Counseling Psychology, Graduate Certificate

The graduate certificate in Counseling Psychology requires students to complete 12 credits of course work at the master’s degree level. Completion of the Counseling Psychology certificate demonstrates emerging expertise in helping people address personal, emotional and psychological problems. While the field of psychology is comprised on more than 50 areas of expertise, Counseling Psychology is one of only 3 fields in psychology specifically concerned with the provision of clinical therapeutic interventions, psychoeducation and case management designed to address personal, family or emotional problems that affect client’s functioning. Through this certificate program, students will explore course work in professional writing using APA format; psychopathology and the signs and symptoms of various forms of mental illness; psychological therapies useful in addressing clinical problems; and, the value of considering the diversity of others and how that impacts therapeutic interventions with them.

By the completion of the certificate, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate effective use of APA format in professional and academic writing.
2. Explain the value of respecting diversity and individual differences and their importance to the welfare of all persons served.
3. Analyze counseling theory and approaches.
4. Differentiate the signs and symptoms of psychological disorders and problems of clinical concern in the DSM.