North Park University: Christian - Urban

Why Study Counseling Psychology?

A degree in counseling psychology will provide you the skills and knowledge to advance your career or prepare for graduate work in counseling, social work, or a related field. This major provides a foundation of psychological principles to apply to personal, social, and organizational problems. It emphasizes interaction with clients in professional settings such as human services and social services agencies or the corporate workplace. Major principles and methods that address social and counseling issues are applied to diverse populations.

Why North Park?

Courses in the counseling psychology major are taught by faculty with extensive experience and a dedication to teaching and advising adult students. In our distinctively Christian, urban, and multicultural learning environment, you will research and discuss how to best serve the mental health needs of a wide range of client populations. Evening, weekend, and online courses are taught in an accelerated format for your convenience, helping make your transition back to the classroom smooth and successful.

Find out more about completing your degree at North Park.

Credit for Life Experience

In the School of Adult Learning, you may earn academic credit for life experience through the Prior Learning Assessment process. Credit is earned if you are able to demonstrate learning, whether from informal life experience, professional psychology training, social work licensure, counseling certification, or any other source.

Learn more about transferring and earning credit for life experience.

Careers in Counseling Psychology

Graduates have a range of career opportunities that include working in public, private, or government agencies serving the mental health and social service needs of various communities. Many students also continue on to graduate programs to become psychologists, social workers, counselors, or therapists.

Learn more about North Park's Career Development Office.

Preparing for the Future

Cameron Sweeney C'12 returned to school, in part, to improve in her career. "I enjoy the population of students I serve ... and I wanted to be more knowledgeable about how to work with them," she says. Since earning her counseling psychology degree, Cameron has received a pay increase and is pursuing graduate school.

Read more about Cameron's experience.

Cameron Sweeney, School of Adult Learning Alumnus

Meet the Faculty

Paul Priester oversees the counseling psychology program. He has more than 20 years of clinical experience in counseling and more than 40 publications related to his areas of expertise. He specializes in the integration of religious and spiritual issues into psychology, culturally responsive counseling, and the prevention and treatment of addiction.

Learn more about Paul.

Location Options

A degree in counseling psychology can be earned through classes offered at the Chicago and Grayslake campuses or a combination of online and in-person classes.

Program Flexibility

Most School of Adult Learning students earn their degree in two to four years, with an average degree completion time of two and a half years. Our accelerated, seven-week course schedule is offered through six shorter terms each academic year, with breaks over the winter holiday season and in May.

Explore the courses and requirements for the counseling psychology major.

Next Steps

Program Requirements