Introduction
The Child and Adolescent Psychology program prepares graduates for many different roles and responsibilities. For example, school psychologists develop educational performance plans for students with special needs. Mental health counselors focus on helping young people cope with trauma, low self-esteem, and suicidal impulses. Careers in child and adolescent psychology involve evaluating children and young adults for mental health disorders and connecting them with treatment and support services.
Most individuals who work with children and adolescents also develop professional skills through internships and supervised clinical experiences.
Vision
Closely related to the general fields of clinical and counseling psychology and developmental and educational psychology, child and adolescent psychology is a distinct field of study and practice. Child and adolescent psychologists are mental health professionals who specialize in child and adolescent growth, development, and learning. They assist children and adolescents in meeting the challenges and opportunities unique to their stages of life and situations, as well as deal with adverse experiences, including trauma.
Mission
The M.A. program in Child and Adolescent Psychology is intended to graduate knowledgeable and service-oriented professionals who can effectively address the mental health needs of children and adolescents; who can understand and appreciate, apply, and evaluate trends and advances in the field; and who integrate spirituality into their study and practice.
Admission Requirements
The program is open to those with a bachelor's degree in psychology from a regionally accredited institution. An official transcript from the attended university is required.
Applicants apply online using an application form that collects personal data as well as a 500-word essay in English that outlines why the candidate would like to pursue this program and summarizes personal background that is relevant to their application. All applicants should provide two letters of recommendation from referees who are not family members or friends and who have worked closely with the applicant in the academic or work environments, ideally with some research component. The referees should be familiar with the applicant’s work habits, motivation, and ability to work creatively and independently. Applicants must also submit their resume (educational background and related scientific, social, and occupational activities). Eligible applicants will be invited for an interview.
The applicants are required to present proof of English proficiency at the level of the "International English Language Testing System" (IELTS) 6.5 in each of writing, reading, comprehension & expression. This can be assessed by an IELTS, the "Test of English as a Foreign Language" (TOEFL) or equivalent.
All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.
At present, the program can admit a maximum number of 15 students.
Curriculum
The following summarizes the course requirements:
Required courses: 12 courses of 3 credit hours each, with six to eight of the courses taken the first year and four to six courses taken the second year, for a total 36 credit hours.
Practicum: One semester (200 hours) of Practicum in Child and Adolescent Psychology during the second year, 3 credits taken in total.
Supervised Internship: Five hundred (500) hours of a supervised internship after completion of the required courses and practicum.
- PSY5203: Child and Adolescent Growth and Development (3 Credit Hours)
- PSY5206: Theories of Child and Adolescent Counseling and Psychotherapy (3 Credit Hours)
- PSY5210: Research Methods for the Child and Adolescent Psychology (3 Credit Hours)
- PSY5201: Child Counseling and Psychopathology (3 Credit Hours)
- PSY5209: Parent Education and Therapy in the Family System (3 Credit Hour)
- PSY5205: Assessment in Child and Adolescent Psychology and Counseling (3 Credit Hours)
- PSY5202: Counseling Techniques with Children and Adolescents (3 Credit Hours)
- PSY5207: Ethical Issues in Counseling Children and Adolescents (3 Credit Hours)
- PSY5213: Cultural Diversity in Child Psychology and Counseling (3 Credit Hours)
- PSY5211: Introduction to Substance Abuse Counseling for Adolescents (3 Credit Hours )
- PSY5208: Counseling Interventions for Childhood Trauma (3 Credit Hours)
- PSY5212: Play and Art Therapy with Children (3 Credit Hours)
- PSY5214: Practicum for Child and Adolescent Psychology (3 Credit Hours), 200 hours
- PSY5215: Internship for Child and Adolescent Counseling (6 Credit Hours), 500 hours