MA in counseling psychology receives national accreditation

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
Contact:
Alyson Kakugawa-Leong, (808) 974-7642
Director, Media Relations, University Relations
Posted: Mar 31, 2011

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Master of Arts Program in Counseling Psychology has received a full 10-year accreditation from the Masters in Psychology Accreditation Council (MPAC), extending to March 1, 2021. MPAC accredits academic programs in psychology, which promote training in the scientific practice of professional psychology at the master’s level. Accredited programs must demonstrate a commitment to science-based training in all aspects of psychology and to enhancing services to the consumer and the public-at-large.

“This is a proud moment for the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo,” said Chancellor Donald Straney. “MPAC accreditation represents an important validation of the quality of education our students receive as they prepare to join the ranks of professional counselors.”

The Master of Arts Program in Counseling Psychology is administered by the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences. The program was established in 2005 with the full approval and support of the University of Hawaiʻi System and the Hawaiʻi State Legislature. The 60 semester-hour program is based on a scientist-practitioner model, with an emphasis on empirical research and evidence-based practices. The program is designed to provide multicultural, student-centered training in counseling psychology and meets the curricular requirements for licensure as a mental health counselor in the state of Hawaiʻi.

“My colleagues and I are very pleased to have attained national accreditation for our counseling psychology program,” said Dr. Bryan Kim, director of the counseling psychology masters program. “We all know that national accreditation represents external recognition of a program's high-level quality and sustainability. My colleagues and I have worked hard at building our program and we are grateful to have this recognition from the Masters in Psychology Accreditation Council."

“I personally want to thank my faculty colleagues, administrators, students, graduates, community supervisors, and everyone else who have supported our program since its formation in 2005 and have helped to make this accreditation possible,” he added.

For more information about the program, contact Kim at bryankim@hawaii.edu or (808) 974-7439.