Department of Counseling
Counseling Programs
Department of Counseling
The mission of the Department of Counseling is to create an environment conducive to spirituality, self-examination, collaboration, and reflection for the development and growth of professional counselors who are leaders and advocates within communities and various school settings. These counselors will optimize individual development and mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health within these communities and various school settings through their leadership, advocacy, and spirituality.
Program Offerings
The Department of Counseling offers an experiential focused curriculum leading to a Master of Arts degree in four counseling areas:
- School Counseling
- Student Affairs/College Student Development
- Community Agency Counseling
- Pastoral Counseling
- Educational Specialist
Also, the department offers an Educational Specialist degree in Counseling in two areas: School Counseling and Community Agency Counseling to include a focus on Pastoral Counseling.
Master of Arts in Counseling
The Department of Counseling offers an experiential focused curriculum leading to a Master of Arts degree in four counseling areas:
School Counseling
The Master's Degree Program with a concentration in School Counseling will prepare dedicated and resourceful school counselors to respond to growing challenges faced by those working in elementary, middle and secondary school settings. A special focus is provided on how to improve academic achievement. Upon completion of the program requirements, the students are able to seek state certification in guidance counseling.
Student Affairs, College Student Development
The Master of Arts Degree Program in Counseling with a concentration in Student Affairs is designed to provide professional training for entry positions in the college student development field in university, college and two-year post-secondary settings in such specific areas of performance as residential life, management, admissions, financial aid, student activities, career development and other areas.
Community Agency Counseling
The Master of Arts Degree Program in Counseling with a concentration in Community Agency Counseling is primarily intended for persons who wish to engage in counseling in a non-school setting (e.g. youth service agencies, career training programs, correctional institutions, community counseling settings). It provides the student with the understanding, training and experience necessary for entry and successful participation and development in the fields of agency work.
Community Agency Counseling, Pastoral Counseling
The Master of Arts Degree Program in Counseling with a concentration in Pastoral Counseling is designed to provide professional counseling skills to spiritual leaders within the church and communities. This program has a non-denominational focus and provides intensive training in nurturing our neighborhoods and parishes.
Educational Specialist in Counseling
This course of study is designed to further develop professional skills and broaden knowledge of counseling. Entry into the program will be limited to candidates who have successfully completed a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling. This program will consist of a minimum of 30 credit hours beyond the Master of Arts program of graduate study, providing that prerequisites have been met. Some identified courses or similar courses may have been completed while pursuing the Masters of Arts Degree. If this situation exits, the advisor and the student will determine substitute courses to meet the 30 credit hour requirement. This degree is considered a terminal degree for the practitioner.