The graduate programs in Counseling Psychology, School Psychology, and Counselor Education (CoPE) include several distinct areas of specialization that are designed to provide the knowledge and skills needed for practice and scholarship in counseling and related human service professions. These fields are concerned with assisting people individually, in groups, and in organizations to attain their optimal level of personal, social, educational, and career functioning. Graduates are employed in a variety of settings including schools, colleges and universities, mental health agencies, business and industry, government agencies, and other community service and practice facilities. Depending on the specific area of specialization and level of training, program graduates may serve as researchers, educators, supervisors, psychologists, counselors, or program administrators. Master's level rofessional entry-level training is offered in the School Counseling program, which prepares students to become school counselors in elementary, middle, and high school settings School counselors are leaders, advocates, and systemic change agents who provide individual and group counseling to school-aged children, develop and implement comprehensive developmental school counseling programs, and collaborate with all key stakeholders, including classroom teachers, school administrators, parents, and community members, to ensure the academic, personal-social, and college-career development of students.
The Ph.D. degree is offered in two areas of specialization: Counseling Psychology (in collaboration with the Psychology Department) and School Psychology. Doctoral studies prepare students to achieve exceptional competence in the theory and practice of their field, to develop a high level of skills as researchers, educators and administrators, and to assume positions of leadership in relevant settings. Students in the specialization of Counseling Psychology are prepared to work as researchers, educators, psychologists, and supervisors in such settings as academic departments, college and university counseling centers, and community mental health agencies. Doctoral-level school psychologists serve as researchers, university faculty, supervisors, administrators, and advanced level practitioners. Program accreditation within CoPE includes: The School Psychology and Counseling Psychology doctoral programs are accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). The School Psychology doctoral program is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), and is also approved for certification by the Maryland State Department of Education. The School Counseling masters program is approved by the Maryland State Department of Education.
