Counseling (M.A.)
Marymount offers an M.A. in counseling with three specialization options: clinical mental health counseling, pastoral clinical mental health counseling, and school counseling.
The clinical mental health counseling, pastoral clinical mental health counseling, and school counseling specializations are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The school counseling program is also accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Marymount's CACREP, licensure-track counseling program provides an opportunity to earn a degree and complete coursework needed to become a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in 60 credit hours. Individuals are eligible to sit for the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) examination at Marymount toward the end of their program of study and begin the supervised experience necessary to become an LPC upon completion of this degree program. Electives in any specializations should be selected in consultation with advisors to meet licensure requirements in other states.
Upon successful completion of the clinical mental health counseling, pastoral clinical mental health counseling, and school counseling specializations, students will be able to demonstrate a knowledge base required for professional counselors. That knowledge base, as outlined by CACREP, includes the following:
- advanced human growth and development
- multicultural counseling
- individual skills
- group counseling
- career development and counseling
- testing and assessment
- research methods
- professional, legal, and ethical issues in counseling
Students also will demonstrate an understanding of current trends in the job market through self-marketing strategies.
Degree Requirements — Counseling
60 credits
Shared Degree Requirements
45 credits
| CE500 | Research and Evaluation | 3 |
| CE501 | Bases of Psychopathology | 3 |
| CE503 | Advanced Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| CE508 | Crisis Assessment and Intervention | 3 |
| CE509 | Substance Abuse Assessment and Intervention | 3 |
| CE510 | Survey of Testing and Assessment | 3 |
| CE520 | Theories of Counseling | 3 |
| | |
| CE522C | Counseling for Individuals (Counseling section) | 3 |
| OR | |
| CE522S | Counseling for Individuals (School Counseling section) | 3 |
| | |
| CE523C | Group Counseling Techniques (Clinical Mental Health Counseling section) | 3 |
| OR | |
| CE523S | Group Counseling Techniques (School Counseling section) | 3 |
| | |
| CE524 | Theories and Techniques of Family Counseling | 3 |
| | |
| CE530C | Career Development Counseling (Clinical Mental Health Counseling section) | 3 |
| OR | |
| CE530S | Career Development Counseling (School Counseling section) | 3 |
| | |
| CE551 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| | |
| CE597C | Clinical Mental Health Counseling Practicum | 3 |
| OR | |
| CE597S | School Counseling Practicum | 3 |
| | |
| CE599C | Internship: Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
| OR | |
| CE599S | Internship: School Counseling | 3 |
Specialization Courses
In addition to the courses above, a student must choose from one of three specializations (18 credits).
Clinical Mental Health Specialization
| CE502 | Foundations, Ethics, and Professional Issues in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
| CE536 | Advanced Counseling: Theories and Techniques | 3 |
Nine (9) elective credits in counseling education or forensic legal psychology courses.
Electives must have approval from an advisor. Students should consult with their state licensing board to determine appropriate electives.
Pastoral Clinical Mental Health Specialization
| CE502 | Foundations, Ethics, and Professional Issues in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
| CE540 | Contemporary and Historical Religious Perspectives | 3 |
| CE541 | Pastoral Counseling Integration | 3 |
| CE542 | Grief and Loss | 3 |
| CE549 | Moral and Spiritual Development and Ethical Issues in Counseling | 3 |
School Counseling Specialization
The school counseling specialization provides the education and training necessary to work as a school counselor in elementary, middle, or high school. Students who successfully complete this program will be eligible for licensure as a school counselor (grades PK-12) in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Students also meet the requirements for the LPC with completion of CE 501.
Field experience, practicum, and internship hours must be completed when school is in regular session: September through June, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
| CE505 | Advanced Study of Individuals with Exceptionalities | 3 |
| CE534 | Counseling Children and Adolescents | 3 |
| CE560 | Foundations, Ethics, and Professional Issues in School Counseling | 3 |
| CE561 | Practices of School Counseling | 3 |
An elective from counseling education or forensic legal psychology graduate courses, three (3) credits.