Have Questions? Not Sure Where to Start?
Our experienced Admissions staff is here to help. Fill out a brief contact form and we will reach out to help you get started.
Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
Etown's M.A. in Counseling Psychology program is designed to prepare highly skilled mental health practitioners to integrate evidence-based practices and multicultural competencies into a career in counseling. Students have the opportunity to specialize in Child & Adolescent Counseling, Substance Use Counseling, or a Generalist Track. These options allow students to develop a focus of clinical expertise in addition to their generalist training. Graduates of this program will complete 700 hours of practicum and internship training and will meet the educational criteria to sit for the National Counselor Exam and ultimately pursue licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in PA and other states with commensurate requirements.
Program Outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge of individual and group theories and practices of counseling and psychotherapy.
- Demonstrate knowledge and application of ethical and professional standards.
- Understand the use of scientific methods to evaluate clinical work, programs, interventions, and the expansion of the counseling knowledge base.
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the role of work in people’s lives, the relationship between biological factors and human functioning, and human development across the lifespan.
- Demonstrate self-awareness and competency in working with individuals, groups, and communities who represent varied cultural backgrounds and characteristics.
REQUEST INFOarrow_right_alt APPLY nowarrow_right_alt
Program Formats:
Hybrid
Credits Required: 60
Tuition:
- $695/Credit
- 10% Alumni Discount
Tracks:
- Child & Adolescent Counseling
- Substance Use Counseling
- Generalist Track
Application Requirements
Eligibility Requirements for application to the M.A. in Counseling Psychology Program:
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- GPA of 3.0 or higher on 4.0 scale (applicants with a lower GPA will be considered on a case-by-case basis)
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required, but may be submitted for consideration. Applicants with a GPA lower than 3.0 are encouraged to submit either the GRE or Miller Analogies Test (MAT).
- An undergraduate degree in Psychology or a related field is not required, however, applicants should have taken at least three psychology courses and earned a grade of “B” or better in each
Application Deadline: For Fall 2022 cohort admittance please submit materials by February 1, 2022. Applications submitted after February 1 will be considered on a rolling basis as space allows until June 1.
Application Process: Please feel free to contact or meet with our admissions team at any point during the application process. Our admissions counselors are not only a great resource to guide you through the process and answer questions, they are skilled at helping our applicants find the best program and options to help them reach their goals!
How to Apply: Complete the graduate application process via the online portal which includes:
- A $50 nonrefundable application fee (waived for Elizabethtown College graduates)
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions attended
- Current resume or CV
- Two letters of recommendation; please include letters from recommenders who can speak to your educational and professional experience
- Personal statement addressing your academic and professional goals, and preparation and motivation to attend graduate school
Selected applicants will be invited to complete an interview. Final admissions decisions will be determined after the interview.
Meet the Faculty
Dr. Elizabeth Dalton
Program Director, Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
717-361-1332 | daltone@etown.edu
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology | Assistant Professor of Psychology
Dr. Elizabeth Dalton is a Pennsylvania licensed clinical psychologist with clinical and research interests in mood disorders, stress, and health behaviors. Dr. Dalton earned her B.A. in Psychology from Amherst College, her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles, and completed her APA-accredited internship at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. Dr. Dalton has worked at Elizabethtown College since 2017 and is highly committed to the College’s motto of Educate for Service. Dr. Dalton is passionate about supporting students in the development of their professional interests and identities.
Dr. Dawnielle Simmons
Assistant Professor of Psychology
717-361-4773 | simmonsd@etown.edu
Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology
Dr. Dawnielle Simmons is a Pennsylvania licensed professional counselor (LPC) with research interests in racial literacy, multicultural counseling competence, White supremacy in the workplace, and issues related to QPOC. All of her research is grounded in Critical Race Theory (CRT). Dr. Simmons received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology in 2020 from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She completed her APA-accredited internship at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Prior to completing her pre-doctoral internship, Dr. Simmons conducted supervised therapy at three academic institutions and two community mental health centers. Dr. Simmons has extensive clinical experience in behavioral and mood disorders, ADHD-related concerns, as well as marital and relationship concerns with a primary focus on people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals.
Are you ready to elevate your career? Get started now with an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Elizabethtown College.
Career Outlook
Career Opportunities for Graduates:
- Mental Health Counselor
- Adult and Geriatric Counselor
- Child Counselor
- Adolescent Counselor
- Substance Use Counselor
- Group Therapist
A Fast-Growing Industry:
- The growth rate for jobs in Counseling Psychology is faster than average (14% for 2018-2028). Specifically, the outlook for careers in substance abuse, behavioral disorders, and mental health counselors is 22% for the same time period, much faster than average.
- 26,100 new jobs are expected in the Counseling Psychology field by 2028.
- Entry-level wages are estimated at $34,708 and approximately $58,859 at ages 30-60.
- Pennsylvania is the third highest employment volume of counseling psychology-related positions.
717-361-1411One Alpha Drive
Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2298© 2019 Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2298© 2019 Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown College does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, possession of a general education development certificate as compared to a high school diploma, or any other legally protected status. This commitment applies but is not limited to decisions made with respect to hiring and promotion, the administration educational programs and policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other College administered programs. Discrimination or harassment of any kind is strictly forbidden.