Graduate Programs in Counseling

Frequently Asked Questions

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How long does it take to get through the program?

For full time students , (nine credits per semester) it takes no less than two and a half to three years to complete degrees in school counseling. Mental health counseling takes approximately three years. There is a six credit, part time track that takes approximately four years for school and mental health programs. All of this depends on course availability and on how long a student takes to complete internship hours.

What are admission requirements?

Our admission requirements and an online application are available on this website.

Are students required to complete a masters thesis? What about comprehensive exams? 

There is no masters thesis requirement for any of our three program tracks in counseling. Comprehensive exams are to be taken after completion of core course work. Marywood counseling programs use the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) for the objective portion of the comprehensive examination. A case study analysis is used for the written portion.

What are practicum and internship requirements?

In accordance with our CACREP accreditation, practicum (Applied Practices II, Coun. 545/523) requires 100 hours and internship requires 600 for school counseling students. Mental health internships require 900 hours. Work at a field placement for both experiences are required to be consistent with the goals of the student's program track (i.e., school counselors placed in schools, & mental health students placed in mental health settings). Occasionally, school counseling students are able to complete 600 hours of internship in one semester. The 900 hours for mental health requires at least two semesters.

Do I need to have a degree in Psychology?

It is not required to have a degree in psychology, though some undergraduate work course work or experience in the field of counseling or education may be helpful.

Is there financial aid available?

Federal Student Loans are available to qualified students. There are also some scholarships available: Awards are generally based on need and merit. Those who are interested and wish to apply are encouraged to visit the website for Graduate Financial Aid.

What about graduate assistantships?

There are a limited number of assistantships available to students on a competitive basis each year. Interested students should contact Dr. Ed O'Brien (obrien@es.marywood.edu), or Dr. Lemoncelli (lemoncelli@es.marywood.edu) for information about how to apply for these assistantships and amounts of tuition waivers and stipends.

Why is CACREP accreditation important?

It offers prospective students, employers, and the general public a substantial measure of quality assurance to the education and training offered by an accredited counseling program. It also allows students to sit for the National Counseling Exam (NCE) during their final semester, which leads to National Counselor Certification (NCC). Most states that have licensure laws, including Pennsylvania, accept NCC certification as part of their licensure requirements. Both of Marywood's school programs and Mental Health program are accredited by CACREP. To learn more about what this means for prospective students, we encourage you to visit the CACREP web site.

If I have graduate credits from another program, will they transfer to a degree in counseling at Marywood?

This depends on previous coursework completed and its relationship to the degree requirements for a student's chosen program track. Occasionally, students have previous coursework in fields such as research methods in the behavioral sciences or human development. Such courses would generally transfer, if they are at the graduate level and if they have been completed within seven years of receiving an application. Rarely, other graduate credits may fulfill elective requirements for the Mental Health counseling track. Further details about the transfer of credits can be obtained in consultation with the student's academic advisor.

Are there any online courses available?

We presently have three online classes which are periodically available: Career Development I (Coun. 505) , Issues in Multicultural Counseling (Coun. 532/Pscy. 704) and Philosophical Foundations of Counseling (Coun. 504). Other courses may be developed and offered at a later time. Check back for other courses as they are added.

What is the job outlook for school and mental health counseling?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

"Overall employment of counselors is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2010. In addition, numerous job openings will occur as many counselors reach retirement age. Employment of educational, vocational, and school counselors is expected to grow as a result of increasing student enrollments, particularly in secondary and post secondary schools; state legislation requiring counselors in elementary schools; and expansion of the responsibilities of counselors."

For more detailed information, click here to visit the web page of the BLS that pertains to the field of counseling and employment prospects.