Psychology: Mental Health Concentration, MS

Psychology Graduate Degree Programs

The School of Psychology offers two Master of Science degrees and two graduate level certificates. The degrees are Counseling Psychology and Psychology. The graduate certificates are in Psychology and Child and Adolescent Psychology. The graduate psychology programs of Avila University are part of a values-based community of learning which respects the worth and dignity of all persons.

These purposes are accomplished through rigorous courses of study that focus on the integration of psychological theory and application. Each program’s curriculum is designed around sets of educational outcomes that specify the knowledge and skills students are expected to demonstrate upon graduation. Successful graduates will demonstrate an understanding of people and situations they can expect to encounter in their professional lives.

Admissions

Please see the Admissions  page of this catalog. In addition to those requirements, applicants must also submit:

1. A completed online application, including a statement of purpose/letter of intent and current resume.
2. Two letters of recommendation:
   1. Letters of recommendation should be from previous faculty, supervisors, or community leaders who are able to assess the potential future success of the applicant in a graduate program;
   2. Family members, familial-type relations, and friends are expressly prohibited from being recommenders.
3. Background check (counseling psychology applicants only):
   1. The background check is considered separately from all other admission criteria when determining admission eligibility. Applicants will sign a release when submitting the online application giving permission to Avila University to obtain a background check through Validity Screening Solutions.

Applicants for degree seeking admission who do not meet minimum requirements for regular admission may be considered for regular admission with a student status as good standing or probation. All students who complete application files will be considered for an admission decision, which includes admission, denial of admission, or admission in a non-degree seeking category. Students admitted on probation may have probationary conditions set at the point of admission. All degree seeking applicants should apply for regular admission.

If admitted, the admission decision will also contain the admitted student status. An applicant, whose coursework does not reflect a foundation in psychology, as determined by the school, may be required to complete prerequisite coursework during the first semester of attendance.

Applicants who have previously completed a degree in counseling psychology, counseling, or have been licensed in a mental health profession are ineligible for the M.S. in Counseling Psychology program.

Transfer Credit

Transfer applicants may request an evaluation of transfer credit once admitted to the program by completing an Evaluation of Transfer Credit Request form. Students in the psychology degree program may request the transfer of up to 9 credit hours. Students in the counseling psychology program may request transfer credit for up to 15 graduate level credit hours. Quarter hours may be transferred to meet specific course requirements, but will only be counted for equivalent hours. The awarding of any transfer credit is at the discretion of the school.

If a previous graduate degree was completed at Avila University, a minimum of 24 additional, non-duplicative credit hours must be taken for any subsequent graduate degree. All previous hours completed for a different degree program may be counted as transfer credit.

Psychology Schedule

The Avila Psychology degree programs are offered in a traditional semester format, primarily in the evenings. The counseling psychology practicum and internship experiences may require day and weekend time commitments. The research concentrations in both degree programs may require lab experiences during daytime hours.

Master of Science Degree in Psychology

The Master of Science degree in Psychology is a 36 credit hour degree program that provides students with a solid foundation of the diverse research, theory, and practices of psychology. The degree is designed for students interested in preparing for doctoral programs in psychology as well as for students interested in pursuing careers in non-clinical settings.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science degree in Psychology requires 36 credit hours of graduate coursework that students must complete within seven years, maintaining a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.

Student Status within the Psychology Program

Good Standing

1. Has successfully met all entrance requirements; and
2. Has maintained an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better with no grade below “C.” Only six credit hours of “C” grades are allowed in the Psychology program. The Department of Psychology determines for which courses a grade of “C” is allowed.

Probation

1. Newly admitted Psychology students may be classified as “probationary” if any portion of their entrance requirements is less than required. The probationary student must maintain a 3.0 grade point average for the first nine credit hours of graduate coursework. The student will be eligible for reevaluation at the end of that period.
2. A student may change status from “Good Standing” to “Probation” if any of the following criteria are met: overall grade point average falls below 3.0, the student received a grade of “D” or lower during any semester, or the student has been placed on a remediation plan.
3. Students on probation have nine credit hours in which to return their grade point average to 3.0 or above to regain “Good Standing.” Failure to raise their grade point average may lead to dismissal from the program.

Psychology Required Courses

All students are required to complete:

• PY 612 - Advanced Cognitive Processes (3)
• PY 617 - Research Design & Analysis I (3)
• PY 621 - Advanced Developmental Psychology (3)
• PY 627 - Research Design & Analysis II (3)
• PY 650 - Biological Bases of Behavior (3)
• PY 655 - Advanced Social Psychology (3)

Mental Health Concentration

Students interested in pursuing professional, non-clinical opportunities in mental health should select this concentration. Beyond the required courses, students must complete:

• PY 687 - Community Project I (3)
• PY 689 - Community Project II (3)

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• 12 credit hours from the following:

• PY 622 - Addictions (3)
• PY 623 - Drugs & Behavior (3)
• PY 630 - Theories of Counseling (3)
• PY 641 - Topics in Abnormal Child & Adolescent Psychology (1-3)
• PY 647 - Research Experience I (1-2)
• PY 656 - Multicultural Counseling (3)
• PY 680 - Selected Topics (1-3)
• PY 681 - Human Sexuality (3)

4 + 1 Accelerated Program

Master of Science degree in Psychology 4+1 Accelerated Program

The School of Psychology offers a 4 + 1 accelerated program to outstanding undergraduate Avila psychology students allowing a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Psychology to be earned in as few as five years. Through admission to the 4 + 1 program, undergraduate students with senior standing may earn up to 12 credit hours at the graduate level to be counted toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. 

Interested students should submit a 4 + 1 Program Application to the School of Psychology. The admission process should be started early to ensure timely consideration. Students may consult with the school chair and the enrollment and retention manager prior to applying. 

Initial admission is for entry into the 4+1 program to earn graduate credits during the senior year of the bachelor’s degree. Students must complete a second application through graduate admissions for entry into the graduate program.

Accelerated 4+1 Admission Requirements

1.       Declared major in Psychology at Avila University

2.       Advanced standing and minimum overall and Avila University 3.25 GPAs

3.       A minimum of 18 credit hours completed in psychology courses with a minimum 3.5 GPA in the major

4.       4 + 1 application

Meeting minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission into the accelerated option. All completed application files will be reviewed by the School of Psychology faculty. A denial decision to the accelerated option does not preclude future admission into the Psychology graduate degree program.

Once admitted, a 3.0 GPA in all graduate and undergraduate coursework must be maintained, with no grades below a “B” at the graduate level. Failure to meet these minimum requirements may result in removal from the accelerated option. 

Students must apply through the regular admission process to continue in the graduate program after completion of their bachelor’s degree.

Outcomes

1. Scientific Reasoning and Research Skills: Students will demonstrate an understanding of how scientific methodologies are employed in psychology to describe, explain, predict, and influence behavior and mental processes.
2. Psychological Knowledge: Students will demonstrate content knowledge in psychology and describe important concepts and theories and explain how these are interrelated.
3. Application of Psychological Principles: Students will apply psychological concepts and theories.
4. Communication: Students will demonstrate competence in writing and speaking in a professional, clear, well-organized, scholarly manner.

Assessment

The outcomes for the graduate psychology degree programs will be assessed through a combination of written and performance examinations and assignments in addition to self, peer, instructor, and psychology faculty evaluations and reviews. These outcomes will be outlined in detail in individual course syllabi. Benchmarks for assessment are internally set by the school. Students may also obtain a copy of these outcomes in the Graduate Psychology Student Handbook.