The MA degree in Counseling Psychology is designed for learners with aspirations to become licensed as professional counselors at state and national levels. The core objective of the MA in Counseling Psychology is to address the knowledge base and skills necessary qualify for licensure as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor, and related clinical practice. The academic focus of this program includes extensive in-depth studies in counseling theory and practice, applied psychology concepts and principles, theories of human development and personality development across the lifespan, family and group therapy principles, applied social and cultural foundations, biological basis of behavior, and professional orientation and ethics. The program also includes formal internship components consistent with national and most state requirements for clinical mental health counseling licensure. A thesis is also required. Low-residency/Distance learning Five times a year, students come together on campus for three-day weekend residencies, which provide a variety of learning opportunities. Among these are regular activities such as core group meetings, professional seminars, guest speakers, student presentations, skills-based workshops, and cross-disciplinary discussions. The master’s program is meant to reach those working professionals who cannot be constrained by the traditional classroom. AIC supplements its campus residencies and brings the coursework to you by means of an Internet-based lecture program. Thus, students can fit courses around their work and home schedules, completing a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology in as little as two years. Core groups and mentored study Students assigned to the same first core faculty advisor become part of an ongoing core group that meets at each residency. In this way, each student has membership in two particular supportive learning teams: his/her cohort and core group. Unlike the cohort communities, the core group is comprised of students at different stages of the program, allowing for more veteran students to mentor newer students in various aspects of the program.

-