Counseling Psychology Program Curriculum & Admission Requirements

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

Coursework

The academic coursework includes 60 credit hours and is designed to develop the knowledge base necessary for effective counseling and to prepare students to become licensed professional counselors.

Project, thesis, or comprehensive examination

As one goal of the master's program is to provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate skill in the integration of scientific and practice-related knowledge, students elect to complete one of three research options: 1) Master's Project; 2) Master's Thesis; or 3) Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE).

Practicum

In accordance with our MPCAC accreditation, the program includes significant supervised experiences, a minimum of 600 hours across at least two years. At least 240 of the supervised experiences must be direct contact hours. Most students will need to be enrolled in summer practicum for at least two years and they should be prepared for their program to extend into a third year (or more if part-time) in order to obtain the required hours. Prospective students are encouraged to review specific licensing criteria in the state(s) they may want to get licensed to be sure of specific requirements in those states.

Field Experience

Students who wish to gain experience in an area not afforded them through their practica will typically enroll in EPSY 895: Field Experience.

Graduate Admission

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in counseling, psychology, or a related area (or a minimum of 15 undergraduate credit hours in the behavioral sciences) with at least a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale from a regionally accredited institution or a foreign university with substantially equivalent bachelor’s degree requirements. International applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the application process well in advance of the application deadlines in order to ensure adequate time for processing of visa-related paperwork. Meeting minimum admission standards does not guarantee admission to the program.

Criminal Background Check

To enroll as a student in good standing and to be placed in clinical practice sites (e.g., practicum, internship, field experience), students in the program must complete and satisfactorily clear a criminal background check with Validity Screening Solutions. Refusal to undergo the background check will result in denial of admission. The program faculty reserves the right to request additional background checks should issues arise and the faculty deems it necessary.

Application Deadline

Jan. 6, 2025

Summer or fall terms only (spring admission not available)

Program Curriculum

Students will establish specific course and program plans and requirements at the new student orientation during the first fall semester of enrollment. The program curriculum provides a broad and general introduction to counseling psychology theory, research and clinical practice. Program curriculum offers students a M.S. terminal track for those who want to get licensed after graduation and also offers a Ph.D. aspirant track for those who may consider pursuing a doctoral program after graduation. The program includes a required practicum in a counseling setting. Students enrolled full-time can typically complete the program in two and a half to three years but it can also be completed on a part-time basis.

Course Requirements

Please note: This is only a potential plan of study. Consult with your academic advisor before enrolling.

Additional Requirements

Elective and additional coursework depending on the choice of capstone and track.
Total credit hours: 60

Student Admission, Outcomes, and Other Data

Counseling Psychology MS Program at the University of Kansas

Counseling Psychology MS Program - Student Admission, Outcomes, and Other Data
Academic Year of Entry	2019	2018	2017
Number of applicants	33	42	37
Number offered admissions	23	19	20
Number accepted offer of admission	11	10	11
Total enrolled in the program	11	10	11
Number graduated	12	12	10

Application Checklist

M.S. in Counseling Psychology

Applicants are required to submit the following materials and meet the following requirements before the application deadline:

Admission & Curriculum Resources

The online application is designed to give applicants the ability to submit all supporting documents in one form. We invite you to explore our graduate degree information, review our student resources, and learn more on our knowledgeable faculty and the vibrant community of Lawrence, Kansas.

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