Counseling, MS

Program Description

The Counseling program grants a Master of Science degree in Counseling with options in school counseling and clinical mental health counseling. Students interested in public school settings must either have a valid Missouri teaching certificate, or complete additional teaching coursework, to be eligible for state certification as professional school counselors. The School Counseling (SC) option program requirements fulfill the professional counseling course requirements for Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) K-12 school counseling certification in the State of Missouri. The Clinical Mental Health (CMHC) option requirements fulfill the professional counseling course requirements for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the State of Missouri.  The LPC also requires 3,000 hours of additional post-master’s supervised experience. 

In accordance with the 2024 standards set forth by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the foundational knowledge required of counselors is arranged in the following eight common core areas:

1. Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice
2. Social and Cultural Identities and Experiences
3. Lifespan Development
4. Career Development
5. Counseling Practive and Relationships
6. Group Counseling and Group Work
7. Assessment and Diagnostic Processes
8. Research and Program Evaluation

The graduate programs in Counseling further the public affairs mission of Missouri State University in many ways. Some examples include: intentional activities to foster cultural competence through coursework, cross-cultural experiences, and community engagement.  Students gain field experience at the program counseling clinic and through community and school placements.

Graduate Counseling Program Admission Requirements

Admission to the program occurs in the fall and spring semesters.  Minimum admission requirements and application materials include the following.

1. Completed Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
2. Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher, or 3.00 for the last 60 hours of course work.  Official GRE test score reports or possession of a Master’s degree can be used to bolster an application for consideration if these GPA requirements are not met.
3. Completed Application for Admission through the Missouri State Graduate College and Counseling Program in the online application system GradCAS.
4. Three letters of reference in GradCAS.
5. Transcripts showing the bachelor’s degree and any additional coursework.  Transcripts must include the last 60 hours of credit.

Selection for admission is based on both academic credentials and candidate’s potential for professional growth and success in the counseling program.  Applications are screened, and selected candidates are invited for an interview.  The interview allows candidates to assess their goodness of fit with the counseling profession and our program.  After the campus interview, candidates are ranked and finalists are invited for admission into either the CMHC or SC program options.  full time enrollment is encouraged. 

Retention Requirements

All Counseling students must maintain a 3.00 GPA in all courses required for the Master of Science degree in Counseling. In addition to academic standards, students are expected to conform to the professional and ethical standards of the profession throughout their program. Each student’s academic and professional performance and progress in the program will be reviewed periodically by the faculty, who will provide feedback to the student. Students whose performance or progress is unsatisfactory may be allowed to continue under a remedial, probationary status, or dismissed from the program. Students may appeal unsatisfactory review outcomes or dismissal through the school, college and university grievance procedure.

Upon completion of prerequisites (COU 703, COU 708 or 733, COU 710, COU 711, COU 714, and COU 751), students may apply to the practicum coordinator for approval to enroll in the Counseling Practicum course (COU 777). The practicum application process enables a review of progress in the program.  Faculty review student performance in prerequisites, demonstration of Counseling dispositions, and readiness for Practicum.  Additional courses are recommended prior to practicum, which allow for a wider array of clients to be seen and make an application more competitive in the event that there are more students applying than spots are available.  If a student’s practicum application is not approved, specific feedback will be provided.  Upon approval of application, students may enroll in Practicum (COU 777) by permission.  Students are required to obtain and maintain their own professional counseling liability insurance while enrolled in Practicum and Internship. 

Upon successful completion of the Counseling Practicum (COU 777), School Counseling students complete K-12 School Counseling Internship (COU 791).  Clinical Mental Health Counseling students complete Mental Health Counseling Internship (COU 785).  

All students are required to complete a 48-hour professional counseling core and a minimum of 12 credit hours in one of two counseling options: (a) School Counseling or (b) Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Students in each option will complete additional requirements as specified below and may complete additional courses as electives. Students interested in K-12 School Counseling certification should complete the School Counseling option.

Total required hours for each option area are:

• School Counseling: 63 hrs
• Clinical Mental Health Counseling: 60 hrs