MA in Clinical Counseling & Psychotherapy
Learn to Empower People to Live Meaningful, Integrated Lives
Since 1981, ICSW has been a leader in specialized higher education for clinicians. Building on this tradition, our master’s program offers students an opportunity to learn psychodynamic principles and apply them to a broad range of practice settings.
We prepare students for the depth and diversity that contemporary practice demands — through close collaboration with expert faculty, comprehensive clinical internships, and rigorous psychodynamic training that leads to licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
Students choose ICSW because it provides hands-on, expert-guided learning that carries into clinical practice or doctoral education.
• Colorado • Kentucky • Nevada • North Carolina
ICSW currently does not meet licensure requirements for practice in these states.
What Students Gain
Our curriculum combines psychodynamic theory with applied clinical practice — preparing graduates to become skilled, ethical, and reflective counselors.
Mastering Psychotherapy Basics
Over two years you’ll cover psychoanalytic origins, major thinkers, and concepts including the unconscious, repression, defenses, and dream work – alongside counseling methods, professional ethics, and research techniques.
Comprehensive Exam Preparation
You’ll learn intake, assessment, case conceptualization, diagnosis, treatment planning, and documentation – all taught in direct preparation for the LPC National Counselor Examination (NCE).
Real-World Field Placement
Students complete independent learning experiences in agency settings – working under a licensed clinical mental health counselor, fulfilling 350 hours in year one and 700 hours in year two.
Full-Time & Part-Time Pathways
ICSW offers both part-time and full-time clinical psychotherapy masters programs. Choose the path that fits your life – both lead to the same rigorous Master’s degree and LPC eligibility.
- Full-Time
- Part-Time
Full-Time
- 4 – 5 courses per semester + field placement + clinical consultation
- Field placement begins in Year 1
- Tuesday & Wednesday evenings (4-8:30 PM)
- Saturday mornings (9–11 AM)
- Summer and winter break between Fall and Spring semesters
- Graduate in 2 years, ready to sit for LPC exam
Part-Time
- 2 – 4 courses per semester
- Coursework only in Year 1; field placement begins Year 2
- Same evening and weekend class format
- Summer and winter break between Fall and Spring semesters
- Graduate in 3 years, ready to sit for LPC exam
General Financial Aid Information
Financial aid eligibility can vary based on enrollment status, program length, and federal regulations. Students are encouraged to consult with the Financial Aid Office for guidance regarding their specific situation.
Everything You Need to Apply
From application requirements to graduation policies — find all the details you need to take the next step with confidence.
Application Requirements
What are the Masters in Clinical Counseling and Psychotherapy Degree Requirements?
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university — degree need not be in psychology or social work
- Minimum 3.0 GPA at all institutions of higher education
- GRE is not required
Applicants who meet the above criteria and are interested in applying to the program are welcome to apply online. During this process, applicants are asked to submit:
- Application Form
- Personal Statement (Uploaded with application) (Guidelines)
- Resume/CV (Uploaded with application)
- Transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
- Official electronic transcripts are strongly preferred; they can be sent to Samantha Antos, Enrollment Management Specialist at, santos@icsw.edu.
- Non-refundable $50 application fee (Submitted with application)
Based on the above materials, applicants who appear well qualified for the clinical health counseling and psychotherapy master’s program will be invited to a minimum of two interviews with ICSW faculty members (onsite or via video conferencing) and will be asked to take an online writing / critical thinking assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click here to view our FAQs
Tuition, Financial Aid & Scholarships
Click here for more information about tuition costs, financial aid options, and institutional scholarships.
Credit Transfer Policy
We accept, on an individual basis, transfer of credits from any other accredited Master’s or Doctoral Program for courses which are equivalent to courses in the curriculum of ICSW’s Master’s or Doctoral Program pending approval by the Academic Dean.
Guidelines:
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Courses from other programs must be evaluated by the Academic Dean.
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The evaluation will include a judgment of the general similarity in content and clock hours.
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We will accept credits totaling no more than twenty percent of the required coursework in any degree program.
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Clinical Practicum and case conference courses may be eligible for transfer of credit consideration.
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Courses may be no less than 5 years old to be eligible for transfer credit.
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Transcripts and syllabi need to be reviewed for content prior to granting transfer credit approval.
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ICSW has always had a “test-out” policy for any course. Students must successfully complete the evaluation of student learning activities to demonstrate knowledge of course content.
Program Graduation Requirements
A student is eligible for graduation when they have:
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Earned a total of 60 semester credit hours are required for graduating with a master’s in clinical counseling and psychotherapy
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Completed and passed a comprehensive exam covering concepts from psychodynamic core theory courses
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Presented and passed a clinical case to a faculty panel
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Fulfilled two Field Placements totaling 350 hours in the first academic year of the program and 700 hours in the second academic year of the master’s in counseling program
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Fulfilled all financial obligations
Some credit earned in the counseling master’s program may be transferable to ICSW’s doctoral program. For specific information, please contact ICSW at 773-943-6500.
Licensure & Program Eligibility
Note on Licensure: The Master’s program at ICSW meets state of Illinois requirements for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Accrued hours are transferrable for licensure in another state and if a student would like to obtain their LPC in another state, they should check that state’s requirements for equivalency in their master’s in clinical health counseling program. In some cases, other states may require a student to take an additional class or two. However, Illinois requirements are stringent and are in excess of many other states’ requirements.
State laws may require certification or licensure to practice counseling in that state. Students who live outside of the state of Illinois, should determine prior to enrollment at ICSW to determine whether their degree from ICSW will qualify them for that license/certification. Students are strongly encouraged to contact the licensing board to obtain the applicable requirements, rules, and regulations of the state they plan to reside or work prior to enrollment at the Institute for Clinical Social Work. It is the student’s responsibility to determine whether the distance pathway to the Master’s program will meet their state’s requirements for certification, and licensure prior to enrollment.
Note for International Applicants: The Institute for Clinical Social Work’s master’s degree in clinical counseling and psychotherapy prepares students for licensure (Licensed Professional Counselor– LPC/Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor – LCPC).The Institute for Clinical Social Work is not authorized to issue F-1 student visas. Therefore, non-resident, international students should consider their immigration status independent of their affiliation with ICSW, and whether their status will allow for post-graduation employment necessary to complete the National Board for Certified Counselors National Counselor Examination (NCE) requirements for licensure. Additionally, non-resident, international students should check licensing requirements that are specific to their own country.
Program Quick Facts
Questions?
For admissions-related inquiries, please contact Samantha Antos, Enrollment Specialist, at admissions@icsw.edu.