Graduate Studies
MASTER OF COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY
Four tracks prepare students for careers as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC), as Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADC), a combination of both (dual-track), or non-licensed counseling professionals. Coursework for the non-licensed track is 48 hours, the LADC track is 54 hours, the LPC and dual-track options are 60 hours.
Contact Taylor Randolph for specific information about the program requirements, the application/interview process, and other pertinent information.
Besides the general requirements for admission to graduate study, students applying for admission to the MCP program are required to have had 18 credits in psychology. Students also must have taken and passed with a "C" or better an undergraduate statistics course and an undergraduate research course. Students who have not taken or received a "C" or better in these two courses may be accepted on a conditional basis, but they must complete a statistics and/or research course at Northwestern or at another accredited institution and receive a grade of "C" or better for formal admittance. Undergraduate credits cannot be counted toward graduate degrees.
In addition to meeting the general requirements for admission to the Northwestern graduate program, the MCP degree applicant must complete an application and interview process that includes:
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A Curriculum Vitae or Resume
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A written statement of career aspirations and self-evaluation
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A sample of scholarly written work
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An oral interview with the graduate faculty of the psychology department, and
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Optional: A score that places the individual at the 25th percentile or higher on two of the three areas (verbal, quantitative, and writing) of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), or at the 25th percentile or higher on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). Note: GRE/MAT scores are not required for program admittance, but can be submitted to strengthen the application if it may be helpful. Please ask us if you need this option if you are not sure.
The application/interview process must be completed prior to enrolling in the 10th graduate hour.
Testimonials
Lorrene Desbien, Ponca City, OK
“I am a non-traditional student who decided after 15 years of teaching that I wanted to become a counselor. I had some degree of trepidation at first, having not been a student in a decade and a half. However, in NWOSU’s MCP program, I found a place to learn that was robust and deep. When I entered the workforce as a clinician, I found that the lessons I had been taught were authentic and “spot on” as far as what was expected in the agency in which I went to work. Having professors who were real counselors and who brought broad experiences to the table gave me a clear idea of what to expect. There were very few surprises and the professors remained dedicated to my success even after I was in the “real world,” making themselves available for me to bounce ideas when the unexpected did occur. I am prepared for my new career due to the gold standard education I received in this program.”
Student Learning Outcomes
- Develop a foundation of professional orientation and ethical practice by examining the history of the counseling profession, recognizing ethical obligations, identifying counselors' roles and responsibilities, developing advocacy for the profession, and understanding the role of the professions within the community (CACREP, 2016, Section 2.F.1).
- Examining social and cultural diversity by evaluating pluralistic characteristics among diverse groups, comparing theories of multicultural counseling, reviewing contextual factors of diverse populations, and evaluating the role of counselor with social justice and advocacy (CACREP, 2016, Section 2.F.2).
- Human growth and development will be evaluated by examining theories related to normal and abnormal development for individuals and families across the lifespan, regarding learning, personality development, and addiction behaviors (CACREP, 2016, Section 2.F.3).
- Evaluate career and lifespan development by comparing theories and models of career development, utilizing assessment for career determination and advocating for diverse clients in the workforce (CACREP, 2016, Section 2.F.4).
- Examine counseling and helping relationships by displaying a knowledge of the several therapeutic approaches to the treatment of human pathology, comparing theoretical foundations, and demonstrating strategies and techniques utilized to assess human behavior when working with individuals of all ages (CACREP, 2016, Section 2.F.5).
- Investigate group counseling and group work through evaluation of theoretical foundations, examine group dynamics, demonstrate what makes an effective group leader, and provide experiential group activity (CACREP, 2016, Section 2.F.6).
- Demonstrate historical detail behind assessment and testing. Administer, interpret, and analyze various forms of tests (individual, group, vocational, personality). Use assessments for diagnostic and intervention planning (CACREP, 2016, Section 2.F.7).
- Research and program evaluation by critiquing research methods, evaluating basic statistics, using needs assessments, and demonstrating analysis of data (CACREP, 2106, Section 2.F.8).