Counseling Psychology M.A. with Direct Admission to the Psy.D.
Our Master of Arts (MA) with Direct Admission to our Doctorate in Counseling Psychology (PsyD) program is for qualified candidates seeking direct admission to the PsyD program with a BA or BS degree. These students should be able to demonstrate preparation for doctoral study in a practitioner-scholar model.
Students in the Direct Admission program successfully complete the MA program requirements (degree conferred) in two years and are guaranteed admission to the doctoral program. The MA in Counseling Psychology provides students with a firm foundation of psychological theories and practical counseling techniques, while the PsyD in Counseling Psychology is designed to build on previous training in psychology and prepare professionals for a variety of work settings.
Students in the MA with Direct Admission to the PsyD in Counseling Psychology program place a high value on professionalism, self-knowledge and diversity awareness.
Program Benefits:
- Guaranteed admission into the PsyD program upon admittance to the MA with Direct Admission to PsyD program
- Students assigned a core faculty advisor and taught by core and adjunct faculty who provide a wide array of counseling services to clients
- Evening and weekend course schedules allow students the flexibility to build their education around their lives
Additional admission requirements include:
- Three letters of recommendation
- Writing sample
- Statement of Purpose
- Resume
See the "How to Apply" below for application for details.
*Note: We have temporarily suspended the requirement for the GRE exam.
What you can earn
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Doctorate (Psy.D.)
Where you will learn
-
Our Minneapolis campus
When to apply
Application Deadline:
December 15
| MA + PsyD | |
|---|---|
| Credits |
MA + PsyD: 129 |
| Required Courses |
For the MA: CPSY 600 Psychological Statistics |
| Schedule |
1 | Meet the basic requirements:
- Prospective students must have completed an undergraduate degree from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting agency
- An undergraduate degree in psychology is not required
2 | Meet the supplementary requirements:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) required for any candidate whose primary language is not English
3 | Submit the following application materials:
- Completed application form (choose "Master of Arts" for degree and "Counseling Psychology Direct Admit to Doctorate" for program)
- Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate work (unless that work was completed at the University of St. Thomas). Submit transcripts to: gradadmissions@stthomas.edu or Graduate Admissions, University of St. Thomas, TMH 251, 1000 Lasalle Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55403.
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals addressing the applicant's skills and experience (see online application for criteria).
- Writing Sample (two to three pages, double spaced, of scholarly writing related to the field of psychology)
- Resume/CV
- Candidate's statement of purpose (part of the application form)
4 | Complete interview with faculty upon selection as finalist
The Interprofessional Center offers psychological services to a diverse population of clients with mental health issues, while providing both practicum experiences and a pre-doctoral internship for graduate professional psychology students. At the IPC, students strive to meet the needs of underserved people while gaining valuable real-world experience. Our clients are low-income, uninsured or underinsured, individuals who often are unable to obtain psychological services if it were not for clinics like the IPC. Services provided to clients (all free of charge) can include: individual counseling, group counseling, couples/family counseling, DBT (both skills group and therapy), psychological testing and/or psycho-education. In addition, students may have the opportunity to periodically work on cases which are shared between Psychological Services and Social Work, Psychological Services and Law, or among all three of the disciplines at the IPC.
Graduate Student Organization
The University of St. Thomas, Graduate School of Professional Psychology (GSPP) Graduate Student Organization (GSO) is student-led organization founded with the purpose of enhancing the experiences and development of graduate psychology students within the University of St. Thomas. The GSPP GSO unites Masters and Doctoral-level graduate psychology students in the University of St. Thomas GSPP, for the purpose of professional and personal student development, the betterment of the department, and in their contributions to the field and community. The GSO strives to enhance the experiences and development of graduate psychology students within the University of St. Thomas through: representing and unifying GSPP graduate students at all levels, advancing their professional and personal interests, providing a forum for student discussion of psychology-relevant topics, and promoting graduate student participation in university and community affairs.