Counseling Psychology: MA

The program prepares graduates to provide mental health counseling services to individuals, couples, and groups. The primary goal is to develop professional, ethical, and reflective practitioners who are skilled in providing counseling services across multiple contexts and populations. Graduates of our program are among the first practitioners trained in Egypt and the region to provide culturally sensitive and ethically responsible counseling services to individuals struggling with issues affecting psychological well-being, emotional health, and interpersonal success. Our alumni work in various counseling centers across Egypt, provide services through online platforms, teach psychology, and/or pursue doctoral degrees.

The Master of Arts (MA) in counseling psychology requires the completion of 48 credits which can be earned in three years on a full-time basis (three courses per semester) or four years if the student opts to be part-time (two courses each semester). The maximum time for completing the program is six years.

A thesis is not required for the MA in counseling psychology. However, students may wish to complete a thesis if they want to explore a specific research area or if they are planning to enroll in a doctoral program.

After the completion of foundational courses, the program provides students with introductory and advanced training through practicum and internship courses. During that time, students provide direct counseling services while receiving individual and group supervision from faculty members in the psychology department. This practical training will help students develop their skills in areas including but not limited to: 

1. Assessment and intervention
2. Session and case management skills
3. Ethical and professional principles
4. Documentation such as record keeping and report writing

Students are placed at community agencies, NGOs, private clinics, and hospitals or public institutions as interns with an approved external supervisor at the site. Students also conduct part of their training during practicum and internship at the on-campus Psychological Counseling Services and Training Center. These experiential components allow students to work directly with clients while under supervision and to practice as they learn. 

To learn more about the courses offered in the program, visit the Loading....

Admission to this graduate program is highly competitive and requires: 

• A minimum of 3.0 GPA in either previous undergraduate or graduate studies 
• A personal statement describing the applicant’s interest and motivation to pursue this degree
• References from faculty and/or employers speaking to the applicant’s motivation, skills, and maturity
• Proficiency in the English language according to the AUC standards

Admission is also subject to all other general university requirements. For further information, visit Loading....

There are typically three application deadlines, one in fall, one in winter, and one in spring. Any completed application outside of a deadline will be transferred to the next deadline for review. While applications are accepted and evaluated during all application periods, the program course sequence only starts in the fall semester, in September.

Applicants who do not have a background degree in psychology are required to take appropriate courses at the undergraduate or graduate level to ensure that they have the necessary background knowledge. 

The four specific courses required as prerequisites are: 

• Introduction to psychology
• Statistics
• Research design and methods for psychology or social sciences
• Abnormal psychology

For a checklist of all application materials, visit the graduate admissions checklist.
For admissions, visit Loading....

I do not have a degree in psychology, can I still apply to the Master of Arts in counseling psychology?

Even though you are not required to have a degree in psychology, you are welcome to apply but do need a minimum of 3.0 GPA in either previous undergraduate or graduate studies as well as the completion of some prerequisites in psychology or related social/behavioral sciences including:

• Introduction to Psychology
• Statistics
• Research Design
• Abnormal Psychology

You will also need to demonstrate proficiency in the English language according to the AUC standards and complete all other requested materials according to the admissions office. 

Do I need to complete the prerequisite courses before I apply?

Taking and completing prerequisites is not necessary when applying but will be necessary before you can actually start the program. If you are accepted, it will be contingent on you completing these courses. 

I have already taken workshops and attended sessions about psychological issues, will this count? 

Prerequisites have to be a university-level course that offers a grade and university credits (three credits). You must have received a minimum of a B grade in the course. Workshops or training of most kinds will not fulfill the requirements of either pre-requisites or transfer into the master degree. 

If you are in doubt that you may have taken a course before that could fulfill the prerequisites, you may request to have your transcript reviewed and evaluated by the graduate programs director. You will need to provide syllabi and other supporting material. 

I have taken other university-level courses that are called something else but have the same content. Will these apply?

The names of the courses required as prerequisites are usually standard across universities, yet if you believe a course you have taken may cover the content of these requirements, you are welcome to have your transcript and syllabus reviewed and evaluated by the graduate programs director. This process typically happens in all cases when you apply. 

Where can I take the prerequisite courses?   

We do not dictate where you take the needed prerequisites, but they have to fulfill the following basic criteria: 

• The course has to give university credits (three credits) 
• and offer a grade and transcript 
• and you need to achieve a minimum of a B grade in the course

If you wish to take these prerequisites at the AUC (based on availability), you can apply as a non-degree student at the undergraduate or graduate level through the admissions office 

Non-Degree and Auditors
Undergraduate Admissions
Graduate Admissions

If you wish to take them online or overseas through other universities, you may contact the graduate programs director for a list of suggestions that have previously been accepted. 

Will I be able to apply for financial aid or fellowship to cover the cost of prerequisite courses?   

Unfortunately, financial support is only available for the actual program and not in preparation to be admitted to the program. You may take the courses at any institution of your choice. 

My previous studies GPA or rank grade may be less than the required 3.0 GPA, what can I do? 

If your previous GPA is less than the required 3.0 (which is equivalent to a B letter grade on a 4.0 GPA scale, and a percentage grade of 83–86), then you may take courses that will help you raise that GPA or show more recent performance. These can also be the prerequisite courses. 

I filed an early application and I am interested in starting in spring rather than waiting. Is it possible? 

Our program sequence starts only in the fall semester, in September.

I applied and completed my prerequisite courses, does that mean I am accepted to start in the fall?

Our program is very competitive, and we only accept 8-10 applicants each year from a pool of almost 70 applicants. We look at many variables when reviewing candidates not just their academic background including their readiness, fit, and maturity. So, an application and pre-requisites are not a guarantee for acceptance and joining our program.

What will my schedule look like and what are my time commitments? 

Graduate classes take place in the evenings during weekdays (Sunday-Thursday) starting at either 5 pm or 7.45 pm. A graduate class is two and a half hours long and is held once a week. A typical schedule of two or three classes will require your attendance and commitment on two evenings a week. 

What is the duration of the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology? 

The Master of Arts in counseling psychology program is typically completed in three years on a full-time basis and four years if it is on a part-time basis. Students have six years from their entry into the graduate program to complete all course work. This includes any time spent taking prerequisites, or planned leaves of absence. This study period is the same for both part-time and full-time students.

I am highly motivated, can I complete the program in a shorter period of time?

The program is a process and much like all learning which is intended to be put into application, it cannot be accelerated. The typical load of a full-time graduate student across all programs at the AUC is three courses each semester. 

How do I apply to the graduate programs?

Check the graduate admissions checklist for all the required application materials.
To apply, visit graduate admissions.
For further information on all details, visit Loading...

There are usually three application deadlines, one in fall, one in winter, and one in spring. Any completed application outside of a deadline will be transferred to the next deadline for review. 

What are the costs to attend graduate school? 

Each course equals three credit hours, and students pay per number of courses/credit hours they are registered in any given semester. For further details, visit graduate tuition.

Is there any way I can get financial support?

If you are looking for financial support, there are opportunities to apply for fellowships or financial aid. Fellowships are highly competitive awards that consider financial needs as well as academic merit. Preference is given to those who wish to pursue full-time study in a graduate program at the AUC. These options are open only to fully enrolled students (So, if you have prerequisites, these will not be covered). 

For further information, visit fellowships and financial aid.

How can the program help me in my professional career?

Many of the skills taught in the program are skills that can be transferred across fields including effective communication, active listening, and a deeper understanding of human interaction. Most graduates of the program are interested in pursuing careers in the helping professions and provide counseling services to individuals in varied settings.