Master (MS) in Counseling Psychology & Psychotherapy

• Completed application form and personal statements (approximately 500 words), which may be submitted online.
• Two recommendation letters (at least one from an academic source and one from an employer).
• Official college/university transcript of undergraduate degree from an accredited institution.
• Official college/university transcript of graduate degree from an accredited institution (if applicable).
• Evidence of proficiency in English: Michigan State University Certificate of English Language Proficiency (MSU – CELP), Michigan Proficiency Certificate, Cambridge Proficiency Certificate, Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) with Grade A only, TOEFL (score 87 or higher on internet-based test), IELTS (score 6.5 or higher), GCE, International Baccalaureate, Graduation from an accredited English language college/institution.
If none of the above is available, the candidate must take the English Placement Test administered by the College. Based on the results of the test, students are placed into the appropriate English for Academic Purposes Program or Writing Program.
• A certified copy of an identification card for Greek citizens or of a valid passport for international students.
• CV (English or Greek).
• Interview with the respective Graduate Program Coordinator.

Counseling psychology is a branch of applied professional psychology concerned with the integration of different psychological theories and research traditions within the process of therapy.

The MS in Counseling Psychology and Psychotherapy balances theoretical perspectives with the application of techniques and approaches, aiming to train students who wish to work with a variety of client/patient groups in various settings. The program prepares participants to conduct assessment, prevention, and interventions for psychological difficulties, and to serve the profession and the client by offering high-quality services based on theory, high ethical integrity, and empirically validated practices.

Student develop specialized knowledge and competencies, and gradually adopt a range of roles relating to the practice of counseling psychology. Professional skills are initially developed through pre-practicum experiences (as part of coursework) and, following, through the completion of at least 700 hours of supervised practical training in mental health settings.

Student & Graduate Profile
Students must successfully complete 17 graduate-level courses, 2 graduate-level experiential workshops, 4 practicum seminars, representing a total of 54 US credits, carry out at least 700 hours of practical training, and undertake at least 40 hours of personal counseling/psychotherapy.

In the first year, the program aims to provide the student with core theoretical and research knowledge in areas relating to Counseling Psychology. In the second year, students enroll in skill-based courses from different theoretical orientations, are assigned to supervised practicum(s) (700 hours) and complete the research thesis.

Curriculum
Required Courses (46 credits)
Year 1:
Principles of Counseling & Personal Development
Testing & Assessment
Biological Basis of Behavior
Professional & Ethical Issues in Counseling & Psychotherapy
Qualitative Research
Interviewing Techniques
Advanced Analysis & Interpretation of Behavioral Data
Program Design & Evaluation
Group Counseling & Psychotherapy
Advanced Psychopathology

Year 2:
Counseling in Health Settings
Psychology of Addictions
Family & System Approaches to Counseling & Psychotherapy
Two of the following Intervention Courses:
Humanistic & Existential Approaches to Counseling & Psychotherapy
CBT Approaches to Counseling & Psychotherapy
Psychodynamic Approaches to Counseling & Psychotherapy
Short-Term Approaches to Counseling & Psychotherapy
Experiential Workshops (4 credits)
Workshop on Crisis Intervention
Diversity Workshop
Thesis (4 credits)
Practicum Seminars (4 credits)
Practicum I-IV

Program Level Competencies
Upon successful completion of this program, participants should be ready to engage in counseling practice.

Specifically, they should be able to:

• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of various models of psychotherapy, the capacity to critically evaluate and assess their effectiveness, and to execute integrative psychotherapeutic interventions.
• Diagnose and assess categories of mental distress, psychopathology, and problems in a diversity of individuals, couples, families, and systems according to the current diagnostic systems.
• Construct an appropriate research design, collect data, and implement the necessary statistical techniques to answer research questions relevant to counseling psychology.
• Develop strategies and detailed plans for successful and ethical psychotherapeutic interventions with diverse client groups in various clinical contexts, including crisis intervention and case management assessment
• Demonstrate critical awareness and personal willingness to continue their personal and professional development