The Counseling and Psychological Services, M.S.Ed. is a full-time, one-calendar-year master’s program that prepares graduates to work as mental health specialists, therapists, researchers, or school counselors. Graduates provide psychological services for children, adolescents, college students, families, or adults. The Counseling and Psychological Services, M.S.Ed. is the first track to be completed by students seeking specialized study in professional counseling or psychology. Advanced study is based on students’ choice of specializations.
Many opportunities exist for student/faculty dialogue on professional issues. The coursework and practical experience therefore work together to reinforce the development of the student's emerging professional identity and to prepare the student for a successful counseling and psychological career. Please see our
FAQ page.
Degree Requirements:
The Counseling and Psychological Services M.S.Ed. Program requires a minimum of 10 course units (30 credits) of approved graduate work, a two-semester practicum experience, and satisfactory completion of a comprehensive examination.
Core Courses in Professional Orientation & Identity, Practice, Assessment, Group Work, Research & Program Evaluation, and Helping Relationships:
EDUC 613 Group Counseling
EDUC 667 Introductory Statistics Education Research
EDUC 686 Psychological Intervention
EDUC 687 Ethics and Professional Principles in Counseling Psychology
EDUC 688 Psychological Practicum Lecture (2 semesters)
EDUC 688 Psychological Practicum (2 semesters)
EDUC 782 Advanced Psychological Assessment
Course Selections in Social & Cultural Diversity:
EDUC 663 – Sociocultural Foundations of Applied Psychology
EDUC 522 – Psychology of the African American
EDUC 574 – Race/Ethnicity in Human Development
EDUC 581 – Advanced Psychology of Women
EDUC 612 – Interactional Processes with LGBT Individuals
Course Selections in Human Growth & Development:
EDUC 560 – Human Development
EDUC 561 – Adolescent Development
EDUC 557 – Interactional Processes with Adolescents
EDUC 580 – Interactional Processes with Children
EDUC 558 – Interactional Processes with Young Adults
Practicum Experience:
The two-semester, 224 hour practicum experience provides the opportunity for students to learn and practice counseling skills in a professional and supportive environment. Students select placements from GSE's pool of high-quality training sites including mental health centers, schools, research centers, hospitals, and colleges. Students receive supervision both on-site and in a small seminar group format.
During the first semester of Track 1: Counseling and Psychological Services, M.S.Ed. Program, Students may apply for advanced study in Professional Counseling and Psychology Specialization Tracks.
Specialization Tracks:
-Track 2-School Counseling and Certification 16 course units (48 credits) and a minimum 300 hour internship to obtain Elementary or Secondary School Counseling Certification for the State of Pennsylvania.
-Track 3-Professional Counseling, M.Phil.Ed., leading to Licensure (LPC) 20 course units (60 credits) and a 600 hour internship to obtain required preparation toward licensure as a Professional Counselor (LPC). [immediately following Track 1 year] Taken consecutively, the two one-year programs are designed to give students a continuous two-year program and increased field experiences, as required for preparation toward licensure as a Professional Counselor. The Professional Counseling, M.Phil.Ed. track can also be done part time with immediate matriculation into the program upon completion of the Counseling and Psychological Services M.S.Ed. Program year, and continuous course registration through degree completion.
Specialization Track Options:
-Students may choose a combined program in School Counseling Certification and Professional Counseling (LPC). [immediately following Track 1 year]
-Students may choose to find employment or continue their studies by pursuing a doctoral degree at another institution after completing Track 1: Counseling and Psychological Services M.S.Ed.
Application Requirements
-Penn GSE Application
-Satisfactory grades at the undergraduate level in Introductory Psychology and
-Introductory Statistics courses are prerequisites for matriculation into the Counseling and Psychological Services program.
-GRE Scores (as reported by ETS)
-Statement of purpose
-Three letters of recommendation (at least one letter must be from a former professor) -Academic transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions
-International applicants must also supply the score report from the TOEFL or IELTS examinations
Candidates may be requested to attend group interview sessions as part of the admissions process.
Application Deadline
Applications for the M.S.Ed. degree are reviewed on a rolling basis until the degree program is full. The M.S.Ed. Program accepts full-time applications for study. Full-time students begin the program in the fall. Part-time study is available only to Penn employees.
Program Faculty
Nichelle Davis Ahmaddiya, M.S.Ed., University of Pennsylvania
Helen Hamlet, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Michael Nakkula, ED.D., Harvard Graduate School of Education
Caroline Watts, ED.D. Harvard Graduate School of Education
Contact Information
Contact Information: Evelyn A. Jordan, Division Coordinator, Applied Psychology-Human Development Division, University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of Education, 3700 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6216
evelynj@gse.upenn.edu 215-898-4610
