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
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling (60 credit hours)
- School Counseling (62 credit hours)
- Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling (62 credit hours)
- Art Therapy & Clinical Mental Health Counseling (68 credit hours)
- Combined School Counseling & Clinical Mental Health Counseling (71 credit hours)
- Combined School Counseling & Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling (77 credit hours)
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).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | ||
| CED 6005 | Professional Counseling: Orientation | 3 |
| CED 6015 | Diversity, Multicultural Competence, and Social Justice Advocacy for Human Service Professionals | 3 |
| CED 6025 | Counseling Theories, Philosophies, and Techniques | 3 |
| Semester 2 | ||
| CED 6055 | Testing and Assessment for Counselors | 3 |
| EDP 7410 | Human Developmental Psychology | 4 |
| CED 6045 | Professional Counseling Laws and Ethics | 3 |
| Semester 3 | ||
| EDP 7370 | Psychopathology and Diagnosis | 3 |
| EER 7640 | Fundamentals of Quantitative Research | 3 |
| EDP 7190 | Couples Therapy | 3 |
| or EDP 7200 | Systemic Theories and Family Therapy | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| CED 6075 | Trauma: Conceptualization and Treatment Planning | 3 |
| CED 6085 | Sexuality | 3 |
| or CED 7225 | Psychosocial Aspects of Disability | |
| CED 7305 | Clinical Counseling Roles: Consultation, Collaboration, and Coordination | 3 |
| Semester 5 | ||
| CED 6095 | Introduction to Counseling Groups | 2 |
| CED 6096 | Group Counseling Participation | 1 |
| CED 6065 | Career Development and Employment Strategies | 3 |
| CED 6720 | Workshop in Counseling | 1 |
| Semester 6 | ||
| CED 6105 | Individual and Systemic Approaches to Treating Addictions | 3 |
| CED 7005 | Counseling Skills | 3 |
| Semester 7 | ||
| CED 7015 | Counseling Practicum | 4 |
| Semester 8 | ||
| CED 7020 | Counseling Internship | 6 |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | ||
| CED 6005 | Professional Counseling: Orientation | 3 |
| CED 6015 | Diversity, Multicultural Competence, and Social Justice Advocacy for Human Service Professionals | 3 |
| CED 6025 | Counseling Theories, Philosophies, and Techniques | 3 |
| Semester 2 | ||
| CED 6055 | Testing and Assessment for Counselors | 3 |
| EDP 7410 | Human Developmental Psychology | 4 |
| CED 6045 | Professional Counseling Laws and Ethics | 3 |
| Semester 3 | ||
| EDP 7370 | Psychopathology and Diagnosis | 3 |
| EER 7640 | Fundamentals of Quantitative Research | 3 |
| CED 6065 | Career Development and Employment Strategies | 3 |
| Semester 4 | ||
| CED 6075 | Trauma: Conceptualization and Treatment Planning | 3 |
| CED 7105 | Introduction to School Counseling, Consulting, and Collaboration | 3 |
| CED 6085 | Sexuality | 3 |
| or CED 7225 | Psychosocial Aspects of Disability | |
| Semester 5 | ||
| CED 6095 | Introduction to Counseling Groups | 2 |
| CED 6096 | Group Counseling Participation | 1 |
| CED 7115 | Advanced School Counseling | 3 |
| CED 7125 | School Counseling: Postsecondary Planning and College Counseling | 3 |
| Semester 6 | ||
| CED 6105 | Individual and Systemic Approaches to Treating Addictions | 3 |
| CED 7005 | Counseling Skills | 3 |
| Semester 7 | ||
| CED 7015 | Counseling Practicum | 4 |
| Semester 8 | ||
| CED 7020 | Counseling Internship | 6 |
| Total Credits | 62 | |
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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | ||
| CED 6005 | Professional Counseling: Orientation | 3 |
| CED 6015 | Diversity, Multicultural Competence, and Social Justice Advocacy for Human Service Professionals | 3 |
| CED 6025 | Counseling Theories, Philosophies, and Techniques | 3 |
| Semester 2 | ||
| CED 6055 | Testing and Assessment for Counselors | 3 |
| EDP 7410 | Human Developmental Psychology | 4 |
| CED 6045 | Professional Counseling Laws and Ethics | 3 |
| Semester 3 | ||
| EDP 7370 | Psychopathology and Diagnosis | 3 |
| EER 7640 | Fundamentals of Quantitative Research | 3 |
| CED 6065 | Career Development and Employment Strategies | 3 |
| Semester 4 | ||
| CED 6075 | Trauma: Conceptualization and Treatment Planning | 3 |
| CED 7205 | Foundations of Rehabilitation Counseling | 3 |
| CED 7235 | Rehabilitation Counseling Professional Roles | 3 |
| Semester 5 | ||
| CED 6095 | Introduction to Counseling Groups | 2 |
| CED 6096 | Group Counseling Participation | 1 |
| CED 7215 | Medical Aspects of Disability | 3 |
| CED 7225 | Psychosocial Aspects of Disability | 3 |
| Semester 6 | ||
| CED 6105 | Individual and Systemic Approaches to Treating Addictions | 3 |
| CED 7005 | Counseling Skills | 3 |
| Semester 7 | ||
| CED 7015 | Counseling Practicum | 4 |
| Semester 8 | ||
| CED 7020 | Counseling Internship | 6 |
| Total Credits | 62 | |
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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | ||
| CED 6005 | Professional Counseling: Orientation | 3 |
| CED 6025 | Counseling Theories, Philosophies, and Techniques | 3 |
| AT 6340 | Theory of Art Therapy | 3 |
| AT 6320 | Art Therapy: Introduction and Ethics | 3 |
| Semester 2 | ||
| AT 7500 | Cultural and Social Diversity in Art Therapy | 3 |
| EDP 7410 | Human Developmental Psychology | 4 |
| CED 6045 | Professional Counseling Laws and Ethics | 3 |
| Semester 3 | ||
| CED 6055 | Testing and Assessment for Counselors | 3 |
| CED 7305 | Clinical Counseling Roles: Consultation, Collaboration, and Coordination | 3 |
| CED 6065 | Career Development and Employment Strategies | 3 |
| Semester 4 | ||
| EDP 7370 | Psychopathology and Diagnosis | 3 |
| AT 7300 | Studio Art Therapy | 3 |
| AT 7330 | Art Therapy with Children and Adolescents: Assessment and Practice | 3 |
| Semester 5 | ||
| AT 7310 | Art Therapy with Groups | 3 |
| AT 7340 | Art Therapy with Adults and Families: Assessment and Practice | 3 |
| Semester 6 | ||
| CED 7005 | Counseling Skills | 3 |
| Semester 7 | ||
| CED 7015 | Counseling Practicum | 4 |
| AT 7380 | Art Therapy Practicum | 3 |
| AT 7000 | Research in Art Therapy | 3 |
| Semester 8 | ||
| CED 7020 | Counseling Internship | 2 |
| AT 7890 | Art Therapy Internship | 2 |
| Semester 9 | ||
| CED 7020 | Counseling Internship | 1 |
| AT 7890 | Art Therapy Internship | 1 |
| AT 7999 | Art Therapy Master's Project and Specialization | 3 |
| Total Credits | 68 | |
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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | ||
| CED 6005 | Professional Counseling: Orientation | 3 |
| CED 6015 | Diversity, Multicultural Competence, and Social Justice Advocacy for Human Service Professionals | 3 |
| CED 6025 | Counseling Theories, Philosophies, and Techniques | 3 |
| Semester 2 | ||
| CED 6055 | Testing and Assessment for Counselors | 3 |
| EDP 7410 | Human Developmental Psychology | 4 |
| CED 6045 | Professional Counseling Laws and Ethics | 3 |
| Semester 3 | ||
| EDP 7370 | Psychopathology and Diagnosis | 3 |
| EER 7640 | Fundamentals of Quantitative Research | 3 |
| EDP 7190 | Couples Therapy | 3 |
| or EDP 7200 | Systemic Theories and Family Therapy | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| CED 6075 | Trauma: Conceptualization and Treatment Planning | 3 |
| CED 6085 | Sexuality | 3 |
| or CED 7225 | Psychosocial Aspects of Disability | |
| CED 7105 | Introduction to School Counseling, Consulting, and Collaboration | 3 |
| Semester 5 | ||
| CED 6095 | Introduction to Counseling Groups | 2 |
| CED 6096 | Group Counseling Participation | 1 |
| CED 7115 | Advanced School Counseling | 3 |
| CED 7125 | School Counseling: Postsecondary Planning and College Counseling | 3 |
| CED 6065 | Career Development and Employment Strategies | 3 |
| Semester 6 | ||
| CED 6105 | Individual and Systemic Approaches to Treating Addictions | 3 |
| CED 7005 | Counseling Skills | 3 |
| Semester 7 | ||
| CED 7015 | Counseling Practicum | 4 |
| Semester 8 | ||
| CED 7020 | Counseling Internship (School) | 6 |
| Semester 9 | ||
| CED 7020 | Counseling Internship (Clinical Mental Health Counseling) | 6 |
| Total Credits | 71 | |
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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | ||
| CED 6005 | Professional Counseling: Orientation | 3 |
| CED 6015 | Diversity, Multicultural Competence, and Social Justice Advocacy for Human Service Professionals | 3 |
| CED 6025 | Counseling Theories, Philosophies, and Techniques | 3 |
| Semester 2 | ||
| CED 6055 | Testing and Assessment for Counselors | 3 |
| EDP 7410 | Human Developmental Psychology | 4 |
| CED 6045 | Professional Counseling Laws and Ethics | 3 |
| Semester 3 | ||
| EDP 7370 | Psychopathology and Diagnosis | 3 |
| EER 7640 | Fundamentals of Quantitative Research | 3 |
| CED 6065 | Career Development and Employment Strategies | 3 |
| Semester 4 | ||
| CED 6075 | Trauma: Conceptualization and Treatment Planning | 3 |
| CED 7205 | Foundations of Rehabilitation Counseling | 3 |
| CED 7235 | Rehabilitation Counseling Professional Roles | 3 |
| Semester 5 | ||
| CED 6095 | Introduction to Counseling Groups | 2 |
| CED 6096 | Group Counseling Participation | 1 |
| CED 7215 | Medical Aspects of Disability | 3 |
| CED 7225 | Psychosocial Aspects of Disability | 3 |
| CED 7105 | Introduction to School Counseling, Consulting, and Collaboration | 3 |
| Semester 6 | ||
| CED 7125 | School Counseling: Postsecondary Planning and College Counseling | 3 |
| CED 7115 | Advanced School Counseling | 3 |
| CED 7005 | Counseling Skills | 3 |
| Semester 7 | ||
| CED 6105 | Individual and Systemic Approaches to Treating Addictions | 3 |
| CED 7015 | Counseling Practicum | 4 |
| Semester 8 | ||
| CED 7020 | Counseling Internship (School) | 6 |
| Semester 9 | ||
| CED 7020 | Counseling Internship (Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling) | 6 |
| Total Credits | 77 | |