UH Hilo Department of Psychology: Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology

Department of Psychology

University of Hawaii at Hilo

Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology

The Masters in Counseling Psychology program's curriculum was designed to satisfy the educational requirements for licensure in mental health counseling in Hawaii. The core curriculum consists of course work in methods, concepts, and skills of the profession and practice of counseling psychology. The course electives will enable students to choose courses in family counseling, school and career counseling and special topics courses. During the second year of study, students will complete a practicum course and internship designed to provide them with counseling experience in real-life settings. They will also be able to prepare and defend a Master's thesis. Overall, students will take 49 credits of graduate course work. It is expected that full-time students (12-15 credits per semester) will complete their degree in two years. Students will need to maintain a 3.0 GPA to remain in the program.

Transfer of Credits:

Requests for transfer of credits must be made during the first semester in which the student is enrolled in the program. Up to 12 credit hours may be transferred. Only credit hours with a grade of B or better from accredited universities are transferable. Practica and internships cannot be transferred. Transfer credit hours must have been completed within five years prior to admission.

Employment opportunities

Program graduates will be able to work in a variety of counseling settings that include, but are not limited to, state and federal counseling agencies, mental health and substance abuse programs, schools, and the private mental health care industry. Graduates of the program may also consider obtaining a counseling license or continue their study in a doctoral program toward becoming a professional psychologist.

Tuition

For 2006/2007 academic year, the UHH graduate division tuition is $208/credit hour for state residents and $480/credit hour for non-residents. Full-time tuition (12+credits) is $2496 per semester and $5760 per semester, respectively.
Information on the 2007-2009 tuition.

Scholarship and financial assistance

Information on financial aid and scholarships opportunities available through UHH can be found on the financial aid website: http://www.uhh.hawaii.edu/studentaffairs/FNA. For financial aid assistance, please contact Financial Aid Office, 200 West Kawili Street, Hilo, HI 96720-4091. E-mail: uhhfao@hawaii.edu. Phone: (808) 974-7323. Fax: (808) 933-0861.
Native Hawaiian students who need assistance with applications and scholarships contact Kipuka (Native Hawaiian Student Support Program). Phone: (808) 933-0891.

Additional information

Additional information about admission procedures and graduate study can be found at the University of Hawaii at Hilo web site on the Admissions Office and Graduate Programs pages. General graduate study policies adopted by the UHH Graduate Council can be viewed at http://hilo.hawaii.edu/academics/graduate/policies.php.
For a detailed description of the degree requirements, courses, faculty, etc. please look up the current UH Hilo Catalog.
For current program information please contact Dr. B.Christopher Frueh, Program Director, at (808) 974-7402 or via e-mail (frueh@hawaii.edu).
For departmental information please contact Vanessa Eblacas, Psychology Department Secretary, at (808) 933-3315 or via e-mail (eblacas@hawaii.edu).

Applications for fall 2007 are now being accepted. Download Application materials (also available from the UHH Admissions Office) This page will be continuously updated during the 2006/2007 academic year Please come back for current information
Admission Students are admitted to the program on the basis of many characteristics, including their preparation, experience, and intellectual and affective potential for graduate study and counseling. There is an admission cap of 20 students per year. Priority is given to full-time students, but a limited number of outstanding part-time students may be admitted. A UHH graduate student has to take at least 6 credits of course work per semseter in order to be considered full time. . Admission requirements In order to be considered for admission an applicant must: have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale have a strong background in psychology; a minimum of 24 semester credits of work in psychology is required have completed at least one course in statistics and one course in research methods from any discipline obtain three letters of recommendation submit a complete package of application materials (below) In addition to the above, international applicants must provide evidence of sufficient financial resources for attending the UHH. International applicants who are not native English speakers must have taken the TOEFL test and achieved a score of at least 550 (paper version) or 213 (computer version). Application procedure All applications must be submitted to the UHH Admissions Office (Address: Admissions Office, University of Hawaii at Hilo, 200 West Kawili Street, Hilo, HI 96720, USA). In order to receive full consideration and to be eligible for scholarships, applications must be submitted by the priority deadline of February 1. Applications will be accepted for Fall semester only. The UHH Admissions Office receives applications and supporting documents and maintains the applications through final notification. Applicants who do not hear from the University within two months of completing their application should contact the Admissions Office at (808) 974-7414. Complete applications that meet the admission requirements will be forwarded to the Psychology Department where they will undergo a comprehensive review. Admission decisions will be made by the Graduate Admissions Committee in the Psychology Department and forwarded to the UHH Admissions Office, which sends the final notification to the applicant. The applicant's admission status is valid only for the semester to which the applicant is accepted. Applications for students who do not register or who withdraw from the University are voided but retained for a period of one year. Students may reapply for admission the next year by notifying the Admissions Office and submitting an application fee. Application materials An applicant must submit all of the following: UHH graduate application form and application fee official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (must be received directly from the institution or in a sealed envelope if being submitted with the application) three letters of recommendation sent by the referees directly to the Admissions Office (all references should be from professors, employers or clinical supervisors). it is recommended that the reference forms are given to the referees at least one month prior to the due date GRE scores (general test only) sent to the UH-Hilo Admissions Office directly by the Educational Testing Service resume Psychology Personal Statement (separate from application for graduate study), which addresses the following: applicant's short and long-term academic and career plans reasons for pursuing a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology how graduate study at UHH will help accomplish one's goals work experience, training, and other preparation related to counseling psychology attributes that make the applicant well-suited for the field of counseling psychology what one have to offer the field of counseling psychology In addition to the above, international applicants must submit: TOEFL scores (if English is not the native language) supplementary information form for international applicants official translation of the original transcripts (if not in English) International Credits: A statement describing minimum academic qualifications expected of international applicants may be obtained from the Admissions Office. These qualifications must be completed prior to enrollment. Updates The program's curiculum and admission requirements are currently being revised. Some of the anticipated changes can affect the admission criteria for fall 2007 and degree requirements for the cohort of students admitted in 2007. Please come back often for the most recent information.	Program description The program provides cross-cultural, student-centered training in counseling psychology. The objective of the Masters in Counseling Psychology is to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to become professional counselors who are able to aid clients from different ethnic, socio-economic and educational backgrounds Course of study The Masters in Counseling Psychology program's curriculum was designed to satisfy the educational requirements for licensure in mental health counseling in Hawaii. The core curriculum consists of course work in methods, concepts, and skills of the profession and practice of counseling psychology. The course electives will enable students to choose courses in family counseling, school and career counseling and special topics courses. During the second year of study, students will complete a practicum course and internship designed to provide them with counseling experience in real-life settings. They will also be able to prepare and defend a Master's thesis. Overall, students will take 49 credits of graduate course work. It is expected that full-time students (12-15 credits per semester) will complete their degree in two years. Students will need to maintain a 3.0 GPA to remain in the program. Curriculum core (37 credits): PSY 601 (4) Applied Multivariate Statistics PSY 602 (3) Research Methodology and Program Evaluation PSY 603 (3) Psychological Assessment PSY 604 (3) Professional Identity, Ethics and Legal Issues PSY 611 (3) Lifespan Human Development PSY 612 (3) Career Development PSY 613 (3) Psychopathology over the Lifespan PSY 621 (3) Counseling Theory and Skills PSY 622 (3) Group Work and Counseling PSY 623 (3) Social and Cultural Foundations PSY 640 (3) Practicum PSY 659 (3) Counseling Internship Electives (12 credits) PSY 614 (3) Family System PSY 641 (3) School Behavior, Adjustment, and Problems PSY 642 (3) Educational and Vocational Assessment PSY 643 (3) School and Career Guidance and Consultation PSY 651 (3) Theories of Family Counseling PSY 652 (3) Couple Counseling PSY 694 (3) Special Topics PSY 699 (3) Directed Studies PSY 700 (6) Thesis Research Transfer of Credits: Requests for transfer of credits must be made during the first semester in which the student is enrolled in the program. Up to 12 credit hours may be transferred. Only credit hours with a grade of B or better from accredited universities are transferable. Practica and internships cannot be transferred. Transfer credit hours must have been completed within five years prior to admission. Employment opportunities Program graduates will be able to work in a variety of counseling settings that include, but are not limited to, state and federal counseling agencies, mental health and substance abuse programs, schools, and the private mental health care industry. Graduates of the program may also consider obtaining a counseling license or continue their study in a doctoral program toward becoming a professional psychologist. Tuition For 2006/2007 academic year, the UHH graduate division tuition is $208/credit hour for state residents and $480/credit hour for non-residents. Full-time tuition (12+credits) is $2496 per semester and $5760 per semester, respectively. Information on the 2007-2009 tuition. Scholarship and financial assistance Information on financial aid and scholarships opportunities available through UHH can be found on the financial aid website: http://www.uhh.hawaii.edu/studentaffairs/FNA. For financial aid assistance, please contact Financial Aid Office, 200 West Kawili Street, Hilo, HI 96720-4091. E-mail: uhhfao@hawaii.edu. Phone: (808) 974-7323. Fax: (808) 933-0861. Native Hawaiian students who need assistance with applications and scholarships contact Kipuka (Native Hawaiian Student Support Program). Phone: (808) 933-0891. Additional information Additional information about admission procedures and graduate study can be found at the University of Hawaii at Hilo web site on the Admissions Office and Graduate Programs pages. General graduate study policies adopted by the UHH Graduate Council can be viewed at http://hilo.hawaii.edu/academics/graduate/policies.php. For a detailed description of the degree requirements, courses, faculty, etc. please look up the current UH Hilo Catalog. For current program information please contact Dr. B.Christopher Frueh, Program Director, at (808) 974-7402 or via e-mail (frueh@hawaii.edu). For departmental information please contact Vanessa Eblacas, Psychology Department Secretary, at (808) 933-3315 or via e-mail (eblacas@hawaii.edu).
Frequently asked questions
Questions about admission Do I have to apply by the priority deadline? In order to receive full consideration and to be eligible for scholarships, applications must be submitted by the priority deadline. However, applications can be accepted until the admission cap has been reached. If I satisfy some, but not all of the minimum admission requirements, can I still apply and be admitted? No, applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements cannot be considered for admission. What is the GRE? The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is a standardized test, which has been traditionally used to assess cognitive preparedness for graduate study. What do I need to do in order to take the GRE? The GRE is administered by the Educational Testing Service in an electronic format. The test can be taken on the UHH campus and at many other locations. For information and to sign up for the GRE, call 1-800-473-2255 or go to the GRE web site (http://www.gre.org). The test scores should be forwarded directly to the admissions office (enter the UH-Hilo code, 4869, when taking the test). GRE scores are valid for 5 years, but the test can be re-taken, in which case the Educational Testing Service reports all scores received over the past 5 years. Is there a "passing" GRE score? No, whereas all applicants are required to take the GRE, the Department of Psychology does not require a particular score for admission. GRE is used as a source of complementary information about the applicants. When taking the GRE test, where do I send the scores? How? When taking the test, please enter the UH-Hilo code provided in the test materials. You can also indicate that the scores should be sent to the Admissions Office. Your scores will be sent to the university within 2 to 3 weeks from the test date. What is the TOEFL? TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language) is a standardized test of fluency in the English language for non-native speakers. TOEFL is used to assess the applicant's ability to take graduate courses, which require advanced reading, writing, and speaking skills. Where can I take the TOEFL test? Generally, you should be able to take TOEFL at your undergraduate institution. If at UHH, please contact the Student Support Services. I have been born and raised in a foreign country, but attended an American college and graduated from that college with a bachelor's degree. Do I still need to take TOEFL? No, foreign students who have been awarded a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college in an English-speaking country do not have to take the TOEFL test.	Questions about curriculum What courses do I have to take? All of the core courses are required. How long does it take to graduate? Full-time students will be able to graduate in two years if they follow the recommended sequence of courses and take 12-13 credits every semester or in three years if they take 6-9 credits per semester. For part-time students, it can take considerably longer to graduate, depending on the individual circumstances. What happens if I fail to take a required course when recommended? You may have to wait until next academic year in order to take that course. If the course serves as a prerequisite for other courses you may have to postpone taking those as well. If admitted, will I have an academic advisor? Yes, every student will be assigned a faculty advisor. What courses can be transferred from other institutions? Courses that are eqivalent to those taught at UH-Hilo can be trasferred. Questions about postgraduate careers How does earning a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology affect one's career prospects? The degree will make you more competitive on the job market, broaden your career options, and enhance your career advancement opportunities. Many employers consider graduate education desirable and many positions in human services require a Master's degree. The average holder of a Master's degree in Psychology also makes $10,000 - 15,000 a year more than someone with a bachelor's degree in Psychology. If I am awarded an M.A. in Counseling Psychology, can I apply for a professional license? The UHH Counseling Psychology Program satisfies the educational requirements for licensure as a Mental Health Counselor in Hawaii. However, under the state law, in addition to successful completion of the program, the eligibility criteria for licensure include accumulating approximately two years of post-Masters, supervised work experience in counseling and passing a national counseling examination. Licensing laws vary from state to state and potential applicants should check the licensure requirements in the state in which they want to become licensed. Where do professional counselors work? Employment opportunities for counselors include, but are not limited to: Community mental health clinics, mental hospitals, and psychiatric wards; public and private schools, colleges and universities; career counseling centers; employee assistance, job training and vocational rehabilitation programs; residential care facilities; drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs and agencies; youth assessment, prevention, and intervention centers; child welfare and family assistance agencies; general medical hospitals and other healthcare facilities; private practice; military organizations.