Master's in Counselor Education 

Master of Education in Counseling (M.Ed.)

In 1988, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP) awarded accreditation to all degree programs, and the program continues to maintain CACREP accreditation. 

The master’s degree program prepares professional counselors for a unique profession which emphasizes prevention of emotional and mental disorders, early intervention when problems are identified, and empowerment of clients. Professional counselors have adopted a developmental wellness model of helping people which acknowledges that mental health exists on a continuum and the counselor’s role is to assist the client in moving as far as possible toward positive mental health. Professional counselors view human emotional and mental problems as normal to existence and developmental in nature.

Graduates of the master’s degree program are usually employed as professional counselors in a variety of settings including community mental health agencies, substance abuse treatment programs, schools, colleges, universities, rehabilitation agencies, mental and physiological health hospitals, residential treatment programs, employee assistance programs, social service agencies, and pastoral settings.

Degree Requirements

The program leading to the M.Ed. degree consists of a minimum of 60 semester hours. Programs of study include a core of courses essential to all counselors, emphasis area courses in school counseling or clinical mental health counseling, and field experiences. M.Ed. students must pass a final comprehensive examination. Field experiences include a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour (minimum) internship in which students practice the skills they have developed under the supervision of faculty and doctoral students. Students may complete the degree program on a part-time basis. Courses are offered in the late afternoons and evenings.