M.S. in Counseling Psychology
ATTENTION APPLICANTS:
- For priority consideration, applications are due by March 1 for fall semesters, and by Nov. 1 for spring semesters. Applications received after those dates will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis if there is space available in the program.
The Practitioner Specialization of the M.S. in Counseling Psychology program is accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) for the period of February 2022 through February 2030.
The M.S. in Counseling Psychology program at UBalt prepares students for careers in psychology, by providing a stepping stone to doctoral study in clinical or counseling psychology or to a career as a licensed clinical professional counselor. You can choose to pursue either the 48-credit General Counseling Psychology Track or the 60-credit Practitioner Specialization.
We offer a stimulating learning environment that fosters the development of critical thinking, knowledge and skills in evidence-based practice, and your evolving professional identity.
#2 in Best Science Jobs
According to U.S. News & World Report, psychologist ranks #1 on its list of the best science jobs of 2022.
Why counseling psychology at UBalt?
- Our program holds a nearly perfect (98 percent) first-time pass record on the National Counselor Exam.
- You can choose one of two options to help you prepare for your specific career goal.
- Most of the counseling courses are offered in the evenings so that you can still work during the day; in fact; about half of our students work and attend class part-time.
- Class sizes are small, so you'll receive individualized attention.
- Our campus is nestled in the heart of downtown and easily accessed by train, light rail, bus or car.
- All of the psychology programs have a wonderfully diverse student body. We value recruiting and training students who represent a variety of societal groups and diverse cultural backgrounds.
Where do UBalt's counseling psychology graduates work?
Through specializations that can be developed through practica and internships, you can enter the field prepared to work in your specific area of interest. Our graduates work in hospitals, school-based mental health programs, community mental health clinics, residential treatment centers, crisis response units, substance abuse treatment centers and private practice.
Important information about licensure.
Students who complete the M.S. in Counseling Psychology program AND complete the Certificate in Professional Counseling Studies (CPCS) program are able to meet the academic requirements for LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counseling) licensure in Maryland.
For students who wish to be licensed in other states, you should recognize that each state has its own regulations, and these regulations can change. On a case-by-case basis, faculty and staff can direct students to more information and provide guidance, yet the program has not formally determined how our program aligns to the regulations for other states, territories, and commonwealths.
Who are the counseling psychology faculty?
The Division of Applied Behavioral Sciences hosts four full-time faculty with backgrounds in counseling or clinical psychology:
Dr. John Donahue
associate professor
410.837.5831
jdonahue@ubalt.edu
Dr. Courtney Gasser
associate professor
410.837.6760
cgasser@ubalt.edu
Dr. Erin J. Richardson
lecturer
410.837.5253
erichardson2@ubalt.edu
Dr. Sam (Sepideh) Soheilian
associate professor
410.837.6560
ssoheilian@ubalt.edu
Dr. Kevin Vinson
lecturer
410.837.5889
kvinson@ubalt.edu
We also have outstanding adjunct faculty who bring professional experience and expertise in various areas of psychology:
|
ADJUNCT FACULTY |
AREAS OF EXPERTISE |
| Paul Benson | substance abuse |
| Leonardo Caraballo | expertise in clinical supervision and in therapy with veterans |
| Cynthia Mason | expertise in ADHD, adult psychotherapy, telehealth and ethics |
| Josef Pasley | child and adolescent therapy |
| William Whitten | expertise in clinical supervision, cognitive behavioral therapy, and therapy with diverse clients |
Graduate students outside of Maryland pay in-state tuition.
UBalt is now offering in-state tuition to graduate students who live in Washington, D.C.; Northern Virginia (Arlington, Loudoun, Fairfax and Prince William, Clark, Culpeper, Fauquier, Rappahannock, Spotsylvania, Stafford and Warren counties and the city of Fredericksburg. As well as Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park); Pennsylvania (Adams, York, Chester and Lancaster counties); and all Delaware counties.
Got questions?
We've got answers. Check out our 9-minute webinar with program director, Dr. Courtney Gasser.
Program Highlights
American Psychological Association Fall 2024 Seminar
In September of 2024, Associate Professor Sepideh (Sam) Soheilian was invited to present a training on the postdoctoral internship and licensure process for the American Psychological Association's (APA) Minority Fellowship Program. This presentation was part of the Fall 2024 Seminar programming offered by the APA's Leadership Development Institute at the APA headquarters in Washington, D.C.
2024 Maryland Career Development Association Conference
In May of 2024, Courtney Gasser, associate professor and director of the Counseling Psychology graduate program, and Rebecca Raub (pictured front), a Counseling Psychology graduate student, presented their research at the 2024 Maryland Career Development Association Conference, which was held on The University of Baltimore campus. The title of their paper was “Building Adaptability: Culturally Informed Interventions That Boost Career Counseling Effectiveness.”
2023 APA Annual Convention
Second-year Counseling Psychology graduate student, Mary Ammon, presented her first-ever research poster at the American Psychological Association’s 2023 annual convention held in Washington, D.C. The research poster was titled, “Initial Development and Validation of the Attitudes towards Telesupervision Scale.” Mary along with Jenna Lehmann, M.S. ’19 (a Counseling Psychology alum and now doctoral student at Tennessee State University) served as the student research assistants on this project alongside Assistant Professor Sepideh Soheilian (pictured left with Mary).
Lassen Award Scholarship
The Lassen Scholarship is awarded annually to students who have demonstrated academic excellence, are successfully juggling the competing demands of school, work, and family, and are preparing for a career in counseling psychology.
Fall 2024 Award Recipients: Deshawna Bryant (left) and Connor Pucci (right)
Fall 2023 Award Recipients: Sarah Rees (left) and Farrah Yaspe (right)
Fall 2022 Award Recipients: Rebecca Drury (middle) and Yourdanos Bekele (right)
Fall 2021 Award Recipients: Christine Wolf (left) and Taneisha Carter (right)
Fall 2020 Award Recipients: Dafina Chisolm-Salau (left) and Kevin Vinson (right)
Fall 2019 Award Recipient: Santokh "Sam" Singh
Contact Us
Dr. Courtney Gasser
program director
email: cgasser@ubalt.edu | phone: 410.837.6760
view Prof. Gasser's faculty profile
Angie Miller
academic adviser
email: amiller@ubalt.edu | phone: 410.837.6282
For more information about graduate admission, please contact the Office of Admission at gradadmission@ubalt.edu, 410.837.6565.