Why study Psychology Counseling at MC?

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The College’s major in Psychology-Counseling is for students interested in pursuing postgraduate work in clinical or counseling psychology or related professions. The major provides students with coursework related to the practice of psychology, including a firm foundation in the science and theory of human behavior. Students in this major are well prepared for graduate programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology, social work, marriage and family therapy and related fields. Graduates also gain skills and knowledge to immediately enter the workforce in a variety of social service organizations and programs that serve children and families, individuals with substance abuse problems, chronic mental illness, victims of domestic violence, and others.

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Meet a Current Scot

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Addi Alford

Hometown: Lebanon, Tennessee

From the moment she stepped onto campus as a high school junior, Addie felt at home and knew she wanted to enroll at Maryville College. As an RA, she has made Gibson Hall her home-away-from-home.

A Bonner Scholar Senior Intern, she has dedicated two years of service to Firm Foundations, the Helen Ross McNabb Center’s program in Blount County that serves individuals who are seeking to obtain self-sufficiency. She credits the College’s Psychology Department and Bonner program with giving her the chance to delve into her chosen major and help her discover her true passion. “My goals for the future are to pursue a master’s degree in social work and eventually become a licensed social worker,” she said.

 

Meet a Recent Grad

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Jordon Muse ’20

Currently: Master’s level middle school counselor

After graduation from Maryville College, Jordon enrolled at Georgia State University, where he recently obtained his master’s degree in school counseling. As a middle school counselor, he’ll build on his National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification and pursue his Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensure, “which allows me to practice counseling with clients in the private practice setting, separate from school counseling,” he said.

“I believe Maryville College’s counseling track prepared me for any of the challenges faced during my master’s program, as well the certification process,” he added. “MC’s counseling track focuses on a lot (human growth and development, social and cultural foundations, etc.) of the critical theories needed for certification/licensure. Having that background knowledge of certain theories specific to counseling, and not general psychology, let me to focus on polishing my skills as counselor, allowing me to complete the certification process quicker than most of my peers. Because of this foundation, I believe I will be able to start practicing privately about two years earlier than the average Licensed Professional Counselor.”

Chair, Division of Behavioral Science, Professor of Psychology
Dr. Crystal Colter
Chair, Division of Behavioral Science, Professor of Psychology
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Professor of Psychology
Dr. Karen Beale
Professor of Psychology
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Professor of Psychology
Dr. Ariane Schratter
Professor of Psychology
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Professor of Psychology
Dr. Chad Schrock
Professor of Psychology
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Assistant Dean for Institutional Equity, Professor of Psychology
Dr. Kathie Shiba
Assistant Dean for Institutional Equity, Professor of Psychology
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Associate Professor of Psychology
Dr. Aqualus Gordon
Associate Professor of Psychology
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A Major in Psychology can lead to careers in counseling, mental health, social work, human services, community agencies, recreational/occupational/rehabilitation therapy, advocacy, nonprofit organizations, development/fund-raising, activities director for special populations, youth work, data analysis, social/marketing/academic research, college student personnel, vocational counseling, substance abuse counseling, sales, marketing, public relations, customer service, or employee training. Some of these careers require advanced degrees.

A Major in Psychology-Counseling Track can lead to careers in mental health counseling, vocational counseling, school counseling, marriage and family, social work, human services, community agencies, recreational/occupational/rehabilitation therapy, advocacy work, positions in non-profit organizations, youth work, college student personnel, vocational counseling, and substance abuse counseling. While there are entry-level jobs available in many of these areas, an advanced degree is required for most therapeutic counseling positions.

Job Placements

Brookhaven Retreat
Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Eastern State Hospital
Helen Ross McNabb
IBM
Knox County Schools
Mayo Clinic
Memphis City Schools
Ridgeview Psychiatric Hospital
State of Tennessee Department of Children’s Services

Graduate School Placements

California Institute of Integral Studies
Georgia Southern University
Middle Tennessee State University
Mississippi State University
State University of New York
University of Alabama
University of North Carolina – Charlotte
University of Tennessee – Knoxville
Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College
Wake Forest University School of Law

Cherokee Health Systems, University of Tennessee, and Autism Society of America for the Autism Training Initiative
Haven House
Mane Support
The Middle Path
New Hope – Blount County Children’s Advocacy Center
UT Medical Center Comprehensive Stroke Center

  • Describes how the interaction of mind, body, and the socio-cultural environment affects behavior.
    1. Understands the nature of diversity
    2. Recognizes the wide variety of behavior that can be considered normal, as well as the multiple causes of varied behaviors
    3. Compares and contrasts major psychological systems
    4. Relates behavior to different developmental levels across the life-span
  • Critically reviews and analyzes psychological research.
    1. Uses and interprets quantitative and qualitative information appropriately
    2. Identifies relationships and synthesizes information
    3. Considers ethical issues
    4. Uses basic psychological terminology
  • Demonstrates ability to solve problems using the scientific mode of inquiry.
  • 4. Expresses oneself clearly and persuasively in writing and speaking professionally.
    1. Gives formal presentations
    2. Uses APA style in written communications as appropriate
  • Demonstrates empathy for and sensitivity to individuality and the influence of the human condition.
  • Utilizes and integrates appropriate technology to enhance professional and communication activities.

The Major in Psychology with a Counseling Track requires 53 credit hours with 43 hours in major courses and 10 hours in related areas.

Required courses include:

Major and Major-Related Courses

PSY 101: Introductory Psychology(3 hrs)
PSY 244: Introduction to Neuroscience(3 hrs)
PSY 299: Contemporary and Professional Issues in Psychology(2 hrs)
PSY 311: Research Design(3 hrs)
PSY 312: Experimental Psychology(4 hrs)
PSY 331: Abnormal Psychology(3 hrs)
PSY 333: Theories and Techniques in Counseling(3 hrs)
PSY 338: Introduction to Counseling Practice(3 hrs)
PSY 351: Senior Study I(3 hrs)
PSY 352: Senior Study II(3 hrs)
BIO 111: Fundamentals of Biology(4 hrs)
PHR 235: Group Facilitation(3 hrs)

One of the following:

PSY 211: Child Development(3 hrs)
PSY 218: Adolescent Development(3 hrs)
PSY 222: Adult Development and Aging(3 hrs)

One of the following:

PSY 227: Intimate Relationships(3 hrs)
PSY 301: Theories of Personality(3 hrs)

One of the following:

PSY 314: Cognitive Psychology(4 hrs)
PSY 315: Human Thought and Learning(4 hrs)

One of the following:

PSY 337: Internship in Psychology(0-15 hrs)
PSY : Elective(3 hrs)

One of the following:

SOC 101: Introductory Sociology(3 hrs)
SOC 211: Cultural Anthropology(3 hrs)
SOC 215: Sociology of Marriage and Family(3 hrs)

The Minor in Psychology consists of 15 hours.

Required courses include:

Minor and Minor-Related Courses

15 hours in psychology with at least one 300-level course

The Minor in Psychology is not open to students majoring in Developmental Psychology, Psychology Counseling, or Neuroscience.

In addition to required courses for majors and minors, Maryville College students take classes in the Maryville Curriculum, a core program of general education. Consisting of 51 credit hours, the Maryville Curriculum ensures that students see their major in a wider context and develop the basic communication, quantitative, and critical thinking skills that are needed for success in college and career.

You may also be interested in:

Criminal Justice

Developmental Psychology

Psychology

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