School Counseling (MA)
Description
University of Detroit Mercy’s Master of Arts with a major in School Counseling prepares both certified teachers and non-teachers to work in a K-12 educational setting as school or guidance counselors. Students benefit from strong experiential learning where they can apply curriculum learning in developmental theory, counseling theory, assessment practices, counseling skills, comprehensive guidance program development, strategies and interventions. Aligned with University of Detroit Mercy’s mission, students learn and apply their skills within a context of ethics, advocacy, social justice and cultural competence.
Detroit Mercy's School Counseling program is nationally accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
-
Master of Arts with a Major in School Counseling (48 credits); + School License Concentration (9 additional credits)
The Master of Arts with a major in School Counseling
Endorsement Program (Teachers)
This program is for certified teachers interested in working as K-12 school counselors or who are interested in gaining advanced knowledge and skill development in counseling. (Non-teachers must select this Master of Arts Program with School Counselor License Concentration.) Coursework emphasizes counseling theory, assessment practices, counseling skills and issues specifically related to school counseling.
This program for teachers totals 48 credit hours. After completion of 39 credit hours, which have been specified by your advisor, and successfully passing the Michigan Guidance Counselor Test, students can become eligible to begin employment as a school counselor through the Preliminary Employment Authorization to Work as a School Counselor program. Graduates of the program fulfill the academic requirements for both professional licensure as a counselor within the state of Michigan and the School Counselor Endorsement through the Michigan Department of Education. The 48 credit-hour program generally requires two to three years to complete.
Degree Requirements
- CNS 5000 Research Methods in Counseling (3 credits)
- CNS 5020 Counseling and Human Development (3 credits)
- CNS 5120 Introduction to Counseling Theory and Process (3 credits)
- CNS 5320 Multicultural Counseling (3 credits)
- CNS 5350 Introduction to Counseling (3 credits)
- CNS 5360 Program Development and Evaluation (3 credits)
- CNS 5380 Career Counseling (3 credits)
- CNS 5390 Counseling Skills (3 credits)
- CNS 5400 Testing and Evaluation (3 credits)
- CNS 5430 Group Counseling (3 credits)
- CNS 5450 School Counseling: Strategies and Interventions (3 credits)
- CNS 5470 School Counseling: Mental Health and Consultation in Schools (3 credits)
- CNS 5480 The School Counselor and Special Education (3 credits)
- CNS 5600 Mental Health Diagnosis and Treatment (3 credits)
- CNS 5850 Counseling Practicum (3 credits)
- CNS 6040 Internship in Counseling (3 credits)
Total: 48 credits
School Counselor License Concentration (Non Teachers)
Individuals who wish to specialize as K-12 school counselors and who do not possess a teaching certificate must select this concentration as part of their master's coursework. Coursework in this program emphasizes counseling theory, assessment practices, counseling skills and issues specifically related to school counseling.
This program for non-teachers totals 57 credit hours. After completion of 39 credit hours, which have been specified by your advisor, and successfully passing the Michigan Guidance Counselor Test, students can become eligible to begin employment as a school counselor through the Preliminary Employment Authorization to Work as a School Counselor program. Graduates of the program fulfill the academic requirements for both professional licensure as a counselor within the state of Michigan and the School Counselor Endorsement through the Michigan Department of Education. The 57 credit-hour program generally requires three years to complete.
Concentration Requirements (9 credits)
Individuals seeking this concentration must complete all of the above requirements for the master's degree and nine additional credits of electives for the concentration. Electives may be selected from the Counseling (CNS) courses listed below. A maximum of one 5000-level Addiction Studies (ADS) course may also be used.
- CNS 5490 Trauma, Crisis and Prevention (3 credits)
- CNS 5620 Critical Issues in Mental Health Counseling (3 credits)
- CNS 5680 Advanced Issues in Assessment and Treatment (3 credits)
- CNS 5720 Legal, Ethical, and Advocacy Issues in Counseling (3 credits)
- CNS 5900 Consultation (1 credits)
- CNS 5920 Introduction to Addiction: Process and Substance (2 credits)
- CNS 5940 Addiction Counseling: Advanced Issues in Practice and Evaluation (3 credits)
-
Admission Requirements
An undergraduate overall GPA of 2.75 or higher or a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the second half of the undergraduate degree program or a graduate GPA of 3.0 on a previously completed graduate degree; a minimum of 15 hours in the social or behavioral sciences (e.g., anthropology, human services, psychology, sociology) including at least one course (three credit hours) in statistics; a letter of interest explaining your interests in the counseling profession; a writing exam; three letters of recommendation from individuals able to speak to your potential to enter graduate school in counseling; and an interview with the faculty.
Program Contact Information
Nancy G. Calleja, Ph.D., LPC
Professor and Chair
Department of Counseling and Addiction Studies
Reno Hall, Room 234
McNichols Campus
Email: calleyng@udmercy.edu
Telephone: 313-578-0436
Fax: 313-578-0507