Program of Study for the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology

Requirements:

• 21 credits fromCounseling Psychology Professional Core
• 11 credits from Counseling Practice
• 6 credits from Measurement, Research Design, and Data Analysis
• 6 credits from General Psychology Core

Three track options for graduation requirements:

• Community-based counseling
• School Counseling
• Thesis option

Community-Based Counseling information

• Total of 47 credits for graduation requirements
• Provides academic requirements for licensure as a mental health practitioner in Nebraska.
• Licensure at the Masters level requires 600 hours of counseling practice at the pre-degree stage (in order to acquire 600 hours of pre-degree practice, an additional semester of field placement is recommended).
• Successful completion of a counseling practicum experience is a prerequisite for enrollment in Field Placement.
• Approval for counseling practica and field placement are granted by the instructor (approval requires the completion or concurrent enrollment in courses that comprise the counseling core).

School Counseling Option Information

• Total of 47 credits for graduation requirements
• School counseling endorsement in Nebraska requires teacher certification and 2 years of teaching experience.
• Meets the academic requirements for endorsement through the state office of education in school counseling.
• Successful completion of a counseling practicum experience is a prerequisite for enrollment in Field Placement
• Approval for counseling practica and field placement are granted by the instructor (approval requires the completion or concurrent enrollment in courses that comprise the counseling core).

Thesis Option

• Students planning to continue in a Ph.D. program after graduation are encouraged to complete a thesis OR take the lead on a research project during their Masters program.
• Students choosing the thesis option are NOT required for graduation to complete a field placement counseling experience, BUT should be aware that field placement experience is necessary for Masters-level licensure in Nebraska.