Point Park University

What you'll study

This programme combines foundational psychological theory with applied clinical skills. Core topics typically include psychopathology and diagnostic conceptualisation, psychological assessment and testing, individual and group psychotherapy techniques, ethics and professional issues, multicultural and diversity considerations in therapy, and research methods and statistics. Students engage in practicum and supervised clinical experience in community, school or healthcare settings to develop assessment, case formulation and intervention skills.

Many cohorts complete a capstone or thesis-equivalent applied project that integrates clinical practice and research, and coursework commonly covers lifespan development, trauma-informed care, substance-use treatment approaches, and crisis intervention. Training emphasises evidence-based interventions, case management, consultation, and interprofessional collaboration.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a relevant bachelor’s degree (for example, psychology, human services or a closely related field). Admissions decisions consider undergraduate academic record, letters of recommendation, a personal statement describing professional goals and clinical interests, and a current résumé or CV. Some applicants may be asked to attend an interview as part of the selection process.

While specific minimum GPA expectations and exam requirements vary, relevant coursework or experience in psychology, research methods or direct client work strengthens an application. International applicants must meet the university’s language proficiency standards.

Career prospects

Graduates leave prepared for a range of roles in mental health and human services settings. Typical positions include counsellor or therapist in community mental health centres, substance-use and rehabilitation programmes, school and college support services, residential treatment settings, and employee assistance or behavioural health programmes. Other possible roles include case manager, behavioural health technician, and clinical researcher or coordinator in applied settings.

For those pursuing licensure (for example as a licensed professional counsellor or equivalent), this master’s provides substantive clinical training but will usually need to be followed by the state-required supervised practice hours and licensure examinations. Graduates who wish to pursue doctoral study can also use the programme’s research and practicum components as preparation.

Why study at Point Park University

Point Park offers a practice-focused environment with small class sizes and close faculty mentorship from instructors who have applied clinical experience. The university’s urban location in Pittsburgh provides access to diverse practicum and internship placements across hospitals, community agencies, schools and nonprofit organisations, enabling students to gain experience with a broad client population.

The programme emphasises hands-on skill development, professional networking within the local mental health community, and flexible scheduling to accommodate working students. These features make it suitable for students seeking a career-oriented master’s with direct clinical training and community engagement opportunities.