credits for CMHC may be satisfied by any 3 of the first 5 courses in this section.
| COUN 607 Treatment of Children and Adolescents | (3) |
| PSYC 610 Children with Exceptional Needs | (3) |
| PSYC 642 Instruction and Assessment of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners | (3) |
| PSYC 654 Principles of Academic Assessment, Instruction and Intervention | (3) |
| PSYC 655 School Consultation and Curriculum Design | (3) |
| PSYC 694 Internship in School Counseling (PK-12) (420 hour internship during fall or spring semesters) |
(3) |
School Counselor Certification PK-12 (Non-degree)
Students who hold a master’s degree and seek PA School Counseling Certification PK-12 must take these courses unless waived through transcript review.
School Counselor Certification PK-12 (Non-degree - 42 credits)
| GEN 501 Human Development | (3) |
| COUN 600 Research and Program Evaluation | (3) |
| COUN 601 Counseling Skills and Techniques | (3) |
| COUN 602 Theories of Counseling | (3) |
| COUN 607 Treatment of Children and Adolescents | (3) |
| COUN 609 Career and Vocational Counseling | (3) |
| COUN 618 Professional Orientation and Ethical Issues | (3) |
| COUN 640 Diversity Counseling | (3) |
| COUN 641 Assessment for Counselors | (3) |
| PSYC 610 Children with Exceptional Needs | (3) |
| PSYC 642 Instruction and Assessment of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners | (3) |
| PSYC 654 Principles of Academic Assessment and Intervention | (3) |
| PSYC 655 School Consultation and Curriculum Design | (3) |
| PSYC 694 Internship in School Counseling (PK-12) (420 hour internship during fall or spring semesters) |
(3) |
Certificates
Certificate in Addictions Studies and Therapeutic Practice (24 credits)
The department offers a 24-credit certificate in Addiction Studies and Therapeutic Practice to current MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling students who are completing COUN 691, 692 and 693 (700 practicum and internship hours) in placements in which they serve clients struggling with addictions. Graduates of Immaculata’s MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, who have completed all COUN 691, 692 and 693 practicum and internships in the field of addictions may also be considered for the certificate.
Required Courses (15 credits)
| COUN 511 Psychopharmacology: Medication Uses and Side Effects | (3) |
| COUN 614 Substance Abuse Education and Counseling | (3) |
| COUN 691 Practicum in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | (3) |
| COUN 692 Internship I in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | (3) |
| COUN 693 Internship II Clinical Mental Health Counseling | (3) |
Electives (9 credits)
| COUN 511 Behavioral Addictions | (3) |
| COUN 511 The Psychology and Spirituality of the 12-Step Program | (3) |
| COUN 511 Counseling Strategies for Dealing with Addictive Disorders | (1) |
| COUN 511 Dual Diagnosis in the Treatment of Addictions | (1) |
| COUN 511 Infectious Diseases including HIV/AIDS | (1) |
| COUN 511 Trauma and Addictions | (1) |
Certificate in Addictions Studies (15 credits)
The department offers a 15 graduate credit certificate in Addictions Studies for students who wish to concentrate in this area but who may not have completed the appropriate placements in COUN 691,692, and 693 or who may be from other programs within the university. Students from other institutions are also welcome to enroll. Students may/may not already have an earned master’s degree.
Required Courses (6 credits)
| COUN 511 Psychopharmacology: Medication Uses and Side Effects | (3) |
| COUN 614 Substance Abuse Education and Counseling | (3) |
Electives (9 credits)
Students must select 9 credits from the following courses:
| COUN 511 Behavioral Addictions | (3) |
| COUN 511 The Psychology and Spirituality of the 12-Step Program | (3) |
| COUN 511 Counseling Strategies for Dealing with Addictive Disorders | (1) |
| COUN 511 Dual Diagnosis in the Treatment of Addictions | (1) |
| COUN 511 Infectious Diseases including HIV/AIDS | (1) |
| COUN 511 Trauma and Addictions | (1) |
Students may earn only one of the above certificates.
Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.)
Director, Sr. Donna Kelley, IHM, Psy.D.
The Psy.D. program in Clinical Psychology, accredited by the American Psychological Association, is a 117-credit program grounded in the practitioner-scholar model of professional psychology. The Psy.D. Program is committed to the education and training objectives for doctoral programs set forth by The America Psychological Association (APA) and has been influenced by the values of The National Council of Schools and Programs in Professional Psychology (NCSPP). Students are instructed intensively in psychotherapy, psychodiagnostics and in other areas pertinent to the practice of clinical psychology. The Psy.D. program fosters the development of research skills through coursework, independent projects under faculty direction, and dissertation. Program graduates are prepared to practice at the doctoral level, make scholarly contributions to the professional community and take leadership positions in the mental health field. All course scheduling is done with advisement. The Psy.D. program was developed to address the educational needs and objectives of students who are working, and whose lifestyles do not permit attendance at daytime classes. Classes are in the evening; practica are completed during day hours.
Program Aims and Competency Areas
Aim 1: Psy.D. graduates will be competent practitioners of clinical psychology and will acquire the following profession-wide competencies:
- Competency Areas:
- Research
- Ethical and Legal Standards
- Individual and Cultural Diversity
- Professional values, Attitudes, and Behaviors
- Communication and Interpersonal Skills
- Assessment
- Intervention
- Supervision
- Consultation and Interprofessional/Interdisciplinary Skills
Aim 2: PsyD Graduates will acquire discipline specific knowledge to inform their clinical competencies
Competency Area
Knowledge of Scientific Foundations
Program Philosophy
Students are referred to the Psy.D. Handbook for a description of the PsyD program.
Students are admitted into the Psy.D. program in clinical psychology with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. The Psy.D. Clinical Psychology program outcome information (internships, average time to program completion, attrition, licensure statistics) is posted on the program webpage.
Prerequisites
Required for students admitted with a bachelor’s degree, or a master’s degree in a field unrelated to psychology, (or at the department’s recommendation).
| PSYC 675 Psychopathology | (3) |
| PSYC 689 Counseling Skills and Theories | (3) |
| PSYC 690 Theories of Counseling | (3) |
Required Concentration
| PSYC 698 Professional Development Series | 0 |
| PSYC 700 Biological Bases of Behavior | (3) |
| PSYC 701 Cognitive and Affective Bases of Behavior | (3) |
| PSYC 702 Professional Issues and Ethics | (3) |
| PSYC 703 Tests & Measurements | (3) |
| PSYC 704 Pre-Practicum Seminar | 0 |
| PSYC 705 Human Development | (3) |
| PSYC 706 Research & Statistics I | (3) |
| PSYC 707 Research & Statistics II | (3) |
| PSYC 708 Advanced Psychopathology | (3) |
| PSYC 709 Group Dynamics | (3) |
| PSYC 710 Cognitive and Behavioral Theories and Therapies | (3) |
| PSYC 711 Psychanalytic Theories and Therapies | (3) |
| PSYC 712 Client-Centered and Relationship Theories and Therapies | (3) |
| PSYC 713 History and Systems in Psychology | (3) |
| PSYC 714 Practicum and Seminar I | (3) |
| PSYC 715 Practicum and Seminar II | (3) |
| PSYC 716 Practicum and Seminar III | (3) |
| PSYC 717 Practicum and Seminar IV | (3) |
| PSYC 721 Psychology of Human Diversity | (3) |
| PSYC 724 Practicum and Seminar V | (3) |
| PSYC 725 Practicum and Seminar VI | (3) |
| PSYC 726 Practicum and Seminar VII | (3) |
| PSYC 727 Practicum and Seminar VIII | (3) |
| PSYC 728 Cognitive Clinical Assessment | (3) |
| PSYC 729 Assessment II: Personality | (3) |
| PSYC 730 Assessment IV: Advanced Skills | (3) |
| PSYC 731 Assessment V: Neuropsychological | (3) |
| PSYC 740 Clinical Psychopharmacology | (3) |
| PSYC 741 Clinical Supervision, Consultation, and Management | (3) |
| PSYC 745 Social Psychology | (3) |
| PSYC 786 Internship in Clinical Psychology I | (2) |
| PSYC 787 Internship in Clinical Psychology II | (2) |
| PSYC 788 Internship in Clinical Psychology III | (2) |
| PSYC 790 Dissertation Seminar | (3) |
| PSYC 791 Internship in Clinical Psychology IV | (2) |
| PSYC 792 Internship in Clinical Psychology V | (2) |
| PSYC 793 Internship in Clinical Psychology VI | (2) |
| PSYC 795 Professional Practice Preparation | (3) |
| PSYC 797 Comprehensive Examination | 0 |
| PSYC 798 Doctoral Dissertation I | (3) |
| PSYC 799 Doctoral Dissertation II | (3) |
| PSYC 800 Doctoral Dissertation III | (3) |
| PSYC 000 Dissertation Continuation | 0 |
*Elective Courses
All students must take two electives. Permission of the Program Director is required to take additional electives.
| PSYC 734 Aging and Mental Health | (3) |
| PSYC 735 Human Sexuality | (3) |
| PSYC 736 Survey Design and Application Class | (3) |
| PSYC 737 Substance Use Disorders and other Addictions | (3) |
| PSYC 738 Therapeutic Assessment | (3) |
| PSYC 739 Animal-Assisted Therapy | (3) |
| PSYC 766 Advanced Neuropsychology | (3) |
| PSYC 768 Forensic Psychology | (3) |
Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology
The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Clinical Psychology is embedded within the PsyD curriculum. This degree is open to doctoral students admitted into the PsyD program who enter with a bachelor’s degree or with a master’s degree in an unrelated field.
Program Competencies and Expected Outcomes
Upon completion of the M.A. in Clinical Psychology successful students are expected to have demonstrated competency in the following areas:
- Research
- Ethical and Legal Standards
- Individual and Cultural Diversity
- Assessment
- Intervention
- Knowledge of Scientific Foundations
Scope and Sequence of Courses
The courses towards the M.A. in Clinical Psychology are organized within the six areas that link to the aims and competencies of the program and support program outcomes.
Research (6 credits)
| PSYC 706 Research and Statistics I | (3) |
| PSYC 707 Research and Statistics II | (3) |
Ethical And Legal Standards (3 credits)
| PSYC 702 Professional Issues and Ethics | (3) |
Individual and Cultural Diversity (3 credits)
| PSYC 721 Psychology of Human Diversity | (3) |
Assessment (12 Credits)'
| PSYC 675 Psychopathology | (3) |
| PSYC 703 Tests and Measurements | (3) |
| PSYC 728 Cognitive Clinical Assessment | (3) |
| PSYC 729 Assessment II: Personality | (3) |
Intervention (18 Credits)
| PSYC 709 Group Dynamics | (3) |
| PSYC 710 Cognitive & Behavioral Theories & Therapies | (3) |
| PSYC 711 Psychoanalytic Theories & Therapies | (3) |
| PSYC 712 Client-Centered and Relationship Theories & Therapies | (3) |
| PSYC 714 Practicum and Seminar I | (3) |
| PSYC 715 Practicum and Seminar II | (3) |
PSYC 689 Counseling Skills and Techniques, PSYC 690 Theories of Counseling, and PSYC 675 Psychopathology are taken as program prerequisites
Knowledge of Scientific Foundations (6 credits)
| PSYC 700 Biological Bases of Behavior | (3) |
| PSYC 705 Human Development | (3) |
PSYC 697 – The Comprehensive Examination may be taken only after all required classes for the M.A. degree have been completed with at least a B or Better in each course.
PSY.D.: MLA and GPA Minimum
The minimum level of achievement (MLA) for Psy.D. students in any course for which there is a letter grade is a B, which equates to 3.0. PsyD students must carry a 3.3 minimum cumulative GPA; if the cumulative GPA drops below 3.3, the student will be placed on academic probation. Thus, while the minimum course expectation is B, the overall cumulative GPA for the program must be maintained at a 3.3 or higher. Permission to move forward on dissertation or internship requires a 3.3 GPA or higher. Psy.D. students are referred to the PsyD Handbook for additional information related to academic probation for Psy.D. students.
If a student earns less than a B grade in a course, they must retake the course. The course may only be repeated once. A student unable to earn a B or higher in the course on the second attempt will be dismissed from the program. Any grade less than a B in two different courses results in program dismissal.
If a student earns an F in a course that is designated Pass/Fail (e.g., Practicum Seminars), the student must successfully complete a remediation plan and retake the course. Failure to successfully complete the remediation plan will result in program dismissal. A student unable to pass the course on the second attempt will be dismissed from the program. Any failing grade in two different Pass/Fail courses results in program dismissal.
Full-Time and Residency Requirement
All non-transfer courses are completed at the university. Psy.D. students must complete a minimum of three years of full-time study. To meet this requirement, during their first year, students must take two consecutive semesters of full-time study (nine credits per semester) as a matriculated student. Students may meet the remaining two years of required full-time study by completing either: (a) Two consecutive semesters of at least three classes each semester, or (b) Three consecutive semesters of at least two classes each semester. The program reserves the right to adjust requirements in response to program need during a catalog period.
Certificates of Emphasis in Clinical Psychology
Students enrolled in the Psy.D. program in clinical psychology may earn a certificate of emphasis in one of the following areas as part of their program of study:
- Psychological Testing
- Integrative Psychotherapy
- Forensic Psychology
- Human and Cultural Diversity
- Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
- Neuropsychology
- Therapeutic Assessment
Requirements are outlined in the Psy.D., Handbook. Students can earn more than one certificate.
Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision
Director, Ryan Bowers, Ph.D.
The Ph.D. in Counseling Education and Supervision is a 63-credit program designed to advance your credentials in counseling, supervision, teaching, applied research, and professional leadership. Through face to face and online coursework that blends experiential and research-based components, working professionals can complete this degree in as little as three years.
Required Courses
| CESD 701 Professional Orientation and Ethics in Counselor Education & Supervision | (3) |
| CESD 702 Professional and Technical Writing for Counselor Education & Supervision | (3) |
| CESD 703 Advanced Clinical Counseling Theory | (3) |
| CESD 704 Counseling Supervision | (3) |
| CESD 705 Counselor Education Pedagogy | (3) |
| CESD 706 Qualitative Research I | (3) |
| CESD 707 Quantitative Research I | (3) |
| CESD 708 Quantitative Research II | (3) |
| CESD 709 Diverse Leadership in Counselor Education & Supervision | (3) |
| CESD 710 Clinical Counseling Internship | (3) |
| CESD 711 Counselor Education Internship | (3) |
| CESD 712 Counselor Supervision Internship | (3) |
| CESD 713 Advanced Assessment in Counselor Education & Supervision | (3) |
| CESD 714 Current Issues in Higher Education for Counselor Educators & Supervisors | (3) |
| CESD 715 Qualitative Research II | (3) |
| CESD 716 Counselor Education and Supervision Dissertation Seminar | (3) |
| CESD 720 Clinical Mental Health Counseling Seminar | (3) |
| CESD 721 School Counseling Seminar | (3) |
| CESD 722 Addiction Counseling Seminar | (3) |
| CESD 723 Student Affairs Counseling Seminar | (3) |
| CESD 724 Program Evaluation and Consultation | (3) |
| CESD 798 Counselor Education and Supervision Comprehensive Examination | 0 |
| CESD 700 Counselor Education and Supervision Continuing Dissertation | (1) |
Ph.D. Admission Requirements
Qualified applicants must possess a master’s degree in counseling or related discipline from a regionally accredited institution meeting master’s level academic requirements. While completion of a CACREP-accredited program is preferred, it is not required. Students with a master’s degree in counseling from a non-CACREP-accredited program may have to complete additional courses at the master’s level, as determined by the program director and department chair.
Applications are due January 15 for fall admission.
Course Descriptions
The Department of Graduate Psychology and Counseling endorses a range of teaching applications in each of its courses to support the integration of theory and practice. Students are engaged in different learning activities that encourage the acquisition of an informed knowledge and skill base relevant to the fields of psychology and counseling. Didactic strategies may include lecture, small group discussion, small group activities, presentations, role play simulation, skills practice, experiential learning, observational learning, use of technology, and video demonstration.
View COUN course descriptions.
View PSYC course descriptions.