Introducing a new feature where students can submit their question(s) to the Master's Committe for their review. Once they have decided on the best answer(s), a response will be posted online.

Note: Any personal details you disclose will be kept confidential.
This information will be used for tracking purposes only.

Questions & Answers

Q: If the LCPC requires 60 graduate credit hours, why is the masters degree awarded at the 48 credit point?

A: Even for students who wish to pursue the LCPC, having the program be less than 60 credits is beneficial. That is because the Maryland Board of  Professional Counselors and Therapists also has a supervision requirement for the LCPC. Specifically, they require 3 years with a minimum of 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience in professional counseling under an approved supervisor. Only one of those years can be acquired prior to being awarded the Masters degree; two of those years must be post-graduate experience. 

If the masters program were 60 credits then at the completion of it you would have all your required graduate credit hours, but would still need to start your two years of post-graduate supervised clinical experience. With the masters program being 48 credits you can work on your two post-graduate years of supervised clinical experience while completing your remaining 12 credits – a system that will likely reduce the overall amount of time prior to your being eligible for licensure.


Q: Is the Counseling Practitioner Track the only route to get the LCPC?

A: No, but it is the track specifically designed so its coursework can satisfy the 14 course content areas that the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists requires for the LCPC. It is possible, between your electives and the 5 courses you need to take post-masters, to take classes in the 14 content areas if you are in the Clinical Practitioner Track. You need to be mindful of what the board requires when selecting electives though. For further information on the Maryland LCPC see the website of the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists at http://www.dhmh.state.md.us/bopc/.


Q: Is there any specific course I should take with my one elective in the Counseling Practitioner Track?

A: The Counseling Practitioner track program is designed to allow students to satisfy the course requirements as outlined by the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists for the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
(see http://www.dhmh.state.md.us/bopc/bopcweb/html/gradprofessional.htm). The required courses in this track satisfy 13 of the 14 course content areas necessary for the LCPC in Maryland. Students wishing to satisfied all 14 content areas required for the LCPC in Maryland will wish to choose as their elective a course that the LCPC Board categorizes as in the area of  Psychotherapy and Treatment of Mental and Emotional Disorders. There are a number of potential electives in the program that would satisfy this requirement. It is important to note that the Master’s degree only requires that the Counseling Practitioner track student select a 600- to 700-level psychology course and does not require that it be in a specific content area. However, those wishing to go on to apply for the LCPC in Maryland, may wish to consider if the elective they choose also satisfies the final content area required for the LCPC (see Masters Handbook, Chapter Two, Section III – Masters of Science Degree, Practitioner Track).

Q: Is there any career assistance available at Loyola?

A: Yes, Loyola has a Career Center with specific services for graduate students. They provide a variety of services including resume development, practice interviewing, and assistance in implementing an effective job search. Moreover, in addition to an alumni network the office maintains an online database of potential job opportunities (see Hounds for Hire at http://loyola.erecruiting.com/). To be able to access this database simply contact the Career Center at (410) 617-2232 or via email at thecareercenter@loyola.edu. The Career Center is open during the summer and has extended evening hours during the academic year. (For further information please see http://www.loyola.edu/thecareercenter/graduate/index.html).


Q: How can I find out more about obtaining the LCPC?

A: For specific information on the LCPC you should refer to the website of the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists at http://www.dhmh.state.md.us/bopc/.

Q: I am finishing my masters program and have decided to go for the LCPC.  How do I go about getting the remaining 12 graduate credits?

A: You can obtain your remaining 12 graduate credits at Loyola.  This would involve applying for the CAS/Masters Plus program. (Please see Masters Handbook, Chapter Two, Section V – Certificate of Advanced Study).