Master's Programs

We offer specializations in School Counseling (SC), Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC), and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling (CLRC) in the master’s program. All specializations in the Masters of Education in Counselor Education program are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Accreditation is the recognition of a formal program through the approval of a professional organization.

Livetext

LiveText (ISBN 0-89079-987-3) All Counselor Education students in Patton College of Education (COE) students are required to purchase Live Text. There is a one-time fee and students will maintain possession of Live Text throughout their educational experience. The package that includes video streaming can be purchased at the bookstore or online at LiveText.  

Objectives

The objectives of the program for all master’s level students, regardless of their area(s) of specialization, reflect the CACREP Standards. Common core curricular experiences and demonstrated knowledge in each of the following eight curricular areas are required of all master’s level students in the program:

1. Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice
2. Social and Cultural Diversity
3. Human Growth and Lifespan Development
4. Career Development
5. Counseling Practice and Relationships
6. Group Counseling and Group Work
7. Assessment, Testing, and Diagnostic Processes
8. Research and Program Evaluation

To demonstrate acquired knowledge, the program requires supervised professional practice training experiences via practicum and internship for all students.

Expectations of all Master's Students

Counselor Education students can expect to gain knowledge, develop skills, and become aware of the current issues within their program specialization area(s). Upon completion of the program, regardless of the area(s) of specialization, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of major counseling theories, learning theories, personality interpretation, and developmental issues.
2. Develop essential counseling skills and apply these skills within individual and group counseling settings.
3. Describe the influence of the social and cultural context on client and counselor worldview, experiences, and behaviors, and apply multicultural and social justice counseling competencies to counseling practice.
4. Define a counselor’s function and goals and understand the therapeutic relationship and evaluation variables.
5. Identify what it means to be a counseling professional and develop skills to advocate for the profession.
6. Develop a personal philosophy of counseling.
7. Recognize conditions and needs specific to the area of prospective employment and develop advocacy skills to address institutional and social barriers that impede access, equity, and success.

Required Coursework

The M.Ed. degree in Counselor Education requires a minimum of 60 credit hours of coursework, including practicum and internship. The courses are sequenced developmentally. Students have the opportunity to specialize in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, Clinical  Rehabilitation Counseling, or School and Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Each specialization has specific coursework in addition to the core courses that students in all specializations are required to complete.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling, CMHC (ME6278)

The CMHC specialization prepares graduates in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders by addressing emotional, cognitive, and behavioral processes with an integrated counseling approach.

Graduates of the program are eligible for state licensure in Ohio as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) and national certification as National Certified Counselors (NCC). Graduates are employed as mental health counselors in agencies, colleges and universities, hospitals, and school-based settings.

CMHC Program Objectives

• Become familiar with the requirements of a professional counselor, the body of literature and research central to the field, and preparation standards that impact the field as a whole. 
• Become familiar with the typical characteristics of individuals and communities served by a variety of institutions and agencies that offer clinical mental health counseling services. 
• Acknowledge and understand the impact of diversity, equity, and inclusion on self, the profession, and those receiving mental health services.
• Develop knowledge and understanding of models, methods, and principles of program development and service delivery based on human and organizational development, including prevention, implementation of support groups, peer facilitation training, parent education, career/occupational information and counseling, and self-help. 
• Develop effective strategies for promoting client understanding of and access to community resources. 
• Apply principles and models of biopsychosocial assessment, case conceptualization, theories of human development, and concepts of normalcy and psychopathology leading to appropriate diagnoses and counseling plans. 
• Acquire knowledge of the principles of diagnosis and the use of diagnostic tools, including the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. 
• Develop effective strategies for client advocacy in public policy and other issues of equity and access. 
• Utilize appropriate individual, couple, family, group, and systems modalities for initiating, maintaining, and terminating counseling, including the use of crisis intervention as well as brief, intermediate, and long-term approaches. 
• Acquire an understanding of ethical and legal considerations related to the practice of clinical mental health counseling.

Curriculum Requirements

Complete core counselor education classes plus EDCE 7320 Personality Assessment, a 100-hour Practicum, and a 600-hour Internship (see details below under the Practicum and Internship section).

Clinical Mental Health/Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, CMH/CLRC (ME6324)

The Clinical Mental Health - Rehabilitation Counseling program is designed to provide quality instruction and supervised experience designed to prepare professional rehabilitation counselors who are committed to facilitating the personal, vocational, and economic independence of individuals with disabilities. Graduates of the program are eligible for certification as National Certified Counselors and Certified Rehabilitation Counselors and for Licensure as Professional Counselors in Ohio.

CMH/CLRC Program Objectives

• Become familiar with the requirements of a professional counselor, the body of literature and research central to the field, and preparation standards that impact the field as a whole. 
• Become familiar with the typical characteristics of individuals and communities served by a variety of institutions and agencies that offer clinical mental health counseling services. 
• Acknowledge and understand the impact of diversity, equity, and inclusion on self, the profession, and those receiving mental health and/or rehabilitation services.
• Develop knowledge and understanding of models, methods, and principles of program development and service delivery based on human and organizational development, including prevention, implementation of support groups, peer facilitation training, parent education, career/occupational information and counseling, and self-help. 
• Develop effective strategies for promoting client understanding of and access to community resources. 
• Apply principles and models of biopsychosocial assessment, case conceptualization, theories of human development, and concepts of normalcy and psychopathology leading to appropriate diagnoses and counseling plans. 
• Acquire knowledge of the principles of diagnosis and the use of diagnostic tools, including the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. 
• Develop effective strategies for client advocacy in public policy and other issues of equity and access. 
• Utilize appropriate individual, couple, family, group, and systems modalities for initiating, maintaining, and terminating counseling, including the use of crisis intervention as well as brief, intermediate, and long-term approaches. 
• Acquire an understanding of ethical and legal considerations related to the practice of clinical mental health counseling and rehabilitation counseling.
• Develop skills and competencies related to the provision of rehabilitation services to people with disabilities.
• Produce research and other scholarly information related to promoting the rehabilitation and independence of people with disabilities. 
• Maintain an active relationship with the broader rehabilitation community and related professional associations through consultation, education, advocacy, and leadership activities.

Curriculum Requirements

Complete core counselor education classes plus EDCE 6290 Job Placement, EDCE 6260 Medical and Psychosocial Issues, EDCE 7320 Personality Assessment, and a 100-hour Practicum and a 600-hour clinical Internship (see details under Practicum and Internship section).

School Counseling (ME6274)

The School Counseling (SC) specialization prepares graduates to serve the pre-K-12 population by assuming leadership and advocacy roles to promote optimum development for all students. In addition to core counseling coursework, SC students are trained in professional school counseling as well as counseling and assessment of children and adolescents.

School Counseling Program Objectives

• Become familiar with the requirements of professional school counseling, the body of literature and research central to the field, and preparation standards that impact the field as a whole.
• Develop an understanding of the school counseling program in relation to the academic and student services program in the school setting.
• Acknowledge and understand the impact of diversity, equity, and inclusion on self, the profession, and those receiving school counseling services.
• Learn the role, function, and professional identity of school counselors in relation to the roles of other school professionals and support personnel.
• Develop strategies of leadership designed to enhance the school learning environment.
• Acquire knowledge of the school setting, environment, and pre-K-12 curriculum.
• Identify current issues, policies, laws, and legislation relevant to school counseling.
• Understand the role of race, ethnicity, cultural heritage, nationality, socioeconomic status, family structure, age, gender and gender identity, affectional/sexual orientation, religious and spiritual beliefs, physical and mental status, and disability on issues of equity in school counseling.
• Develop knowledge and understanding of community, environmental, and institutional opportunities that enhance, as well as barriers that impede student academic, career, personal/social success, and overall development.
• Develop knowledge and application of current and emerging technology in education and school counseling to assist students, families, and educators in using resources that promote informed academic, career, and personal/social choices.
• Acquire an understanding of ethical and legal considerations related to the practice of school counseling.

Curriculum Requirements

Complete core counselor education classes plus EDCE 6240 Professional School Counseling, and EDCE 7246 Counseling Children and Adolescents, and a 100-hour Practicum and a 600-hour Internship (see details below under Practicum and Internship section).

Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling (ME6298)

Some students may wish to pursue a dual specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. This is considered a dual program and requires curriculum requirements to be met for both CMHC and School Counseling programs. Students will be required to complete one 100-hour Practicum in either school or clinical mental health and two 600-hour Internships (one in CMHC and one in School Counseling). Students completing this dual specialty are required to complete the school and clinical counseling internships separately across at least 3 semesters.

Program of Study

Students are expected to meet with their advisor during their first semester (typically Fall) to review their plan for coursework and degree completion. It is recommended students utilize the Course Sequence provided to them during orientation to assist in completing the Program of Study. The Master’s Program of Study – Counseling and Higher Education form can be found under “Graduate Forms” and "Program of Study".