C.A.G.S. in Counseling Psychology The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (C.A.G.S.) Program The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies provides specialized knowledge and skills in specific areas of counseling psychology. It is awarded upon completion of a minimum of 30 credits beyond the master’s degree in counseling psychology or mental health counseling.
Two C.A.G.S. Options Under the first option, students who have earned a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology but whose program of study did not satisfy all requirements for licensure as a Mental Health Counselor may select courses that will address those deficiencies. The program’s curriculum is designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure for Mental Health Counselors in Massachusetts and most other states. Practicum and internship experience is available but is not required. If you select this option, a combination of entry-level and general core courses, as well as advanced assessment and intervention courses will be tailored to your needs. All students in the C.A.G.S. Program must complete PSY 708 and PSY 790. In addition, you must complete at least 2 advanced (700-level) courses (excluding PSY 705 and PSY 708). The second option provides an opportunity to sharpen and refine your skills as a therapist and develop sophisticated and in-depth expertise at a more advanced level. This option is particularly attractive if you are unable to commit the time and resources required for a doctoral degree. Increasing evidence points to these new problemfocused interventions as both effective and cost efficient. The C.A.G.S. program allows you to practice and refine your therapeutic skills and become proficient in these new therapeutic treatment techniques and strategies. Courses are taught by doctoral-level clinical psychologists who bring a wealth of clinical experience to the classroom. If you select this option, at least 21 credits must be at the advanced level (700 and 800 level courses). Practicum and internship experience is available as part of your program of study but is not required. If your C.A.G.S. allows, you may select your advanced counseling and assessment courses to satisfy one or both of our optional concentrations in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies, or Child and Family Interventions. You can fulfill the requirements for both concentrations by completing both PSY 711 and PSY 712.
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To complete the Concentration in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies, you must complete PSY 708 (Cognitive Assessment and Psychotherapy) and at least three of the following courses. Upon successful completion, you will receive a certificate of graduate training from the Aaron T. Beck Institute for Cognitive Studies. PSY 711 - Cognitive-Behavioral Assessment of Children PSY 712 - Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions with Children PSY 713 - Cognitive Therapy for Family of Origin Problems PSY 715 - Cognitive-Behavioral Assessment of Adults PSY 716 - Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions for Depression and Anxiety PSY 718 - Psychological Interventions for Addictive Behaviors To complete the Concentration in Child and Family Interventions, you must complete PSY 708 (Cognitive Assessment and Psychotherapy) and at least three of the following courses: PSY 701 - Marital Therapy PSY 702 - Advanced Family Therapy PSY 711 - Cognitive-Behavioral Assessment of Children PSY 712 - Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions with Children PSY 720 - Systems Interventions for Children PSY 727 - Assessment and Treatment of ADHD An oral exam is required in both C.A.G.S. program options and is taken at the end of your program of study and only upon completion of PSY 790, the Professional Integrative Seminar. The objective of the oral exam is to provide you with a forum to demonstrate how you integrate theory, practice, and research relative to the training that you received.