Academic Catalog

Counseling (M.A.)

Admission Requirements

Admission to this program is contingent upon admission to the Graduate School. Admission to the counselor education program requires a grade point average of 2.75 or above for the undergraduate course work. Program admission requirements include: a personal interview with an admission committee and a typewritten autobiographical statement reflecting the applicant’s respective personal and professional history with a statement of rationale for seeking admittance to the program.

Admission to the Art Therapy concentration also requires submission of a portfolio of original artwork, to be evaluated by art therapy faculty, that demonstrates competence with art materials

Degree Requirements

The MA in Counseling requires a minimum of 60 credit hours and is offered under Plan A or C options in six concentrations as listed below. All coursework must be completed in accordance with the regulations of the Graduate School and the College of Education. 

Concentrations

Clinical Mental Health Counseling (60 credit hours)

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) concentration is intended to train professional counseling generalists. Typically, students completing this concentration are employed in public and private mental health settings, employment agencies, youth service bureaus, human resource development agencies, employee assistance programs, hospice organizations, post-secondary educational settings, correctional institutions, welfare departments, local community service agencies, and religious institutions. Students are encouraged to use elective courses and their practicum and internship clinical experiences to develop additional areas of specific expertise for their preferred setting. Individuals who complete the CMHC concentration receive training in the knowledge and skills necessary to work with clients to promote mental wellness across the lifespan.

Students who complete the CMHC concentration are eligible to apply for licensure as professional counselors (LPC), provided they fulfill state-mandated requirements, which include passing a background check and licensure exam and completing supervised hours as a Limited Licensed Professional Counselor (LLPC).

Semester 1
CED 6005Professional Counseling: Orientation3
CED 6015Diversity, Multicultural Competence, and Social Justice Advocacy for Human Service Professionals3
CED 6025Counseling Theories, Philosophies, and Techniques3
Semester 2
CED 6055Testing and Assessment for Counselors3
EDP 7410Human Developmental Psychology4
CED 6045Professional Counseling Laws and Ethics3
Semester 3
EDP 7370Psychopathology and Diagnosis3
EER 7640Fundamentals of Quantitative Research3
EDP 7190Couples Therapy3
or EDP 7200 Systemic Theories and Family Therapy
Semester 4
CED 6075Trauma: Conceptualization and Treatment Planning3
CED 6085Sexuality3
or CED 7225 Psychosocial Aspects of Disability
CED 7305Clinical Counseling Roles: Consultation, Collaboration, and Coordination3
Semester 5
CED 6095Introduction to Counseling Groups2
CED 6096Group Counseling Participation1
CED 6065Career Development and Employment Strategies3
CED 6720Workshop in Counseling1
Semester 6
CED 6105Individual and Systemic Approaches to Treating Addictions3
CED 7005Counseling Skills3
Semester 7
CED 7015Counseling Practicum4
Semester 8
CED 7020Counseling Internship6
Total Credits60

School Counseling (62 credit hours)

The School Counseling concentration prepares students to work in K-12 public or private school settings. This program is monitored and approved by the Michigan Department of Education. Courses in the School Counseling concentration incorporate a developmental approach to delivering school counseling services in culturally diverse settings.

The Michigan School Counseling Association was instrumental in the 1993 adoption of a comprehensive K-12 developmental guidance program by the State Board of Education. This model is stressed in the school counseling curriculum.

Students who complete the school counseling specialization (with or without an existing teaching certificate) may be employed as school counselors and recommended for the School Counselor License (SCL). All applicants for the School Counselor License (SCL) must have received a passing score on the Michigan State Department of Education's Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Guidance Counselor examination.

Semester 1
CED 6005Professional Counseling: Orientation3
CED 6015Diversity, Multicultural Competence, and Social Justice Advocacy for Human Service Professionals3
CED 6025Counseling Theories, Philosophies, and Techniques3
Semester 2
CED 6055Testing and Assessment for Counselors3
EDP 7410Human Developmental Psychology4
CED 6045Professional Counseling Laws and Ethics3
Semester 3
EDP 7370Psychopathology and Diagnosis3
EER 7640Fundamentals of Quantitative Research3
CED 6065Career Development and Employment Strategies3
Semester 4
CED 6075Trauma: Conceptualization and Treatment Planning3
CED 7105Introduction to School Counseling, Consulting, and Collaboration3
CED 6085Sexuality3
or CED 7225 Psychosocial Aspects of Disability
Semester 5
CED 6095Introduction to Counseling Groups2
CED 6096Group Counseling Participation1
CED 7115Advanced School Counseling3
CED 7125School Counseling: Postsecondary Planning and College Counseling3
Semester 6
CED 6105Individual and Systemic Approaches to Treating Addictions3
CED 7005Counseling Skills3
Semester 7
CED 7015Counseling Practicum4
Semester 8
CED 7020Counseling Internship6
Total Credits62

Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling (62 credit hours) 

The Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling (CRC) concentration prepares students to work in rehabilitation settings, such as the Veterans Administration. Students completing this concentration receive additional training specific to working with clients who have disabilities including medical aspects of disabilities, psychosocial aspects of disabilities, and employment for people with disabilities.

Students who complete the CRC concentration are eligible to apply for licensure as professional counselors (LPC), provided they fulfill state-mandated requirements, which include passing a background check and licensure exam and completing supervised hours as a Limited Licensed Professional Counselor (LLPC). CRC students are also eligible to apply for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credential.

Semester 1
CED 6005Professional Counseling: Orientation3
CED 6015Diversity, Multicultural Competence, and Social Justice Advocacy for Human Service Professionals3
CED 6025Counseling Theories, Philosophies, and Techniques3
Semester 2
CED 6055Testing and Assessment for Counselors3
EDP 7410Human Developmental Psychology4
CED 6045Professional Counseling Laws and Ethics3
Semester 3
EDP 7370Psychopathology and Diagnosis3
EER 7640Fundamentals of Quantitative Research3
CED 6065Career Development and Employment Strategies3
Semester 4
CED 6075Trauma: Conceptualization and Treatment Planning3
CED 7205Foundations of Rehabilitation Counseling3
CED 7235Rehabilitation Counseling Professional Roles3
Semester 5
CED 6095Introduction to Counseling Groups2
CED 6096Group Counseling Participation1
CED 7215Medical Aspects of Disability3
CED 7225Psychosocial Aspects of Disability3
Semester 6
CED 6105Individual and Systemic Approaches to Treating Addictions3
CED 7005Counseling Skills3
Semester 7
CED 7015Counseling Practicum4
Semester 8
CED 7020Counseling Internship6
Total Credits62

Art Therapy & Clinical Mental Health Counseling (68 credit hours)

Clinical Mental Health Counseling students can choose to complete additional training in Art Therapy. A concentration in Art Therapy prepares counselors to work effectively as professional counselors (LPCs) while utilizing creative and expressive art therapies. These therapies are based on the belief that many people can express themselves through art in ways they are unable to do otherwise.

Art therapy uses the creative process of visual art-making as a way of expressing and working through emotional conflicts and of fostering self-awareness and personal growth. Art therapists work with individuals of all ages and abilities in clinical, educational, rehabilitative and studio settings.

Semester 1
CED 6005Professional Counseling: Orientation3
CED 6025Counseling Theories, Philosophies, and Techniques3
AT 6340Theory of Art Therapy3
AT 6320Art Therapy: Introduction and Ethics3
Semester 2
AT 7500Cultural and Social Diversity in Art Therapy3
EDP 7410Human Developmental Psychology4
CED 6045Professional Counseling Laws and Ethics3
Semester 3
CED 6055Testing and Assessment for Counselors3
CED 7305Clinical Counseling Roles: Consultation, Collaboration, and Coordination3
CED 6065Career Development and Employment Strategies3
Semester 4
EDP 7370Psychopathology and Diagnosis3
AT 7300Studio Art Therapy3
AT 7330Art Therapy with Children and Adolescents: Assessment and Practice3
Semester 5
AT 7310Art Therapy with Groups3
AT 7340Art Therapy with Adults and Families: Assessment and Practice3
Semester 6
CED 7005Counseling Skills3
Semester 7
CED 7015Counseling Practicum4
AT 7380Art Therapy Practicum3
AT 7000Research in Art Therapy3
Semester 8
CED 7020Counseling Internship2
AT 7890Art Therapy Internship2
Semester 9
CED 7020Counseling Internship1
AT 7890Art Therapy Internship1
AT 7999Art Therapy Master's Project and Specialization3
Total Credits68

Combined School Counseling & Clinical Mental Health Counseling (71 credit hours)

Students may pursue a combined concentration that fulfills the requirements for the Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling concentrations. This combined concentration prepares students for licensure as professional (LPC) and school (SCL) counselors, so they can work in a variety of employment settings.  Students in the combined concentration must complete an additional 600 internship hours for a total of 1,200 hours.

Semester 1
CED 6005Professional Counseling: Orientation3
CED 6015Diversity, Multicultural Competence, and Social Justice Advocacy for Human Service Professionals3
CED 6025Counseling Theories, Philosophies, and Techniques3
Semester 2
CED 6055Testing and Assessment for Counselors3
EDP 7410Human Developmental Psychology4
CED 6045Professional Counseling Laws and Ethics3
Semester 3
EDP 7370Psychopathology and Diagnosis3
EER 7640Fundamentals of Quantitative Research3
EDP 7190Couples Therapy3
or EDP 7200 Systemic Theories and Family Therapy
Semester 4
CED 6075Trauma: Conceptualization and Treatment Planning3
CED 6085Sexuality3
or CED 7225 Psychosocial Aspects of Disability
CED 7105Introduction to School Counseling, Consulting, and Collaboration3
Semester 5
CED 6095Introduction to Counseling Groups2
CED 6096Group Counseling Participation1
CED 7115Advanced School Counseling3
CED 7125School Counseling: Postsecondary Planning and College Counseling3
CED 6065Career Development and Employment Strategies3
Semester 6
CED 6105Individual and Systemic Approaches to Treating Addictions3
CED 7005Counseling Skills3
Semester 7
CED 7015Counseling Practicum4
Semester 8
CED 7020Counseling Internship (School)6
Semester 9
CED 7020Counseling Internship (Clinical Mental Health Counseling)6
Total Credits71

Combined School Counseling & Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling  (77 credit hours)

Students may pursue a combined concentration that fulfills the requirements for the Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling and School Counseling concentrations. This combined concentration prepares students for licensure as professional (LPC), school (SCL) counselors, and certification as Rehabilitation Counselors (CRC) so they can work in a variety of employment settings.  Students in the combined concentration must complete an additional 600 internship hours for a total of 1,200 hours.

Semester 1
CED 6005Professional Counseling: Orientation3
CED 6015Diversity, Multicultural Competence, and Social Justice Advocacy for Human Service Professionals3
CED 6025Counseling Theories, Philosophies, and Techniques3
Semester 2
CED 6055Testing and Assessment for Counselors3
EDP 7410Human Developmental Psychology4
CED 6045Professional Counseling Laws and Ethics3
Semester 3
EDP 7370Psychopathology and Diagnosis3
EER 7640Fundamentals of Quantitative Research3
CED 6065Career Development and Employment Strategies3
Semester 4
CED 6075Trauma: Conceptualization and Treatment Planning3
CED 7205Foundations of Rehabilitation Counseling3
CED 7235Rehabilitation Counseling Professional Roles3
Semester 5
CED 6095Introduction to Counseling Groups2
CED 6096Group Counseling Participation1
CED 7215Medical Aspects of Disability3
CED 7225Psychosocial Aspects of Disability3
CED 7105Introduction to School Counseling, Consulting, and Collaboration3
Semester 6
CED 7125School Counseling: Postsecondary Planning and College Counseling3
CED 7115Advanced School Counseling3
CED 7005Counseling Skills3
Semester 7
CED 6105Individual and Systemic Approaches to Treating Addictions3
CED 7015Counseling Practicum4
Semester 8
CED 7020Counseling Internship (School)6
Semester 9
CED 7020Counseling Internship (Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling)6
Total Credits77
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