Program Structure

Our full-time, cohort-style program offers a course schedule that allows students to have a flexible lifestyle that integrates work, family, and academic rigor. The program is structured to offer mostly evening classes with an occasional Saturday session. Additionally, many classes are offered online.  Practica courses meet a second afternoon or evening a week during most of the second year. Practica also requires students to see clients per their schedule at the University's onsite counselor training center.

The 60 credit curriculum consists of core coursework in counseling theories and approaches, courses in the specialty area of clinical mental health, and applied clinical experience of practica (minimum 150 clock hours/20 direct hours) and internship experience in the community (minimum 700 clock hours/280 direct hours). Classes are small, discussion-oriented, and geared to practical application. The delivery format of coursework includes face-to-face, online, and hybrid (combination of face-to-face and online instruction).  All program faculty are professional clinicians who provide diverse theoretical backgrounds and assist students in developing their own personal approach to counseling.

In the final stage of the program, students undergo a three-semester, 14 credit internship when they work 15 hours per week (approx.) in a counseling agency in the community and receive supervision from professional counselors or psychologists.

As the capstone for the program, students are required to complete a final clinical project. The project includes a professional goal statement, an ethical adherence statement, and a professional disclosure statement. It is evaluated by the Program faculty. Once the clinical project is signed off, the student is advanced to candidacy and may apply for graduation.