Are you looking for a career where you can help transform lives? With an online counseling degree in clinical mental health you'll be prepared to work with clients across a spectrum of mental and emotional disorders. Clinical Mental Health Counselors are knowledgeable in the principles and practices of diagnosis, treatment, referral, and prevention, and often work in interdisciplinary teams with other health professionals.
The Master of Science in Counseling is a distance learning, professional preparation program for individuals with the goal of becoming licensed mental health counselors or licensed professional counselors. Our program stresses a client-centered philosophy, which empowers our graduates to guide their clients on a journey to discover their full potential for happiness and healing. Students are encouraged to explore their interests within the framework of our curriculum to provide them with the flexibility they will need to be successful therapists and counselors.
Students can pursue areas of emphases in Addictions Counseling; Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling; Social Justice in Counseling; and Somatic Counseling.
Students can also earn post-graduate certificates in Adventure-based Counseling, Nature-based Counseling, or Expressive Art Therapy to enhance their learning and their future practice. Students interested in pursuing a post-graduate certificate are encouraged to do so concurrently with the Master of Science in Counseling program in order to integrate learning from both areas.
Unlike 100% online degrees, this online counseling program is a limited-residency format that combines online classes and in-person opportunities to connect with faculty and other students.
Counseling Program Mission Statement
The Masters of Science in Counseling Program provides an interdisciplinary, student-centered learning environment that integrates global and local social and professional issues with professional practice while maintaining an emphasis on student academic, professional, and cultural competence.
Program Features
- Elective courses: Up to 14 elective courses offered, half in even-numbered years and a half in odd-numbered years
- Emphases offered in Addiction Counseling; Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling; Social Justice in Counseling; and Somatic Counseling
- Post-graduate certificates offered in Adventure-based Psychotherapy, Ecotherapy, and Expressive Art Therapy
- For further details about the Master of Science in Counseling Program, please read through the current Student Handbook
Accreditation
The Masters of Science in Counseling Program is accredited through the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
The Prescott College Master of Science in Counseling program issues an annual report each year. To view our annual report, select a year below. You can also view program statistics.
- Master of Science in Counseling Program Evaluation Outcome Report 2019-20 Academic Year
- Master of Science in Counseling Program Evaluation Outcome Report 2018-19 Academic Year
- Master of Science in Counseling Program Evaluation Outcome Report 2017-18 Academic Year
Counseling Graduation Requirements
Students complete three components – theory (coursework), practicum and internship, and an exit exam, the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE). Students seeking to complete a post-graduate certificate concurrently with the MS Counseling degree must complete additional coursework and, in some cases, participate in additional experience-based workshops to hone their professional skills.
Professional Licensure State Notification
*Completion of a graduate-level counseling degree may not lead to licensure in all states/regions. To review certification requirements by state and whether or not Prescott College meets/does not meet current requirements, please visit this link. All applicants are strongly encouraged to research licensure requirements in their own state. Those applicants planning to work for the Department of Veteran's affairs are also encouraged to research employment requirements for military and veteran counselors.
Deadlines
The M.S. in Counseling program has a priority deadline of June 1st, and a final deadline of July 10th for the fall 2021 term.