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M.A. in Psychology: Counseling Curriculum

Our curriculum is designed to provide you with high quality education and training that is grounded in psychological science, and meets requirements for becoming a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida. We prepare you to deliver counseling services in a variety of settings including mental health clinics, schools, hospitals, correctional institutions, and independent private practice.

The Licensed Mental Health Counselor specialization for the Master of Arts in Psychology is a 60-credit hour program with requirements aligned with the state of Florida Board for Licensure as a Mental Health Counselor. This degree option focuses on helping our graduates to complete the academic requirements needed to pursue careers as a licensed mental health counselors. Program graduates qualify to register with the state licensing board as an intern and to obtain the two-year post-degree supervised experience required by the board for licensure. Attainment of the degree does not entail conferral of the license, which is governed by the state licensing board. 

The UWF LMHC program has many distinctive features that facilitate satisfying careers in mental health care. The program emphasizes the capacity for humans to change through intensive study of contemporary theories of clinical intervention. Our graduates build their clinical competence by learning how to rely on evidence-based practices in their treatment planning. Personalized feedback in face-to-face training situations scaffold the development of clinical competence. The program also promotes the importance of establishing a healthy work-life balance to sustain a rewarding and successful career in mental health care.

The degree requires completion of specialty 60 student credit hours, including a total of 1000 hours of practicum/internship field placement in a mental health setting.  Completing the program takes a little less than three years or eight semesters, including two summer terms. Upon admission, students become part of a “cohort” that will proceed together in their coursework.  Many students are able to secure scholarships or graduate assistantships to assist with the managing program costs.

The curriculum includes the following courses:

CORE COURSES 

  • Cognitive Neuroscience (PSB 5035)
  • Developmental Psychology (DEP 5055)
  • Research Design in Psychology (PSY 6217)

CLINICAL COURSES

  • Psychopathology (CLP 5166)
  • Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (EAB 5705)
  • Community Psychology (CYP 6005)
  • Pre-Practicum: Techniques of Counseling and Psychotherapy (PCO 6204)
  • Ethical and Professional Issues in Counseling (PCO 6206C)
  • Theories of Individual Counseling (PCO 6216)
  • Multicultural Counseling (PCO 6278)
  • Substance Abuse Counseling (PCO 6312)
  • Assessment in Counseling (PCO 6315)
  • Educational and Vocational Guidance (SDS 6345)
  • Human Sexuality and Sex Therapy (SOP 6776)
  • Clinical Electives (2)

DIRECT SERVICE COURSES

  • Practicum in Counseling (PCO 6946)
  • Internship 1 in Counseling (PCO 6948)
  • Internship 2 in Counseling (PCO 6948)

Typical Course Sequence

Quicklinks

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