Counseling, M.A.

Minimum Totals for Graduation: 60 hours

This program is also offered via Global Campus/CMU Online.

The Counselor Education faculty at Central Michigan University offer courses and programs designed to prepare students to work as counseling personnel in public and private schools, institutions of higher education, community-based social service agencies, and private practice. Many classes are offered afternoons, evenings, and weekends, or online to better accommodate nontraditional students. Students who successfully complete the program of studies earn a Master of Arts degree in Counseling with a concentration in Addiction Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, or School Counseling.

Faculty members include licensed professional counselors, licensed school counselors, and nationally certified counselors. Full-time counselor education faculty hold doctoral degrees in counselor education. Teaching excellence is a top priority of the faculty.

Admission Requirements, Retention & Termination Standards

Admission Requirement Snapshot

GPA: 2.8

Application Deadline: February 1 for Summer/Fall admission OR September 1 for Spring admission

Important Message for Prospective Global Campus/CMU Online Students: It is highly recommended that students contact the appropriate licensing agency in their state of residence if they are considering an academic program that leads to a professional license. CMU offers state-by-state information at https://www.cmich.edu/admissions-aid/global-campus/professional-certification-licensure-disclosures with web links to the appropriate licensing agencies. It is the responsibility of students to contact the appropriate licensing agency and to understand the requirements in their state of residence as applied to their specific situation.

See Admission Requirement Details Below

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for Admission to the M.A. in Counseling program, a complete application includes:

a graduate application;
all transcripts from undergraduate and graduate degree work,
written statement of purpose and general plans for graduate study; and
Two professional letters of references (must be academic or professional) who can speak to potential in the counseling field and/or graduate study. Applicants will identify the professional references during the application process and these references will be sent an email to complete the reference. References will respond to a list of questions and then must type or upload a letter of reference.

The written statement should consist of a 3-page APA formatted essay detailing the following:

state your career goals;
describe how completing an M.A. in Counseling will help you fulfill those goals; and
If you are applying to the online program describe your readiness to engage in a digital learning environment; and
describe your strengths and areas for growth as a graduate student..

Two completed letters of recommendation are required for your application. Both should be professional references from an academic instructor, current/past supervisor, colleague etc. Letters written from family members or friends are not acceptable.

The applicant’s cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) (2.8 minimum), two letters of recommendation, and written statement of purpose and general plans for graduate study are all considered in determining admission. Students who have below a 2.8 minimum undergraduate GPA are still encouraged to apply and will receive consideration. All application materials must be received in the Department of Counseling and Special Education before a decision will be made whether to invite the applicant for either a virtual or in-person interview. Application deadlines are: February 1 for Summer/Fall admission and September 1 for Spring admission.

If an applicant has met all of the requirements and is invited for a virtual or in-person interview by department faculty, attendance at the interview is mandatory and the dates of the interview will be made available in advance for you to make accommodations to be there.

Upon successful completion of the initial screening process and interview, the applicant will be recommended for admission. This decision will be sent to Graduate Studies and if approved, the applicant will receive Regular Admission.

Program Requirements

The Addiction Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and School Counseling concentrations require each candidate to successfully complete a minimum of 60 credit hours. Students will gain knowledge and experience in research, group techniques, counseling theories, counseling techniques, ethics, counseling philosophy, multicultural counseling, testing procedures, career development, and consulting. Practicum and internship experiences will complete the minimum requirements. Elective courses will provide students additional studies and experience in areas of personal interest.

Each student will participate in a supervised counseling experience (practicum), either in the Center for Community Counseling and Development or at a community-based site, in addition to a 600 hour community-based internship experience.

Elective courses will be selected with the approval of the advisor.

Progress through the program is based on satisfactory grades (grade point average of "B" or better) and satisfactory evaluations of pre-professional functioning (e.g., demonstration of appropriate personal and professional skills, ethical standards, and behaviors). Serious and persistent difficulties in pre-professional functioning may result in dismissal from the program.

Program Requirements

Core Courses (42 hours)

CED 610	Career Counseling	3(3-0)
CED 620	Introduction to Multicultural Issues in Counseling	3(3-0)
CED 630	Ethics and Consultation in Counseling	3(3-0)
CED 640	Assessment in Counseling	3(3-0)
CED 641	Introduction to Counseling for Addictions	3(3-0)
CED 650	Theories and Techniques of Group Counseling	3(3-0)
CED 660	Counseling Techniques	3(3-0)
CED 665	Personal and Professional Development Across the Lifespan	3(3-0)
CED 677	Counseling Theories	3(3-0)
CED 679	Crisis and Trauma Counseling	3(3-0)
CED 686	Psychopathology in Counseling	3(3-0)
CED 690	Counseling Practicum	1-6(Spec)
CED 695	Research in Counseling	3(3-0)
CED 699	Diagnosis and Treatment Planning in Counseling	3(3-0)

Plan B Requirement (6 hours)

Satisfied by CED 691 (6 hours).

CED 691

Internship

1-6(Spec)

Counseling Concentrations

Select one of the following concentrations:

Addiction Counseling Concentration

This concentration prepares students interested in qualifying for licensure as a Professional Counselor (LPC) in Michigan and who wish to work in the addiction field. Potential work settings would include: community-based social service agencies, institutions of higher education, criminal justice institutions, counseling personnel in public and private schools, and private practice.

Additional Requirements (12 hours)

CED 642	Neuropsychopharmacology	3(3-0)
CED 643	Etiology of Addiction	3(3-0)
CED 644	Addiction Oriented Systems and Methods of Care	3(3-0)
CED 668	Family Counseling and Therapy	3(3-0)

Total: 60 semester hours

Clinical Mental Health Concentration

This concentration prepares students interested in qualifying for licensure as a Professional Counselor (LPC) in Michigan. Potential work settings would include: community-based social service agencies, institutions of higher education, counseling personnel in public and private schools, and private practice.

Additional Requirements (6 hours)

CED 603	Introduction to Clinical Mental Health Counseling	3(3-0)
CED 668	Family Counseling and Therapy	3(3-0)

Electives (6 hours)

Select CED courses listed below or approved transfer credits to bring credit hour total to at least 60.

CED 617	The Counseling Supervisor	3(3-0)
CED 642	Neuropsychopharmacology	3(3-0)
CED 643	Etiology of Addiction	3(3-0)
CED 651	Counseling Children and Adolescents	3(3-0)

Total: 60 semester hours

School Counseling Concentration

This concentration is designed for students who are interested in a school counseling endorsement or school counseling licensure. Students with a valid Michigan teaching certificate may seek a school counseling endorsement on their teaching certificate. Upon completion of the degree program, these students may apply through CMU’s EHS Center for Student Services to add a counseling endorsement to their teaching certificate. Students who do not have a valid Michigan teaching certificate may apply for school counseling licensure through CMU’s EHS Center for Student Services upon completion of the degree program.

Additional Requirements (12 hours)

CED 604	Introduction to School Counseling	3(3-0)
CED 615	Postsecondary Planning for School Counselors	3(3-0)
CED 645	School Counseling Seminar	3(3-0)
CED 651	Counseling Children and Adolescents	3(3-0)