Oct 14, 2024  
2024 2025 Academic Catalog 
    
2024 2025 Academic Catalog

Counseling, M.S.

Location(s): Main Campus


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Bates Hall
Telephone: (203) 576-4173
Telephone: (203) 576- 4585

Admissions Requirements

The University has a rolling admissions policy. To be fully admitted applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accred­ited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 but will consider students with lower GPA’s for highly qualified applicants. Applicants are expected to have earned a B or better in at least 9 credits of psychol­ogy coursework (graduate or undergraduate) such as Personality Theories, Abnormal Psy­chology, or Clinical Psychology. They must also successfully complete the supplemental application portfolio which includes personal references, a writing assignment, and an of­ficial transcript.

Program Prerequisites

Bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, from an accredited university or recognized interna­tional institution

  • Undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 but they will consider stu­dents with lower GPA’s for highly quali­fied applicants.
  • Nine credits in undergraduate psychology coursework with a grade of B or higher.
  • Applicants need a minimum of three un­dergraduate credits in psychology, prefer­ably Abnormal Psychology, Human De­velopment and Research Methods.
  • Minimum of 6-9 months of field experi­ence working in social service agencies, mental health professions or substance use intervention sites.

Required Materials

University of Bridgeport graduate applica­tion

$50 application fee (non-refundable):

  • Checks or money orders should be made payable to the University of Bridgeport
  • Official transcripts from every school at­tended
  • International transcripts must include an official course-by-course evaluation of all academic work from an accredited aca­demic evaluating service

Two recommendation letters:

  • Letters must be signed and come from employers, professors or professional as­sociates
  • Clinical mental health counseling appli­cants must obtain at least one recommen­dation letter from someone who can attest to field experience

Personal Statement

In 250-500 words, detail your interest in the counseling program, your relevant academic and personal experience, and describe your professional plans

  • Resume
  • Interview

Applicants who meet the minimum re­quirements will be invited for a personal interview.

Deadlines

Completed application and all supporting documents must be received by:

  • May 1 for priority consideration, July 1 (fi­nal deadline) for the fall semester
  • October 1 for priority consideration, De­cember 1 (final deadline) for the spring semester

It is highly recommended that you meet our priority deadline as program space is limited.

In addition to the general admissions re­quirements listed above, candidates in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Concen­tration must demonstrate sustained experi­ence in the field of Counseling. A personal interview is also required.

Applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university but do not meet one or more of the above cri­teria may be admitted provisionally. Those without the recommended background in Psychology may be required to take addi­tional psychology-related coursework as part of their degree program.

Programs

The Counseling Program offers a Master of Science degree in Counseling with a concen­tration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. In addition to the master’s degree, a Certifi­cate of Advanced Study (CAS) is offered for those who wish to take specialized courses beyond the masters and/or complete licen­sure requirements. Students who apply to one program and wish to transfer to another must apply to change programs.

Upon entry into a program, students plan an individualized plan of studies with their advisor in which graduate transfer credit of no more than six credits may be included. While students can take courses at their own pace, all of the counseling degree programs require a minimum of two years to complete. There is a set sequence of courses for each concentration and some courses have pre­requisites. Courses are offered once a year, typically in the evening or on weekends. In addition, there is a seven year time limit for completion of all degree requirements.

Typically students take two-four courses each term. Many students have full or part-time employment. Although it is possible to take all course work in the late afternoon, evening, or on weekends, some additional time during the day may be required to meet course expectations. This is especially true for internship placement.

Professional Licensure

Students interested in licensure should con­sult the state in which they wish to practice for specific requirements. The State of Con­necticut requires a 60 credit master’s degree. Specific areas of coursework are also re­quired. In addition, candidates for licensure must complete supervised clinical experienc­es and obtain a qualifying score on a stan­dardized examination. Students who wish to pursue licensure should select the Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration.

Certificate of Advanced Study

For individuals who hold a master’s degree in Counseling or a closely related field but lack one or more of the requirements for licen­sure as a professional counselor, the Coun­seling Program offers a specialized program of study leading to a Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in Clinical Mental Health Coun­seling. The requirements of this program are individualized to the needs and goals of each student and consist of 30 credits.

Practicum

The practicum is designed to allow students to develop their counseling skills in a closely supervised setting. The course instructor, student’s advisor, and site supervisor deter­mine appropriate practicum activities. Ac­tivities could include observing/shadowing, attending staff meetings, tutoring, advising, interviewing professional staff members, studying materials and procedure manuals, and other support functions.

Internship

Following the practicum and pre-requisite courses, students will pursue an internship. The goal of the internship is to further de­velop and refine the skills established during practicum. You are eligible for the internship component of your program after completing the required coursework and approval from faculty. The internship is the heart of the master’s degree training program in Coun­seling at the University of Bridgeport (UB). It provides a venue within which students receive the guidance necessary for develop­ment as an entry-level counselor. Program faculties provide didactic and experiential training, which serves as the foundation for the development of skills necessary for inde­pendent work in clinical settings. The intern­ship operationalizes this training and, in the person of the clinical supervisor, personifies the profession with which the intern ideally identifies. Therefore, careful consideration should be given to the type of internship site that you choose and you should discuss this closely with your advisor. Successful intern­ship training can only occur when program faculty and site supervisors form a close col­laborative relationship with the mission of providing quality training and the develop­ment of the intern as a whole person. In­ternships are not guaranteed and approval to attend internship is dependent upon stu­dents’ performance both interpersonally and academically. Internships must be completed over two semesters, typically over the course of a full academic year, starting in the fall and ending in the spring.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates in Clinical Mental Health Counsel­ing will:

Evidence understanding of the role of a counselor; including ethical practice, coun­selor behaviors and professional associations

As measured by: Internship, Participation in professional associations, C570, C568

Demonstrate knowledge, awareness and skills requisite for counseling persons from different cultural contexts and of different levels of ability

As measured by: C512,C545, Internship, CPCE

Apply counseling theories, techniques and intervention to practice; in individual and group settings

As measured by: C505, C570, Internship, C512, C540

Demonstrate knowledge of the ethical use of appraisal instruments

As measured by: C582, CPCE

Demonstrate an ability to diagnose mental health status

As measured by: C515, Internship

Demonstrate an ability to review counseling research and integrate its contribution to spe­cific areas of knowledge

As measured by: C535, CPCE

Demonstrate knowledge of, and skills in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

As measured by: Cumulative Exam

Summary of Requirements


Masters students in the Division of Counseling are required to complete the following courses:

Concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) - 60 Credit(s) minimum


The concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is designed to prepare students for work as mental health counselors and requires advanced coursework in clinical skills, psychopathology, appraisal procedures, addiction, and psychotherapeutic techniques.

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