Counseling, M.A. (Clinical Mental Health Concentration)

General Program Information

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The counseling program is designed for the advanced preparation of personnel to serve children, adults, and families in various school and community agency settings. The counseling program offers two concentrations: clinical mental health counseling and elementary/secondary school counseling. Emphasis is placed upon assisting students to develop a broad range of counseling skills that are applicable in a variety of professional settings. Students are admitted into the counseling program once a year in the fall or summer semesters. Applications that are not complete by the early deadline risk denial of admission due to no remaining available spaces. A minimum of 60 credits are required to complete the Master of Arts degree in Counseling. The Elementary/Secondary School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling options are accredited by The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Faculty: Jon Borland; Rebecca Milner; Mickey White

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

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This program is for students seeking preparation for counseling in community agency settings. Electives will be chosen from disciplines relevant to the area of professional interest of each student. Graduates who have completed the concentration in clinical mental health counseling will demonstrate professional skills for working in community mental health agencies, substance abuse centers, correctional facilities, employee assistance programs, hospice services, or other human service settings.

Program Admission Requirements

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Applicants seeking admission to the Master of Arts in Counseling degree must fulfill all the requirements for admission of both the Graduate School and the Department of Counseling and Human Services.

The Department of Counseling and Human Services values diversity and does not condone or engage in discrimination based on race, color, gender identity and expression, sexual or affectional orientation, religion, age, national origin, veteran status, physical ability or socioeconomic status.

Because of the importance of interactional competency in the field of counseling, interpersonal skills, professional behavior, and aptitude for counseling work will be considered in addition to academic potential.

In addition to the requirements for admission to the Graduate School, the Master of Counseling degree requirements for admission include:

1. A bachelor’s degree grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

Exception: Applicants with an undergraduate GPA below a 3.0 may be considered for admission:

1. Upon the submission of valid Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores with minimum Analytical Writing score of 3.5 or higher.   

OR

2. Completion of at least 9 hours of graduate coursework with a GPA of at least 3.5 (This must be accomplished before applying to the Counseling program).

2. Three (3) letters of recommendation that address the applicant’s abilities and potential for graduate education and counseling professional practice;
3. A personal statement of 1200-1500 words clearly addressing the following:  An autobiographical statement explaining how your interest in pursuing the degree in counseling/concentration developed, your skills and experiences in advocating for and helping others in their personal and social development, the place of social diversity/justice in your thinking and future work, what you hope to gain from the degree, and goals upon completion of the degree;
4. Applicants whose documents indicate potential for success will be invited for an interview. Applications and interview results will be reviewed by a committee that includes all or part of the counseling program faculty with representatives from each concentration area (e.g., professional school counseling, clinical mental health counseling, etc.).