It’s a huge milestone for the Faculty of Behavioural Sciences at Yorkville University—Dr. Helen Massfeller, the Dean of the Faculty, said she is delighted to announce the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP) has gained recognition by the Transitional Council of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).
“I am elated our students have the opportunity to move forward and be recognized for all of their hard work,” Massfeller said. “They will have the opportunity to be registered as psychotherapists in Ontario and that takes them one step closer to their goal of practicing in the field.”
The MACP program is one of four recognized programs listed on the CRPO website and informs prospective members that Yorkville University’s program supports the development of entry-to-practice competencies for new psychotherapists.
To qualify for registration with the College, individuals applying for membership must have completed a program of education and training in psychotherapy that has allowed them to develop the required entry-to-practice competencies.
“What the college is saying by our name being there is that our graduates have completed a program that the college recognizes,” Massfeller explained.
Massfeller explained the response the Faculty got from the CRPO included some comments on the program’s overall strengths. They said the presentation of the program demonstrates its alignment with the CRPO entry-to-practice competencies.
“The reviewers stated our learning resources are excellent and we have highly qualified faculty,” Massfeller explained. The CRPO also pointed out that the program logically unfolds in five-week blocks of content, which set up a coherent sequence of student learning.
“We start with courses at the beginning that lay a strong foundation and as students progress through their program, skills and knowledge are integrated through applied practice,” Massfeller explained. “This culminates in the 30-week community-based practicum.
“It’s their way of saying that the program unfolds in a meaningful and coherent manner in terms of how students engage in their learning,” she said.
The CRPO highlighted Yorkville’s approach to teaching and learning and how the MACP program places an emphasis on engagement, self-reflection, critical thinking and the integration of learning through doing. The College recognized that there has been consistent care and creativity that has gone into making the virtual learning environment an interactive, interpersonal experience with fellow students, teachers and supervisors.
“We have created a rich learning environment that provides students with opportunities to engage in stimulating discussions,” Massfeller said.
In order to achieve this recognition by the CRPO, Yorkville University had to complete and submit a comprehensive application and have the program reviewed by an expert panel.
“This is the culmination of two years of extremely hard work by the faculty and staff,” Massfeller said. “It was a team effort to bring this together.
“I am really happy, but I also have a deep sense of gratitude for all the hours and hours of work that was put in by faculty to accomplish this important milestone in our program history,” she said.
The program will be recognized for five years at which time Yorkville University will be required to reapply for review and recognition.
