Gwynedd Mercy University AY2020-2021 Graduate Academic Catalog
Counseling Master of Science in Counseling ( 60 credits )
The Master of Science Program in Counseling at Gwynedd Mercy University is designed to help students become professional counselors whose areas of expertise lie in community mental health , school , or higher education settings . The program uses a scientist-practitioner model in the training of its students . This model allows students to gain the prerequisite knowledge , skills and expertise to be competent , well trained and marketable entry level counselors in a variety of settings . Through involvement in program course work , interaction with peers , instructors , and their faculty mentor students learn to integrate class knowledge and skills to further develop their counseling knowledge and deepen their counseling identity . Students will synthesize this knowledge and skills in “ real life ” counseling experiences through the use of two weekend residencies and extensive faculty supervised field requirements . This program will transition to the School of Arts and Sciences beginning in Fall 2020 , but students should follow all GPS policies for 2020-2021 .
The Counseling Program requires 60 credits of coursework . All program courses ( except field courses ) are accelerated ( 7 weeks each ) and offered in an asynchronous online format . Synchronous class meetings are required for group supervision during all field placements and are held during the weekdays in the evening ( EST ). The program does require two weekend residencies . The first residency is held during the student ’ s first term of study ( CNS 501 Counseling Skills ) and the second residency is held in the spring of the student ’ s second year ( CNS 535 Group Counseling and Facilitation Skills and CNS 536 Group Counseling and Facilitation Skills for the School Setting ).
Every student who enters the Counseling Program at Gwynedd Mercy University is considered a professional in the counseling field . Our faculty interact with students as colleagues and mentors as we know that students learn the best when they are valued and interacted with as knowledgeable professionals in the field . The expectations of the program ( academic , skills and interpersonal ) are high and demanding . We know that students accepted into the program can meet these demands and can benefit greatly from their professional interaction with everyone in the program . The program allows students to concentrate their studies in the following areas ; Clinical Mental Health Counseling College Counseling and Student Affairs School Counseling
The School Counseling concentration is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education as a certificate program leading to Pennsylvania certification as a K-12 school counselor .
The Mission Statement of the Counseling Program The Mission of the Master Program in Counseling at Gwynedd Mercy University is to prepare professional counselors to become practitioner / scholars who are critical thinkers and adhere to the highest levels of professional ethics .
The program utilizes a CACREP and PDE based curriculum to promote in its students the knowledge and skills necessary for certification / license as competent professional entry level counselors through rigorous academic and clinical training .
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