The online Master of Science in Counseling (MSC) program prepares students to become professional counselors for a unique profession which emphasizes prevention of emotional and mental disorders, early intervention when problems are identified, and empowerment of clients. The MSC program offers two emphases: 1) Clinical Mental Health Counseling and 2) School Counseling. The MSC program is aligned to meet the national standards.
Professional counselors utilize a wellness model in providing professional services to clients. Counselors aim not only to assist individuals. They are committed to working for social justice in our society and learn to work effectively with a diverse clientele. Graduates of the MSC program are usually employed as professional counselors in a variety of settings including but not limited to hospitals, substance abuse treatment centers, schools, colleges, universities, private practice, rehabilitation facilities, community counseling agencies, court systems, crisis and disaster mental health services and other settings in which counseling or other mental health services are offered.
Program Mission Statement
The online Master of Science in Counseling program at Upper Iowa University prepares exemplary graduates to serve in a variety of positions in community mental health and school settings. We establish academic expectations for an intellectual climate and provide a supportive environment for a diverse student body to grow and develop personally, interpersonally, clinically, and professionally.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will attain strong theoretical foundations in the eight core areas of counseling.
- Students will be able to successfully apply knowledge and skills covered in graduate level courses to counseling settings.
- Students will develop and demonstrate multicultural competence in counseling.
- Students will develop strong identities as professional counselors.
- The student population body will be diverse with respect to race, gender, sexual orientation and other cultural identities.
- Master’s graduates will secure professional positions in counseling settings.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Science in Counseling requires a total of 60 semester hours as follows: 48 semester hours of core credits, nine semester hours of emphasis credits and three semester hours of counseling elective credits. These requirements include three semester hours of credit in research and nine semester hours of credit in field work. Students must successfully pass the written Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) administered by the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE) to be eligible to graduate from the program. This examination must be taken near the end of the student’s degree program. The examination covers all eight (8) core areas of the student’s field of study. In the event the student does not successfully pass the written exam, a second opportunity will be presented to the student of an oral examination which will include content relevant to the eight (8) counseling core areas.
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