Psychology, Counseling Specialization, M.A.

Program Overview

Saybrook Seattle’s Counseling program is a face-to-face program, rooted in counselor identity development, through integrated, rigorous course work pursued in six educational conferences each year. The first educational conference for every semester will take place with the larger Saybrook community in Monterey, CA. The following two educational conferences, in each semester, take place at the Bellevue, WA campus. In addition, students will have some online work between ECs, as a way to stay connected to the material, and to the community.

Education within each conference may consist of any or all of the following forms:

• Individual, one-on-one, group work
• focused simulations
• lecture
• videotaped interactive presentations
• consistent feedback from faculty and peers

Professional Licensure: Upon completion of the program students are eligible for licensure in the following states:

Washington

The M.A. Psychology Counseling Specialization program is aligned with the degree and coursework requirements for eligibility to become a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) and/or a licensed marital and family therapist (LMFT) in the State of Washington. Applicants for licensure as an LMHC or an LMFT will also be required to complete a minimum number of hours of post-master’s supervised counseling experience, as well as other state-specific requirements such as examination, application, and background check.  It is the student’s responsibility to determine the licensure requirements required beyond completion of their degree program.  To assist with this research please visit:    

Licensure information for Marriage and Family Therapists in Washington

Licensure information for Mental Health Counselors in Washington

Oregon

Students intending to practice in the State of Oregon must complete the Oregon licensure track which includes additional coursework to meet the requirements for eligibility to become a licensed professional counselor (LPC).  Applicants for licensure as an LPC may also be required to complete a minimum number of hours of post-master’s supervised experience, as well as other state-specific requirements such as examination, application, and background check.  It is the student’s responsibility to determine the licensure requirements beyond completion of their degree program.  To assist with this research please visit:    

   Licensure information for Licensed Professional Counselors in Oregon

Other States

Saybrook’s MA Psychology, Counseling Specialization program is intended to meet the professional licensure requirements of Washington (and Oregon).  It is the student’s responsibility to determine the licensure requirements for any other state.  The Counseling specialization may meet some of the requirements for other states, but additional state-specific approvals or coursework and/or practicum hours may be required beyond the Counseling specialization’s graduation requirements.

Required Course work: The curriculum is based on a systemic, relational, experiential model of education in which the interpersonal relationship and the development of social and emotional intelligence in the self are considered the primary domains of attention around which a scholarly body of knowledge is taught and learned. Courses are permeated with experiential learning opportunities including personal reflection, small group work, and interactive practice where therapeutic competencies are practiced with abundant feedback from student colleagues and faculty.

Counseling Degree Requirements

The Counseling specialization in Psychology requires completion of 51 credits to meet requirements for licensure in the state of Washington. Students seeking counseling licensure in Oregon must complete 60 credits.