Psychology/Clinical Mental Health Counseling - BS/MSED

Program Overview:

Beginning Fall 2022 students interested in Psychology and Clinical Mental Health Counseling should follow the Accelerated program: Psychology BS + Clinical Mental Health Counseling MSED.

The Departments of Psychology and Counseling are located in the School of Mathematics and Sciences and the School of Education, respectively. While there are standalone degrees in Psychology (BS) and Counseling (MSED), this unique program accelerates the undergraduate BS in Psychology from four to three years, including the concentration in Clinical and Counseling Psychology, and combines it with the two year MSED in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. The MSED makes graduates eligible for the NY State license in Mental Health Counseling.

Students who are accepted into the combined, dual degree program do not receive a bachelor’s degree when undergraduate coursework is complete; rather, both the bachelor's (including Clinical/Counseling concentration) and master’s degrees are awarded when all graduate requirements are completed. Students who are accepted into the dual degree program as undergraduates, and who meet all requirements for advancement, are guaranteed acceptance into the graduate program. Also, the proportion of the financial aid coverage provided as freshmen is maintained throughout the program.

Students follow an approved plan of study with guidance from their advisor. Students typically accelerate their progress by completing graduate courses that can be used to fulfill both graduate and undergraduate requirements. This reduces the overall number of credits needed to complete both degrees. Students who are accepted into the dual degree program will take all of the PSY classes that are required in the traditional Psychology major as well as the courses required for the undergraduate concentration in Clinical/Counseling Psychology. Students will also fulfill all liberal education requirements. On the graduate level, students will complete all CSL classes that are required for the traditional MSED program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Two graduate level courses taken in the fall of the fourth year will count toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree requirements. 

The undergraduate portion of this program is completed in three years, including six regular semesters and online summer classes in the first and second years. The graduate portion of this program is typically completed in four semesters including courses in the summers of the third and fourth years. 

Students who transfer in AP credits will have additional opportunities to take non-PSY courses on the undergraduate level.

Program Contacts:

Dr. Ross Krawczyk

Associate Professor of Psychology & Psychology Accelerated program coordinator

Email: krawczyr@strose.edu

Dr. Claudia Lingertat-Putnam

Chair, Counseling, Educational Leadership & Higher Educational Leadership Department

Email: lingertc@strose.edu

Program Requirements:

Requirements for Degree Candidacy

1. Students must maintain a minimum grade of B in all required undergraduate psychology courses in order to remain in this program. A grade of C or Pass is sufficient in non-psychology undergraduate courses.
2. At the undergraduate level, except in special cases where a student receives special written approval from the department chairperson based on a decision made by the members of the full-time psychology department faculty, no student may repeat an individual course for the major or concentration more than once. Repeating a course may result in the disruption of the course sequencing and loss of the accelerated aspect of the dual degree. Students who do not meet the stated grade standards of the dual degree program will be reassigned to the traditional PSY bachelor’s degree program.
3. Undergraduate students must maintain evidence of appropriate communication skills, professional responsibility/accountability, and ethics, which will be formally assessed  at the end of each of the first three years with the Professional Qualities Assessment (PQA). These assessments will be reviewed by both the undergraduate and graduate faculty the first semester of their junior year. The PQA will identify areas of weakness and allow for the opportunity to improve and will provide coaching and guidance to that end. Failure to perform at an appropriate level, after coaching and sufficient opportunity to improve, will result in removal from the accelerated dual degree program.
4. Students are eligible for master’s degree candidacy after completing four graduate courses (12 credit hours from core degree requirements, not prerequisites) at The College of Saint Rose with at least a “B” in each course. These courses cannot be repeated, and they must include CSL 500, Counseling Theory and Practice and CSL 501, Professional Orientation and Ethical Practice in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
5. In addition to the academic requirement for master’s degree candidacy, the professional performance of each student will be considered in a Counseling/College Student Services faculty review utilizing the PQA. The Counseling/College Student Services faculty will recommend each student on his/her interpersonal skills, potential to do graduate-level work, and potential to become a competent counseling professional.
6. Students will be notified in writing as to the status of their candidacy. Students who are denied candidacy are required to meet with the program Chairperson and faculty to discuss the reason(s) for dismissal from the program.

Evaluation of Master’s Degree Candidates

1. Students must successfully pass the qualifying examination (CSL 999) after completing the core counseling coursework. Students may also elect to write a thesis (CSL 599) in addition to, but not in place of, taking the qualifying examination. Students who elect to write a thesis should make this decision prior to the completion of the first 18 hours of study. The thesis option is dependent upon the acceptance of a thesis advisor from among the department faculty;
2. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better in all course work; and
3. Students must demonstrate competent and ethical clinical work by successfully passing a 100-hour practicum and two 300-hour internships as part of their program.

Summary BS/MSED Requirements

Major in Psychology (52 credits)

Core Courses (22 credits)

Psychology as an empirical science (7 credits; one must be a 4-credit lab course)

Choose from:

Psychology as a social-developmental science (6 credits)

Choose from:

Psychology as an applied-clinical science (6 credits)

Choose from:

Psychology electives (11 credits)

Students in the Psychology major may wish to explore and emphasize particular areas of interest. Elective courses in psychology may includ FPY 262 and any PSY prefix courses.

Clinical/Counseling Concentration (28 credits)

The Clinical/Counseling concentration focuses on courses that relate to mental health. Therapeutic approaches and perspectives are emphasized. Successful completion of this concentration will prepare students for entry-level careers in human services and the helping professions, as well as graduate study in clinical or counseling psychology.

Strongly recommended for Clinical/Counseling concentrators:

Graduate Counseling Requirements (60 credits)

Required Core Courses (24 credits)

Required Concentration Courses in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program (36 Credits)

Elective (3 Credits)

Students in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program have three credit hours of electives. Electives may include courses in counseling, developmental and educational psychology, special education or special topics courses in counseling that fit into the program of study. Elective courses are selected with advisor’s approval.

Internship/Field Experiences/Service:

Required Courses:

Culminating Academic Experiences:

Required Courses:

Professional Accreditation:

The College of Saint Rose, sponsored by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, Albany Province, is chartered by the Board of Regents of New York State. All of its degrees and programs are registered and its professional programs fully approved by the Board of Regents through the New York State Education Department.

The College of Saint Rose is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267-284-5000) The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. http://www.msche.org

The specialized accrediting agencies noted below are recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation: Programs offered by The College of Saint Rose for the preparation of all school professionals, leading to initial and advanced certifications, are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

The bachelor’s degree in psychology has been developed with guidance from the five learning objectives recommended for undergraduate Psychology programs by the American Psychological Association. These objectives include Knowledge Base in Psychology, Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking, Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World, Communication, and Professional Development.

Additional Requirements for Admission to the Psychology/Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program:

Those interested in this program must meet these additional admission requirements:

•     90% or higher GPA in high school English and Science

•     1270 or higher combined SAT (28 or higher ACT)

•     Strong letter of recommendation supporting student’s ability to   

      succeed in an academically rigorous program.

•     Campus interview

Admissions and Financial Aid Information:

The Undergraduate Admissions Office begins review of Freshman applications each fall in late September for the following Fall. Students are encouraged to submit a complete an application as early as November. The Admissions Team will return a decision on complete applications within just three weeks. The College awards academic scholarships at the same time.

What Makes an Application Complete

• Online or Paper application (fee waived for online applicants!)
• Official High School Transcripts
• Official Transcripts for any College Level Courses
• SAT or ACT scores  (See Test Optional FAQ's)
• Letter of Recommendation from a Counselor or Teacher
• Essay or Graded Paper
• Applicants may also apply via the Common Application Online.
• Art applicants are required to complete a portfolio review.

Admissions contact information (telephone number, admissions web pages)

Scholarships and Financial Aid

See Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid section for more information.

The Bottom Line

The total cost of The College of Saint Rose (including tuition, fees, room and board) is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast, and we still award more than $25 million in Saint Rose scholarships, grants and financial aid.

Take a look at our bottom line, and view a cost comparison with a four-year public institution.

More about Financial Aid

Financial Aid is defined as any grant, scholarship, loan, or employment opportunity given with the express purpose of assisting you with education-related expenses to make you education affordable. Financial Aid is awarded on the basis of student need and the availability of funds.

The Admission and Financial Aid teams have designed a Guide to Scholarships and Financial Aid to help prospective students and families get to the bottom line and find that The College of Saint Rose is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast--while maintaining powerful academic opportunities.

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