Program Overview

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Counseling is designed for students who hold a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. The Master’s degree in counseling offers five specializations and provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform competently, ethically, and successfully as professional counseling practitioners in a wide range of settings. The following specializations are accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP): Mental Health Counseling, Marital, Couple, Family Counseling and Therapy, and School Counseling.

The Counseling program faculty strives to create an environment that is scholarly and rigorous, yet free from unnecessary obstacles, busy work, or frustration. In-class activities blend the traditional didactic approach to teaching with more experiential methods and collaborative methods. Students are challenged to work independently as well as cooperatively on written projects and oral presentations. Role-play demonstrations, audio and videotape recordings of skill practice, and supervisory observation of counseling sessions through a one-way mirror encourage both professional and personal development. Feedback on performance is given and accepted freely within, as well as outside, the classroom. The faculty work together to create an atmosphere of caring, openness, and trust. Consistent with the mission of the University, we seek to provide a learning environment that encourages students to explore and accept intellectual, personal, ethical, spiritual, and social responsibilities.

The Counseling Program is committed to stimulating the professional and personal growth of counselor trainees. The following broad goals have been established for students:

• to increase knowledge of counseling theories and techniques;
• to enhance ability to apply theory and techniques to diverse human problems in varied counseling settings;
• to develop a professional counseling identity through pursuit of appropriate certification, licensure, organizational affiliation, and ethical conduct;
• to encourage acquisition of the knowledge and skills necessary for dealing effectively with gender, social, and cultural issues; and
• to stimulate commitment to service designed to meet the needs of self, others, and society.