11824_JFKU_Catalog Front Cover.indd - John F. Kennedy University

College of Graduate and Professional StudiesIn addition, all students are required to purchase their ownmalpractice insurance and be fingerprinted prior to beginningpracticum. Students who have concerns about the fingerprintingrequirement are encouraged to speak with the Program Chair andalso to contact the BBS early in their educational process todetermine any impact with regard to licensure. For moreinformation on practicums, please refer to the student handbook.Master’s ThesisA master’s thesis consists of a detailed, systematic, originalexploration of a topic. e thesis revolves around one key researchquestion that formulates your approach to the topic. esis workis recommended for students who intend to be published, to workin or with academia as part of their career, or to consider eventualdoctoral work.College of Graduate andProfessional Studiesdidactic TrainingAs part of our commitment to helping students meet practicumand workshop hours for licensure, students attend a didactictraining series that covers specialized topics in the field ofpsychology. Speakers from public and private agencies, the healthcare industry, and schools address the latest theories and ideas incommunity mental health and disparities in mental health care intraditionally marginalized communities. is is in keeping withrecent changes in BBS requirements which incorporate principlesof wellness, recovery, resilience cultural competence, andcommunity mental health. e didactic training series is a requiredpart of the practicum experience in that JFK University CommunityCenter including the school Base Counseling Program orCounseling Program practicums.Comprehensive Master’s examinationAll students in the MA in Counseling Psychology program arerequired to demonstrate an understanding of theoretical materialand their capacity to function effectively and ethically asprofessional clinicians. As part of the assessment of thesecompetencies, students must complete a two-part comprehensivemaster’s examination similar in format to that of the CaliforniaMFT exam licensure.Offered twice a year, the written master’s examination is taken inPhase II of the program and it covers all of the Phase I coursework.Students must register through the register’s office for the writtencomprehensive examination, PSy/PSJ/PSB 9091, and 0ay thenon-refundable fee and attend a scheduled orientation meeting andoptional practice session held six weeks prior to the date of theexamination. Students who are required to retake the writtenexamination must re-register and pay the appropriatenon-refundable fee. Students have three opportunities to pass thewritten examination. A student who fails the written examinationmust meet with the Review and Advisement Committee.At the end of the fifth or sixth quarter/session of practicum,students complete the oral component of the comprehensivemaster’s examination. Students must register through the registrar’soffice for the oral comprehensive examination, PSy/PSJ/PSB 9091,and pay the appropriate non-refundable fee. e examinationconsists two parts beginning with a case presentation by thecandidate of their own clinical work to two examiners, followed byan ad-hoc vignette given to the candidate and where the examinerswill ask predetermined questions. Both parts of the oralexamination provide students with the opportunity to demonstratecompetence, breadth, and the depth of knowledge necessary tobecome an effective therapist. Students have three opportunities topass the oral examination. Students who are required to retake theoral examination must re-register and pay the appropriatenon-refundable fee. A student who fails the oral examination mustmeet with the Review and Advisement Committee.For the master’s thesis option, the required sequence of courses is:1. PSy/PSJ/PSB 5054 Research Methods: Quantitative andQualitative2. PSy/PSJ/PSB 5990 Master’s esis Proposal,3. PSy/PSJ/PSB 5646 Advanced Study in Research, and4. ree quarters (two units each) of PSy/PSJ/PSB 5991 Master’sesis, namely PSy/PSJ/PSB 5991A, PSy/PSJ/PSB 5991B, andPSy/PSJ/PSB 5991C.In terms of sequence, students must complete PSy/PSJ/PSB 5054Research Methods before enrolling in PSy/PSJ/PSB 5990 Master’sesis Proposal. Students will design and develop their thesisresearch in that class, including the submission of the master’sthesis proposal to the Human Participants Committee (HPC) forreview and approval. Students must complete and submit theirmaster’s thesis proposal to the HPC prior to the maximum timelimit of three quarters from their first enrollment in PSy/PSJ/PSB5990. Students are required to repeat PSy/PSJ/PSB 5990 (maximumof three times) until their master’s thesis proposals have beensubmitted to and approved by the HPC. Students must receivecredit for PSy/PSJ/PSB 5990 Master’s esis Proposal beforeenrolling in PSy/PSJ/PSB 5991A Master’s esis A.Before enrolling in PSy/PSJ/PSB 5991A and starting on the master’sthesis itself, Students need to take the PSy/PSJ/PSB 5646 AdvancedStudy in Research (this course may be taken concurrent withPSy/PSJ/PSB 5991A).Once students finish the proposal and enroll in PSy/PSJ/PSB5991A, they must progress to PSy/PSJ/PSB 5991B andPSy/PSJ/PSB 5991C without missing any quarters in between. ismeans being registered for a minimum of three consecutivequarters. Upon completion of PSy/PSJ/PSB 5991A andPSy/PSJ/PSB 5991B, students will receive an in-progress (IP) markon their transcript. After submission of the final bound thesis, theIPs will convert to credits. However, units of the PSy/PSJ/PSB 5991classes are not applied toward the total unit requirements for theMA degree for MFT and PCC students. All thesis coursework unitsapplied toward the total unit requirements for the MA degree forthe Individualized Program of Study in Psychology.Students who have not completed their thesis at the end ofPSy/PSJ/PSB 5991C will be required to take PSy/PSJ/PSB 5992Supplemental esis Assistance for one unit each quarter until thethesis is completed. ese supplemental units do not count towardthe degree’s unit requirements. Students must complete and receivecredit for their master’s theses prior to the maximum time limit ofsix quarters from their initial enrollment in PSy/PSJ/PSB 5991A.e thesis must be completed and approved before the degree canbe awarded.Students who wish to do a Master's esis must arrange an initialconference with the Research Director (esis Coordinator) of the88 College of Graduate and Professional Studies JOHN F. KENNEDy UNIvERSITy