The Master of Science in Counseling Psychology (MSCP) is a selective, rigorous program for the creative adult who plans to become a mental health practitioner or enter a doctoral program. It is eclectic in theoretical orientation and committed to celebrating diversity within the range of professional mental health approaches and techniques. While training students in a wide variety of counseling modalities, the MSCP also encourages students to explore and develop their own special interests within the field, to formulate their own philosophy of counseling, and to prepare for state licensure as a Professional Counselor.

Admissions

General graduate admissions requirements are listed under the Admissions section of this catalog. The application deadline for the MSCP Program is February 15th. The application for admission and all required suplemental documents must be received by the February 15th deadline in order to be considered for admission to the program. The supplemental documents required for the MSCP program are: 

1. Essay addressing the following areas:
   • What are your reasons for wanting to obtain an advanced degree in Counseling Psychology?
   • What are your short-term and long-term goals, or how do you see yourself as contributing toward the improvement of a social or community problem in your area?
   • The MSCP Program is designed to be an academically intense and experientially demanding program. If admitted, we (the faculty) plan to create and maintain an intellectually and personally challenging experience for you. Therefore, please describe how you plan to balance graduate school, work, and personal life (i.e., relationships, family, etc.).
   • Please provide a one page biography. The purpose of this application is to help us learn more about you. Please share any other personal information which you would like the Admissions Committee to take into consideration during the interview process.
2. Three letters of recommendation dated within the past year
3. Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scores
   • APU reporting code: 1841.
4. Completion of admission interview with the Program Director and APU faculty members

After a student has been fully admitted to the program, authorization for a background check will be required. Results will be shared only with the Program Director, and will be used for advising purposes, as they may impact internship placement and potential for state licensure. MSCP admits students to the Fall semester only.

Prerequisites

Students must have met the following prerequisites before beginning the MSCP:

One of the following courses must have been completed:

• Abnormal Psychology
• Personality Theories
• History and Systems of Psychology
• Social Psychology

Each of the following courses must have been completed:

1. Statistics
2. Research Methods or Experimental Psychology
3. Human Development (e.g., Child Development, Adolescent Psychology, Life-span Development)

The Program Director will advise students who have questions on the prerequisites whether their specific coursework is applicable. Students may complete prerequisites at Alaska Pacific as non-degree seeking students.