Counseling, M.A.
Admission Requirements
Applications for admission are accepted on a rolling basis for Fall, Spring, and Summer start dates. Admission to the counseling program is selective and competitive. Due to program capacity, applicants are advised to complete their application and verify that all supporting materials are received by Marshall University Graduate Admissions as soon as possible to ensure their preferred start date. Applications that are submitted too late to be considered for admission to their preferred start date may be rolled, once, to the next application term.
Admission decisions for all program applicants are rooted in the specific standards of the university and the minimum standards of the Counseling program. Students are admitted to an area of emphasis and must indicate their preferences during the admission application process.
Graduate Admissions
Applicants should follow the admissions process described in this catalog or at the Graduate Admissions website at www.marshall.edu/graduate/admissions/apply.
Application Materials:
Each applicant is evaluated using the following criteria (all material should be submitted directly to Graduate Admissions):
- A bachelor’s degree from an accepted, accredited institution (transcript required from degree-granting institution only).
- Evidence of academic aptitude for graduate-level study by the following:
- A 2.75 overall Undergraduate GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale on the final degree transcript; or
- A Graduate GPA of 3.0 on any previously completed advanced degree; or
- Significant professional and life experiences that equate to academic aptitude.
- International student applicants must demonstrate English proficiency according to university standards. See the Admissions section for information (https://catalog.marshall.edu/graduate/admissions/).
- A Written Statement that follows program guidelines. Refer to M.A. Counseling program web page.
- Two completed recommendation forms, not letters of reference. Refer to M.A. Counseling web page. These should be completed by professionals with knowledge of the applicant’s suitability for graduate work (e.g., supervisors, former professors) in helping professions. They should be completed using the program-specific recommendation form, or you may contact the program for a copy to be sent to you.
Admission decision recommendations are made by the academic unit’s selection committee and include consideration of each applicant’s (1) relevance of career goals, (2) aptitude for graduate-level study, (3) potential success in forming effective counseling relationships, and (4) respect for cultural differences.
Applicants may be admitted with full, conditional, or provisional status.
Conditional Admission
The Counseling program may admit applicants conditionally for one term, on a limited basis, at the discretion of the program. Status will be changed to full admission upon successful completion of the outstanding materials.
Provisional Admission
The Counseling program may admit applicants provisionally on a limited basis, at the discretion of the program. Status will be changed to full admission upon successful progression through the program’s individual student assessment process.
Faculty will systematically review each student's development of the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for the counseling profession, which will be used to facilitate successful retention and matriculation in the program or remediation and dismissal from the program when necessary.
Professional Development Admission
Applicants who wish to take courses for licensure, certification, or to be admitted to the certificate program (VoLT), but who do not intend to complete an entire degree program, need to complete the following guidelines for admission.
Licensure/Certification
Applicants who wish to take a limited number of courses to complete the requirements for licensure or certification as a Professional or School Counselor will submit the following materials:
Professional Counselor Professional Development Applications
Applicants who need to take graduate coursework to complete the education requirements for the LPC in West Virginia or a related degree in another state are invited to apply as Professional Development students (see Admission Classifications under the Admissions Information section in the Graduate Catalog for more information). These students will submit:
- an application
- an application fee
- a transcript from the university where they completed their bachelor's degree
- a transcript from the university where they completed their master’s degree
- a Written Statement that includes what courses they are being directed to take by the WVBEC or another state licensure board. Refer to M.A. Counseling program web page.
School Counseling Professional Development Applicants
Applicants who wish to obtain the School Counseling Certification after having completed a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling are invited to apply as Professional Development students. However, the courses specified for completing the school certification will be determined by a transcript review completed by program faculty. The students will submit:
- an application
- an application fee
- a transcript from the university where they completed their bachelor's degree
- a transcript from the university where they completed their master’s degree
- a Written Statement that includes the School Counseling certification as their purpose for taking courses. Refer to M.A. Counseling program web page.
Graduate Certificate of Advanced Studies in Violence, Loss and Trauma Counseling VoLT certificate
The VoLT certificate program is facilitated by the Counseling Department, but has a distinct application process.
The VoLT certificate program accepts applicants who are: current students in the MA in Counseling degree program at Marshall, other master's level students at Marshall University, master's level students at other universities, and master's level practitioners seeking ongoing professional development.
Applicants who wish to pursue the VoLT certificate program should visit the Violence, Loss and Trauma Counseling VoLT certificate section of the catalogue for the specific details and admission requirements.
Program Requirements
It is the responsibility of all admitted students to meet with their advisors prior to the beginning of coursework. Each student must complete an advisor-approved Plan of Study. A minimum Grade Point Average of 3.0 in all degree courses is required prior to enrollment in the practicum, internship, and for graduation.
Course Delivery Format
All 45 hours of core courses are offered in a hybrid format, using a combination of synchronous (real-time video/virtual participation) courses and fully online asynchronous courses. Please note that internship courses are specific to emphasis areas.
Curriculum
The Master of Arts degree in Counseling is a 60 credit hour planned program of study designed to meet the necessary competencies of professional and school counselors. The curricular elements consist of 45 credit hours of core courses required of all counseling students and 15 credit hours of emphasis courses specific to Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling.
Comprehensive Exam
All students will take the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) prior to graduation. Students must apply to sit for the exam no later than two (2) weeks prior to the exam date. Payment for the exam is expected when checking in on exam day. Students should plan to take the exam one semester prior to their expected final semester. Detailed information regarding this will be distributed to students each semester.
Plan of Study
Plan of Study
The degree program requires 45 credit hours of core courses and 15 credit hours from a selected emphasis:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| COUN 574 | Social & Cultural Found | 3 |
| COUN 575 | Prev & Treat of Addict | 3 |
| COUN 600 | Professional Orientation | 3 |
| COUN 602 | Human Devel and Adjustment | 3 |
| COUN 603 | Counseling Theories | 3 |
| COUN 604 | Group Coun & Tech | 3 |
| COUN 605 | Theory Prac Human Appr | 3 |
| COUN 607 | Coun Tech & Human Relat | 3 |
| COUN 609 | Research in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 631 | Diag & Treatment Planning | 3 |
| COUN 632 | Intro Mar/Coup & Fam Coun | 3 |
| COUN 606 | Career & Lifestyle Develop | 3 |
| COUN 608 | Practicum | 3 |
| Six credit hours of internship: Select based on Emphasis | 6 | |
| Intern Mental Health Coun (Internship for Mental Health Counseling Emphasis) | ||
| Internship in School Coun (Internship for School Counseling Emphasis) | ||
| Area of Emphasis Courses | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |
Please check course prerequisites prior to registration.
All emphases (60 hours) satisfy the curricular requirements for professional counselor licensure in the State of West Virginia.