Master of Arts in Counseling

Mission

The program mission is to educate professional counselors to work with persons with disabilities as well as children and youth in school settings.  As such, our program curriculum draws from foundational content in rehabilitation, school, and mental health counseling. Through leadership, advocacy, collaboration, use of data, and action, our graduates will be competent at identifying and overcoming barriers that impede equal access to educational, social, environmental, and career opportunities for all persons. Our graduates will be dedicated to promoting and facilitating the personal achievement, empowerment, and quality of life of all the populations we serve. 

Program goals and objectives

  • To prepare counselors for state licensure and national counselor certifications.
  • To prepare counselors to work effectively with diverse populations, their family members, and their communities as well as program administrators and all other stakeholders.
  • To prepare counselors who possess excellent skills in Counseling.  Graduates will possess knowledge of theory and research, skills in appraisal, and expertise in intervention techniques, with emphasis in applications to persons with disabilities, including those with mental health disorders. 
  • To prepare counselors who have the knowledge and skills necessary to practice within rehabilitation, school, and mental health counseling programs. 
  • To prepare counselors who demonstrate healthy self-awareness and understanding, and who understand the importance of self-care for counselors.
  • To prepare counselors who counsel within the ethical guidelines of the American Counseling Association (ACA), the American Mental Health Counseling Association (AMHCA), the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), and the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) as well as other relevant professional codes of ethics.
  • To prepare counselors who counsel with sensitivity, caring, and appropriate approaches for diverse environments and populations.
  • To prepare counselors who consult and advocate on behalf of the client as well as assist people to advocate for themselves. 

Courses delivered in a variety of formats

  • Some courses are completely online
  • Some courses are hybrid (or blended) format, with some face-to-face meetings and some content covered online
  • Some courses (particularly clinical courses) meet face-to-face. There are technological options for students to attend from a distance

Work of a counselor

As a counselor, you will engage in relationships that empower diverse population groups including children, adolescents, adults, and individuals with disabilities. Depending on your area of emphasis, you may work in school or rehabilitation settings, as well as a wide variety of other settings, including (but not limited to):

  • Mental health treatment programs
  • Substance abuse treatments centers
  • Public school systems
  • Hospitals
  • Prisons
  • Private practice
  • Residential facilities
  • Business and industry
  • Ministry
  • State vocational rehabilitation agencies
  • Community-based rehabilitation agencies
  • Private rehabilitation agencies
  • Insurance companies
  • Colleges/Universities
  • Independent living centers
  • Employee assistance programs
  • Job training centers

Student outcomes

The following information describes the outcomes of our program, as well as the demographics of our current students.