Clinical/Counseling Psychology Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about the master’s program and get your questions answered related to coursework, class offerings and licensing after graduation.
No. However, you must possess an undergraduate degree from an accredited undergraduate institution and we require 5 foundational courses to be completed prior to entry. Specifically, you need to have completed, with a grade of C or above, the following classes:
- Introduction to Psychology
- Introduction to Human Development
- Either General Math Statistics OR Psychology Statistics
- Psychology Research Methods
- Abnormal Psychology
Yes. The MSCCP program is designed for students who either want to become a licensed professional counselor (LPC) or continue on to a doctoral program in psychology. The program meets the curricular requirements set forth by the Georgia Secretary of State and the Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists. The program prepares students to be eligible to sit for the licensure examination in Georgia (if interested, students must check specific state requirements for other states).
Generally, to become an LPC in Georgia, a student must complete a master’s degree, and also pass the National Counselor Exam (NCE), and a minimum of two years of post-masters supervised experience. Students can apply to take the NCE upon graduation. The curriculum and training provided in the MSCCP program prepares students for the exam. Additionally, the MSCCP program uses the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE) as the program comprehensive exit exam which assesses the same areas assessed on the NCE.
Yes. However, to complete the program in two years, a full load will be 12 credit hours during fall and spring and 6 credit hours during the summer.
While we will allow for part-time enrollment, we STRONGLY encourage students to attend on a full-time basis. Attending on a full-time basis will greatly enhance students’ mastery of the material because material in the different courses is quite often complimentary and being fulltime allows for a stronger synthesis. Part-time students will need at least 3 years to complete the degree.
We also STRONGLY encourage students to have realistic expectations about what it means to enter a graduate program. Specifically, we discourage students from working extensively while they are enrolled in the Master of Science in Psychology as doing so will interfere with their successful completion of the program.
No. Currently the majority of the courses have very strong experiential elements which are not conducive to electronic delivery. The MSCCP program will be training students to work with people and as such we believe that face to face interactions with faculty and other students is an essential part of our training.
No. Our program is designed, optimally, for full-time students. Moreover, during students' second year, they are required to be at their clinical practicum for many hours of the week. Most of these settings require that students be available during regular business work hours. Subsequently, we want students, upon entry to our program, to expect that their days will be focused on meeting program requirements.
Yes. We are accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Counsel (MPCAC). MPCAC accreditation supports the field of counseling and psychology as well developing licensed clinicians in these areas. Standards required for licensure in Georgia are the same as other counseling accrediting bodies. You can view the MPCAC website here: http://mpcacaccreditation.org/
Yes. However, this option is only available to applicants that already possess a graduate degree in counseling or psychology. Applicants can apply as a non-degree seeking student; however you are not guaranteed acceptance as a non-degree seeking student. If accepted, you can take a maximum of 9 credits (3 courses) under this option and approval by the clinical director is required.
Non-degree seeking students will need to go through the same admissions process as all other applicants if they wish to enroll full time at a later date or wish to take more than 9 credit hours. This option is not available for applicants who are still trying to determine if the program is right for them or for those seeking to circumvent the application process.
If you meet the requirements above and wish to apply as a non-degree seeking student, start this process via the Office of Admissions, by contacting their office:
Email: graduate@clayton.edu
Phone: (678) 466-4110