The Adler School of Professional Psychology

Graduation Requirements

1. Satisfactory completion of all required credit hours, including all required courses.

2. Satisfactory completion of 700 clock hours of counseling practicum.

3. Satisfactory completion of a Community Engagement Capstone Project.

4. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher and no more than two grades or six credit hours
of "C" or "C+."

5. Successful completion of the Master of Arts Qualifying Examination, (MAQE).

6. Full payment of all outstanding tuition and fees.

7. Faculty approval and recommendation to the Board of Trustees for the conferral of the Master of Arts in

Counseling Psychology.

The Community Engagement Capstone Project

The community engagement capstone project provides students with the opportunity to complete a supervised experience at an approved site and will be required to accrue a minimum of 50 hours toward the completion of the approved project. Students will work directly with the Department of Training and Community Service to identify potential community partners and projects in the semester prior to the initiation of their placement. Projects may include activities such as community needs assessment, research and publishing, program development and evaluation, community outreach, and advocacy work. Students will be assigned a faculty advisor who will provide advisement and guidance regarding the completion of a capstone paper, due at the conclusion of the community engagement experience.

Please see “M.A. Programs –Practicum Requirements” section for details regarding practicum requirements for all M.A. degree programs.

M.A. in Counseling Psychology - Art Therapy

The purpose of the Adler School Counseling Psychology: Art Therapy Program is to provide education and clinical training in art therapy and counseling within the context of the Adlerian principles of social responsibility, service in the community and cultural competence. The MAT program focuses on the process of art-making for self-expression and communication.

The Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology: Art Therapy program combines education and clinical training in the field of Art Therapy, core counseling education and training, the theories and practices of Adlerian psychotherapy. The program requires 63 credit hours in coursework including 700 hours of art therapy practicum that is completed over a nine to twelve month period. Some students may not be able to complete their 700 supervised hours within the nine month time frame and will need to continue their MAT Practicum and Practicum Seminar into the summer term of their second year. They would then enroll in Practicum Continued, PCO-610, and MAT Practicum Seminar, MAT-468, both of which were developed for students who need more time for completion. The art therapy program can be completed in two years with a fulltime course load over three terms for each of the two years. This program provides students with the academic and clinical training needed to meet the education requirements to apply for registration as an art therapist and to seek counselor licensure in the state of Illinois.

After completing graduate studies and 1000 hours of supervised clinical art therapy practice, a graduate may apply for art therapy registration (ATR) through the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB). The ATR requires 1,000 hours of clinical art therapy (direct client contact) including at least 100 hours of supervision or at least one hour of supervision for every ten hours of direct client contact. A minimum of 500 hours of this work experience needs to be supervised by a credentialed art therapist. Up to 500 hours may be supervised by a clinical supervisor who is credentialed in a related field (e.g. social worker, counselor, or psychologist). After an art therapist is awarded an ATR, she/he may work to complete additional requirements in order to apply for the Board Certification examination. With successful completion of this examination, an art therapist is awarded the credential of ATR-BC by the Art Therapy Credentials Board.

Immediately upon graduation from this program, a graduate may apply to take the Illinois Licensed Professional Counselor examination. After receiving this license (LPC), a practitioner may work to complete additional requirements in order to apply to take the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) examination. For students planning to work in another state, the school suggests that you inquire about licensing requirements specific to that particular state. An online search on a state’s website is a useful source of this information.

Art therapists work in a wide variety of clinical, educational and social service settings including medical and psychiatric hospitals, schools, wellness centers, drug and alcohol treatment programs, community mental health centers, correctional institutions, shelter programs and treatment centers for those who experience interpersonal violence, and community programs for immigrants and refugees.

Program-Specific Minimum Admission Requirements

Applicants to this program are typically required to present the following:

An undergraduate/baccalaureate degree or the equivalent from an accredited institution

A grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all undergraduate and graduate course work

The equivalent of 15 semester credit hours in psychology with grades of ”C” or better. These courses need to include general or introductory psychology, abnormal psychology, theories of personality, Life Span Development, and psychometrics or research methods. All prerequisites should be completed by the end of a student’s first semester at Adler School.

Eighteen (18) semester credit hours, or 27 quarter hour credits in studio art that demonstrate proficiency and disciplined commitment to visual art in three or more visual art media

A portfolio of original art work (15 examples in three or more different media) demonstrating competence with art materials is required to be presented at the admissions interview.

As a final step in the application process, applicants who meet the admission standards will be invited for an individual interview with Art Therapy faculty.

Degree Requirements

Successful completion of the following courses is required for this degree:

* PCO-210 Professional Development Seminar 0 cr.

* PCO-211 Community Service Seminar I 1 cr.

PCO-212 Community Service Seminar II 1 cr.

* PCO-213 Community Service Practicum I 1 cr.

* PCO-214 Community Service Practicum II 1 cr.

* MAT-344 Historical and Theoretical Perspectives of Art Therapy 3 cr.

* MAT-345 Assessment, Diagnosis and Treatment Planning in

Art Therapy (and Lab) 3 cr.

* MAT-346 Use of Art in Group Therapy 3 cr.

PCO-350 Community Psychology 3 cr.

* PCO-402 Introduction to Adlerian Psychology and Psychopathology 3 cr.

PCO-433 Parent Education: Adlerian Theory and Interventions 2 cr.

PCO-438 Introduction to Addictive Disorders 3 cr.

* MAT-450 Lifespan Development in Art Therapy 3 cr.

MAT-451 Socio-cultural and Multicultural Approaches in Art Therapy 3 cr.

MAT-452 Theories and Methods of Intervention in Art Therapy I: Families 3 cr.

* MAT-453 Theories and Methods of Intervention in Art Therapy II 3 cr.

MAT-466 Studio Art 3 cr.

MAT-467 MAT Practicum Seminar I 2 cr.

MAT-468 MAT Practicum Seminar II 2 cr.

* PCO-472 Basic Skills for Psychotherapy 3 cr.

MAT-480 MAT Practicum I 1 cr.

MAT-481 MAT Practicum II 1 cr.

PCO-497 Research Methods (section for art therapy students) 3 cr.

* MAT-505 Professional Development, Issues and Ethics in Art Therapy 3 cr.

PCO-520 Theories of Psychotherapy 3 cr.

PCO-569 Lifestyle and Career Development 3 cr.

PCO-647 Biopsychosocial Bases of Health and Dysfunction for Counselors 3 cr.

MAT-995 Master’s Clinical Qualifying Examination 0 cr.

Total Credit Hours: 63

* = Required before beginning art therapy practicum

Curriculum Sequence

YEAR ONE

Fall Term

PCO-210 Professional Development Seminar 0 cr.

MAT-344 Historical and Theoretical Perspectives of Art Therapy 3 cr.

MAT-450 Lifespan Development in Art Therapy 3 cr.

PCO-402 Introduction to Adlerian Psychology and Psychopathology 3 cr.

PCO-647 Biopsychosocial Bases of Health and Dysfunction

for Counselors 3 cr.

Term Credits = 12

Spring Term

PCO-211 Community Service Seminar I 1 cr.

PCO-213 Community Service Practicum I 1 cr.

MAT-345 Assessment, Diagnosis and Treatment Planning

in Art Therapy (and Lab) 3 cr.

MAT-346 The Use of Art in Group Therapy 3 cr.

PCO-350 Community Psychology 3 cr.

MAT-505 Professional Development – Issues and Ethics in Art Therapy 3 cr.

Term Credits = 14


Summer Term

PCO-212 Community Service Seminar II 1 cr.

PCO-214 Community Service Practicum II 1 cr.

MAT-466 Studio Art 3 cr.

PCO-472 Basic Skills for Psychotherapy 3 cr.

MAT-451 Multicultural, Socio-cultural approaches in Art Therapy 3 cr.

Term Credits = 11

YEAR TWO

Fall Term

MAT-452 Theories and Methods of Art Therapy Intervention I: Families 3 cr.

MAT-453 Theories and Methods of Intervention in Art Therapy II:
Trauma 3 cr.

MAT-467 Art Therapy Practicum Seminar I 2 cr.

MAT-480 Art Therapy Practicum I 1 cr.

PCO-520 Theories of Psychotherapy 3 cr.

Term Credits = 12


Spring Term

PCO-433 Parent Education: Adlerian Theory and Interventions 2 cr.

MAT-468 Art Therapy Practicum Seminar II 2 cr.

MAT-481 Art Therapy Practicum II 1 cr.

PCO-497 Research Methods (MAT Only) 3 cr.

PCO-438 Introduction to Addictive Disorders 3 cr.

Term Credits = 11

Summer Term

MAT-995 Master's Clinical Qualifying Examination 0 cr.

PCO-569 Lifestyle and Career Development 3 cr.

Term Credits = 3

Total credits = 63

Graduation Requirements

1. Satisfactory completion of all required credit hours, including all required courses

2. Satisfactory completion of at least 200 clock hours of community service practicum

3. Satisfactory completion of 700 minimum clock hours of art therapy practicum/internship with 350 of those

hours in direct client contact

4. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher and no more than two grades (or six credit hours)

of ”C” grade

5. Successful completion of the Master's Clinical Qualifying Examination

6. Successful second year portfolio review

7. Completion of application for graduation and full payment of any outstanding tuition or other fees

8. Faculty approval for graduation and recommendation to the Board of Trustees for the conferral of
the Master of the Arts in Counseling Psychology: Art Therapy

Practicum

Please see “M.A. Programs –Practicum Requirements” section for details regarding practicum requirements for all M.A. degree programs.

M.A. in Counseling Psychology –
Specialization in Forensic Psychology

The Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology specialization in Forensic Psychology (MAC-F) prepares students to assess, treat and apply counseling psychology to forensic settings. Courses in the program focus on developing the knowledge and skills necessary to assist with the unique challenges facing incarcerated individuals and their families. Courses also focus on preparing students to provide ethical, high quality services to culturally diverse individuals and organizations -- both within and outside of the criminal justice system. The program combines rigorous academic instruction with field placements through which students achieve hands on experience under the supervision of licensed professionals. Counselors with specialized training in Forensic Psychology may be employed by law enforcement agencies, correctional facilities, private law firms, the Court system, child advocacy centers, - behavioral health units, and community mental health agencies. The program offers the best features of traditional graduate degree training programs coupled with Adler School’s emphasis on the education and training in socially responsible practice.

The specialization in Forensic Psychology consists of specialized coursework in forensic evaluation, - treatment of forensic populations, aggression and social deviance, within the framework of the existing 64 credit MA Counseling Psychology degree program, for a total of 64 credits. This comprehensive graduate program can be completed in 24 months of full-time attendance. Students who successfully complete the sequence of courses in the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology Specialization in Forensic Psychology are prepared to apply for Professional Counselor licensure (LPC) in Illinois, and are well prepared for a wide variety of community mental health positions in criminal justice agencies and organizations in the public and private sectors. The program has been approved by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) for students to take the National Counselor Exam (NCE), a nationally recognized prestigious credential.

Although this degree program satisfies the current academic and pre-degree training and education requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential in the State of Illinois, students should be aware licensure requirements in some states may require them to take courses beyond those currently required by the Adler School. Students should consult state boards and licensure requirements in other jurisdictions and plan their curriculum accordingly. Applicants should check credentialing requirements in the jurisdiction in which they intend to practice following graduation. Links to state and provincial credentialing boards can be found on the website of the American Counseling Association at http://www.counseling.org and the National Board of Certified Counselors at http://www.nbcc.org.

Minimum Admission Requirements

Applicants to this program are required to have:

A baccalaureate degree earned from a college or university regionally accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or an equivalent degree from an international college or university.

A minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for undergraduate and graduate course work. Exceptions may be made for applicants who demonstrate improved academic performance or academic ability in other ways.

The equivalent of 9 semester credit hours in psychology with grades of “C” or better. These courses should include general or introductory psychology, abnormal psychology, and research methods or statistics. Equivalent coursework in other social sciences may also be considered. All prerequisites should be completed by the end of a student’s first semester at Adler School.

Approved applicants will be invited in for a personal interview as the final step in the application process.

Degree Requirements

Successful completion of the following courses is required for this degree:

* PCO-210 Professional Development Seminar 0 cr.

* PCO-211 Community Service Seminar I 1 cr.

* PCO-213 Community Service Practicum I 1 cr.

* PCO-212 Community Service Seminar II 1 cr.

* PCO-214 Community Service Practicum II 1 cr.

PCO-337 Group Psychotherapy 3 cr.

PCO-350 Community Psychology 3 cr.

* PCO-402 Introduction to Adlerian Psychology and Psychopathology 3 cr.

PCO-438 Introduction to Addictive Disorders 3 cr.

* PCO-472 Basic Skills for Psychotherapy 3 cr.

PCO-497 Research Methods 3 cr.

MACF-502 Test & Measures in Forensic Psychology 3 cr.

* MAC-505 Professional Development, Issues and Ethics 3 cr.

MACF-506 Roles & Directions in Forensic Psychology 3 cr.

MACF-507 Treatment in Forensic Populations 3 cr.

MACF-508 Violence, Aggression & Social Deviance 3 cr.

MACF-509 Trauma, Victimology, Theory, Practice & Skill Building 3 cr.

MACF-510 M.A. Practicum Seminar I 1 cr.

MACF-511 M.A. Practicum Seminar II 1 cr.

MACF-512 M.A. Practicum I 1 cr.

MACF-513 M.A. Practicum II 1 cr.

MACF-514 Practicum Seminar Continued 2 cr.

* PCO-520 Theories of Psychotherapy 3 cr.

PCO-569 Lifestyle and Career Development 3 cr.

PCO-610 Practicum Continuation 0 cr.

* PCO-623 Life Span Development 3 cr.

* PCO-647 Biopsychosocial Bases of Health and

Dysfunction for Counselors 3 cr.

MAF-662 Overview of Marriage and Family Therapy Models 3 cr.

MAC-679 Counseling Multicultural and Marginalized Communities 3 cr.

MACF-995 Master’s Clinical Qualifying Examination 0 cr.

Total Credit Hours: 64

* = Required before beginning counseling practicum

Year One

Fall Term

PCO-210 Professional Development Seminar 0 cr.

PCO-402 Introduction to Adlerian Psychology and Psychopathology 3 cr.

PCO-472 Basic Skills for Psychotherapy 3 cr.

MACF-506 Roles & Directions in Forensic Psychology 3 cr.

PCO-520 Theories of Psychotherapy 3 cr.

Term Credit Hours: 12

Spring Term

PCO-211 Community Service Seminar I 1 cr.

PCO-213 Community Service Practicum I 1 cr.

MAC-505 Professional Development, Issues and Ethics 3 cr.

PCO-623 Life Span Development 3 cr.

PCO-647 Biopsychosocial Bases of Health & Dysfunction

for Counselors 3 cr.

Term Credit Hours: 11

Summer Term

PCO-212 Community Service Seminar II 1 cr.

PCO-214 Community Service Practicum II 1 cr.

PCO-350 Community Psychology 3 cr.

PCO-438 Introduction to Addictive Disorders 3 cr.

MACF-508 Violence, Aggression & Social Deviance 3 cr.

Term Credit Hours: 11

Year Two

Fall Term

PCO-337 Group Psychotherapy 3 cr.

MACF-502 Tests and Measures in Forensic Psychology 3 cr.

MACF-510 M.A. Practicum Seminar I 1 cr.

MACF-512 M.A. Practicum I 1 cr.

MAC-679 Counseling Multicultural & Marginalized Populations 3 cr.

Term Credit Hours: 11

Spring Term

MACF-507 Treatment in Forensic Psychology 3 cr.

MACF-509 Trauma, Victimology, Theory, Practice & Skill Building 3 cr.

MACF-511 M.A. Practicum Seminar II 1 cr.

MACF-513 M.A. Practicum II 1 cr.

PCO-569 Life Style and Career Development 3 cr.

Term Credit Hours: 11

Summer Term

PCO-497 Research Methods 3 cr.

PCO-610 Practicum Continuation 0 cr.

MACF-514 Practicum Seminar Continued 2 cr.

MAF-662 Overview of Marriage & Family Therapy Models 3 cr.

MACF-995 Masters Clinical Qualifying Examination 0 cr.

Term Credit Hours: 8

Total Credits: 64

Graduation Requirements

1. Satisfactory completion of all required credit hours, including all required courses.

2. Satisfactory completion of 700 minimum hours of practicum.

3. Satisfactory completion of at least 200 hours of community service practicum.

4. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher and no more than two grades or six credit hours
of “C” or “C+”or below.

5. Successful completion of the MAC Comprehensive Examination.

6. Successful completion of the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE)

7. Submission of completed Graduation Application and full payment of all outstanding tuition and fees.

8. Faculty approval for graduation and recommendation to the Board of Trustees for the conferral of the
Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology: Specialization in Forensic Psychology.

Practicum

Please see “M.A. Programs –Practicum Requirements” section for details regarding practicum requirements for all M.A. degree programs.

M.A. in Counseling Psychology –
Specialization in Rehabilitation Counseling

The Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology Specialization in Rehabilitation Counseling program is designed to provide students with a foundation in theories and methods of counseling psychology with practical, supervised training in counseling psychology techniques, in addition to specific training in the field of rehabilitation counseling. The program combines the best features of a traditional (M.A.) counseling psychology program with Adler School’s emphasis on the education and training in socially responsible practice, systems change, and leadership in service to individuals with disabilities.

This comprehensive graduate program can be completed in 24 months of full-time attendance. Graduates of the program are well prepared for a wide variety of community mental health positions in human service agencies and organizations in both the public and private sectors. Upon completion of this program, students are prepared to take the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) examination, a nationally recognized credential. This degree program exceeds the academic and pre-degree training and education requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the State of Illinois. In addition, students who pass the CRC examination are eligible to apply for the LPC in Illinois with no additional examination requirement. The program is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education.

Although this degree program satisfies the current academic and pre-degree training and education requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential in the State of Illinois, students should be aware that licensure requirements in some states may require them to take courses beyond those currently required by the Adler School. Students should consult state boards and licensure requirements in other jurisdictions and plan their curriculum accordingly based on where they intend to practice upon graduation. Links to state credentialing boards can be found on the website of the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards at http://www.asppb.org. More information about the field of rehabilitation counseling can be found at http://www.arcaweb.org and http://www.crccertification.com.

Minimum Admission Requirements

Applicants to this program are required to have:

A baccalaureate degree earned from a college or university regionally accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or an equivalent degree from an international college or university.

A minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for undergraduate and graduate course work. Exceptions may be made for applicants who demonstrate improved academic performance or academic ability in other ways.

The equivalent of 9 semester credit hours in psychology with grades of “C” or better. These courses need to include general or introductory psychology, abnormal psychology, and research methods or statistics. Equivalent coursework in other social sciences may also be considered. All prerequisites should be completed by the end of a student’s first semester at Adler School.

Approved applicants will be invited in for a personal interview as the final step in the application process.