Counseling, M.A.
Minimum Totals for Graduation: 60 hours
The Counselor Education program at Central Michigan University leads to a graduate degree 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. Classes take place in the afternoons and evenings and many are online to better accommodate nontraditional students. Students who successfully complete the program of studies earn a Master of Arts in Counseling in a CACREP accredited program with a concentration in Addiction Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, or School Counseling.
Faculty members include licensed professional 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 Deadlines: February 1 for Fall admission (Mt. Pleasant or Online)
September 1 for Spring admission (Online only)
Important Message for Prospective Students: CMU Counseling Programs are CACREP accredited. We offer programs on the Mt. Pleasant campus and a fully online program. The Mt. Pleasant program is a hybrid program, with 40% of courses taught face to face and 60% of courses taught either synchronously or asynchronously online. The Mt. Pleasant program does not meet US visa requirements for international students. The fully online program consists of 55% synchronous courses (live online) and 45% asynchronous courses.
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 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;
- Resume or short statement of relevant work or volunteer experience
- Two completed letters of recommendation are required for your application. Both letters should be professional references from an academic instructor, current/past supervisor, professional colleague etc. Recommendation letters must speak to the applicant’s ability to perform in a professional work and/or academic setting. Professional colleagues are considered individuals the applicant has worked with in a professional work or professional volunteer setting. The counseling program will not accept recommendation letters from the following sources: family members, friends; or individuals who provide the applicant with professional health services (therapist, doctor, etc).
- Written statement of purpose and general plans for graduate study
The written statement should consist of a 3-page APA formatted essay (cover page does not count as one page) detailing the following:
- state your career goals;
- describe how completing an M.A. in Counseling will help you fulfill those goals;
- Describe your readiness to engage in a digital learning environment in the hybrid (face to face and online) or fully online program; and
- describe your strengths and areas for growth as a graduate student.
The applicant’s cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) (2.8 minimum), two letters of recommendation, resume (or work experience statement), 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, Educational Leadership and Higher Education before a decision will be made regarding whether to invite the applicant for a virtual group interview.
If an applicant has met all of the requirements and is invited for a virtual group interview by department faculty, attendance at the interview is mandatory and the dates of the interview will be made available in advance so that you may 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 | Professional Orientation and Ethics | 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 | 3(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).
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 Office of Educator Preparation Programs 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 Office of Educator Preparation Programs 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) |
Total: 60 semester hours