Requirements
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 counseling psychology programs may lead to licensure and/or certification.
Goals for the Programs
The goals for the master degree programs in counseling and psychology at William Carey University are:
- to lead students to recognize the spiritual resources for healing and to utilize them in helping relationships;
- 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; and
- to ensure a high level of professional competence in the graduates.
Master of Science Degree
The School of Natural and Behavioral Sciences at William Carey University offers the Master of Science degree in counseling psychology with concentrations in counseling, school counseling, school psychometry, Christian counseling, and gerontology. 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 Tradition campus along with an add-on endorsement in school psychometry.
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 organizational counseling.
- possess a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 for the last 64 hours of course work.
- have submitted an official score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). Although examination scores are only one factor considered in admission decisions, applicants should be aware that competitive scores significantly enhance the overall application.
- 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.
- Students in psychometrics and school counseling desiring licensure need to present a valid standard Mississippi teaching license or qualify to hold a standard teaching license when applying for psychometrics or school counseling.
Nondegree Admission
A student who holds a master’s degree from an institution with comparable admission requirements may be accepted as a nondegree 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 University in order to obtain institutional recommendation.
Change of Concentration
Students who desire to change emphasis areas must submit a new application form, meet requirements in this catalog for the program, receive approval of the advisor, and be admitted to the new concentration by the admissions committee.
Probationary or Incomplete Admission
There is no probationary or incomplete admission to any of the programs.
Program Policies/ Requirements
- All application materials (application, application fee, official transcripts, recommendations, official test score reports) should be submitted to William Carey University office of graduate admissions no later than three weeks prior to the beginning of classes.
- 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 two trimesters 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 University. 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, and loans are also sources. Additional information regarding need-based loans may be obtained by contacting the university’s financial aid office in Hattiesburg at (601)-318-6153 and at Tradition at (228)-702-1809. Tuition may be changed without prior notice.
- Advisement: 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 University, 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 university. Violations of any of these may result in disciplinary actions, including, but not limited to dismissal from the graduate program.
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 special permission for which students must submit an online request to the registrar. Students who are candidates for February completion or May commencement are required to file applications for their degrees in the Registrar’s Office by October 15. Candidates for August commencement must file by March 31. Late applications will not be accepted later than one month before graduation. 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.
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