The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) program provides graduate-level counseling courses to individuals seeking to meet credentialing requirements or augment their training. The CAGS specialization tracks include Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Professional Counseling. Applicants for the CAGS program must have completed a master’s degree in psychology, counseling or a related discipline. Students will complete 12 graduate credits to earn the certificate. Classes are held on weekday evenings and on some weekends. The Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) Track is designed to train mental health professionals in the application, theory and advanced practice of cognitive behavior therapy. Three 2-credit cognitive behavior therapy seminars taught by various CBT experts from the School of Professional & Applied Psychology form the basis of this certificate program. In addition, students complete two 3-credit courses taught with a cognitive behavior therapy focus. The Professional Counseling Track is an individualized program designed to provide mental health professionals with the courses necessary to take the licensing exam that leads to a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential in Pennsylvania and the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential. These courses may be used in conjunction with an earned master’s degree from an accredited college to complete the 60 course credits required to take the National Counseling Exam (NCE) and become a LPC.

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Term 1		Hours
COUN 575A	Cognitive Behavior Therapy I	2
Elective - Pick two 3 credit COUN courses. Can take in either fall, winter, spring, or summer		6
	Hours	8
Term 2
COUN 575B	Cognitive Behavior Therapy II	2
	Hours	2
Term 3
COUN 575C	Cognitive Behavior Therapy III	2
	Hours	2
	Total Hours	12

Psychology Certificate Programs

Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Professional Counseling

Applicants for a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Cognitive Behavior Therapy and/or Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Professional Counseling must have completed a master’s degree in psychology, counseling or a related discipline from a regionally accredited institution with a B average or better. Master’s degrees in other specialty areas will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Students will complete 12 graduate credits to earn the certificate for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Professional Counseling. 

The online application will be available beginning in the fall 2021 term at https://explore.pcom.edu/apply/.

These programs utilizes a rolling admissions policy, so applications will be considered throughout the year as they are received. Students will be accepted into the programs until a class size is reached. Classes begin in the fall term (early August).

The Admissions Committee screens applications, invites some applicants for an interview, evaluates the applicants and selects new students. Following the completion of the admission process, each applicant will be notified of the Admission's Committee decision in writing, including any conditions that must be satisfied prior to or following enrollment.

Your application will be processed and assessed by the Faculty Committee on Admissions only after the receipt of:

• Completed PCOM application
• Official transcript(s) from all undergraduate and graduate course work
• Two letters of recommendation
• Curriculum vitae or resume
• A general autobiographical statement explaining you interest in this academic program as it relates to your career goals (in 500 words or less)
• Writing sample (preferably graded)

Note that official college transcripts from all colleges/universities schools attended must be sent directly to: 

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Office of Admissions
4170 City Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19131

We will accept electronic transcripts via email, from Parchment Services and National Student Clearinghouse to admissions@pcom.edu. Letters of recommendation can be sent directly to PCOM Admissions in PDF format to recommend@pcom.edu. All other admissions documents may be sent to admissions@pcom.edu.