Master of Science in Counseling MSC

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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.

Core Requirements

CNSL 509 - Theories of Counseling 3 Credit(s)
CNSL 510 - Ethical, Legal & Professional Issues in Counseling 3 Credit(s)
CNSL 515 - Lifespan Human Growth & Development 3 Credit(s)
CNSL 520 - Research & Program Evaluation 3 Credit(s)
CNSL 540 - Multicultural Counseling 3 Credit(s)
CNSL 543 - Career Counseling 3 Credit(s)
CNSL 550 - Diagnosis and Treatment Planning in Counseling 3 Credit(s) *
CNSL 552 - Group Work 3 Credit(s) *
CNSL 554 - Introduction to Counseling Techniques 3 Credit(s) *
CNSL 570 - Advanced Counseling Techniques 3 Credit(s) *
CNSL 571 - Crisis Intervention Counseling 3 Credit(s)
CNSL 573 - Assessment in Counseling 3 Credit(s)
CNSL 584 - Substance Abuse Counseling 3 Credit(s)
CNSL 590 - Practicum in Counseling 3 Credit(s) *
CNSL 597 - Internship in Counseling I 3 Credit(s) *
CNSL 598 - Internship in Counseling II 3 Credit(s) *

Credits: 48

*Students must earn a grade of “B” or better in each prerequisite clinical course in order to enroll in the next counseling skills course. In the event a student earns a grade of “B-” or lower in a counseling skills course, the course must be repeated.

CNSL 597 and CNSL 598 may be taken concurrently with the approval of the MSC program director. Students must have a 3.50 GPA or above.

Emphasis Area(s)

Select one of the following emphases:

Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC)

Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) Emphasis

School Counseling (SC)*

School Counseling (SC) Emphasis

Total Credits: 60

*SPED 304 - Exceptional Persons is required for Iowa licensure to serve as a professional school counselor. Students completing the coursework for school counseling will be recommended for Iowa licensure.

**One of these courses is required to meet the curriculum requirement in the state of Iowa.