The Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology is designed to prepare students to serve their communities as licensed Mental Health Counselors in the State of Washington as well as in other capacities. The professors draw from their academic studies and professional experiences to provide students with the background they will need to be successful in the field of counseling psychology. Students learn through lecture, discussion, and research, and then put their new knowledge to work in their internship or thesis, all guided by their professors. The program has a unique multicultural focus with an emphasis on social justice. Instructors seek to equip students to serve individuals from different backgrounds with widely different needs.

Program Outcomes

In addition to achieving the general goals of the university and of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, completing the MA in Counseling Psychology results in the following learning outcomes:

• Students will understand people biologically, psychologically, spiritually, and culturally;
• Students will think critically concerning issues relating to social justice;
• Students will be equipped as a therapist to work with diverse populations and develop a corresponding professional identity;
• Students will acquire, refine, and demonstrate appropriate master-level skills as a clinician or a researcher.

First Year Psychotherapy

MACP students are required to participate in 10 hours of individual psychotherapy within the first year of the program and to provide written verification of the completion of these hours from their psychotherapist (see MACP Student Handbook for specific requirements and appropriate forms).

Masters Level Counseling State Licensure

Students must complete an internship during the program to be eligible for Washington State licensure. Since licensure requirements differ slightly from state to state, the required course sequence may not fulfill all educational licensure requirements for every state. Given this, it is the student’s responsibility to determine the licensure requirements for the state through which he or she desires to become licensed and to determine whether or not the required course sequence meets those requirements. The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences may be able to offer electives to students in order to meet licensure requirements not met by the required course sequence; however, students must work in conjunction with the Director of Academic Programs and Dean and have their expressed permission in order to enroll in electives for the purpose of meeting licensure requirements.

Transfer Credits

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Master’s students may transfer up to 6 credit hours of eligible graduate-level coursework (subject to Program Director’s approval) from an accredited institution towards their degree requirements. This must be done prior to beginning the program and students interested in transferring graduate credits should contact the Director of MA Student Services.