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Counseling (MS)

Signature Courses
MACP51000 Social Justice in Counseling, 3 credits
MACP53201 Human Sexuality in Counseling, 3 credits
MACP55200 Mindfulness in Clinical Practice, 3 credits
MACP51010 Counseling Theories, 3 credits
MACP51235 Child and Adolescent Counseling, 3 credits
MACP50090 Helping Relationships
 

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. 

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.

 

 

  • To be competent in counseling skills and practice;
  • To integrate global and local issues with professional counseling practice;
  • To be aware of and cultivate respect for cultural differences and similarities and be able to apply this cultural sensitivity to the counseling profession;
  • To be aware of social justice, social status, and social action in the practice of counseling;
  • To maintain a commitment to personal growth, self-awareness, and self-reflection;
  • To identify and develop a personal theoretical knowledge base that promotes an intentional counseling practice;
  • To assess, develop, and apply interventions and techniques based on the culture, uniqueness, and needs of each client;
  • To be aware of and understand how to resolve ethical and legal issues in the counseling profession;
  • To know how to read, interpret, evaluate, and apply scholarly research; and
  • To understand and apply assessment and program evaluation in the counseling profession.

 

 

Professional Orientation to Mental Health Counseling, 3 credits
Psychopathology: Diagnosis and Treatment Planning, 3 credits
Human Growth and Development, 3 credits
Social and Cultural Diversity in Counseling, 3 credits
Research and Program Evaluation in Mental Health Counseling, 3 credits
Helping Relationships: Basic Counseling Skills, 3 credits
Career and Lifestyle Development: Challenges of Adulthood, 3 credits
Group Work: Clinical Theory and Practice, 3 credits
Assessment: Psychological Testing and Appraisal in Counseling, 3
Professional Counseling Ethics, 3 credits
Counseling Theories, 3 credits
Social Justice in Counseling, 3 credits
Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling, 3 credits
Addiction Counseling, 3 credits
Supervised Counseling Practicum, 3 credits
Supervised Counseling Internship, 6 credits taken over two terms
Electives, 3 courses for a total of 9 credits

 

  • Private Practice
  • Non-profits
  • Government Agencies
  • Hospitals

 

  • List of References
  • Completed Application
  • Current resume
  • Official transcripts
  • Essay (email for details)
Counseling (MS) Faculty

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