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FAQ: Master's Program in Counseling and Psychological Services
Applied Psychology-Human Development Division
For applicants:
For new students:
What are the requirements to get in the program?
Students do not have to have an undergraduate degree in psychology. Prior to matriculation in the program, you must have completed courses in Introductory Psychology and Elementary Statistics, with grades of B or better. In addition, students must take the GRE General Test. The GRE Subject Test in Psychology is not required.
I don’t have a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Will this be a problem for me?
No. Many of our students were not psychology majors as undergraduate students. Satisfactory completion (i.e., a grade of B or better) of Introductory Psychology and Elementary Statistics are required prior to matriculation into the program.
What is the minimum GPA required for entering students?
While there is no “cut-off” for GPA, students should have achieved at least an overall B average while an undergraduate student. The average overall GPA of admitted students in the past few years has been a 3.37 with a range of 2.8 to 3.98.
What is the minimum GRE score required for entering students?
There is no “cut-off” score for the GRE. The average GRE V+Q score of admitted students in the past few years has been 1129 with a range of 910 - 1400.
I'm a Penn undergrad. Can I submatriculate into the Psychological Services program?
Undergraduate students at the University of Pennsylvania are eligible to apply for an accelerated program of master's degree study by seeking admission to the Graduate School of Education as submatriculants. Submatriculation may occur in the junior or senior year, but not before. A submatriculant takes graduate education courses while continuing to enroll in the undergraduate college. A maximum of two graduate level education courses may be "double counted" toward requirements for both the undergraduate and graduate degrees. In order to count these courses toward the master's degree, a grade of 3.0 (B) or better must be earned. In addition, you must be admitted as a submatriculant prior to taking these graduate courses. To apply as a submatriculant, you should do the following:
(1) During your junior year, see Dr. Srilata Gangulee in the College Office to pick up the College application for submatriculation.
(2) Arrange for an appointment with the Coordinator of the Master's Program in Counseling and Psychological Services to complete the application for submatriculation (which includes a planned program of study).
(3) See the undergraduate chair of your current major department for approval to proceed.
(4) Return the completed application for submatriculation to Dr. Gangulee.
(5) Complete and submit the Graduate School of Education Admissions application (which includes letters of recommendation, transcript, statement of purpose, and GRE General Test scores).
All paperwork must be approved and submitted during the fall of your senior year at the latest. You may enroll in the GSE courses which will "double count" only after being admitted to the master's program and after receiving approval from your major department and the College. Further information is available in the GSE Student Handbook and from the College of Arts and Sciences.
How long is the program?
The program is one-calendar year in duration. Most students begin the program in September and finish in August of the following year. Some students decide to take one or two courses in the summer so that they can finish in May. There is no disadvantage to beginning the program in September.
Can I attend the program part-time?
The program is for full-time students only. The only exception to this is for full-time Penn employees who are accepted into the program. Penn employees who wish to attend the program part-time should schedule a meeting with the Program Coordinator as soon as possible in order to map out a plan of study.
What does school counselor certification involve?
Completion of a one-year Master’s program in psychology is not sufficient to become eligible for certification as a School Counselor. During the fall semester of the Counseling and Psychological Services, M.S.Ed. Program, Students may apply for advanced study in the Professional Counseling and Psychology Specialization for School Counseling Certification, Track 2. This involves an additional 6 courses after the Counseling and Psychological Services, M.S.Ed. Program's 10 course curriculum, and a 300 hour internship in a school.
Can I be licensed after this program?
Completion of a one-year Master’s program in psychology is not sufficient to become eligible for licensure. During the fall semester of the Counseling and Psychological Services, M.S.Ed. Program, Students may apply for advanced study in the Professional Counseling and Psychology Specialization for Professional Counseling, leading to Licensure (LPC), Track 3. This involves an additional 10 courses after the Counseling and Psychological Services, M.S.Ed. Program's 10 course curriculum, and a 600 hour internship in a counseling setting.
What courses do I need to take? What is a typical course schedule?
In order to complete the Counseling and Psychological Services, M.S.Ed. Program,, you need to take at least 10 course units (equivalent of 30 credits of other institutions). Your specific plan of study will vary, depending on your goals (e.g., enrolling in a doctoral program in the future, completing the requirements to become eligible for licensure as a professional counselor or as a school counselor).
Fall Semester
- EDUC686 – Psychological Interventions
- EDUC687 – Ethics and Professional Principles in Counseling Psychology
- EDUC688 – Psychological Practicum
- EDUC782 – Psychological Assessment I
Spring Semester
- Sociocultural Elective
- Research Course (for those intending to apply to Track 3, Professional Counseling, leading to Licensure)
- OR Curriculum Course (for those intending to apply to Track 2,the School Counseling Certification program)
- Human Growth and Development Elective
- EDUC613 – Group Counseling
- EDUC688 – Psychological Practicum
Examples of Approved Sociocultural Electives:
- EDUC522 – Psychology of the African American
- EDUC574 – Race and Ethnicity in Human Development
- EDUC581 – Advanced Psychology of Women
- EDUC612 – Interactional Processes with LGBT Individuals
- EDUC663 – Sociocultural Foundations in Applied Psychology
Examples of Approved Human Growth and Development Electives:
- EDUC557 – Interactional Processes with Adolescents
- EDUC560 – Human Development
- EDUC561 – Adolescent Development
EDUC580 – Interactional Processes with Children
Summer Semester
Students will enroll in 1 – 4 courses, depending upon the track they intend to pursue.
There are two summer semesters, each lasting 6 weeks. During the summer session, class meetings are two times per week. Students may schedule their summer courses over the two sessions, or may take them in one session. Please note that it is very difficult to take three courses in one summer session, and it is not recommended.
How do I find out about financial aid?
Information about financial aid can be located on GSE’s Financial Aid Office website http://www.gse.upenn.edu/admissions_financial/.
What is the difference between a school counselor and a school psychologist?
A school counselor typically provides counseling and guidance services to students. In order to be employed as a school counselor, you will need to be certified by the state department of education. Please note that each state varies in their certification regulations and requirements.
A school psychologist provides a very specialized service – school psychologists are the only school staff who can conduct psychoeducational assessments and thereby make recommendations regarding the need for special education services. School psychologists may also do counseling, but this varies by school and by district. In many school districts, school psychologists are responsible for covering many schools and almost exclusively do assessments and write reports. In these districts, school counselors are responsible for day-to-day counseling needs of students.
Is there any reading I should be doing prior to the start of the program?
Although there are no assigned summer readings prior to the program, a few students choose to do a small amount of review reading in the area of psychology. Readings usually focus on related sections of an introduction to psychology textbook (i.e., theories of counseling, assessment, ethics, and human development) and other students find it useful to review an introduction to statistics textbook.
Is it possible to take a summer course that would count toward my M.S.Ed. degree?
Yes, a few students choose to take a summer course for various reasons. Some students like to begin their coursework in the summer when the program is at a slower pace. You will not be at a disadvantage if you choose to begin the program in September. If you wish to take a course during the summer, you must contact the Applied Psychology-Human Development Division Coordinator at evelynj@gse.upenn.edu about enrolling for the summer.
When and how do I choose my practicum? Should I be looking for my own practicum?
Information concerning the practicum selection process is mailed to students during the summer. In order to be able to participate in the process, it is important that students return the required forms by the due date. Part-time Penn employees who are students in the program only need to return the paperwork if they are going to be doing their practicum assignment in the upcoming year.
In September (after classes have started), students review the files on practicum sites. Placement assignments are made toward the end of September, and students are expected to be working at their sites during the first week of October. An informational meeting about the selection process will be held during the first week of EDUC688.
Some students prefer to establish a practicum that they find themselves (i.e., they know school administrators at a school close to where they live or would like to pursue a specific practicum that they locate themselves). If this is the case, you must contact the Field Placement Coordinator as soon as possible to discuss the potential site and the related requirements for establishing a site. DO NOT CONTACT THE SITE BEFORE DISCUSSING THE POSSIBILITY WITH THE FIELD PLACEMENT COORDINATOR. Not every site will be appropriate, so you only want to contact a site after you know that it has the potential of meeting the requirements necessary to be established as a practicum site. The process takes time, so please do not wait to contact the Field Placement Coordinator if you have questions about establishing a specific site. Typically, students need to begin working on this prior to the start of summer.
Do you have practicum placements outside of Philadelphia?
As a university in an urban setting, the majority of our practicum placement sites are located within Philadelphia. While we do have some sites that are located in suburban PA and in NJ, there are not many of these. If you would prefer a site outside of the city, you should review the procedures for establishing your own practicum site.
Do I have to do my practicum in a school setting if I want to be certified as a school counselor?
All students in the Counseling and Psychological Services, M.S.Ed., program complete a two semester practicum experience. The practicum may be completed in a variety of counseling settings. Some students elect to work in a school setting, while others decide to gain exposure to a different type of setting. Thereafter, students who matriculate into the Track 2 specialization for School Counseling Certification must complete an internship in a school setting.
Course registration for the first semester of the Counseling and Psychological Services M.S.Ed. is done for you by the division coordinator. You may check your registrations at any time via Penn In-Touch (https://sentry.isc.upenn.edu/intouch/). The courses you will take in the fall are required courses (EDUC686, EDUC687, EDUC688, EDUC782). Please refer to the GSE Academic Calendar for dates regarding the fall drop/add period (GSE will be sending you the calendar in the mail, or you can check the calendar online http://www.gse.upenn.edu/degrees_programs/acadcal.php)
Who is my advisor? How often do I need to meet with my advisor?
You will be assigned an academic advisor at the beginning of the fall semester in the Master’s Program in Counseling and Psychological Services.
You are not required to have an advising appointment prior to the start of classes in the fall, since all students take the same core courses. You will meet with the Field Placement Coordinator in September in order to discuss practicum assignments.
At a minimum, you also should meet with your advisor in the fall and spring, prior to the Advance Registration periods in order to discuss your spring and summer courses and to complete the Planned Program of Study for your specialization track.
Where will I live?
This question varies from person to person depending on needs and interests. If you are planning to live on-campus, the number for On-Campus Housing is (215) 898-8271. If you wish to live off-campus you may find it helpful to contact Penn’s office of Off-Campus Housing (215) 898-8500. The Off-Campus Housing website also is very informative; it gives brief descriptions of various neighborhoods, lists what type of lease to avoid signing, and explains your legal rights as a tenant. Information about various housing options can be found at the following link: http://www.upenn.edu/campus_life/housing/index.html.
Other helpful links for finding off-campus housing include:
http://www.PhiladelphiaWeekly.com/ (free weekly newspaper with many rental ads)
http://www.philly.com/ (link to the major Philadelphia newspapers)
http://www.philadelphia-apartments.net
http://www.apartmentsolutions.com/
http://www.philly-apts.com/
International students may want to consider living at International House, located at 37th and Chestnut Streets. http://www.ihousephilly.org/
How can I learn more about Philadelphia?
http://www.phillyvisitor.com/
http://www.pcvb.org/
http://www.gophila.com/
http://www.upenn.edu/philadelphia/
When will I receive my tuition bill?
The fall tuition bill usually is sent in late September. You must be registered for your courses by the specified dates in order to receive a bill that accurately reflects your course load.
When is orientation?
There are TWO orientations that you are required to attend. One is for the Graduate School of Education (GSE), and the other is specific to Applied Psychology-Human Development Programs (APHD). It is necessary to attend the GSE orientation in order to receive information about school policies and procedures. It is necessary to attend the APHD orientation in order to receive information specific to your degree program, and to meet the faculty. For complete GSE and APHD orientation information, visit the GSE website: http://www.gse.upenn.edu/student_life/
May I work during the year?
We are very aware of the cost of Penn tuition and the need for some students to subsidize the cost of their education. Please remember, however, that you are about to partake in an intensive program and it is difficult to maintain the level of time and energy necessary for both the program (course work and practicum) as well as an outside job. In addition to courses and practicum requirements, there are additional required training workshops, study groups for classes, and some classes may have additional meetings. Finally, students take their core courses in the fall, which are a bit more labor-intensive than some other courses. Students often find it easier to work starting in the spring semester, after completing the core coursework and the comprehensive exams.
What about work study opportunities?
Students who qualify for a work-study position may apply for any of the designated work study positions on campus. The Office of Student Employment (3927 Walnut Street - 215-898-6966) has a current listing of all openings. Their web site (Office of Student Employment) also is useful. There are a limited number of positions within APHD and within GSE. If you are interested in work study in APHD or GSE, please indicate your interest during your first week at Penn.
What is the format of the comprehensive exam? When is the exam?
All M.S.Ed.students must pass a comprehensive exam. The exam is usually scheduled for a Friday in February, in a 4-hour block of time. The comps exam in Counseling and Psychological Services typically consists of three sections: Psychological Practice and Ethics, Psychological Intervention, and Psychological Assessment. The exam usually consists of objective questions. NOTE: The content of sections and number of questions per section may be changed as needed per year.
Sections are graded pass/fail. Students must pass all sections in order to graduate. In the event that a student fails a section, only that section needs to be retaken. Retakes are scheduled for the summer.
How big will my classes be?
The master’s program varies in size each year. The size ranges anywhere from 30 to 45 students. In the fall, all students in the program will be in the same classes. Some classes also might include students from other programs at GSE and at Penn.
In the spring and summer semesters, class size can vary from 7 to 50 students, depending on the class and specialization.
When working on your budget for the year, make sure that you include the summer session(s), as well as housing and living costs. Some of the publications you have received list the tuition for the academic year, as opposed to the calendar year.
Where can I find information about career options?
Monica Tavares (mtavares@pobox.upenn.edu) is the Career Services staff member who works with students at GSE. Monica is a wonderful resource who can help with issues ranging from career decision-making to practicing for an interview. In addition, she maintains an email listserv in order to disseminate information about job listings, workshops, etc. Email her to be added to the listserv.
Career services also has a very helpful website (http://www.upenn.edu/careerservices/gse/gsemain.html)
A searchable database of jobs can be found at http://www.upenn.edu/careerservices/sw/swdb/swdb.html
Upon graduation, our students typically do the following:
Employment:
Administration 11%
Research 11 %
School counseling (elementary, secondary, guidance, college career) 15%
Mental health care (managed care and non-managed care settings) 53%
Continuewith graduate school:
Doctoral program within psychology 10%
When is graduation?
The University of Pennsylvania holds one graduation ceremony per year, in the month of May. Students who have completed 8 of the c.u.’s toward their M.S.Ed. may march in the May graduation ceremony even though they will not complete the program until August. Diplomas are mailed home in the fall after all degree requirements are met.
Whom do I contact if I have questions?
Please feel free to contact the APHD Coordinator, Evelyn Jordan at evelynj@gse.upenn.edu).
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