Through the master’s program in Counseling, you will learn from a supportive faculty and gain practical experience in a diverse, urban setting. Choose from among three different emphasis areas to match your learning experiences to your interests With an emphasis on individual and cultural diversity and social justice, we prepare students for careers in counseling tailored to their individual interests. Those earning MA degrees in Counseling find employment in a variety of settings, including colleges, community-based mental health facilities, independent practice, the court system, and PK-12 schools. Graduates also enter doctoral programs in counseling-related areas. All students in the program complete 39 credit hours of core courses and 15-21 additional credit hours in their areas of emphasis. The core courses provide students with a strong skill set and theoretical foundation, while the emphasis area courses provide specialization skills. Our students are trained to become competent counseling practitioners who are eligible for licensure or certification in Missouri and Kansas. Eligibility for licensure in other states has not been determined. The Counseling program requires students be available to complete two consecutive semesters of practicum (10 hours per week) and two consecutive semesters of internship (17 hours per week). A special feature of our program is our in-house clinic serving the surrounding community. Students in the couples and family and mental health emphasis areas complete their practicum training at the Community Counseling and Assessment Services. School emphasis practica are completed in K-12 schools in the region. Please note that the vast majority of internships occur during regular business hours. A full-time student can usually complete the degree in 2 ½ – 3 years.<br>Understand the mental health needs of diverse clients <br>Learn major theories and interventions of counseling <br>Learn skills to provide counseling to a wide range of clients