Chaminade University of Honolulu

School of Education and Behavioral Sciences

M.S. in Counseling Psychology

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M.S. in Counseling Psychology (MSCP) Overview

The American Psychological Association defines counseling psychology as encompassing “a broad range of culturally sensitive practices that help people improve their well-being, alleviate distress and maladjustment, resolve crises, and increase their ability to function better.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

Our program is aimed at preparing graduates for tough but rewarding practice-based work in communities and schools, helping children and adults adapt to educational, work-related, family-based or society’s demands and problems associated with emotional and mental disorders.
Put another way, our graduates help people—every day—lead happier, more fulfilling lives.

We offer two concentrations: Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling.

Fully Online or
Fully In-Person
Finish in as few as
30 Months
60 Credit Hours
2018 Hawai’i Counselor of the Year
2019 American School Counselor of the Year Finalist
As an educator in Hawai’i for the last 22 years, Desire DeSoto, as a teacher and as a counselor, has dedicated her professional life to helping students overcome struggles and find success. In 2018, DeSoto was recognized as the Hawai’i Counselor of the Year.
Desire DeSoto
M.S. Counseling Psychology ’01
Counselor, Wai’anae High School
  • Mental Health Counseling
  • School Counseling
  • School Counseling with Community Pathway
Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the M.S. in Counseling Psychology, students will be able to:

  1. Identify core counseling theories, principles, concepts, techniques and facts. 
  2. Identify counseling theories, principles, concepts, techniques and facts in (Mental Health, Marriage/Family or School) counseling.
  3. Facilitate the counseling process with clients.
  4. Identify the relationship between adaptation and change and the counseling process.
Foundation Courses
  • PSY 521 Personality
  • PST 524 Abnormal Psychology
Core Requirements
  • PSY 601 Ethical and Professional Issues in Counseling
  • PSY 602 Life Span Development
  • PSY 603 Introduction to Counseling Skills
  • PSY 606 Psychological Tests and Measurements
  • PSY 611 Group Processes
  • PSY 616 Statistics, Research, and Evaluation
  • PSY 627 Career Development
  • PSY 636 Counseling Theories
  • PSY 736 Cross-Cultural Counseling
  • PSY 751 Health, Stress Management, and Counseling
Elective Courses
  • PSY 705 Forensic Psychology
  • PSY 710 Drug Abuse Counseling
  • PSY 712 Alcohol Abuse Counseling
  • PSY 720 Psychological & Educational Testing
  • PSY 740 Advanced Psychopathology
  • PSY 741 Mental Health Counseling
  • PSY 756 Marriage and Family Counseling
  • PSY 757 Family Systems Approach to Counseling
  • PSY 758 Solution Focused Family Counseling
  • PSY 759 Family Abuse: Sex and Violence
  • PSY 760 Relationship Counseling
  • PSY 771 School Counseling
  • PSY 773 Spiritual Dimensions of Counseling
  • PSY 775 Crisis Counseling Mental Health in the Community
  • PSY 776 Crisis Counseling Schools
  • PSY 777 Existential/Phenomenological Intervention
  • PSY 779 Psychology of Depression
  • PSY 780 Special Topics
Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the M.S. in Counseling Psychology, Mental Health Counseling, students will be able to:

  1. Identify core counseling theories, principles, concepts, techniques and facts. 
  2. Identify counseling theories, principles, concepts, techniques and facts in mental health counseling.
  3. Facilitate the counseling process with clients. 
  4. Identify the relationship between adaptation and change and the counseling process.
Mental Health Counseling Concentration Requirements

In addition to Foundation and Core Courses:

Practicum/Internship Courses

  • PSY 646MH Practicum in Counseling Techniques-Mental Health Counseling
  • PSY 673 Internship A
  • PSY 674 Internship B

Special Course Requirements

  • PSY 711 Substance Use Disorder, Addictions Counseling, & Psychopharmacology
  • PSY 728 Couples, Family Systems, and Human Sexuality
  • PSY 729 Advanced Counseling Techniques
  • PSY 741 Mental Health Counseling
  • PSY 775 Crisis Counseling Mental Health in the Community
Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the M.S. in Counseling Psychology, School Counseling, students will be able to:

  1. Identify core counseling theories, principles, concepts, techniques and facts.
  2. Identify counseling theories, principles, concepts, techniques and facts in school counseling.
  3. Facilitate the counseling process with clients.
  4. Identify the relationship between adaptation and change and the counseling process.
School Counseling Concentration Requirements

In addition to Foundation and Core Courses:

Additional Foundation Courses

  • PSY 500 School Counseling and Exceptional Children
  • PSY 501 The School Counselor in an Educational Context

Practicum/Internship Courses

  • PSY 646S Practicum in Counseling Techniques School Counseling
  • PSY 671 Internship A
  • PSY672 Internship B

Special Course Requirements

  • PSY 720 or PSY 722 Psychological & Educational Testing or Evaluation Processes in a School Setting
  • PSY 724 Adv. Counseling Tech. & Consult. In School Setting
  • PSY 726 Contemporary Mental Health Issues in School Settings
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We are providing you with this notice pursuant to 34 C.F.R. 668.43 to inform you that Chaminade University of Honolulu has not made a determination as to whether the curriculum of this program leads to licensure in states outside of the State of Hawaii. If you plan to obtain your license in a state other than the State of Hawaii, please inquire with your state’s licensing agency for curriculum requirements for licensure. You can go to this website NC-SARA Professional Licensure Directory, click on your intended professional licensure, then look for your state and click on their website for more information on the requirements for your professional licensure.

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(808) 739-8340

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Terms & Deadlines

Accelerated Winter Term 2025

Application deadline: December 2, 2024
Term begins: January 6, 2025

Accelerated Spring Term 2025

Application deadline: February 28, 2025
Term begins: April 7, 2025