Counseling

The Master of Arts in Counseling is a 48 to 60 hour planned program of study designed to meet the competencies of professional counselors. Curricula programs consist of three basic components: core courses required of all students, specialty courses in the areas of: correctional counseling, career counseling, elementary and secondary school counseling, mental health counseling, and student affairs counseling.

Admission to the Counseling Program is selective and competitive. Admission decisions are rooted in the requirements of the Marshall University Graduate College and the specific standards required by the Counseling Program, including the student's performance on the aptitude tests of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT), grade point averages documented on official undergraduate or graduate transcripts, a personal narrative of reasons for pursuing graduate study in counseling, a writing sample, and three letter of recommendation.

Applicants who satisfy minimum standards relative to these criteria are invited for an on-campus interview with the Counseling Program Faculty. The number of students admitted each year is established by the program faculty. Applications received prior to Feb. 15th of each year are given priority and those received after that date are considered only when openings remain. Students are admitted to specific specializations and must indicate their chosen specialization prior to admission.

It is the responsibility of all admitted students to meet with their advisor prior to the beginning of course work. Before the completion of 9 semester hours, the student must submit an advisor-approved "Plan of Study." NOTE: For advising purposes, course prerequisites are determined by the department. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 and recommendations by the advisor and one other faculty member are required before a student is eligible to complete a plan of study. A 3.0 grade point average in all counseling course attempted and a 3.0 grade point average in all courses required for the Master's Degree are required prior to enrollment in Practicum, prior to enrollment in Internship, and for graduation.

The following 30 semester hours of core courses are required of all students:

In addition to the 30 semester hours of core courses, students must complete additional requirements consistent with one of the following specialties.

Mental Health Counseling

Students specializing in Mental Health Counseling are required to take the following mental health specialty courses (15 hrs.), and 15 hours of coursework in a degree emphasis area. This curriculum is designed to meet the current academic requirements for counselor licensure. (Courses identified as TBA are new courses in the process of being developed.)

Correctional Counseling

In addition to the core courses, students specializing in Correctional Counseling are required to take the following specialty courses:

Community Counseling

In addition to the core courses, students specializing in Community Counseling are required to take the following specialty courses:

Career Counseling

In addition to the core courses, students specializing in Career Counseling are required to take the following specialty courses:

Student Affairs Counseling
(Courses identified as TBA are new courses in the process of being developed.)

School Counseling

School counseling curricula meet the State Department of Education certification standards for a K-12 certificate. An alternative school counseling program is available for students without a teacher education background to qualify for West Virginia certification as school counselors. In addition to the core courses, students specializing in School Counseling are required to take the following courses specialty courses:

Certification Requirements for School Counselors

Students in school counseling must meet certification requirements established by the West Virginia Department of Education. All students must pass the Praxis II: Specialty Area Test (formerly the National Teachers Examination) in School Counseling prior to applying for certification. Applications for certification are available in the central offices of the county school systems. An alternative school counseling program is available for students without a teacher education background to qualify for West Virginia certification as elementary or secondary school counselors.

Students who do not hold a valid West Virginia teaching certificate (non-education majors) must submit passing scores on the Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) prior to enrollment in courses leading to certification.

*Advisors may approve course substitutions for the above listed courses.

ADDITIONAL ELECTIVE COURSE OPTIONS
(Courses identified as TBA are new courses in the process of being developed.)

For additional information please contact:

Dr. Michael Burton
(304) 746-1928 or 1-800-642-9842
Email: Mike Burton