The Master of Science in Community Psychology prepares students for work across a variety of mental health and community related settings. The program focuses on how graduates identify and engage community agencies and resources in the delivery of services to those individuals and/or groups who need them. This includes, but is not limited to:
Those who teach in and lead this program provide critical thinking skills of the discipline of Psychology to help graduates problem-solve beyond the individual therapy session and to look at multiple resources at hand. Whether a professional is working in consulting with an organization or with an individual mental health concern, the pairing of strong analytic frameworks for counseling with the awareness of community resources, trends, and problems provide the practicing professional with an exceptional ability to coordinate and enact three approaches for creating healthier environments for individuals and organizations.
The Master of Science in Community Psychology (MSCP) is accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) for the period of June, 2025 through June, 2033. www.mpcacaccreditation.org. The program is also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. It is approved by the State of Wisconsin requirements for licensure as a professional counselor.
The outcomes are constructed through an integration of the following standards in the field:
In the construction of these outcomes, Psychology faculty considered core competences for the engaged community-astute, professional counselor. The competencies areas and courses align with the standards of the field and the State of Wisconsin.
Malena Taylor, Ph.D. Program Director and Chair of Community Psychology; Assistant Professor, MCP, malena.taylor@alverno.edu
Amy Hennings, Ph.D., Core Faculty Community Psychology, Associate Professor Psychology Department, amy.hennings@alverno.edu
Maria Guardiola, MS, LPC - Internship Coordinator, Assistant Professor Community Psychology, maria.guardiola@alverno.edu
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MCP-600 | Foundations/Comm Psychology & Counseling | 3 |
| MCP-611 | Human Development in Community Contexts | 3 |
| MCP-620 | Helping Rel: Prevention, Intervnt & Syst | 3 |
| MCP-625 | Clin Mntl Hlth Cnsl: Diagnosis& Treatmnt | 3 |
| MCP-640 | Trauma Counseling | 3 |
| MCP-645 | Couples, Partners & Family Counseling | 3 |
| MCP-651 | Research, Evaluation & Statistics Method | 3 |
| MCP-655 | Group Dynamics Processing & Counseling | 3 |
| MCP-660 | Individual Appraisal, Assmnt& Measuremnt | 3 |
| MCP-671 | Substance Abuse Counseling | 3 |
| MCP-680 | Counseling Theory: Ind, Group & Family | 3 |
| MCP-682 | Adv Counslng Thry: Evidence Based Pract | 3 |
| MCP-685 | Lifestyle & Career Development | 3 |
| MCP-688 | Professional Ethics & Legal Issues | 3 |
| MCP-698 | Pre-Clinical Requirement | 0 |
| MCP-699 | Supervised Practicum | 3 |
| MCP-700 | Supervised Internship I | 3 |
| MCP-720 | Supervised Internship II | 3 |
| MCP-679 | Physiological Psychopharmacology | 3 |
| MCP-601 | Orientation to MSCP Program | 0 |
| MCP-630 | Topics in Community Psy & Counseling | 3 |
| MCP-627 | Culturally Engaged Counseling | 3 |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Most MSCP required courses are offered once a year. Most required courses are offered on Friday evening, Saturday morning, and Saturday afternoon. Internship courses always take place on Thursday evenings; students must inform site supervisors they are only available on alternate Thursday evenings during the school year. During Summer, classes are offered weekday evenings and/or asynchronously. Formal and informal surveys (e.g., course evaluations, advising sessions) are conducted to identify course needs and delivery. The 60-credit program includes foundations, theories, skills, and practice where students complete two, 6 credit electives (or more if desired).
There are several ways to complete the program. There is flexibility based on electives. Foundational courses are completed first, noting any prerequisites required for each course. This program is designed with 3 classes every semester plus 3 classes each summer (2 summers), students graduate in 2.5 years. Students can go more slowly. It is possible to graduate in exactly 2 years if students complete 4 classes for 2 semesters.
Students are expected to attend classes and participate in learning activities. If, due to illness or unavoidable personal/professional commitments, students miss a class, they should consult with the faculty member involved and/or the MSCP Program Director as soon as possible in advance of the class for an alternative plan meeting the objectives of the missed class. Absence from more than one session of a three 3-credit required course requires student to repeat the course. Consistent lateness may be considered an absence.
Depending on the situation, the instructor or the MSCP Program Director may advise students to drop or withdraw from a course, or decide students are ineligible to continue attending a course if attendance has not been regular or the first class was missed. Students who choose to drop a course, have a responsibility to officially drop the course by contacting the Registrar's Office.
All students have a background check completed as part of their participation in MSCP 698, which is before the start of practicum/internship. This background check has several purposes:
A Supervised Internship (which includes practicum and internship) is a key experiential learning component of the MSCP program. Supervised experiences as an intern prepare students work as a Licensed Professional Counselor. Students apply many of the concepts studied throughout the MSCP program in practicums/internships. Students are supervised by a licensed site supervisor; students actively participate in the group supervision that is provided in internship classes on campus.
Students prepare for an internship placement a year before the first internship, while completing prerequisites The Internship Coordinator adds students to the MCP-698 Practicum course when internship pre-requisites are completed. Students complete the internship application and submit the application to the Internship Coordinator. The application is reviewed by graduate faculty who also review academic progress and professionalism rubrics. Once the graduate faculty have approved candidacy for internship, students work with the Internship Coordinator to find an appropriate internship placement. Students are encouraged to seek an internship placement in anticipation of their placement. If students do this, the placement must be approved by the Internship Coordinator and the Program Director. The site supervisor must meet all the requirements to partner with the program. Primarily, the supervisor at the placement must be licensed, able and willing to supervise work for at least one hour every week. More specific guidelines for the internship experience and the class are presented when students receive the application.
The Site Supervisor, in consultation with the Internship Coordinator, may remove students who are performing inappropriately at the internship site. If removed students must meet with the Internship Coordinator and the Program Director before they secure another internship. If students are unable to complete the practicum or internship experience, may be dismissed form the program. The Program Director is available to help with this process.
Course work must be completed within seven years of entry into the MSCP program. Students not able to complete the program within this timeframe must submit a letter to the MSCP Program Director requesting an extension. The letter should explain why an extension is required and describe plans and timelines for program completion. The Program Director reviews the request and responds in writing. The deadline for submitting a request to extend program completion is the beginning of the sixth year in the program.