College of Education

Department of Leadership, Counseling, & Educational Technology

The Counseling program is CACREP accredited and offers an M.A. degree in Mental Health Counseling. Students take common coursework in the areas of human development, legal and ethical issues of the profession, career development, appraisal methods, counseling theories, groupwork, practicum and research, and program evaluation. Additional specialized courses focusing on mental health counseling in areas such as internship, human sexuality, addictions, special populations, consultation, organization, administration and supervision, and professional development.  Students are engaged in field-based activities during almost every enrollment.

Program Admission Requirements

• A four year undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution. 
• Any one of the following:
  
  1. a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester hours attempted accruing to the undergraduate degree; or
  2. a combined score of 1000 or higher on the quantitative and verbal sections of the GRE exam; or
  3. a 400 or higher on the MAT; or
  4. a graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
     
     Note: All applicants must submit GPA and graduate admission (GRE or MAT) test scores regardless of which of the above criteria are met for admissions.
• Submission of three favorable recommendations from professionals in the field.
• Submission of a written statement of career goals.
• Participation in a personal interview.
• Performance in courses taken post baccalaureate will be taken into consideration for admission to the Mental Health Counseling Program.
• Counseling Criminal Record Policy Statement: All applicants are advised that in order to complete the program, they must complete internships.  Most internship facilities do background checks and will not permit the placement of counselor interns with criminal records.  The Department reserves the right to deny program admission to any applicant if it appears that applicant is unlikely to be able to complete the internship requirement due to a criminal record, thus inhibiting their ability to complete the program.

Program Requirements

• MHS 6021  Introduction to Community Mental Health (3)
• MHS 6482  Lifespan Development (3)
• MHS 6070  Mental Disorders (3)
• MHS 6200  Appraisal Procedures (3)
• MHS 6340  Career Development (3)
• MHS 6404  Introduction to Counseling Theory and Technique (3)
• MHS 6405  Advanced Counseling Theory (3)
• MHS 6428 Cross-Cultural Counseling (3)
• MHS 6450  Issues in Addictions and Abuse (3)
• MHS 6470 Human Sexuality (3)
• MHS 6500  Intro to Group Dynamics (3)
• MHS 6621 Organizations, Administration, and Supervision (3)
• MHS 6710  Research & Program Evaluation (3)
• MHS 6700  Legal & Ethical Issues for the Counseling Profession (3)
• MHS 6800  Practicum in Counseling (3)
• MHS 6805 Advanced Practicum in Counseling (3)
• MHS 6881  Clinical Internship I (2)
• MHS 6882  Clinical Internship II (2)
• MHS 6883  Clinical Internship III (3)
• MHS 6888  Clinical Internship and Professional Development Seminar in Mental Health Counseling (3-4)
• MHS 6886  Clinical Internship V (2)

TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS REQUIRED: 60 HRS

Additional Graduation Requirements

• Students must satisfactorily complete the minimum number of credit hours specified by the graduate degree program.
• A grade of B or higher must be earned in all College of Education graduate courses used as prerequisites and each core course.
• Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher in all work attempted.
• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all coursework in program.
• Students must complete and pass a culminating demonstration of learning and competence at the end of the program. These may include comprehensive examinations, portfolios, special practicum projects, or research projects.

Transfer Notes and Acceptable Substitutes

The College of Education limits the transfer of coursework into its graduate programs to a maximum of 12 credits or three courses. To be considered, courses must have been completed with a minimum grade of B and no more than seven years prior to the date of entry into the graduate program and no more than ten years prior to graduation from the graduate program.

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