Master of Arts Psych-MACC Bridge Program

The Master of Arts Psych-MACC Bridge Program is available at the following Alvernia University campus:

• Reading

Decisions regarding admission into the university will be made by the Office of Admissions. Admission into the PSYCH/MACC bridge program (6 years) will be available to students who meet the criteria (3.0 high school GPA, 1100 SAT). Upon timely completion of ALL admission criteria, applicants will be offered admission into the university, and conditional admission into the graduate MACC Program, as determined by the maximum number of allotted seats in the program set by the university.

Students within the accelerated bridge (6 years) format will follow a curricular plan in PSYCH, with MACC listed as the student’s second major. At the beginning of semester 6, students submit a letter of intent to proceed into the MACC program to the MACC program director. Admission into the MACC program will be determined by the MACC admissions committee in accordance with the university admissions policies.

Through a rolling admission process, prospective students may apply to Alvernia at any time. Multiple start dates throughout the year allow accepted students to begin a program of study at an accommodating time. We constantly accept and review applications contingent on openings in specific academic majors.

Keeping on track is important throughout the process. We encourage you to work with an Admissions Counselor to submit all necessary materials by required deadlines. Our dedicated Admissions team will work directly with you to identify the best options that work for you and your unique situation.

Once your application is reviewed, we make every effort to notify you of our decision within two to four weeks.

There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our financial aid page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Alvernia’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.

Alvernia's masters program is available in a 4-year curricular format for part-time students and a 3-year curriculum format for full-time students.

SEMESTER 1 - TOTAL CREDITS 16

• SRH 101 or HNR 160: SEARCH Seminar
• PSY 101: Introductory Psychology
• THE 105: Foundations of Theology or
• PHI 105: Introduction to Philosophy
• COM 101: Composition and Research
• Gen Ed SEARCH
• Elective

SEMESTER 2 - TOTAL CREDITS 18

• PSY 130: Exploring Research
• (must be taken before PSY 230)
• THE 105: Foundations of Theology or
• PHI 105: Introduction to Philosophy
• BIO 109: Human Biology (recommended)
• Gen Ed SEARCH
• Elective
• Elective

SEMESTER 3 - TOTAL CREDITS 18

• PSY 208: Human Dev. Across the Lifespan
• PSY 230: Applications of Research (Pre-req: PSY 130)
• MAT 208 (Co-req : PSY 230)
• Gen Ed SEARCH
• Gen Ed SEARCH
• Gen Ed SEARCH

SEMESTER 4-TOTAL CREDITS 18

• PSY 250: Psychopathology
• PSY 314: Application of Theories/Tech Offered Spring only
• Gen Ed SEARCH (PHI ethics/morality 200 level)
• Gen Ed SEARCH
• PSY Elective (Human Diversity)
• PSY Elective

SEMESTER 5 - TOTAL CREDITS 18

• PSY 301: History & Systems Offered Fall only
• PSY Elective
• PSY Elective
• Gen Ed SEARCH
• Gen Ed SEARCH
• Gen Ed SEARCH

SEMESTER 6 - TOTAL CREDITS 19

• PSY Elective
• Gen Ed SEARCH
• Gen Ed SEARCH
• PSY 413: Practicum II
• PSY 423: Ethical and Professional Issues II
• Elective
• Elective
• By January 15 of Junior Year (beginning of semester 6; MUST meet MACC progression requirements: GPA: overall 3.0: PSYCH 3.0)

SEMESTER 7 - TOTAL CREDITS 16

• PSY 412: Practicum I
• PSY 422: Ethical and Professional Issues I
• Elective
• MACC (1st Semester)

SEMESTER 8 - TOTAL CREDITS 9

• MACC (2nd Semester)
• Total Credits for Graduation- 123
• MACC- Requirements - 3 years

Year 4 - Semester 1

• MCC500: Intro to Counseling
• MCC510: Human Development
• MCC560: Legal & Ethical Issues in Counseling

Year 4 - Semester 2

• MCC520: Counseling Theories
• MCC610: Advanced Counseling w/ Groups
• MCC640: Psycho-pathology

Year 4- Summer

• MCC530: Multicultural Issues in Counseling
• COR520: Ethical & Moral Leadership

Year 5 - Semester 3

• MCC600: Advanced Counseling Individuals
• MCC620: Research
• MCC540: Addictions & Society

Year 5 - Semester 4

• MCC630: Appraisal Test & Measurements
• MCC650: Career Counseling
• MCC550: Practicum

Year 5 - Summer

• MCC645: Crisis Counseling
• MCC535: Children & Adolescents

Year 6 - Semester 5

• MCC670: Internship I
• MCC675: Current Issues

Year 6 - Semester 6

• MCC680: Internship II
• MCC545: Counseling Families

• The PSYCH/MACC program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs. The curriculum includes the core academic requirements for Licensed Professional Counselors in Pennsylvania.
• Alvernia is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors is projected to grow 22 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than average for all occupations. The median annual wage in 2021 was $48,520.

• Counselor
• Community Health Worker
• Career Counselor
• Chemical Dependency Counselor
• Clinical Therapist
• Substance Abuse Counselor
• Social Worker
• Health Educator
• Family Therapist
• Psychologist

• Attending professional conferences offered through the American Counseling Association and the Pennsylvania Counseling Association. These activities offer the opportunity to network with other professionals at the state and national levels.
• Complete counseling internships among many public and private agencies in Reading, Philadelphia, Lancaster, Pottsville and the surrounding areas.