Counseling, M.A.

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The Master of Arts in Counseling program offers concentrations in School Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and Addiction Counseling. In addition, the program offers an additional secondary Play Therapy concentration.

CMHC and Addictions concentrations qualify graduates to become a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHC) in the state of North Carolina. Graduates can also apply for credentialing as an Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) through the National Board of Certified Counselors.

The School Counseling concentration qualifies graduates for advanced-level K-12 school counseling licensure in North Carolina. Those completing the Addiction concentration can apply to become certificated as a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS) through the NC Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board. The Play Therapy concentration meets the educational requirements, as specified by the Association for Play Therapy (APT), for the Registered Play Therapist (RPT) credential, is recognition of academic achievement, and enhances professional standing.

Program Objectives

As prospective professional counselors, graduates of the program are prepared to: counsel clients, both individually and in groups, on educational, career, life planning, social, emotional, physical, spiritual, and organizational concerns; provide information to clients for educational, social, career, and/or life planning; consult with other professionals concerning client needs; and conduct needs assessments, evaluations, and other activities for program design.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, the criteria for admission to the M.A. in Counseling program include an applicant’s potential success in forming effective interpersonal relationships in individual and small-group contexts; aptitude for graduate-level study; career goals and objectives; openness to self-examination; and potential for personal and professional self-development. Students are not required to have an undergraduate major in any particular field to enter the counseling program. Admission decisions are based on applicants’ individual profiles and made by a committee of program faculty. Applicants with the highest profile rankings are invited to campus for an interview process; the number invited is determined by the number of anticipated openings in the program. Students are admitted to the program in the Spring of each year, and they are expected to begin their studies the following Summer or Fall semester. The application deadline for each year’s admissions process is December 1.

Degree Requirements

The M.A. in Counseling program requires a total of 60 credit hours, including core courses for all students and specialization courses for students in School Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, or Addiction. In addition, the programs offers an additional secondary Play Therapy concentration. Each concentration includes a series of required courses, clinical experience courses, and elective courses.

Core Courses for All Students (30 credit hours)

Elective Courses (Credit hours dependent on concentration below)

Concentrations

Addiction Concentration

Addiction Courses (18 credit hours)

Clinical Experiences (Addiction Setting) (9 credit hours)

CSLG 7430 - Practicum in Counseling (3) (150 hours)
CSLG 7435 - Internship in Counseling (3) (300 hours) (taken twice)

Elective Course (3 credit hours)

Take one course from the Elective Courses list above.

Clinical Mental Health Concentration

Clinical Mental Health Courses (9 credit hours)

Addiction Course

Select one of the following:

CSLG 6000 - Topics in Counseling (1 to 6) (McLeod Institute)
CSLG 6160 - Theories of Addiction (3)
CSLG 6161 - Assessment and Diagnosis of Addictive Disorders (3)
CSLG 6162 - Interventions in Addiction Counseling (3)
CSLG 6163 - Treatment Planning and Relapse Prevention in Addiction Counseling (3)
CSLG 6164 - The McLeod Institute on Addiction (3)

Clinical Experiences (Clinical Mental Health Setting) (9 credit hours)

CSLG 7430 - Practicum in Counseling (3) (150 hours)
CSLG 7435 - Internship in Counseling (3) (300 hours) (taken twice)

Elective Courses (12 credit hours)

Take four courses from the Elective Courses list above.

School Counseling Concentration

School Counseling Courses (9 credit hours)

Clinical Experiences (School Setting) (9 credit hours)

CSLG 7430 - Practicum in Counseling (3) (150 hours)
CSLG 7435 - Internship in Counseling (3) (300 hours) (taken twice)

Elective Courses (12 credit hours)

Take four courses from the Elective Courses list above.

Secondary Concentration (Optional) (12 credit hours)

Play Therapy Concentration

The Concentration in Play Therapy consists of a coherent program of play therapy coursework of 4 courses (12 credit hours). The concentration is an add-on, secondary concentration for students in the counseling programs. Students may add this secondary concentration to their primary concentration (Addiction, Clinical Mental Health, or School Counseling) by completing an Academic Petition.

Required Courses (9 credit hours)

CSLG 7142 - Introduction to Play Therapy (3)

Plus two of the following:

Elective Course (3 credit hours)

Select one of the following:

CSLG 7145 - Special Topics in Play Therapy (3)
Remaining course not taken above (CSLG 7143 , CSLG 7144 , or CSLG 7147 )
Other course approved by the Director of the Play Therapy concentration

Comprehensive Exam

Students must successfully pass the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE) to graduate from the program. Students are expected to consult with their advisors during the first 24 hours of coursework concerning procedures and preparation for this experience.

Total = 60 Credit Hours

Advising

All students should plan their program of study by December of their first year of study with their advisors.

Licensure

Students who graduate from the School Counseling concentration are eligible, upon passing the exam required by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI), to be recommended for school counseling licensure from the North Carolina DPI. All graduates are eligible to apply for the credential of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHC-A) through the NCLCMHC upon completion of the application and required exam prior to July 1, 2025, and until July 1, 2027 if LCMHC-A application is submitted by July 1, 2025. After this date, students who graduate from the School Counseling concentration must complete additional coursework to pursue the LCMHC-A license. They are encouraged to meet with their faculty advisors for guidance.