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Master of Science in Counseling Psychology

Specialized Concentrations:
Counseling
Christian Counseling
Gerontology
School Counseling
School Psychometrics
Child/Adolescent Therapy
Organizational Counseling

Program Overview

The Master of Science degree in counseling psychology is designed to prepare individuals for ministry and employment in a variety of fields: school guidance programs, community mental health centers, religious counseling centers, private practice, mental health institutions community based facilities, and pastoral care. All M.S. degrees in the psychology and counseling psychology programs may lead to licensure and/or certification. The M.S. in psychology, industrial/organizational
track, program trains individuals for a variety of positions in business, industry, and mental health institutions.

Goals for the Programs
The goals for the master degree programs in counseling and psychology at William Carey College are:

To lead students to recognize the spiritual resources for healing and to utilize them in helping relationship
To provide skills and academic credentials which lead to employment
To provide training by instructors who share a Christian world view
To instill Christian values in those who become involved in the helping professions
To ensure a high level of professional competence in the graduates

Master of Science Degree
The department of psychology at William Carey College offers the Master of Science degree in counseling psychology with concentrations in counseling, school counseling, school psychometrics, Christian counseling, gerontology, and the Master of Science degree in psychology with a concentration in industrial/organizational psychology. The counseling degree program is designed to prepare professional
counselors to practice in community health centers, private counseling centers, and private practice. Likewise, concentrations in gerontology, Christian counseling, and school counseling are intended to equip individuals to practice in their particular fields of interest. The counseling psychology degree programs are offered at the Hattiesburg campus. The school counseling program is offered on the Gulfport campus along with add-on endorsements in school counseling and psychometry. The industrial/organizational concentration, which is available in Gulfport only, is intended to equip graduates to serve in this cutting-edge and ever-expanding area of practice as well as covering the ten competency areas required by the Mississippi Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors.

Academic Requirements for Admission
To fulfill requirements for admission to either of the Master of Science degree programs the student must:

have completed a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
have completed coursework that reflects adequate preparation for pursuing an advanced degree in either counseling psychology or industrial/organizational psychology.
possess a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 for the last 64 hours of course work.
have completed undergraduate courses in general psychology, counseling psychology, abnormal psychology, and/or statistical methods.
have made up any deficiencies in undergraduate course preparation prior to the completion of the first 18 hours of graduate coursework.

Individual programs and concentrations have specific requirements in addition to those listed above:

Students in gerontology MUST have Introduction to Gerontology at the undergraduate level.
Applicants with a GRE score (verbal plus quantitative) lower than 700 will not be considered for any program in counseling psychology.
Students in psychometrics and school counseling desiring certification need to present a valid standard Mississippi teaching license or qualify to hold a standard teaching license when applying or meet GRE requirements in bulletin for psychometrics or school counseling.

Non-degree Admission
A student who holds a master’s degree from an institution with comparable admission requirements may be accepted as a non-degree or continuing education student in order to take specific courses for licensure and/or certification. Should such an individual seek to become a degree seeking student, all requirements for regular admission as a degree student must be met. Students who hold a master’s degree and seek a second degree or additional credentials will have an individual
program designed to ensure an appropriate theoretical and practical background. A minimum of 18 semester hours must be earned at William Carey College in order to obtain institutional recommendation.

Counseling Psychology

Christian Counseling: A total of at least 1800 points based upon the formula—400 times undergraduate grade-point average (last 64 undergraduate hours) plus the GRE General Test Score (Verbal plus Quantitative). Undergraduate preparation should include courses in Christian theology, religion, or philosophy.
Counseling: A minimum of 900 on the GRE General Test (Verbal plus Quantitative) as well as undergraduate courses in psychology and/or counseling.
School Counseling: A minimum of 850 on the GRE General Test (Verbal plus Quantitative).
Gerontology: A minimum of 700 on the GRE General Test (verbal plus quantitative).
School Psychometrics: A minimum of 850 on the GRE General Test (Verbal plus Quantitative).
Child/Adolescent Therapy: A total of at least 1800 points based upon the formula — 400 times undergraduate grade point average for the last 64 undergraduate hours, plus the GRE General Test Score (Verbal + Quantitative). A minimum GRE score of 700 is required for consideration of the application. Undergraduate preparation should include courses in general
psychology, developmental psychology and/or child/adolescent psychology.

Students who desire to change emphasis areas must submit a new
application form and meet requirements in this catalog for the program.

Program Policies/ Requirements

All application materials (application, application fee, official transcripts, recommendations, official test score reports) should be submitted to William Carey College office of graduate admissions no later than three weeks prior to the beginning of classes.
All students are required to attend an orientation, registration, and information session prior to their first trimester of enrollment.
All work for the degree must be completed within a period not to exceed six years.
Transfer Credit: No more than nine semester hours of credit may be transferred from another institution. Transferred credits will be applicable only if they contribute to the overall plan of study designed for the student. No graduate work carrying a grade of less than “B” will be accepted. All transfer credits must meet the six-year limit on the completion of the degree. Independent study credit earned at another institution will not be accepted.
Class Attendance: Graduate students are expected to attend all class meetings. However, an absence may be granted in case of an emergency. It is the student's responsibility to contact the instructor regarding the absence, and the student is responsible for all work missed. The student who misses more than two classes will automatically fail the course.
Practica/Internships: Students who intend to register for practica or internships must gain the approval of the appropriate instructor not less than five weeks prior to the beginning of the term.
Credentialing: Completion of a degree program does not guarantee credentialing. Individuals who are seeking licensure or certification must satisfy all requirements of the various credentialing boards. Such students should make contact with the appropriate agency to obtain requirements prior to enrolling in a program at William Carey College. It is the student’s responsibility to satisfy these requirements.
Financial Information: Mississippi students may finance their program in a variety of ways. The program requires an important investment of time and money. Scholarships, veterans administration benefits, assistantships, and loans are also sources. Additional information regarding need-based loans may be obtained by contacting the college’s financial aid office in Hattiesburg at (601)-318-6153 and in Gulfport at (228)-897-7104. Tuition may be changed without prior notice.
Advisements: While advisors are assigned to each student, it is the student’s responsibility to comply with all requirements of their degree program.
Dual Enrollment: Students may not be enrolled simultaneously in the M.S. in counseling psychology and any other graduate degree program.
Professional Conduct: The graduate program in psychology is designed to prepare students to function in a mental health setting. This may include institutional/agency employment or private practice. In either event a counselor is bound by the code of professional conduct of the American Counseling Association (ACA). Violations of the code may result in revocation of credentials or dismissal from the job. As a part of the training provided by William Carey College, all students are required to be familiar with and adhere to the Code of Professional Conduct; local, state and
federal law; and rules and regulations of the college. Violations of any of these may result in disciplinary actions, including, but not limited to dismissal from the graduate program.

Workshop Credit and Course Numbering
No more than six semester hours of workshop credit may be applied toward the Master of Science in counseling psychology degree. Three hours may apply to the area of concentration and three hours may be used as an elective. All workshops are numbered as 593 or 693 courses, and named when offered. Special topic courses that are named when they are offered are numbered 590 or 690 and can be taken for 1-3 hours of credit. Directed readings courses are numbered 549 or 649.

Other Requirements for the Master of Science
Students must have successfully completed the plan of study approved by the faculty with a minimum GPA of 3.0 within a six-year time frame. Extensions and course substitutions are considered on an individual basis. Participation in the graduation ceremony is required. Degrees are not conferred in absentia, except by the office of academic affair's special permission for which students must submit a written request. Students who are candidates for May degrees are required to file applications for their degrees in the registrar's office by October 15. Candidates for August graduation must file by March 31. Late applications will be accepted up to 30 days after the respective deadlines. There is a $50.00 late fee for late application. Graduate students are responsible for course planning and selection. Advisors will assist students with the process but final responsibility for satisfying requirements for a degree rests with the
student.