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Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
Elizabethtown College's Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology 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. Course listings and descriptions can be accessed through the Elizabethtown College Course Catalog.
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.
Program Formats:
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Hybrid
Credits Required: 60
Tuition:
- $695/Credit
- 10% Alumni Scholarship
Tracks:
- Child & Adolescent Counseling
- Substance Use Counseling
- Generalist Track
Program Format
Elizabethtown College’s M.A. in Counseling Psychology Program is a full-time, two-year, 60 credit program. Students will take classes during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Classes will be offered in a hybrid format, with a combination of remote (online) and face-to-face instruction at the Elizabethtown, PA campus.
Program Pathways
The Elizabethtown College Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology Program welcomes eligible applicants with bachelor’s degrees from any regionally accredited college or university. Additionally, current Elizabethtown College undergraduate psychology students may be eligible for admission to two pipeline programs:
- 3 + 2 B.A. in Psychology and M.A.in Counseling Psychology Pipeline Program: This accelerated, combined program allows eligible students to complete their B.A. in Psychology in 3 years, with provisional acceptance* to the 2-year M.A. in Counseling Psychology Program. Elizabethtown College undergraduate students majoring in psychology who meet eligibility requirements may apply to this pipeline program by the beginning of the spring semester of their first year.
- 4 + 2 B.A. in Psychology and M.A. in Counseling Psychology Pipeline Program: This combined program allows eligible students to complete their B.A. in Psychology in 4 years, with provisional acceptance* to the 2-year M.A. in Counseling Psychology Program. Elizabethtown College undergraduate students majoring in psychology who meet eligibility requirements may apply to this pipeline program by the beginning of the spring semester of their sophomore year.
*Provisional acceptance is contingent upon academic progress and benchmark attainment. For further information regarding pipeline program eligibility, criteria, and application please contact Program Director Liz Dalton (daltone@etown.edu).
Application Requirements
Eligibility Requirements for application to the M.A. in Counseling Psychology Program:
- Bachelor’s'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, applications will be considered on a rolling basis as space allows until July 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.
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.
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.
Mike Shook, M.A.
Lecturer in Counseling Psychology
M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Mike is a licensed professional counselor in both Pennsylvania and Florida and holds a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Palo Alto University. Additionally, Mike is a National Certified Counselor and Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider and has advanced training in Feedback Informed Treatment, Narrative Practice, and relational approaches to suicidality. Mike has served as adjunct faculty in Palo Alto University’s Mental Health Counseling program and currently serves on the Lancaster County Suicide Prevention Coalition. He is the creator and founding editor of The Thoughtful Counselor podcast which hosts in depth conversations related to counseling and counselor education. As a practicing counselor, Mike works with youths, adults, couples, and families. He has worked in a variety of settings and with a range of concerns, including struggles with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, suicidality, burnout, cross-cultural stress, relational and marriage issues, and serious mental illness.
Faculty & Student Research
Students in the program are trained to critically evaluate and apply research to counseling practice. Students are not required to complete their own independent research, but are welcome to do so if desired. Dr. Dalton and Dr. Simmons have active, ongoing research projects in the Stress and Health Research Lab and Racial Equity and Cultural Inclusion Lab, and welcome participation by graduate students. For more information about faculty research interests and ongoing research projects, contact Dr. Dalton or Dr. Simmons.
Internship & Practicum
As part of the M.A. in Counseling Psychology program, students will complete 100 hours of practicum-level training and 600 hours of internship-level training. Program faculty and staff will support students in finding site placements that fit their professional and training goals. Students in the Department of Psychology at Elizabethtown College have pursued internship experiences at a wide variety of sites, including T.W. Ponessa & Associates Counseling Services (Lancaster, PA), Blue Prints for Addiction Recovery (Mt. Joy, PA), Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute (Harrisburg, PA), WellSpan Philhaven Behavioral Health Services (Lancaster, PA), and many more.
Licensure Information
Elizabethtown College’s Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program is developed in accordance with the educational training requirements for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Pennsylvania. Additional non-educational training requirements, including passing an examination (such as the National Counselor Examination) and additional hours of supervised professional experience after completion of the graduate degree, apply to obtain licensure.
For further information regarding Licensed Professional Counselor requirements in Pennsylvania, please visit the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Works, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors website. Students who seek similar credentialing in states other than Pennsylvania are advised to contact the credentialing board or agency in those states, as other requirements may exist.
Financial Aid, Graduate Assistantships, and Scholarships
Scholarships are available for Elizabethtown College employees, alumni, and affinity members. The M.A. in Counseling Psychology Program has an opportunity for a paid Graduate Assistantship (GA) position, pending availability of open positions and funding. Students interested in pursuing a GA position are encouraged to share their interest in doing so during the interview process. GA position decisions are determined based on students’ interest and relevant experience and skills (e.g., prior work and academic experience).
For more information about Etown SGPS Graduate Tuition, Financial Aid, and external scholarships, please visit our website.
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Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2298© 2019 Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2298© 2019 Elizabethtown College
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