Classes are held two days a week. In order to graduate in five terms, a full-time schedule of approximately 12 to 15-credits is required. During the first year, courses are held on Mondays and Wednesdays. Second-year students take classes on Tuesday and Thursdays while completing a field placement for about 20 hours per week. This is in addition to the considerable time required to complete course requirements outside of class.
Year 1
Fall Term
- Foundations of Counseling
- Cultural Considerations in Counseling
- Counseling Theories and Techniques
- Clinical, Diagnostic and Functional Assessment in Counseling
- Clinical Counseling Mentorship
Spring Term
- Human Development Across the Lifespan
- Legal, Ethical and Professional Issues in Counseling
- Counseling Skills and Techniques
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Cognitive and Mental Health Disorders
- Group Counseling
- Clinical Counseling Mentorship
Summer Term
- Crisis Counseling, Risk Management, Risk Management and Disaster Preparedness
- Clinical Applications in Counseling
- Counseling Practicum
- Clinical Counseling Mentorship
- Choice of 1 of the following options:
- Medical, Psychosocial and Assistive Technology Considerations in Disability
- Introduction to Assessment and treatment for Children and Adolescents
- Trauma and Grief Counseling
Year 2
Fall Term
- Family and Couples Counseling
- Conceptualization, Treatment Planning and Case Management
- Evidence-Based Practice and Research Methods in Counseling
- Clinical Counseling Internship
- Clinical Counseling Mentorship
Spring Term
- Career Counseling and Vocational Issues
- Substance Abuse and Addictions Counseling
- Clinical Counseling Internship
- Clinical Counseling Capstone Exam
Course syllabi are available upon request. Please reach out to PittCounselingProgram@pitt.edu.
Advising
Students in the program enroll in a formal mentorship class that structures the advisement process through the first year. Each advisor formally meets with their advisees a minimum of two times per term. Mentorship meetings transition to focusing on the Clinical Capstone Exam as students progress through the program.
Clinical Counseling Capstone Exam
All Counseling students are required to pass a clinical competency examination administered through the program. The exam will demonstrate student knowledge and skills that reflect the entry-level competencies of a mental health counselor.
The Capstone Exam employs a clinical case study approach and requires students to:
- Research and complete a written review on a client issue or population with the expectation of demonstrating expertise.
- Process case conceptualization and then develop appropriate, realistic and evidence-based intervention plans in clinical practice.
- Apply appropriate counseling techniques included in their intervention plan via role-play simulations.
For questions about the Capstone Exam, please reach out to the program at PittCounselingProgram@pitt.edu.
