- Degree Level
- Graduate
- Degrees Offered
- Dual Degree: MPH/MAC
- school/college
- College of Arts and Sciences
Dual Degrees of Master of Arts in Counseling and Master of Public Health
The dual degree of Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) and Master of Public Health (MPH) enables graduates to implement both individual and systemic change in the mental health and public health fields, by integrating the tools of the counselor with the tools of public health practitioners. This program prepares students to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) in Pennsylvania and educates students to become community health professionals trained to promote the health of individuals, families, communities, and the environment.
Master of Public Health
Our Master of Public Health (MPH) has a Community Health Concentration, and is offered through the College of Health Sciences. The MPH degree incorporates broad knowledge and action related to preventing disease and disability and improving individual and population-level outcomes. Public health is centered in achieving health equity and reducing disparities, including understanding and addressing the social and community context of disease, illness, disability and recovery, as well as health promotion and health research. Our MPH trains students to work effectively as public health professionals in local and global communities through a wide variety of health-related organizations.
While not part of the dual program, the online MPH degree is another excellent option for those who need more flexibility.
Public Health Program Highlights
- Program planning and evaluation;
- Healthcare and broader public health policy;
- Epidemiology, research methods, and biostatistics;
- Public health communication for the community;
- Capstone projects that integrate practice and research;
- Internships that give students first-hand experience in public health settings;
- Domestic and international service projects and internship opportunities;
- Interprofessional education experiences;
- Dual Degree Programs: Arcadia’s MPH program offers a variety of dual degree options including Physician Assistant; Physical therapy; Counseling; and International Peace and Conflict Resolution;
- The MPH program educates future public health professionals to promote the health of individuals, families, communities, and the environment;
- Our Program integrates education, research, and practice in a globally-minded environment.
Master of Arts in Counseling
The Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC, 60 credits) is accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Accreditation Council (MPCAC) and prepares highly qualified counselors to work with a range of communities across various settings, such as community agencies, private practices, hospitals, college counseling centers, and primary and secondary schools. The focus of the training is largely on the individual, rather than on a population, and on remediation, rather than prevention.
By completing this dual degree, students gain knowledge in two unique yet complementary fields as they prepare for their professional careers.
- Learn about public health and counseling principles from a global perspective.
- Combine the advocacy agendas of public health and counseling to most effectively address individual and group problems.
- Integrate public health education with clinical counseling training. Community projects and internships enhance clinical and community-based skills.
- Students have opportunities to work in situations that will allow them to combine their Counseling training with their Public Health community-based internship requirements.
- Arcadia offers community projects/internships that enhance your clinical and community-based skills within the United States and/or internationally.
Financial Aid
Graduate students who have been accepted into a degree program and are enrolled for at least 6 credits per semester are eligible to apply for financial aid. Please visit our Financial Aid page for information regarding available aid options, and visit our Graduate Financial Aid page to complete required forms online.
Scholarships
The Counseling program offers a limited number of scholarships to applicants who display strong merit and commitment to multiculturalism in counseling.
Featured Courses
History, Theories and Core Functions of Public Health
Required Course
In the course, you will be introduced to the concepts, theories, and methods employed by behavioral scientists to develop, implement, and evaluate public health interventions. Learn an overview of psychosocial factors related to health and illness behavior, models of health beliefs and behavior, strategies for health behavior change at the individual, group, and community level is presented. Explore the theoretical perspective and how theory can be applied to the design and assessment of public health and health promotion programs and interventions.
Achieving Health Equity: From Individuals to Systems
Required Course
You will survey of the dimensions of health and disease from three perspectives: The U.S. historical experience with health and disease; the social context of health and illness, including the healthcare system and policy issues; and choices in healing, integrating conventional and complementary therapies. Explore the history, etiology, epidemiology, geographic mortality patterns of selected public health issues and disease entities. You will master the coursework as you complete a research project designed to provide you with basic qualitative research skills, which are useful in clinical practice, applied research, program planning, development, and evaluation.
Health Care Systems and Public Health Policy: An Integrated Approach to Population Health
Required Course
Gain an integrated perspective on population health covering both health care systems and broader public health policies. Explore the health care system in the U.S. and provide comparisons to health care systems internationally. Build your understanding on population health outcomes, spending on health, and determinants of health and disparities within and across countries as well as stimulate critical thinking about how systems can meet the challenges of cost, quality and access. Discover the vital role of public health policies in addressing population health, including the concept of health in all policies. Develop and evaluate public health policy using the PEEEL framework, which focuses on understandings of politics, economics, ethics, epidemiology/health research, and law/government.
Capstone Research Project Seminar I
Required Course
You will complete an independent research-based project as a final demonstration of your acquired skills and knowledge. Organize, synthesize, and communicate the results of the project both through an oral defense, a formal poster presentation, and in a written report. Your projects may involve the analysis of quantitative or qualitative data; but may also include policy analysis, systematic literature review, and other options described in the Capstone Handbook.
Concepts of Mental Health and Mental Illness (PY 572)
Group Counseling (PY 610 )
Required Course
Learn the major theories, concepts, and techniques of group counseling. Experience a process group and practice various group counseling techniques.
