Program Overview

Master of Arts in Counseling | Counseling Degree

Overview

The Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) hybrid degree program at Ottawa University is designed to prepare students for a career in counseling. The program includes 39 credit hours of core classes, 15 credit hours of concentration/elective courses, and nine credit hours of field placement experience.

Counseling Classes

The program is divided into a recommended yearly schedule, with the field-placement component consisting of nine semester credit hours, completed in eight terms, for a total of 900 client contact hours. During the field component portion of this program, students will work in a community behavioral health agency for approximately 15-20 hours per week to gain hands-on experience.

Counseling Concentrations

Graduate students pursuing the Master of Arts in Counseling degree have the opportunity to gain deeper knowledge in a specialty area by completing 15 hours in one of four concentration areas:

• Expressive Arts Therapy
• Gerocounseling
• Treatment of Trauma Abuse & Deprivation

Why Earn a Master's in Counseling?

Earning a master's in counseling can lead to a rewarding career helping people live better lives. The program prepares students to work in diverse community settings, providing counseling, rehabilitation, and support services.

Related Degrees

• Master of Science in Addiction Counseling
• Bachelor of Arts in Human Services
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
• Bachelor of Science in Addiction Counseling

Education and Qualifications

The program is designed to meet the educational requirements in the states of Arizona, Kansas, and Wisconsin for licensure. Requirements vary by state, and it is the responsibility of the student to contact their state's licensure or certification authority to assure that the degree meets their state's requirements.

Career Outlook

The career outlook for counselors is expected to grow 23% from 2020 to 2030, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared for pathways to a variety of careers, including:

• Community Health Workers
• Correctional Treatment Specialists
• Health Education Specialists
• Marriage and Family Therapists
• Probation Officers
• Psychologists
• Rehabilitation Counselors
• School and Career Counselors and Advisors
• Social and Community Service Managers
• Social and Human Service Assistants
• Social Workers

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program meets professional licensure requirements in certain states, as outlined on the University's Licensure Disclosure page. Students are advised to verify that they are located (or plan to seek initial licensure) in a state where Ottawa University's program meets requirements.

Master of Arts in Counseling Courses

The program consists of 60-63 credit hours, including:

• Core Foundation Courses
• Concentration/Elective Courses
• Practicum
• Internship

University Accreditation

Ottawa University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Specific degree programs within the institution have also been accredited by relevant bodies within the field.

Why Choose Ottawa?

Ottawa University offers a range of benefits, including:

• Almost all courses are available online and accredited by The Higher Learning Commission
• Easy transfer of credits to help keep tuition costs down
• Accelerated 8-week terms to reduce time to completion
• Recognition for commitment to student excellence by the following designations:
  • Colleges of Distinction
  • GOLD Military Friendly School

Locations

The Master of Arts in Counseling program is offered at the following locations:

• Surprise, AZ (Residential Campus)
• Overland Park, Kansas
• Brookfield, Wisconsin
• Online

Full Degree Catalog

For more information, please download a program overview.