The M.A. program in Counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) in both school counseling and clinical mental health counseling.  Both specializations qualify graduates to become Licensed Professional Counselor Associates (LPCA) in North Carolina and for certification eligibility by the National Board of Certified Counselors.  The school counseling specialization qualifies graduates for advanced-level K-12 school counseling licensure in North Carolina.

Program Objectives

As prospective professional counselors, graduates of the program are prepared to: counsel clients, both individually and in groups, on educational, career, life planning, social, emotional, physical, spiritual, and organizational concerns; provide information to clients for educational, social, career, and/or life planning; consult with other professionals concerning client needs; and conduct needs assessments, evaluations, and other activities for program design.

Additional Admission Requirements

In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, the criteria for admission to the M.A. program in Counseling include an applicant’s potential success in forming effective interpersonal relationships in individual and small-group contexts; aptitude for graduate-level study; career goals and objectives; openness to self-examination; and potential for personal and professional self-development. Admission decisions are based on applicants’ individual profiles and made by a committee of program faculty. Applicants with the highest profile rankings are invited to campus for an interview process; the number invited is determined by the number of anticipated openings in the program. Students are admitted to the program in the spring of each year, and they are expected to begin their studies the following summer or fall. The application deadline for each year’s admissions process is December 1.

Admission to Candidacy

In addition to meeting Graduate School academic regulations, counseling students should submit a completed Application for Admission to Candidacy when they submit their application for the program’s capstone experience to the Department of Counseling.

Prerequisite Requirements

Students are not required to have an undergraduate major in any particular field to enter the counseling program.

Degree Requirements

The M.A. program in Counseling requires a total of 60 hours of core courses for all students and specialization courses for students in school counseling, clinical mental health counseling, or addiction.  Each specialization includes a series of required courses, clinical experience courses, and elective courses.

Core Courses for All Students (30 credits)

• CHFD 6102  Learning and Development (3)
• RSCH 6101  Research Methods (3)
• RSCH 6109  Assessment and Evaluation Methods (3)
• CSLG 6100  Counseling Theories (3)
• CSLG 6101  Ethics in Counseling (3)
• CSLG 6110  Counseling Techniques (3)
• CSLG 6111  Advanced Techniques (3)
• CSLG 6120  Group Counseling (3)
• CSLG 6145  Multicultural Counseling (3)
• CSLG 6150  Career Development and Counseling (3)

School Counseling

Required School Counseling Courses (9 credits)

• CSLG 7141  The Professional School Counselor (3)
• CSLG 7646  Advocacy and Leadership in Professional School Counseling (3)
• SPED 7150  School Counseling and Children with Special Needs (3)

Clinical Experiences (School Setting) (9 credits)

• CSLG 7430  Practicum in Counseling (3) (150 hours)
• CSLG 7435  Internship I (3) (300 hours)
• CSLG 7436  Internship II (3) (300 hours)

Elective Courses (12 credits)

These courses must be approved by the student’s advisor.

Clinical Mental Health

Required Clinical Mental Health Courses (9 credits)

• CSLG 7170  Introduction to Clinical Mental Health Counseling (3)
• CSLG 6153   Diagnosis and Treatment in Counseling (3)

Plus one Substance Abuse Course from the following:

• CSLG 6160  Theories of Chemical Dependency (3)
• CLSG 6161  Chemical Dependency: Assessment and Diagnosis (3)
• CSLG 6162  Chemical Dependency: Counseling Individuals, Families, and Groups (3)
• CSLG 6163  Chemical Dependency: Treatment Planning and Relapse Prevention (3)

Clinical Experiences (Clinical Mental Health Setting) (9 credits)

• CSLG 7430  Practicum in Counseling (3) (150 hours)
• CSLG 7435  Internship I (3) (300 hours)
• CSLG 7436  Internship II (3) (300 hours)

Elective Courses (12 hours)

These courses must be approved by the student’s advisor.

Addiction

Required Addiction Courses (12 credits)

• CSLG 6160 Theories of Chemical Dependency (3)
• CLSG 6161 Chemical Dependency: Assessment and Diagnosis (3)
• CSLG 6162 Chemical Dependency: Counseling Individuals, Families, and Groups (3)
• CSLG 6163 Chemical Dependency: Treatment Planning and Relapse Prevention (3)

Clinical Experiences (Addiction Setting) (9 credits)

• CSLG 7430 Practicum in Counseling (3) (150 hours)
• CSLG 7435 Internship I (3) (300 hours)
• CSLG 7436 Internship II (3) (300 hours)

Elective Courses (9 credits)

These courses must be approved by the student’s advisor.

Comprehensive Exam or Master’s Project

Students must successfully complete either a written comprehensive examination or a master’s project near the end of their program of study. Students are expected to consult with their advisors during the first 24 hours of coursework concerning procedures and preparation for this experience.

Advising

All students should plan their program of study by December of their first year of study with their advisors.

Licensure

Students who graduate from the school counseling track are eligible, upon passing the exam required by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI), to be recommended for school counseling licensure from the North Carolina DPI. All graduates are eligible to apply for the credential of Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA) through the NCBLPC.

Program Certifications/Accreditation(s)

The school and clinical mental health tracks are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP).