Graduate Studies

MASTER OF COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY

The Master of Counseling Psychology (MCP) degree is a 48-60 hour counseling program. Three tracks prepare students for careers as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC), as Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADC), or combination of both (dual-track). Coursework for the LADC track is 54 hours, and LPC and dual-tracks are 60 hours.

Contact Dr. Jason Ferrell for specific information about the program requirements, the application/interview process, and other pertinent information.

Besides the general requirements for admission to graduate study, students applying for admission to the MCP program are required to have had 18 credits in psychology. Students also must have taken and passed with a "C" or better an undergraduate statistics course and an undergraduate research course. Students who have not taken or received a "C" or better in these two courses may be accepted on a conditional basis, but they must complete a statistics and/or research course at Northwestern or at another accredited institution and receive a grade of "C" or better for formal admittance. These credits will not be counted as part of their graduate program.

In addition to meeting the general requirements for admission to the Northwestern graduate program, the MCP degree applicant must complete an application and interview process that includes:

A Curriculum Vitae or Resume
Three letters of recommendation
A written statement of career aspirations and self-evaluation
A sample of scholarly written work
An oral interview with the graduate faculty of the psychology department, and
Optional: A score that places the individual at the 25th percentile or higher on two of the three areas (verbal, quantitative, and writing) of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), or at the 25th percentile or higher on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). Note: GRE/MAT scores are not required for program admittance, but can be submitted to strengthen the application if it may be helpful. Please ask us if you need this option if you are not sure.

The application/interview process must be completed prior to enrolling in the 10th graduate hour.

Testimonials

Lorrene Desbien, Ponca City, OK

“I am a non-traditional student who decided after 15 years of teaching that I wanted to become a counselor. I had some degree of trepidation at first, having not been a student in a decade and a half. However, in NWOSU’s MCP program, I found a place to learn that was robust and deep. When I entered the workforce as a clinician, I found that the lessons I had been taught were authentic and “spot on” as far as what was expected in the agency in which I went to work. Having professors who were real counselors and who brought broad experiences to the table gave me a clear idea of what to expect. There were very few surprises and the professors remained dedicated to my success even after I was in the “real world,” making themselves available for me to bounce ideas when the unexpected did occur. I am prepared for my new career due to the gold standard education I received in this program.”

Student Learning Outcomes

SLO 1 - "Counseling Theory": Students will apply a working knowledge of the basic counseling theories utilized by counselors.

SLO 2 - "Counseling Strategies and Techniques": Students will demonstrate effective knowledge and application of counseling strategies and techniques.

SLO 3 - "Assessment Methods": Students will demonstrate a working knowledge of essential standardized methods of client assessment/evaluation.

SLO 4 - "Research": Students will demonstrate an ability to use or interpret research as applied to the practice of counseling.

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