The Master of Science Degree in Counseling is a CACREP-accredited, 60-hour degree that has four concentration areas in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, Addictions Counseling, and a Combined Option. This program is 100% online, has no residence requirement, and offers 30 elective courses students may choose from in order to tailor their degree toward their clinical interests.
Visit the Counseling Program Website here.
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Students who pursue a Master of Science in CounselingÌýunder the Clinical Mental Health Counseling trackÌýmay callÌýthemselvesÌýClinical Mental Health Counselors and qualify for LPC licensure. They will receive training in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental and emotional disorders of the DSM-5 and will gain the knowledge and skills to perform individual, group, and couples and family counseling. Students will learn toÌýwork with clients across the lifespan and multiple culturalÌýbackgrounds. Clinical Mental Health Counselors are qualified to engage in counseling and/or psychotherapy, provide short and long-term therapy, and work with mild and severe mental illness.ÌýTypical clinical topic areas include the following:Ìý
oÌýÌý Anxiety disorders
oÌýÌý Depressive Disorders
oÌýÌý Mood Disorders
oÌýÌý Substance use disorders
oÌýÌý Trauma and trauma disorders, such as PTSD and Adjustment disorders
oÌýÌý Personality disorders
oÌýÌý Eating disorders
oÌýÌý Dual diagnoses
oÌýÌý Domestic violence and anger management
oÌýÌý Developmental issues
oÌýÌý Marital issues and family problems
oÌýÌý Normal life stressorsÌý
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Students will study many types of theoretical orientations and treatment approaches, some at the basic level and some at the advanced level. In addition, students will learn to integrate the many dimensions of humanity to fully conceptualize their clients, such as the biological, psychological, interpersonal, and sociocultural-historical dimensions. Faculty provide all training using a solid research foundation under the scientist-practitioner model, meaning that counseling interventions taught will be based on a theory of personality supported by research.Ìý
Students who pursue a Master of Science in CounselingÌýunder the School Counseling trackÌýmay callÌýthemselvesÌýSchool Counselors and may qualify for School Counselor Certification and LPC licensure. They will receive similar clinical training as the clinical mental health track, but also focus on the K-12 school setting. The objectives of the School Counseling track are as follows:
oÌýÌý Deliver high quality school counselor education required by CACREP
oÌýÌý Prepare students to meet the Louisiana to become a Certified School Counselor in K-12 settings
oÌý Train students in current school counseling models that aid them in becoming leaders, advocates, collaborators, and change agents in the schools
oÌýÌý Provide students with an abundance of supervised experiences designed to aid them in working effectively with students from a multicultural and pluralistic society
Students will study many of the latest theoretical orientations, treatment approaches, and school counseling models that are supported by research. Students will be trained as research consumers, giving them the skills to effectively critique research studies and evidence-based models and treatments. In addition, they will learn to integrate the many dimensions of humanity to fully conceptualize their students, such as the biological, psychological, interpersonal, and sociocultural-historical dimensions. Faculty provide all training using a solid research foundation under the scientist-practitioner model, meaning that counseling interventions taught will be based on theory supported by research.ÌýÌý
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Students who pursue a Master of Science in CounselingÌýunder the Addiction Counseling trackÌýmay callÌýthemselvesÌýAddiction Counselors and qualify for LPC licensure. This track will also contribute to the licensure requirements for their state’s addiction counselor license. Students will receive training in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional, and substance use and addictive disorders of the DSM-5 and will gain the knowledge and skills to perform individual, group, and couples and family counseling related to addictions work. Students will learn toÌýwork with clients across the lifespan and multiple culturalÌýbackgrounds. Addiction Counselors are qualified to engage in counseling and/or psychotherapy, provide short and long-term therapy, and work with mild and severe substance use and addictive disorders.ÌýTypical places that Addiction Counselors find employment are:
oÌýÌý Inpatient Programs
oÌýÌý Intensive Outpatient Programs
oÌý ÌýOutpatient Programs
oÌýÌý Community Mental Health Centers
oÌýÌý Private Practice
oÌýÌý HospitalÌý
oÌýÌý Employment Assistant Programs
oÌýÌý College Counseling Centers
oÌýÌý Higher Education
oÌýÌý Adminstrative PositionsÌý
oÌýÌý VA and Military
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Students will study many types of theoretical orientations and treatment approaches related to addictions work, some at the basic level and some at the advanced level. Faculty provide all training using a solid research foundation under the scientist-practitioner model, meaning that counseling interventions taught will be based on a theory of personality supported by research.ÌýÌý
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Combined Option
Students who pursue a Master of Science in CounselingÌýunder the Combined trackÌýwill specialize in two of the three tracks offered by the program: Clinical Mental Health, School, and/or Addiction. This 75-hour combined specialization prepares graduates to competently practice in two areas of counseling. Graduates may refer toÌýthemselves as either of the two specializations in which they pursue and qualify LPC licensure and school certification if one of the tracks is School Counseling. Both of the track names the student chooses for the combined track will appear on their graduate transcripts.
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For more informationÌýabout this program please see theÌýÂ̲èÖ±²¥ Graduate SchoolÌýor contactÌýDr. Thomas Foster at tfoster@ulm.edu