Program Overview
The Master of Science in Counseling program prepares students for leadership roles in clinical mental health and school counseling through an accredited curriculum aligned with national standards. It emphasizes developmental approaches, diversity awareness, and evidence-based practices. Graduates are eligible for state certification in Maryland and many other states, opening opportunities in clinical settings and K-12 schools. The program features dedicated faculty, community partnerships, and a focus on social justice principles.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Master of Science (MS) in Counseling degree prepares individuals to be leaders and advocates in the fields of clinical mental health and school counseling. The program follows a nationally recognized, evidence-based curriculum aligned with national and state standards. The program is led by distinguished faculty and boasts a strong support network of school districts and mental health settings. The program’s content includes: professional orientation and ethical practice, social and cultural diversity, human growth and development, career development, helping relationships, group work, assessment, and research/program evaluation. Students learn through didactic experiences, small group projects, and applied learning at community- or school-based sites. The Master of Science in Counseling degree program, with concentrations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling, is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Students specialize in one of two concentrations:
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling: This concentration prepares students to work in a wide range of clinical, community, and human service settings. Upon graduation, candidates gain the knowledge, skills, and academic requirements necessary to begin the licensure process in Maryland and many other states. Although the School of Education permits five years for program completion, there are full-time and part-time Clinical Mental Health Counseling sequences. Completion of a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship are required in this program.
- School Counseling: This concentration prepares students to work in K-12 schools with an emphasis in urban school settings. The program is approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), and graduates are eligible for MSDE certification as school counselors. Students have a maximum of five years to complete the program but are strongly encouraged to follow the prescribed program of study. The School Counseling concentration is also accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Completion of a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship are required in this program.
Program Objectives:
- PO1: Graduates will demonstrate the skills and competencies to incorporate a developmental approach to promote student/client holistic well-being across the life span, inclusive of mental health, academic, social/emotional, cultural, and career goals. (CACREP F.3 Human Growth & Development, F.4 Career Development)
- PO2: Graduates will demonstrate the skills and competencies to serve as advocates and leaders in educational and/or mental health settings that value social justice principles, multiculturalism, human dignity and the worth of all clients from culturally diverse backgrounds (CACREP F.2 Social & Cultural Diversity; 5.G. School Counseling)
- PO3: Graduates will demonstrate the skills and competencies to assess needs, develop goals, and counsel students/clients in educational and/or mental health settings from culturally diverse backgrounds. (CACREP F.5 Counseling & Helping Relationships; F.7 Assessment & Testing)
- PO4: Graduates will demonstrate the skills and competencies that reflect the knowledge, roles, and functions of the school and/or mental health counselor. (CACREP 5.C. Clinical Mental Health Counseling; 5.G. School Counseling)
- PO5: Graduates will demonstrate the skills and competencies to effectively facilitate group work with students/clients from diverse backgrounds in educational and mental health settings (CACREP F.6 Group Counseling & Group Work)
- PO6: Graduates will demonstrate the skills and competencies to develop equitable data-driven school counseling programs that meet the unique needs of student populations in educational settings. (CACREP F.8 Research & Program Evaluation; 5.G. School Counseling)
- PO7: Graduates will demonstrate the skills and competencies to develop, apply, and evaluate evidence-based practices that meet the developmental needs of students/clients from diverse backgrounds in educational and mental health settings. (CACREP F.8 Research and Program Evaluation; 5.G School Counseling; 5.C. Clinical Mental Health Counseling)
- PO8: Graduates will demonstrate the skills and competencies to work ethically, legally, and professionally in educational and/or mental health settings (CACREP F.1. Professional Counseling Orientation & Ethical Practice)
Careers:
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Graduates are prepared to work in a wide range of clinical, community, and human service settings. They are eligible to begin the licensure process in Maryland and many other states.
- School Counseling: Graduates are eligible for MSDE certification as school counselors and are prepared to work in K-12 schools, with an emphasis on urban school settings.
Other:
- The program is led by distinguished faculty.
- The program boasts a strong support network of school districts and mental health settings.
- Students learn through didactic experiences, small group projects, and applied learning at community- or school-based sites.
- The program emphasizes social justice principles, advocacy, multiculturalism, and upholding the worth and human dignity of all clients from culturally diverse backgrounds.
- The program incorporates cutting-edge research and excellent didactic and experiential instruction.
