Community-Based Limited Residency M.A. Program - The Master of Arts Program

At Prescott College you can design and earn the master's degree you've always wanted and complete the program from anywhere in the country with the support of and interaction with highly qualified faculty.  You will earn a degree with foundational knowledge, plus you get to bring in your own passion.  You do not need to relocate, stop working, or sacrifice your family responsibilities: Your community and workplace become your classroom. For more information on the Prescott College Master of Arts Program click here!

Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Equine-Assisted Mental Health (EAMH)
This concentration allows students seeking licensure or certification as a psychotherapist or in counseling psychology to develop competence in the rapidly evolving area of EAMH. In addition to the established core requirements designed for professional licensure, this course work explores the theoretical understanding, ethical issues, facilitation skills, and relational horsemanship skills crucial for mastery in this area of counseling.

View the Master of Arts concentration in EAMH Brochure (PDF)

Core Faculty

Paul Smith, PhD candidate and Centaur Leadership Services Director, is the core faculty in the Counseling Psychology and EAMH M.A. program. Paul also teaches Equine-based undergraduate classes exploring leadership and life balance through partnership with horses for the Prescott College Resident Degree Program. See Paul Smith's Faculty page

Academic Advisors

Graduate Advisors are hired specifically as experts within their academic discipline, and play a guiding and critical role in the education of Masters-level students. Advisors and students are paired together through a mutual interview process that seeks the best fit for each student, and graduate advisors generally work with a student throughout the student's entire enrollment in the program. Graduate Advisors work with each student to meet the academic and experiential requirements mandated by the licensing board of the state in which the student intends to seek licensure.

Counseling Psychology and Equine-Assisted Mental Health: Academic Advisors

• Laura Brinckerhoff, LPC, LISAC is the Founder and Director of Leap of Faith Equine-assisted Mental Health Services in Tucson, AZ. An accomplished horsewoman and Licensed Independent Substance Abuse Counselor, Laura is currently the Director Of Equine-Assisted Mental Health Services at Cottonwood de Tucson. In addition to certification through EAGALA and CHA, Laura was a NARHA certified therapeutic riding instructor for ten years. Laura draws on experiences and a long-time friendship with Barbara Rector (Adventures in Awareness) to create her own specialty in effective, client-based reflective round pen sessions. In 2003, Laura was in the first graduating class of Prescott College Counseling Psychology EAMH students. See Laura's resume

• Dr. Galen E. Cole, Ph.D., M.P.H., LPC provides Equine-assisted individual, marriage, and family therapy at his practice, Circle C Center outside of Atlanta, GA. He has extensive training and experience in counseling psychology, psychiatric epidemiology, behavioral science research, education, mass and interpersonal communication, and public health. Galen has taught counseling psychology, equine assisted mental health, behavioral and evaluation research, and a number of other counseling and health-related courses at the university level. Galen specializes in Equine-based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. See Galens resume

• John Dooley, M.Ed, LPC is a long time resident of Arizona and has practiced counseling and therapy here for over 25 years. He has held positions with St. Luke's Behavioral Health, Maricopa County Crisis, and The Governors Office for Children, and consulted with QWEST, AT&T, and other Valley Industries. John worked for many years at the Phoenix Vet Center where he assisted fellow combat Veterans and their families coping with PTSD and anger related issues, and provides Equine-assisted therapy for a variety of populations in Phoenix and throughout Arizona.

See John's resume

• Suzanne Forrester, MA co-founded Equine Therapy of the Rockies in Colorado with Duey Freeman, MA, LPC, LLC. They specialize in families and couples therapy, addictions and habitual patterns including eating disorders, relapse prevention and intervention, trauma, attachment issues and life transitions. Suzanne and Duey work with families in intensive, customized family sessions prior to using equine therapy. They specialize in Gestalt therapy, and also utilize developmental, body-centered and equine-inspired psychotherapy.

• E. Rand Gurley, LCSW is the Director and Founder (1998) of Healing Partners Equestrian Program in Sandpoint, ID. Currently working towards her PsyD, Rand specializes in Trauma diagnosis and treatment, and provides equine assisted psychotherapy for individuals, families and groups. See Rand's resume

• Stan Maliszewski, PhD most recently served as a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology, and Director of the School Counseling and Guidance Program at The University of Arizona.  Prior to joining The University of Arizona in 2000, Stan supervised the guidance and counseling program in the Omaha Public Schools for thirteen years. Other public education experiences have included service as a high school teacher, high school counselor, and guidance director. Stan received his Ph.D. from The University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He is licensed as a Mental Health Practitioner and National Certified Counselor. Read more of Stan's Biography (PDF) or click here to see Stan Maliszewski's VITA (PDF)

For more information on the Master of Arts Program at Prescott College, contact psmith@prescott.edu or the Admissions office