Educational & Counseling Psychology Masters Degrees
The Department of Educational & Counseling Psychology offers a Master of Education (MEd) in Counseling & Personnel Services with the following concentrations:
| Concentration | Contact | Certification/License | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| College Student Personnel | Michael Cuyjet | None | 45 Program hours |
| Counseling Psychology | Kai Kirby | Fulfills the State Board of Psychology's educational requirements to apply to sit for the exam for Psychological Associate. | 60 hours |
| Art Therapy | Eileen O'Neill Estes | Graduates are eligible to pursue the following AATA credentials: Registered Art Therapist (ATR), Certified Professional Art Therapist at the state level (CPAT) and Board Certified Art Therapist at the national level (ATR-BC). The Art Therapy Program offers the unique opportunity for graduates to be eligible to pursue Kentucky state licensure as professional clinical counselors (LPCC) and national certified counselor credentials (NCC). | 30 Core hours 24 Concentration hours 6 Elective hours |
| Mental Health Counseling | Nancy J. Cunningham |
The coursework for this program fulfills the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) educational requirements to sit for the exam for National Counselor Certification. A graduate of this program can apply to the Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors to have his/her credentials evaluated to become a licensed professional counselor associate (LPCA). LPCAs can engage in the practice of professional counseling in Kentucky under an approved clinical supervisor. LPCAs with appropriate supervised experience can apply to the Board to become a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC). An LPCC can engage in the independent practice of professional counseling in Kentucky. |
3 General hours 45 Professional Area hours 12 Elective hours |
| School Counseling | Sandra Duncan, Natalie Kosine |
School Counseling Certification (P-12) for the State of Kentucky. | 45 Program hours |
Detailed requirements for completing these degrees is provided in the UofL Graduate Catalog.
Program Overview
The faculty and staff of the Department of Education and Counseling Psychology endeavor to cultivate exemplary professional practitioners and scholars in counseling, counseling psychology and college student development. The purpose of the department is to advance the knowledge base in these fields and to serve our diverse communities by drawing on our expertise in human development across the life span.
Programs in Educational & Counseling Psychology prepare students at both the master's and doctoral-levels. The program, consistent with the mission of the University of Louisville, emphasizes the practice of psychology in metropolitan settings and promotes the values of social justice and equity through service to underserved urban populations. The Ph.D. program is accredited by the American Psychological Association.
The program utilizes the scientist practitioner model, which bases the practice of counseling psychology on a foundation of research and critical inquiry. The Educational & Counseling Psychology curriculum at both the master’s and doctoral levels is designed to provide graduate education in psychology (articulated in the foundation courses) with a specialization in counseling psychology. The curriculum provides a sequence of training in theory, assessment, and intervention as well as a sequence of field experiences designed to help students integrate theory, research, and practice. The Counseling Psychology curriculum emphasizes ethical, empirically-based practice and research.
The M.Ed. program in Counseling Psychology prepares the student for credentialing in Kentucky as a Psychological Associate. The Ph.D. program prepares the student for credentialing in Kentucky as a Licensed Counseling Psychologist.
Admission Requirements
Prospective students must submit an online application for admission to the University of Louisville Graduate School.
The minimum requirement for admission is the baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution. Applicant are required to submit all official transcripts as verification of coursework and degree(s).
Each applicant is required to submit at least two letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to the applicant's academic and/or professional capabilities and potential.
Each applicant is required to submit official scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). To be considered for unconditional admission, students are required to have a minimum combined score of 800. The Counseling Psychology concentration requires a combined minimum of 900 on the GRE.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all foreign students from countries in which English is not the native language. Students holding a baccalaureate or advanced degree from an accredited institution in the United States are exempt from this requirement.
For unconditional admission, students are required to have a 2.75 cumulative grade point average, or 2.75 grade point average for the senior college years. For those applying to our Counseling Psychology concentration, the minimum grade point average is a 3.0 grade point average.
Prospective students must submit a professional goal statement [PDF] appropriate to their stated area of concentration for admission to the degree program.
In addition to these requirements, admission to the degree program may require completion of prerequisite undergraduate courses specific to each area of concentration.
Faculty may require interviews in addition to written credentials as part of the admission process.
Application Deadlines
Spring Term Admission: October 1
Fall and Summer Term Admission: March 1
Note: If spaces are available in the program after the March 1 deadline, fall applications will be considered until June 15. Please check with the department prior to applying.
