Program Overview

Overview of the Master of Arts in Counseling Program

The Master of Arts in Counseling program at Northwestern University is designed for future practitioners who seek to become self-reflective, compassionate mental health counselors. The program is fully accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and offers several options to fit students' backgrounds and lifestyles, including accelerated, traditional, and part-time tracks, and a Bridge to Counseling Program for students new to the field.

Program Details

• The program can be completed in as few as 18 months.
• No GMAT/GRE is required for admission.
• The program offers a Child and Adolescent Specialization, which makes an added difference in youth mental illness.
• The curriculum is rigorous and high-caliber, preparing students for real-world practice as self-reflective counselors.
• The program includes in-person immersion experiences that provide in-depth training and enable students to bond with peers and professors.

Curriculum

The curriculum is designed to prepare students for real-world practice as self-reflective counselors. The program includes:

• A Standard Program for students with a background in counseling or a related field.
• A Bridge to Counseling Program for students new to the field, which offers prerequisite coursework in clinical interviewing and practice.
• A Child and Adolescent Specialization, which provides an in-depth look at child and adolescent development and treatment approaches for common mental health concerns in today's youth.

Admissions

• Admission to the program requires a bachelor's degree.
• GRE scores are not required.
• The program has four start dates annually: January, April, June, and September.
• The admissions committee reviews applications on a rolling basis.

Clinical Training and Placement

• The program includes in-person clinical experience, which is a cornerstone of the preparation provided to students.
• Students complete both a Practicum and an Internship, totaling 800 hours of real-world skill development.
• The placement team helps students identify Northwestern-approved sites where they can work with clients.
• Each placement is supervised by a licensed clinician who provides ongoing feedback.

Immersion Experiences

• The program includes two immersion experiences: the New Student Immersion and the Group Dynamics Immersion.
• The New Student Immersion orients new students to the program and provides information about the resources available to support their success.
• The Group Dynamics Immersion is the experiential component of the Group Counseling Theory and Practice course, which helps students define their group leadership style, examine any biases they may have in group settings, and understand the roles they take on in groups.

Capstone Conference

• The Capstone Conference is an online conference that takes the place of comprehensive exams.
• Students present the competencies they have learned while enrolled in the program, making the transition from student to aspiring practitioner who is prepared to pursue licensure and employment in the field.
• The conference showcases the rigor and excellence of the program and welcomes students from the role of graduate student to the role of professional clinical mental health counselor.

Faculty

• The faculty are known for enriching learning and bringing diverse perspectives and interests into the classroom.
• They have a wealth of experience in areas such as sport psychology, neurocounseling, substance abuse, practice with members of the LGBTIQA+ community, child and adolescent counseling, and other specialties.
• The faculty connect with students during and outside of class, both online and in person, to build relationships that could last well into their careers.

Career Opportunities

• The program prepares students to become effective clinical mental health counselors who work with clients from various backgrounds.
• Career opportunities are available in various settings, including community mental health centers, inpatient/outpatient clinics and hospitals, research institutions, university student services, career services, and private practice.
• The field of counseling is growing, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting an increase in employment opportunities for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors.