2. CLINICAL/COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY:

MASTER’S (M.A./M.S.) DEGREE

JOB DESCRIPTION

Overview

Master’s-level clinical and counseling psychology practitioners (“C/CPPs” for purposes of this manual; in some states, clinicians with this degree cannot legally call themselves “psychologists”) conduct assessment and therapy with people having psychological problems. They work in community mental health centers, psychiatric hospitals, non-profit organizations, and private practices, usually under the direction of doctoral level C/C psychologists.

C/CPPs are trained to do the same type of work that doctoral-level C/C psychologists do, but only four states currently grant C/CPPs a license, which allows them to practice independently. In contrast, master’s level social workers and counselors with the appropriate credentials can be licensed to practice independently in almost all states. (In fact, in some states, C/CPPs are eligible to, and do, seek counseling licenses in the effort to gain career independence.) The Northamerican Association of Masters in Psychology (NAMP; address below) is currently working to change this somewhat discouraging licensing status. Despite the opposition of the wealthy and powerful American Psychological Association (APA), there are signs that this movement is beginning to have an impact. For more information about C/C psychological work as well as information about similarities and differences between clinical and counseling psychology, see the “Clinical/Counseling Psychologist (Ph.D./Psy.D.)” career profile.

Typical Job Duties

See this section under the “Clinical/Counseling Psychologist (Ph.D./Psy.D.)” career profile.

Job Outlook

Faster than average job growth is expected, for all the same reasons that jobs for doctoral level C/C psychologists are predicted to grow. However, C/CPPs face strong competition for jobs from other master’s-level helping professionals (e.g., social workers, counselors, creative arts therapists). The uncertain licensing status of C/CPPs may hurt in the job market where financially strapped mental health centers cannot afford the time or money for supervision. C/CPPs were not among the top 30 fastest-growing occupations as ranked by the BLS, and they were not included in the MSU study.

Potential Earnings

The average starting salary for new graduates with a master’s degree in clinical or counseling psychology is estimated to be $25,000. Median salaries in 1992 were $37,000 in counseling psychology and $40,000 in clinical psychology.

TRAINING

Professional Degree Required

A master’s degree in clinical or counseling psychology is the required degree. A master *of arts (M.A.) degree typically requires a thesis; a master of science (M.S.) degree typically does not, although this distinction is not always maintained. Master’s programs usually require at least two years of full-time study and frequently do not allow students to attend on a part-time basis. Please note: The master’s degree that C/CPPs earn is often called a “terminal” master’s degree to distinguish it from the master’s degree that Ph.D. psychologists may earn en route to their doctoral degree.

How to Find Programs

Terminal master’s degree programs are listed in APA’s Graduate Study in Psychology guide. Be sure to check Sections III and IV, “Graduate Departments Offering Less Than the Doctoral Degree.” (Again, terminal master’s programs are to be distinguished from the master’s degrees awarded in doctoral programs.) There are very few terminal master’s programs in counseling psychology.

Entrance Requirements/Admissions

As with doctoral-level C/C programs, an undergraduate major in psychology is expected (although not required), with statistics and research methods courses essential. Taking elective courses in varied fields of psychology (e.g., both experimental and applied areas) is preferable to taking all social/personality/clinical area electives. Both research and clinical experience (volunteer or work) are recommended.

Gaining admission to a master’s program is competitive, but not as competitive as it once was, given the many helping profession options that students interested in a master’s degree now have. Standards are on a par with counseling programs, with preferred or required minimums in the neighborhood of a 3.0 GPA and 900-1000 GRE-combined scores.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Print Materials/Organizations

American Psychological Association (APA), 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242. 202/336-5500.

Northamerican Association of Masters in Psychology (NAMP), P.O. Box 721270, Norman, OK 73070. 800/919-9330.

Internet Resources

APA home page: http://www.apa.org/

NAMP home page: http://www.nampwebsite.org