Master of Science in Clinical Professional Counseling

The Master of Science in Clinical Professional Counseling (CPC) is designed for individuals interested in becoming a master’s level mental health practitioners. Students graduating from this program will have completed all the necessary coursework to become Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors (LCPC or Professional Counselor) in the state of Maryland, and will also fulfill educational requirements for licensure in other states.

To prepare students, the program features a full-time, structured sequence of 60 credits and 600 hours of supervised field experience, completed over two years and four months. In-house practicum training is located at the Loyola Clinical Centers, a community-based interdisciplinary training clinic, while externship training is completed through Loyola’s large and diverse network of externship sites in the greater Baltimore-Washington area that range from world-famous academic medical centers to small group practices allowing students to tailor their training and experience to their clinical interests.

Graduates of the Clinical Professional Counseling program typically go on to obtain necessary post-graduate clinical supervision hours as Licensed Graduate Professional Counselors (LGPC) in Maryland then work as LCPCs in both public and private settings such as hospitals, clinics, and private practice. Although some graduates choose to go on for doctoral training (e.g., Psy.D. or Ph.D.) or continue to work under the supervision of a psychologist in Maryland (as a Psychological Associate) or other states, the Clinical Professional Counseling program is designed to train master's level clinicians.

The program is located within Loyola’s Department of Psychology, composed of over 30 full-time faculty members who are productive scientists as well as dedicated instructors who infuse the latest research into their courses. We have been training an excellent master’s level mental health practitioners for five decades. The department includes master’s level clinicians with the LCPC credential as well as faculty members with doctorates in clinical and counseling psychology. A number of full-time faculties continue to work in private practice and over 20 adjunct faculty members focus on professional practice to ensure that the realities of clinical work are addressed. Reflecting Loyola’s Jesuit tradition, we focus on academic excellence, multicultural competence, social justice, and serving the community; we view both our students and the individuals we assist as complete beings and encourage their growth in multiple aspects of life. As psychologists, we place an emphasis on clinical assessment (i.e., the measurement of psychological constructs).

All accepted applicants must complete and pass a background check prior to enrollment.

Master's in Clinical Professional Counseling Learning Aims

The Master of Science in Clinical Professional Counseling program prepares students to begin employment in psychology under the supervision of a doctoral-level licensed psychologist, or to continue their education leading to the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) or a doctoral degree (Psy.D. or Ph.D.).

Learning Aims for Master’s Programs

• Aim 1: Ethical Conduct
  • Students will conduct themselves in accordance with the American Psychological Association and American Counseling Association Ethics Code in all interactions and activities in their roles as graduate students and will demonstrate the effective application of ethical decision-making processes when confronted with ethical dilemmas.
• Aim 2: Cultural Diversity
  • Students will demonstrate sensitivity to cultural diversity, to include all aspects of diversity included in Principle E of the American Psychological Association Ethics Code and A2c and C2a of the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics by behaving inclusively, demonstrating receptivity to feedback, and fostering collaboration based on awareness of privilege in all roles (e.g., peer, clinician, supervisee, assessor, researcher) and in all settings (e.g., classroom, externship site, lab) in which students represent Loyola University Maryland.
• Aim 3: Professional and Personal Demeanor
  • Students will display professional conduct to include written and verbal communications, attire, and interactions appropriate to all settings where students represent Loyola University Maryland aligned with departmental and agency policy.
• Aim 4: Research and Scholarship
  • Students will apply the scientific approach to evaluate psychological information and to use this information in professional settings.
• Aim 5: Appraisal and Assessment
  • Students will act in accordance with professional standards in the selection, use, scoring, and interpretation of appraisal and assessment measures appropriate to each client’s referral question. Students will use this information to inform case conceptualization and diagnosis and effectively communicate these findings to clients and referral sources.
• Aim 6: Treatment and Intervention
  • Students will demonstrate the ability to develop and implement evidence-based treatment and intervention plans with groups and individuals from a diverse society.
• Aim 7: Supervision
  • Students will actively participate in and effectively utilize supervision while engaged in professional activities. Students will seek out additional supervision when warranted and will be receptive to feedback from supervisors. Students will be aware of and receive supervision in accordance with the standards of their profession’s code of ethics and with sensitivity to individual differences.

Curriculum

Year 1

First Fall Semester (12 Credits)

• PY 600 Assessment & Appraisal
• PY 615 Advanced Psychopathology
• PY 620 Theories of Counseling & Psychotherapy
• PY 715 Human Biopsychology

First Spring Semester (12 Credits)

• PY 603 Introduction to Cognitive Assessment
• PY 621 Principles & Practices of Psychotherapy
• PY 710 Diversity Issues in Psychology
• PY 664 Lifespan Development

Year 2

Summer (6 Credits)

• PY 602 Personality Assessment
• PY 618 Group Therapy

Second Fall Semester (9 Credits)

• PY 746 Research Methods in Psychology I
• PY 622 Advanced Techniques of Counseling & Psychotherapy #1
• PY 705 Ethical, Legal and Professional Issues in Counseling & Psychology

Second Spring Semester (9 Credits)

• PY 639 Alcohol & Drug Dependence
• PY 657 Lifestyle & Career Development
• PY 712 Business Issues in Professional Practice
• PY 770 Practicum

Year 3

Summer (6 credits)

• PY 624 Marriage & Family Therapy
• PY 771 Off-Campus Externship I/PY 728 On-CampusSupervision (300 hours) – 3 credits

Third Fall Semester (6 credits)

• PY 622 Advanced Techniques of Counseling & Psychotherapy #2
• PY 771 Off-Campus Externship I/PY 728 On-Campus Supervision (300 hours) – 3 credits

Total: 60 Credits

Important Information on the Psychology Master's Programs

The Master of Science in Clinical Professional Counseling program prepares students to begin employment in psychology under the supervision of a doctoral-level licensed psychologist or to continue their education leading to the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) or a doctoral degree (Psy.D. or Ph.D.). All incoming masters students must complete and pass a background check prior to enrollment. The Masters Plus program is set up for Loyola graduates who already have their master's degree in psychology from Loyola University Maryland and need the additional course work to sit for the State licensure exam.

Loyola University Maryland is a Jesuit, Catholic University committed to the educational and spiritual traditions of the Society of Jesus and the development of the whole person. Accordingly, the University inspires students to learn, lead, and serve in a diverse and changing world.

At Loyola, the ideals that have guided Jesuit universities for nearly 500 years—academic excellence, cura personalis, service, justice, diversity, and integrity—among others, continue to mold the academic, social, and spiritual experiences we offer our students, the programs we pursue, and the relationships we build with the communities that surround us.