Masters Degree in Counseling

Program Description

The M.A. in counseling is designed to prepare individuals for a career in professional mental health counseling, marriage and family counseling, school guidance and counseling, and community counseling, depending on the specific Webster University campus. The curriculum is designed to provide students with the necessary theory and skills for working with individuals, couples, and families in a variety of mental health settings.

Program Curriculum

Emphasis in Professional Mental Health Counseling

The degree emphasis requires satisfactory completion of 60 credit hours of coursework.

Required Core Subject Area Courses:

In addition to the required 16 core subject area courses listed above, students select at least three electives from the counseling program curriculum to support the specific area of emphasis and fulfill the 20 courses needed for the degree.

Not all areas of emphasis are offered at all campus locations. Students should verify that the emphasis they seek is offered at the campus they select prior to registration.

Emphasis in Marriage and Family Counseling

Required Core Subject Area Courses:

In addition to the required 18 core subject area courses listed above, students select electives from the counseling program curriculum to support the specific area of emphasis and fulfill the 20 courses needed for the degree.

Not all areas of emphasis are offered at all campus locations. Students should verify that the emphasis they seek is offered at the campus they select prior to registration.

Emphasis in School Guidance and Counseling

Required Core Subject Area Courses:

In addition to the required 15 core subject area courses listed above, students select electives from the counseling program curriculum to support the specific area of emphasis and fulfill the 16 courses needed for the degree. [Suggested additional courses: COUN 5150 Psychopharmacology; COUN 5630 Techniques of Substance Abuse Counseling.

Not all areas of emphasis are offered at all campus locations. Students should verify that the emphasis they seek is offered at the campus they select prior to registration.

Emphasis in Community Counseling

This curriculum is designed to provide students with the necessary theory and skills for working in a variety of agency and/or community counseling settings.

This degree emphasis requires satisfactory completion of 48 credit hours of coursework.

Required Core Subject Area Courses:

In addition to the required core subject area courses listed above, students select four (4) electives from the counseling program curriculum for a total of 48 hours.

Not all areas of emphasis are offered at all campus locations. Students should verify that the emphasis they seek is offered at the campus they select prior to registration.

Certain state licensure laws require specific courses in addition to the above required core subject area courses, and the student should consult with the Counseling Faculty Coordinator/Academic Advisor before selecting elective courses. Also please note that certain state licensure laws do not allow for courses to be completed through Directed Studies or electronically. The student should consult with the Counseling Faculty Coordinator/Academic Advisor regarding this option.

Course Descriptions

Additional Information

General Requirements

The student is subject to the policies and procedures for graduate studies and the specific requirements of the counseling program. As stated in the academic policies and procedure guidelines, the counseling program is excluded from dual major and sequential degree options. Courses in the counseling program are available only to the following: those admitted to the COUN program or those fulfilling State Licensure or Continuing Education requirements. All non-degree students must meet program prerequisites.

Admissions

In addition to the general admission requirements for graduate students, the counseling program also requires a strong background in the behavioral and social sciences gained from an undergraduate degree program, from any other formal study program, or from other documented learning.

All applicants must have formal verification of competence in each of the following areas (or a content equivalent): human growth and development; psychology of learning and/or cognition; personality theory; abnormal psychology or psychopathology; and social psychology. In addition, it is recommended that the applicant have a working knowledge of statistical methods.

Individual applicants who do not have the above undergraduate courses or their equivalent will be evaluated as to their undergraduate/graduate experience by an admission advisor and the Counseling Faculty Advisory Committee. Additional coursework may be required to meet the admission requirements.

Not all areas of emphasis are offered at all campus locations. Students should verify that the emphasis they seek is offered at the campus they select prior to registration. Transfer of graduate credit into the program must be approved by the Counseling Faculty Coordinator/Academic Advisor. Petitions for transfer of graduate credit must be evaluated at the time of admission. Please note that online credit and distance learning credit are not accepted in some states for licensure. If you have questions concerning this policy, please talk to your campus Counseling Faculty Coordinator or Academic Advisor.

Is this program offered at other Webster Campuses around the World?

See More Information about this Program on Webster's Main Site

Rhonda Rhodes, Vice President - Human Resources, Universal Orlando
MA - Human Resources Management, Class of 2005