Program Overview
The Master of Counselling Psychology (MCP), in alignment with Adler University’s scholar-practitioner model, prepares students to be knowledgeable and effective in the application of foundational theories and methods of counselling practice. The program offers comprehensive and personalized graduate degree training that qualifies students to practice as counselling professionals in primarily a Canadian context. There is an emphasis on developing self-reflexive and ethically aware practitioners who are educated both theoretically and practically in socially responsible practice. There are four program objectives: (1) to train graduates to ethically assess and skillfully intervene to support psychological and emotional well-being in a wide range of populations with the attitudes, knowledge, and skills needed to work professionally with diverse clients; (2) to train graduates to use self-reflexivity, self-awareness, and lifelong learning for personal and professional development and competence; (3) to develop graduates who have learned how to critique the literature and can apply literature-based and research-based foundations of counselling psychology practice to their work; and (4) to develop graduates who embrace a socially responsible counselling practice and who have the ability to identify and apply goals and tasks that further social justice and foster inclusive and healthy communities rooted in Adler University’s mission towards social interest.
Graduates of the program are well prepared for a wide variety of mental health positions in human service agencies and organizations in both the public and private sectors.
Graduates of this program are eligible to apply for membership registration with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (bc-counsellors.org) and/or the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (ccpa-accp.ca). Students are advised that licensure requirements are under review in various jurisdictions in Canada and are encouraged to regularly consult about current requirements. Students are advised to consult with the training director prior to starting the clinical practicum, as individual practicum training experiences may differ, and some students may need additional postgraduate experience or supervision hours to meet certification requirements. Students who intend to practice in locations other than the province of British Columbia are also encouraged to consult with the appropriate association, agency, or board relevant to local certification or licensure requirements.
Graduation Requirements
1. Satisfactory completion of 55 credit hours, including all required “courses.
2. Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 700 clock hours of clinical practicum and 200 clock hours of Social Justice Practicum.
3. A cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher and no more than two courses or six credit hours of C.
4. Successful completion of the Master’s Clinical Qualifying Examination.
5. Submission of completed graduation application and full payment of all outstanding tuition and fees.
Admissions Requirements
At Adler University, we take great pride in our diverse student body. Students represent a wide range of professional interests, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and academic and work histories. We admit individuals with a record of outstanding academic achievement and a commitment to social responsibility.
To be considered for admission, an applicant must meet the following criteria:
• A baccalaureate degree or equivalent from an accredited institution, preferably in psychology or counselling-related discipline.
• A GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all undergraduate or graduate coursework.
• The equivalent of at least 12 semester credit hours in baccalaureate-level psychology coursework with a grade of C or better These courses must include introductory psychology, abnormal psychology, research methods, and a fourth foundational course in lifespan/development.
• Coursework or volunteer/work experience that involves the use of counselling-related skills and demonstrates counselling capacity is required.
Approved applicants will be evaluated through a writing sample and interview as the final step in the application process. Students must complete all coursework required for the program at Adler University Vancouver Campus. The only exceptions to this policy are any courses accepted for transfer credit in accordance with the University’s official Transfer Credit policy. For full details about our admissions requirements, visit adler.edu.
Practicum - Vancouver Campus
An integral part of the Master’s in Counselling Psychology program at Adler is the acquisition of practical counselling and scholarly skills gained in field placements. Ongoing involvement in counselling and scholarly activities at professional training sites gives students the closely supervised opportunity to apply and further develop the knowledge, skills, values, and competencies they gain in coursework. Practicum training requirements begin with a first-year Social Justice Practicum (SJP) that focuses on developing skills related to community-based interventions, advocacy, social justice, and systemic interventions that benefit human welfare and well-being. Counselling training provided in students’ second practicum focuses on developing the competencies needed to prepare students for entry-level practice at graduation. Because the focus is on integrating master’s-level education at Adler with master’s-level supervised counselling training, no transfer credit is granted for practica credits earned elsewhere. Students must successfully complete course prerequisites prior to being approved to begin their counselling practicum.
Social Justice Practicum (SJP)
Students completing first-year coursework will spend eight to 10 hours per week over the course of six months at an approved SJP site and must concurrently enroll in required coursework. A minimum of 200 clock hours of SJP is required. Students should contact the Manager of Community Action & Engagement, Vancouver Campus.
Socially Responsible Practice (SRP) Portfolio
Students must complete 50 hours of SRP-related programming offered by or required by the program, campus, and/or University. These 50 SRP hours must be completed before the students sits for the MCQE.
Clinical Practicum
After completion of all first-year coursework, students should expect to spend at least two days per week over the course of eight to 12 months at an approved counselling practicum site and must concurrently enroll in practicum seminars during their first two semesters of field experience. A minimum 700 total clock hours of counselling practica are required, which is further outlined in program descriptions within this catalog. The Training Director collaborates with students to identify and obtain counselling practicum opportunities that meet the standards and requirements of the program. Students should refer to the Practicum Handbook, available on Adler Connect, for detailed information.
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