M.A. Program in Counselor Education

Program Objectives

• Recruit annually from a pool of international applicants the highest quality students available to enter the professional preparation program for counselors and counselor educators
• Prepare and graduate interpersonally and inter-professionally skilled, culturally competent, professionally knowledgeable, ethical, self-reflective, compassionate and license-eligible counselors and counselor educators
• Engage in research to advance existing knowledge in counseling and counselor education
• Collaborate with the community and outside agencies to identify learning opportunities for graduate students that serve individuals and communities;
• Exercise national and international leadership in research, skills, and content critical to the preparation of professional counselors and counselor educators.

The Master's Program is designed to result in competencies which allow the graduate to practice in the field. The specific competencies students are expected to achieve are listed below:

1. To gain increased knowledge and understanding of individual and group counseling theories, techniques, and practices.
2. To integrate interpersonal qualities and theoretical understandings that translate into effective counseling relationships.
3. To effectively utilize community resources.
4. To increase awareness and understanding of the counseling process as it applied to both men and women, to people from diverse cultural backgrounds, to the gifted, and to those with various physical or mental handicaps.
5. To gain knowledge, understanding, and utilization of career development theory, research, and practice to facilitate meaningful career decision-making.
6. To gain knowledge and skill in program development, especially in the area of needs assessment, consultation, coordination;, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
7. To become aware of the research base in the field, and to generate and utilize new knowledge through research

Areas of Specialization

The Master's Program may be focused in one of two areas of study: School Counseling or Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Career Opportunities

The purpose of the Master's of Arts program is to train professional counselors and provide a curriculum in the training program which emphasizes the fields of counseling theory and practice, appraisal, human behavior, research, and program development and evaluation. Graduates of the program are prepared to provide services in such diverse human service settings as public and private schools, community agencies, universities, business and industry, hospitals and health care facilities, and state and rehabilitation agencies. Those studying School Counseling complete coursework that prepares them to apply with the state of Ohio for school counselor licensure. The Clinical Mental Health area is designed to prepare graduates to apply for LPCC licensure.

Time of Study

The Master's program for both School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling can be completed on a full-time basis. Most classes are offered in the evening to facilitate enrollment for those who are employed. Students enrolled fulltime generally complete their degree in 2 years (6 quarters) if they are completing the School Counseling program, and 2 years (6 quarters) for Clinical Counseling.

Admission Criteria

Admission to the graduate program is based on:

1. A cumulative point-hour-ratio of 3.00 or better.
2. Fit between applicants' career goals and program objectives.
3. Participation in a group interview with Counselor Education faculty.
4. Valid (within 5 years) GRE scores.

Please refer the following page for Graduate student application and procedures

Financial Aid Information

Varieties of sources are available. University Fellowships are available from the Graduate School on a very competitive basis to qualified students. Additional opportunities for financial assistance comes from Graduate Teaching Associate (GTA) positions around campus, including with the Sport, Fitness, and Heath Program (SFHP) in the School of PAES. These GTA positions are available to full time students with related experience. GTA's receive a full tuition wavier and a monthly stipend. A first year stipend is approximately $850 per month for a total of 9 months. Additional Graduate Associateship positions are available through various grants administered by faculty within the School of PAES.