Master in Counseling Psychology and Psychotherapy

American College of Greece (ACG)

• Location Athens, Greece
• Type of Degree MSc
• Start Date Request info
• Duration 2 years
• Application Deadline Request info
• Language English
• Attendance On Campus
• Dedication Part-time
• Pace Instructor-paced
• Tuition fees 14580 €

Program description

Counselling psychology is a branch of applied professional psychology concerned with the integration of different psychological theories and research traditions within the process of therapy.

The Ms in counseling psychology and psychotherapy balances theoretical perspectives with the application of techniques and approaches, aiming to train students who wish to work with a variety of client/patient groups in various settings. The program prepares participants to conduct an assessment, prevention, and interventions for psychological difficulties, and to serve the profession and the client by offering high-quality services based on theory, high ethical integrity, and empirically validated practices.

The student develops specialized knowledge and competencies, and gradually adopt a range of roles relating to the practice of counselling psychology. Professional skills are initially developed through pre-practicum experiences (as part of coursework) and, following, through the completion of at least 700 hours of supervised practical training in mental health settings.

Duration: two years (full-time) or up to four years (part-time).

Number of courses: 17 courses, 2 workshops, and practicum (54 us credits)

Attendance: classes run monday to thursday, from 17:30-20:30. Fridays are reserved for make-up classes and other academic activities, such as master classes, workshops, lectures, talks, etc.

Admission points: new students are admitted at the start of the fall, winter and spring terms.

Unique programm features

neche accreditation

• Integrative program, based on the scientist-practitioner approach.
• Acg counseling center supervised practicum
• External supervised practicum in an array of collaborating organizations
• Solid methodological training, resulting in research work.

Programm structure

Students must successfully complete 17 graduate-level courses, 2 graduate-level experiential workshops, 4 practicum seminars, representing a total of 54 us credits, carry out at least 700 hours of practical training, and undertake at least 40 hours of personal counselling/psychotherapy.

In the first year, the program aims to provide the student with core theoretical and research knowledge in areas relating to counseling psychology. In the second year, students enrol in skill-based courses from different theoretical orientations, are assigned to supervised practicum(s) (700 hours) and complete the research thesis.

Required courses

year 1:

Principles of counselling & personal development

Psychological testing & assessment

Biological basis of behaviour

Professional & ethical issues in counselling & psychotherapy

Qualitative research

Interviewing techniques

Diversity workshop

Advanced analysis & interpretation of behavioural data

Program design & evaluation

Advanced psychopathology

Group counselling & psychotherapy

Workshop on crisis intervention

Required courses

year 2:

Two (2) of the following:

Humanistic & existential approaches to counselling & psychotherapy

Cbt approaches to counselling & psychotherapy

Psychodynamic approaches to counselling & psychotherapy

Short term approaches counselling & psychotherapy

&

Psychology of addictions

Counselling in health settings

Family & system approaches to counselling & psychotherapy

&

Practicum i

Practicum ii

Practicum iii

Mental health counsellor path

Theories of learning & human development

Career counselling

Thesis

Thesis in counselling psychology

Program level competencies

Upon successful completion of this program, participants should be able to:

• describe and explain major theoretical positions and empirical findings in counselling psychology
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of cultural differences in counselling and psychotherapy
• Develop an understanding of the importance of personal growth and professional development
• Demonstrate basic counselling skills
• Formulate research hypotheses, design empirical studies to test hypotheses, and carry out data collection in order to produce independent scholarly research relevant to counselling psychology
• Prepare and present material for course lectures and discussion and deliver professional presentations in oral and written form
• Apply a comprehensive framework for conceptualizing a therapeutic strategy

Tuition & scholarships

Tuition

Tuition is payable on a course by course basis. The cost for the full program is 14,580€.

Merit scholarships

The school of graduate & professional education offers scholarships covering a portion of the cost of tuition to all applicants who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance in their undergraduate studies.

Financial assistance

Since its founding in 1875, the American College of Greece (ACG) has provided assistance to students needing help in meeting their educational expenses, thereby enabling students with demonstrated ability and promise to access quality education, regardless of their financial circumstances.

Discounts

All ACG alumni are entitled to a 10% tuition fee discount on top of any other scholarship of financial assistance program which may apply. Corporate discount programs are also available to two or more employees from one organization who wish to study in our graduate programs.

Students profile

The program is ideal for psychology graduates and mental health practitioners who wish to pursue careers as mental health counsellors and/or psychotherapists. The program attracts students from other backgrounds as well. Depending on their previous studies, applicants who do not hold a first degree in psychology may be asked to complete courses of the graduate certificate in psychology (link), which provides them with the basic foundations required to enter the program.

Current student profile

Average age: 34 years

Female: 79%

Male: 21%

First degree obtained from: greek aei (34%); acg-deree (23%); international university (36%); other local (7%)

Carrer opportunities

Graduates of the program enter employment in a wide range of contexts, such as counselling in organizational or agency settings (mental health agencies/hospital units and education); counselling service management; counselling training; and, following further experience, private counselling practice.

Deree graduate students receive support from the office of career services, which help them connect with the 50,000 acg alumni around the globe, expand their professional network, and gain access to various job positions. Our graduate students and alumni may also benefit from the alba graduate business school services, including career coaching, participation in career events and workshops, participation in the alba annual career forum, one-to-one career advice sessions, and a direct mail list for job posts and career advice.

Admission requirements

The minimum graduate admission requirements are:

1. A bachelor's degree in psychology from an accredited institution with an average grade of b or better. Applicants with an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than psychology may still be admitted if they complete the graduate certificate in psychology or any equivalent conversion program.

2. personal maturity and resilience sufficient to cope with the emotional demands of counselling to be determined by the interview and the personal statement submitted with the application form.

3. proficiency in the English language evidenced through one of the following: TOEFL, IELTS, or proficiency. Deree college graduates and graduates from other accredited English-speaking institutions are not required to submit evidence of proficiency in the english language.

Credit transfer:

Credit transfer from previously attended graduate degree programs of accredited institutions, may be allowed at a maximum limit of 9 credits and will be examined on an individual basis.