{"id":1005,"date":"2014-02-17T15:42:49","date_gmt":"2014-02-17T20:42:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/coepd\/?page_id=1005"},"modified":"2026-05-11T13:46:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T13:46:14","slug":"counseling","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/counseling-department\/","title":{"rendered":"Counseling"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Overview and Mission<\/h2>\n

Welcome to the Counseling Department at Marshall University, where your journey to becoming a counselor begins!<\/p>\n

Since 1961, Marshall University has trained counselors from around the world. Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP<\/a>), our mission is to prepare professional counselors who embody reflective practice, clinical competence, ethical integrity, and cultural responsiveness, and are committed to advocating for the well-being of individuals, families, schools, and communities while advancing the counseling profession through service, leadership, and lifelong learning.<\/p>\n

By the end of the program, students will:<\/p>\n

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  1. Develop a strong professional identity as counselors through ethical decision-making, reflective practice, personal and professional wellness, and a commitment to advocacy at individual, institutional, and systemic levels.<\/li>\n
  2. Develop cultural humility, responsiveness, and advocacy skills to effectively serve diverse and underserved populations.<\/li>\n
  3. Demonstrate proficiency in counseling skills, case conceptualization, and evidence-based interventions with all populations they serve.<\/li>\n
  4. Critically evaluate research and apply those methods to inform evidence-based practice while exploring opportunities to contribute to the growing body of counseling scholarship.<\/li>\n
  5. Competently utilize assessments, resources, and interventions to promote mental health and well-being across diverse contexts.<\/li>\n
  6. Understand human development across the lifespan, with an emphasis on fostering self-awareness, wellness, trauma-informed practice, and resilience in themselves and the populations they serve.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    In-Demand Specialties<\/h2>\n

    The Counseling Department offers a 60-semester credit hour, CACREP-accredited, Master of Arts degree in counseling<\/a> with two specialty tracks (also known as areas of emphasis): clinical mental health counseling (CMHC) and school counseling (SC). Fun fact: students that complete the school counseling track are eligible to complete the requirements to become a Certified School Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor in West Virginia! <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Additionally, the department facilitates one graduate certificate program: Violence, Loss, and Trauma (VoLT) Counseling<\/a>, which is available to students inside and outside of the program.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Smooth Application Sequence<\/h2>\n
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    We accept applications for admission year-round with three start dates: Fall, Spring, and Summer (review MU Academic Calendar for information on specific start dates: https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/academic-calendar\/<\/a>).<\/div>\n
    You may be interested in several application pathways:<\/div>\n