Counseling - Clinical Mental Health Concentration - Master of Arts

The Master of Arts in Counseling is an online program.

Admission Requirements

1. General admission to graduate study (for criteria, refer to Admission to Graduate Study).
2. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on the baccalaureate degree awarding final transcript or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on the master's degree awarding final transcript for those who have completed a previous master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education is required.
3. A GRE score of 286 (verbal and quantitative) with a minimum verbal score of 143 or a raw score of 33 (385-390 Scaled Score) on the Miller Analogies Test is required.
   1. The department chair may waive the testing requirement for students who have at least a 3.5 or higher cumulative GPA after having completed 12 graduate hours within the program.
   2. The department chair will waive the testing requirement for students who have already completed a master's degree.
4. TOEFL 525 (197 computer-based) or 74 on English Language Instruction Test of the University of Michigan, for international students.

An individual completing the Master of Arts in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Concentration program will not be able to use the courses in the program to also complete the Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in School Counseling program.

Program Competencies

1. Knowledge of the major contemporary theories, which form the foundation for the current practice of professional counseling (EDGC 619, EDGC 620, EDGC 656, EDGC 664 and EDGC 680).
2. Knowledge of basic research techniques and methodologies sufficient to function as informed consumers of professional literature and to conduct applied and action research projects (EDF 600).
3. Knowledge of the organization and administration of school counseling and guidance services consistent with current professional standards and Commonwealth of Kentucky statutes and regulations (EDGC 620, EDGC 656, EDGC 665 and EDGC 669).
4. Knowledge of fundamental psycho-educational assessment theory and practice. Knowledge of legal and ethical issues in assessment and testing. Knowledge of how to (1) select standardized tests, (2) interpret scores to students, parents and school personnel (EDGC 661).
5. Knowledge of clinical diagnosis and assessment (EDGC 662).
6. Knowledge of human development, learning, and behavior required to function as entry-level professional school counselors (EDF 610, EDGC 620, EDGC 656 and EDGC 664).
7. Knowledge of legal and ethical issues in counseling (EDGC 656, EDGC 668, EDGC 620, EDGC 661, EDGC 669, EDGC 679 and EDGC 678).

Clinical Competencies

1. Demonstrate the ability to use various theoretical formulations, interview techniques and appropriate psycho-educational instruments (EDGC 619, EDGC 661, EDGC 664, EDGC 667, EDGC 671, EDGC 662 and EDGC 669).
2. Demonstrate the ability to select and apply a variety of interventions in the conduct of professional counseling with a variety of clients and client problems (EDGC 619, EDGC 620, EDGC 664, EDGC 665, EDGC 667, EDGC 671, EDGC 669, EDGC 679 and EDGC 678).
3. Demonstrate the ability to select, administer, score and interpret a variety of psycho-educational instruments appropriate for entry-level professional counselors (EDGC 661).
4. Demonstrate the ability to select, administer, score and interpret a variety of clinical assessments and determine client diagnosis and treatment (EDGC 662).
5. Demonstrate the ability to design and execute applied and action research projects for study in the field of counseling (EDF 600).

Assessment

1. Students must complete the required coursework with a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0.
2. During their final clinical internship semester, students must successfully complete a presentation of their comprehensive professional portfolio.

Requirements for the Degree

1. Unconditional admission to the program. If a student has not been unconditionally admitted after completing 12 graduate hours, he/she will not be allowed to register for additional hours.
2. Satisfy the general degree requirements.
3. All graduate students pursuing programs of study in the Department of Foundational and Graduate Studies in Education must maintain a 3.0 graduate GPA. Students falling below a 3.0 will be placed on a one semester period of probation. Students failing to achieve a graduate GPA of at least 3.0 at the end of the probation semester will be dropped from their respective program. Any student who received grades of "C" in more than two graduate courses will be immediately dropped from his/her respective program.
4. Students are expected to adhere to the ethical standards and guidelines of the American Counseling Association, the American School Counselor Association, and/or the American Mental Health Counselors Association. Breach of ethical practices will result in dismissal from the program.
5. Successful completion of 48 credits including the successful completion and presentation of a professional portfolio that includes artifacts as specified by the assignment rubric and completion of the clinical internship (EDGC 678) with a grade of "B" or better.

Program Requirements

Counseling Core

EDGC 619	Career Counseling	3
EDGC 620	Psycho-Social and Multicultural Factors in Counseling	3
EDGC 656	Introduction to Counseling	3
EDGC 664	Theories of Counseling	3
EDGC 665	Philosophy and Practice of School Counseling	3
EDGC 667	Group Counseling	3
EDGC 668	Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling	3
EDGC 669	Practicum in Counseling	3
EDGC 671	Practices and Techniques in Counseling	3
Total Credit Hours:		27

EDGC 664: (formerly EDGC 666)

Professional Education Core

EDF 600	Research Methods in Education	3
EDF 610	Advanced Human Growth and Development	3
EDGC 661	Measurement Principles and Techniques	3
Total Credit Hours:		9

Clinical Mental Health Core

EDGC 662	Individual Inventory Techniques, Diagnosis and Treatment Planning	3
EDGC 678	Internship	1-6
EDGC 679	Advanced Practicum in Counseling	3
EDGC 680	Family Counseling	3
Total Credit Hours:		12

Total Credit Hours: 48