Programs in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, and School Counseling are offered leading to graduate degrees in Counselor Education. Within these programs, you may emphasize courses and fieldwork leading to a professional counseling career in elementary, middle, or secondary schools; college counseling; chemical dependency; agency work; or private practice. Doctoral-level work also leads to supervisory and university faculty positions.

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program is designed for those interested in professional counseling services in a community mental health center, in private practice, or in other agencies or business settings that provide health and social services. The program meets academic requirements necessary to become licensed in Ohio as a Professional Counselor (PC) and for a clinical endorsement in clinical mental health counseling (Ohio Professional Clinical Counselor, PCC). It also meets academic and experience requirements for becoming a National Certified Counselor (NCC).

The Rehabilitation Counseling Program meets the needs of personnel presently employed in public and private rehabilitation agencies, as well as graduates in such areas as psychology, sociology, education, and human services. Upon completion of the program, you will have met the academic requirements to become a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), and with additional clinical courses you will be eligible for the PC license.

The School Counseling Program is for those who wish to practice as elementary or secondary school counselors. It meets the academic and counseling experience requirements to receive state Department of Education license as a school counselor in Ohio and most other states, and also meets academic requirements for PC and NCC.

Master’s degree programs consist of a minimum of 72 quarter hours of study and can be completed in six to eight quarters of full-time attendance, depending upon the area of concentration. Many core courses are offered during the summer, and many late afternoon and evening classes are available during the regular academic year to accommodate students with full-time employment. Along with a counseling practicum (120 work experience hours), two quarters of required internship (600 total work experience hours) provide extensive experience. Ohio licensing as a PC or PCC requires an additional 18 hours for a total of 90 quarter hours.

The doctoral program in counseling is psychological in content, experience, and nature. Ph.D. specializations are available in counseling, counselor education, supervision, and research and evaluation. The courses of study combine personal growth, theoretical foundations, research methodology, and relevant practical experience. They are designed on the basis of the specialty sought and the background you bring to the program. The array of courses included in the curriculum may be used to meet the requirements for professional certification or licensure. It is your responsibility, however, to consult the credentialing agencies to determine their exact requirements. Be aware that credentialing agencies periodically change their qualification requirements. The program requires a minimum of 135 quarter hours beyond a bachelor’s degree and 90 quarter hours beyond a master’s.

Approximately 25 to 35 M.Ed. students and 8 to 14 Ph.D. students are admitted each year. Academic credentials, experience, and compatibility of personal characteristics and professional goals with advanced study in the field of counseling and counselor education are all taken into consideration in the evaluation process. You may apply for admission at any time, but priority will be given to those applications completed prior to March 1 since admissions and financial aid decisions are made early in the spring for summer or fall quarter entry.

Undergraduates interested in such work will find knowledge in the areas of the behavioral and social sciences, including psychology, education, sociology, and communications, most helpful. Those interested in school counseling may be required to have teaching certification or licensure and teaching experience for work outside Ohio.

All degree programs in counselor education are nationally accredited. Community counseling (M.Ed.), school counseling (M.Ed.), and the Ph.D. program in counselor education and supervision are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP); the M.Ed. rehabilitation program is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE); and all College of Education programs, including counselor education, are accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Such accreditation can be advantageous in gaining professional credentials and employment after graduation.

For further information, contact the Coordinator for Counselor Education.