Master (MS) in Counseling Psychology & Psychotherapy

Further your career as a counselor.

Next entry: Fall 2024 – Application deadline: May 31, 2024

Program Overview

Counseling 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 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.

Student develop specialized knowledge and competencies, and gradually adopt a range of roles relating to the practice of counseling 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: 16 courses and practicum/internship (57 US credits)
  • Attendance: Classes run Monday to Thursday, from 17:40 – 20:40 or 21:40. 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 Program 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.

Program Structure (Curriculum)

Students must successfully complete 16 graduate-level courses, 3 practicum/internship seminars, and a thesis representing a total of 57 US credits, carry out at least 700 hours of practical training, and undertake at least 40 hours of personal counseling/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 enroll in skill-based courses from different theoretical orientations, are assigned to supervised practicum(s) (700 hours) and complete the research thesis.

Required Courses (47 credits): 

YEAR 1: 

  • AP 6039 Theories and Principles of Treatment in Counseling  
  • AP 6053 Psychological Testing and Assessment  
  • AP 6086 Biological Basis of Behavior and Psychopharmacology
  • AP 6093 Ethical Considerations and Professional Development in Counseling
  • AP 6007 Research Methods for Mental Health Professionals  
  • AP 6029 Multicultural Perspectives  
  • AP 6043 Advanced Analysis and Interpretation of Behavioral Data 
  • AP 6010 Program Design and Evaluation  
  • AP 6045 Advanced Psychopathology  
  • AP 6034 Group Counseling and Psychotherapy  

YEAR 2: 

  • AP 6217 Substance Use Theory and Interventions  
  • AP 6209 Mental Health Practice in Health Settings  
  • AP 6556 Family and System Approaches in Therapy

and 

  • AP 6601 Practicum I  
  • AP 6787 Internship I
  • AP 6888 Internship II

Elective courses (2 from the list/6 credits): 

  • AP 6560 Humanistic and Existential Approaches to Therapy  
  • AP 6549 CBT Approaches to Therapy  
  • AP 6542 Psychodynamic Approaches to Therapy  
  • AP 6585 Third Wave Approaches to Therapy 

MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR PATH (an additional 6 credits, for students wishing to pursue counselor licensing in the USA) 

  • AP 6077 Theories of Learning and Human Development  
  • AP 6590 Career Counseling  

Thesis (4 credits) 

AP 6591 Thesis in Counseling 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 counseling psychology
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of cultural differences in counseling and psychotherapy
  • Develop an understanding of the importance of personal growth and professional development
  • Demonstrate basic counseling skills
  • Formulate research hypotheses, design empirical studies to test hypotheses, and carry out data collection in order to produce independent scholarly research relevant to counseling 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

Click here to download the learning outcomes

Tuition & Scholarships

Tuition

Tuition is payable on a course by course basis. The cost for the full program is 15,390€.

For complete information about our tuition and fees click here.

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.

For complete information about our merit scholarships click here.

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 a quality education, regardless of their financial circumstances.

For more information about financial assistance click here.

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.

For more information about corporate click here.

Student Profile

The program is ideal for psychology graduates and mental health practitioners who wish to pursue careers as mental health counselors 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, which provides them with the basic foundations required to enter the program.

Current Student profile

Average Age: 31.11 years
Female: 79%
Male: 21%
Student Nationality: Domestic: 50%; International: 44%
First degree obtained from: Greek AEI (18.57%); ACG-Deree (25.71%); International University (45.71%)

Career Opportunities

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

Faculty

  • Alessandra Sax
    Part-time Faculty - School of Graduate and Professional Education
    Psychology
  • Katerina Zymni
    Part-time Faculty - School of Graduate and Professional Education
    Psychology
  • Ilias Vlachos
    Part-time Faculty - School of Graduate and Professional Education
    Psychology
  • Gerasimos Chatzidamianos
    Full-time Faculty - School of Graduate and Professional Education
    Psychology
  • Mari Janikian
    Full-time Faculty - School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
    Psychology
  • Nikolaos Takis
    Full-time Faculty - School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
    Psychology
  • Olga Thomadaki
    Full-time Faculty - School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
    Psychology
  • Alexandros Maragakis
    Full-time Faculty - School of Graduate and Professional Education
    Psychology
  • Sophia Protopapa
    Part-time Faculty - School of Graduate and Professional Education
    Psychology
  • Marina Martinos
    Associate Faculty - School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
    Psychology
  • Lillian Pelios
    Adjunct Faculty - School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
    Psychology
  • Maria Ersi Koliris
    Part-time Faculty - School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
    Psychology
  • Maria Korre
    Part-time Faculty - School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
    Psychology
  • Athena Stefanatou
    Part-time Faculty - School of Graduate and Professional Education
    Psychology

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 counseling to be determined by the 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.

Note: The MS in Counseling Psychology and Psychotherapy program is eligible for Title IV federal aid.

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Tel.: +30 210 600 2208
E-mail: [email protected]

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