MS in Clinical Psychology, Clinical Counseling
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Learners in the MS Clinical Counseling specialization who are seeking a professional counselor license in certain states must complete at least one 5-quarter-credit practicum course and at least one 5-quarter credit internship course in order to satisfy that state’s requirements. Capella University has designed PSY6400-PSY6409 to fulfill the internship requirement for these learners.
The master’s Clinical Counseling specialization focuses on learners’ socialization into the counseling and clinical psychology profession and presents foundational scientific theories and practices used in the clinical psychology field. The specialization curriculum emphasizes clinical assessment, counseling interventions, psychological testing, research methods, ethical principles, and diversity.
Personal Suitability and Fitness for the Profession
Capella embraces the principles and guidelines set forth by the Council of Chairs of Training Councils (CCTC) related to professional psychology programs in that the faculty, training staff, supervisors, and administrators in the MS in Clinical Psychology degree program have a professional, ethical, and potentially legal obligation to ensure, insofar as possible, that all learners have the competence to manage professional relationships in an effective and appropriate manner and that they possess the emotional maturity, interpersonal stability, and intellectual judgment required to work with vulnerable populations. Personal suitability and fitness for the profession includes but is not limited to demonstration of sufficient interpersonal and professional competence; self-awareness, self-reflection, and self-evaluation; openness to processes of supervision; and resolution of issues or problems that interfere with professional development or functioning in a satisfactory manner. Throughout the graduate training of each learner, faculty and staff are responsible for educating and assessing learners with regard to their personal suitability and fitness for the profession.
Residency Requirement(s)
Two four-and-a-half-day residencies. See university policy 3.04.05 Attendance at Residencies, the Residencies page on Campus, and the Residency section, below, for more information.
Additional Program Requirements
Core courses
| PSY5002 | Foundations of Theory and Practice for Master's Psychology Learners | 5 |
| PSY6095 | Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy | 5 |
| PSY6210 | Introduction to Psychopathology | 5 |
| PSY7610 | Tests and Measurements | 5 |
| RSCH7860 | Survey of Research Methods | 4 |
Specialization courses
Two Elective Courses
At least 10 quarter credits
Choose two from the following eight courses:
| PSY5115 | Human Sexuality | 5 |
| PSY5120 | Social Psychology | 5 |
| PSY5125 | Introduction to Sex Therapy | 5 |
| PSY5135 | Issues and Trends in Addiction-Related Treatments | 5 |
| PSY6092 | Counseling Skills and Procedures | 5 |
| PSY7310 | Biological Basis of Behavior | 5 |
| PSY7330 | Psychopharmacology | 5 |
| PSY7421 | Cognitive/Affective Psychology | 5 |
Total
At least 74 quarter credits
One or more courses in this program may require a prerequisite(s). Refer to the course descriptions for details.
Learners who do not complete all program requirements within quarter credit/program point minimums will be required to accrue such additional quarter credits/program points as are associated with any additional or repeat coursework necessary for successful completion of program requirements.
This specialization is not accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Capella University cannot guarantee eligibility for licensure, endorsement, other professional credential, or salary advancement. State licensing regulations and professional standards vary; learners are responsible for understanding and complying with the requirements of the state in which they intend to work. For more information, see the professional licensure disclosures for this program on Capella’s website.
MS in Clinical Psychology Residencies
The residency requirement for the MS in Clinical Psychology, Clinical Counseling specialization is satisfied by completion of two five-day residencies (Track 1 and Track 2). The school recommends that all learners register for Track 1 within the first two quarters of enrollment and Track 2 when they complete between 20 and 40 quarter credits. Learners must have completed both tracks prior to starting their practicum (PSY6391).
The MS in Clinical Psychology residencies provide training and practice in the areas of interventions, assessment, diversity, culture-specific issues, and ethics. The two tracks are cumulative rather than sequential, allowing learners to receive training and practice in the above skill areas.
At all MS in Clinical Psychology residencies, in addition to formal instruction and practice, learners participate in cohort group sessions that allow faculty and learners to interact as a community of scholars; individual advising sessions with faculty to support their degree completion plans and assess academic progress; and specialization networking opportunities with other learners and faculty.
Through MS in Clinical Psychology residencies, learners gain a stronger sense of academic community by networking and discussing research, coursework, and projects face-to-face with fellow learners and faculty. This experience provides a learning environment that fosters the application of critical thinking and integrated knowledge to professional and research issues.
For more detailed information on MS in Clinical Psychology residencies, learners should refer to their specialization manual.