Counselor Education

Master of Science, M.S.

Called to Help

Welcome to the School of Natural and Behavioral Sciences at William Carey University, Tradition Campus, where we offer an exceptional Master of Science degree in Counselor Education. This comprehensive program spans 60 semester hours, providing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in the counseling profession.

With a concentration in clinical mental health counseling, students receive coursework that is designed to meet the educational requirements for becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Mississippi, as well as eligibility to pursue national certification as a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC).

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Program Overview

Hours

This comprehensive program spans 60 semester hours, providing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in the counseling profession.

Delivery Method

To cater to diverse learning needs, the Counselor Education Department employs various instructional methods. Most of our classes are offered online, while some classes require in-person participation. We believe in providing a flexible and engaging educational experience that suits the needs of our students to prepare them for the workforce.

Applicant Prerequisites & Requirements

Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
Have an overall cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.5 or have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on the last 30 hours of coursework
Submit a current resume
Submit a statement of professional counseling career goals
Complete the graduate school application that includes official transcripts
Submit a GRE score (less than five years old with verbal and quantitative sub-scores) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scores (less than five years old)
Complete the counselor education informed consent checklist
Complete coursework that shows sufficient preparation for pursuing an advanced degree in clinical mental health counseling or school counseling. The required courses include general psychology or educational psychology, counseling theory, and statistics. If there are any gaps in my undergraduate course preparation, they must be addressed before completing the first 18 semester hours of graduate coursework.

Career Outlooks

The curriculum of the Master of Science in Counselor Education is designed to build a strong foundation for graduates entering the counseling profession. Our graduates are prepared academically to enter the workforce as a school counselor or a clinical mental health counselor. The coursework is designed to meet the academic requirements to obtain licensure in the State of Mississippi as a Licensed School Counselor or as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). The coursework prepares students to be credentialed as a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and a Nationally Certified School Counselor (NCSC).

Clinical mental health counselors can work in a variety of settings. While some work in or start private practices, others provide care at the community level or in settings such as inpatient residential programs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 11.1% employment growth for mental health counselors between 2021 and 2031.

School counselors provide academic, personal and developmental support to school-age children. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 9.6% employment growth for school counselors between 2021 and 2031.

Set Yourself Apart

Our mission is to provide a comprehensive curriculum that establishes a solid foundation for graduates embarking on their counseling careers. Focusing on academic excellence, our program equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed as school counselors or clinical mental health counselors.

Through carefully crafted coursework, we designed the curriculum to meet the academic requirements for licensure in the State of Mississippi as either a Licensed School Counselor or a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Additionally, our program prepares students to obtain national credentials as a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and a Nationally Certified School Counselor (NCSC), ensuring their recognition and credibility in the field.

William Carey University is committed to fostering a supportive learning environment that promotes personal growth, cultural competence, and ethical practice. Our distinguished faculty members bring extensive experience and expertise to the classroom, providing valuable mentorship and guidance throughout your educational journey.

Join us in the Master of Science in Counselor Education program, where you will gain the necessary tools and knowledge to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others.