BSU Catalog Home | Graduate Psychology Course Descriptions

Psychology

Department of Psychology

Hagg-Sauer Hall 218-755-2880

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Graduate Faculty

Dr. Richard Hook (Chair; rhook@bemidjistate.edu), Dr. Russell Bennett, Dr. Laurie Desiderato, Dr. Marsha Driscoll, Dr. Angela Fournier, Dr. Dwight Fultz, Dr. John Gonzalez, Mr. Lawrence Hanus, Dr. James Rafferty

• Master of Science - Counseling Psychology

Master of Science - Counseling Psychology

Note: New students will not be accepted into the Master of Science in Counseling Psychology program. Graduate courses in the Department of Psychology are restricted to current students in this program and to students approved for individual courses. Contact the Department Chair, Richard Hook, for approval for individual courses.

The Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology at Bemidji State University is a rigorous and comprehensive program that prepares students for professional careers in counseling psychology. The program focuses on evidence-based practices grounded in psychological research and culminates in an original research paper or thesis and an internship in a setting that matches students’ career interests. The program can be used to prepare for careers in a variety of settings in the fields of mental health and higher education, including mental health centers, hospitals and clinics, private practice, university counseling centers, student affairs, and career services. Students can also use the program to prepare for further training in doctoral programs in clinical and counseling psychology.

The master’s program in Counseling Psychology at Bemidji State University is accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and is particularly well designed to prepare students for Minnesota state licensure as Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC).

The courses are offered on-campus at Bemidji State University and are mostly offered in the late afternoon and evening to accommodate working and commuting students. Many students are eligible for employment as Graduate Assistants while they complete the program. The program can be completed in about 2½ years by full-time students taking approximately 9 credits (3 courses) each semester and by taking some courses over the summer months. Students can also complete the program more gradually, taking fewer classes each term.

Preparation Requirements

Students applying to the program should have strong undergraduate preparation in Psychology, with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.00 and course work in the following topic areas: Abnormal Psychology, Learning, Lifespan Development, Statistics, and Research Methods. Students who have not had recent undergraduate courses in these areas are encouraged to complete this course work before applying to the program. In some cases, students lacking some essential undergraduate course work may be admitted to the program as provisional students and gain full admission to the program after the course work has been completed.

University Requirements

See Section II, Graduate Study for degree requirements.

Course Requirements

I. Required Courses

PSY 5347 Psychological Measurement (3 credits)
PSY 5403 Advanced Statistics and Research Design (4 credits)
PSY 6002 Counseling Research Methods (3 credits)
PSY 6118 Counseling Theory and Practice (4 credits)
PSY 6119 Psychopathology: Diagnosis and Treatment (3credits)
PSY 6229 Assessment and Career Development (3 credits) 
PSY 6331 Practicum I: Treatment Planning and Outcomes Assessment (3 credits)
PSY 6332 Practicum II: Counseling, Ethics, and Diversity in Practice (3 credits)
PSY 6337 Group Counseling (3 credits)
PSY 6777 Professional Ethics: Theory and Practice of Professional Conduct in a Diverse Society (2 credits)
PSY 6778 Counseling in a Diverse Society (2 credits)
PSY 6870 Research Proposal Seminar (1 credit)
PSY 6888 Personal Growth and Development (1 credit)
PSY 6970 Internship in Counseling Psychology (6 credits)
 
Select one of the following:
PSY 6980 Research Paper (2 credits)
PSY 6990 Master’s Thesis (4 credits)

Subtotal 43-45 Credits

II. Electives

Choose 6 credits from the following courses:

Recommended Courses for the Counseling and College Student Development Focus
PSY 6407 Student Affairs Administration (3 credits)
PSY 6408 Issues in College Student Development (3 credits)

Recommended Courses for the Counseling Licensure Focus
PSY 5328 Behavioral and Cognitive Intervention (4 credits)
PSY 6120 Developmental Psychopathology (3 credits) (Required for LPCC)
PSY 6469 Family Therapy (3 credits) (Required for LPC and LPCC)
NRSG 5457 Sexual Abuse (2 credits)

Additional Electives
PSY 5408 Human Services Program Management (3 credits)
Additional elective courses may be applied with approval of the program coordinator and the student’s advisor.

Total Semester Credits Required for the Degree 49-51 Credits