MSEd in Counseling (two specialties)

Our master's degree in counseling is a two-year plus two-summer program, with specializations in clinical mental health and school counseling.

The NSU counseling program leads to a master’s of science in education degree, preparing you for a K-12 school or clinical mental health counseling certification/licensure. Our program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

As an NSU counseling student, you can choose your career path:

• Clinical mental health: Prepare to work in an agency or private practice setting and become certified to work with children, adults, families, and groups. (Earn a degree in clinical mental health counseling – 60 credits)
• School counseling: Prepare to counsel K-12 children in private, public, or parochial schools. Your degree prepares you for a career in school guidance. (Earn a degree in school counseling – 60 credits)
• Forensic counseling: Prepare to work in the criminal justice system and become certified to work with victims, first responders, and perpetrators. (Earn a degree in clinical mental health counseling with a specialization in forensic counseling – 72 credits)

School Counseling

• Students will describe the foundations of the school counseling and educational system.
• Students will demonstrate self-awareness and sensitivity to others, seeking supervision when appropriate.
• Students will implement culturally appropriate counseling practice.
• Students will adhere to professional standards and codes of ethical conduct.
• Students will articulate a theoretically-based philosophy of counseling.
• Students will demonstrate effective and therapeutic use of research relevant to the practice of school counseling.
• Students will demonstrate knowledge of various needs assessments and to select appropriate assessment strategies to evaluate academic, career, and personal/social development.
• Students will implement appropriate pedagogical strategies, including differentiated instruction, to promote student achievement.

Clinical Mental Health

• Students will describe the foundations of the clinical mental health counseling profession.
• Students will demonstrate self-awareness and sensitivity to others, seeking supervision when appropriate.
• Students will implement culturally appropriate counseling practice.
• Students will adhere to professional standards and codes of ethical conduct.
• Students will articulate a theoretically-based philosophy of counseling.
• Students will demonstrate effective and therapeutic use of research relevant to the practice of clinical mental health counseling.
• Students will demonstrate knowledge of various approaches to clinical evaluation and to select appropriate assessment interventions.
• Students will demonstrate appropriate knowledge of the principles of the diagnostic process and use of diagnostic tools.

I. Foundation courses (3 credits)

• EDER 761 Graduate Research and Design 3

II. Core courses (42 credits)

• CGPS 736 Assessment in Counseling 3
• CGPS 737 Assessment Psychopathology and Diagnosis 3
• CGPS 742 Career and Lifestyle Development 3
• CGPS 745 Chemical and Behavioral Addictions 3
• CGPS 750 Trauma-Informed Care 3
• CGPS 752 Crisis and Disaster Intervention and Wellness 3
• CGPS 755 Human Growth and Development 3
• CGPS 758 Pre-Practicum: Counseling Skills and Applications 3
• CGPS 760 Introduction to Integrative Counseling Techniques 3
• CGPS 761 Theories of Counseling and Personality 3
• CGPS 762 Multicultural Counseling 3
• CGPS 765 Group & Family Counseling 3
• CGPS 769 Professional Orientation and Ethics in Counseling 3
• CGPS 775 Advanced Counseling Theories 3

III. Specializations

Clinical mental health counseling (6 credits)

• CGPS 739 Psychopharmacology 3
• CGPS 770 Supervision of Counselors 3

School counseling (6 credits)

• CGPS 754 Intro to School Counseling, School Environment & Consultation 3
• CGPS 774 School Counseling Program Development& Classroom Management 3

IV. Practicum and internship (9 credits)

• CGPS 795 Practicum: CMH (100 clock-hours; 40 direct/60 indirect) 3
• CGPS 794 Internship: CMH (600 clock-hours; 240 direct/360 in-direct) 6
• CGPS 795 Practicum: School (100 clock-hours; 40 direct/60 in-direct) 3
• CGPS 794 Internship: School (600 clock-hours; 240 direct/360 in-direct) 6

**SD Indian Studies is required for SD School Counselor Certification

Forensic Counseling Specialization

Required

• CGPS 588 Introduction to Forensic Counseling 3
• SOC 560 Criminology for Counseling and Human Service Practice 3
• SOC 502 Social Deviance 3

Elective

• CJUS 552 Prisons and Penology 3
• SOC 569 Applied Victim Advocacy 3
• CJUS 555 Juvenile Delinquency 3
• CJUS 556 Community Corrections 3
• SOC 570 Child Abuse and Neglect 3
• Other Elective as Approved 3
• Other Elective as Approved 3

Students selecting school counseling will be prepared to counsel K-12 children in private, public, or parochial schools.

Students selecting clinical mental health counseling will be prepared to enter into an agency setting working with children, adults, families, and groups. They also may work in career guidance or employment setting.

Students will be prepared to take state licensure or national certification exam in their preparation area.

Internships

Students must complete a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship in either a clinical mental health setting or a school setting, depending on their specialization.

Students in this program will have the opportunity for a variety of graduate assistantships. Students will also have opportunities to work with people in their chosen field in practicum and internship.