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Counseling, M.A.

Earn Your Master's Degree in Counseling

Counselors have the power to lead social change by improving the mental health of individuals, couples, families, and groups at every stage of life. 

Through real-world experience, CEHD’s Master of Arts in Counseling equips you to diagnose, consult, and evaluate clients; provide preventive intervention; and bring about life-changing results through counseling. 

Candidates must have a bachelor's degree.

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The Master's program in Counseling offers three specialty tracks.

    Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC Specialty)

    Apply ethical and socially just counseling theories and interventions to clients presenting problems and diagnoses.

    Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling (MCFC Specialty)

    Apply systems theories in an ethical and socially just manner to couples, marriages, and families from a diversity of cultural backgrounds.

    School Counseling (SC Specialty)

    Create, implement, and evaluate data-driven school counseling programs designed to meet the academic, career, and social/emotional development of all students.

    Application Deadlines

    Fall Semester- February 15th

    Spring Semester- August 15th

    Career Paths

    As a mental health counselor, you can provide therapeutic support to individuals, helping them manage and overcome emotional and psychological challenges. Additionally, you can work towards specializing in areas such as substance abuse counseling, family therapy, or school counseling, each offering unique opportunities to make a significant impact in people's lives. Here are just some work settings that counselors often choose.

    • Mental Health Clinics and Hospitals
    • Corporations
    • Governmental Social Agencies
    • Public and Private Schools
    • Community Intervention Programs
    • Correctional Institutions

    What You'll Study

    Our academic catalog has detailed information about what you'll study, like courses, hours needed for completion, and other requirements.

    Courses are offered in-person, on campus. The School Counseling track is offered in a hybrid modality.

    View Catalog

    Program Requirements

    A cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher for all undergraduate coursework; OR a GPA of 3.0 for the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework

    If an applicant meets neither of the above minimum requirements, but the cumulative GPA for all undergraduate coursework attempted is between 2.5 and 2.74, the student must:

    • Attain a score of at least 155 on the verbal portions of the Graduate Record Exam – General Test (score of 1050 if a test was taken before August 2011); OR Take COUN 6600, COUN 6630, and ENGL 1010 (or equivalent writing course) and complete with a B- or better.

    Application Materials

    • Official Transcript(s) from all previous college work
    • Statement of Character (statement includes questions that need to be checked off by the applicant)
    • Three Personal References (an automatic email will be sent to these individuals)
    • GRE, if applicable

    Financial Aid and Scholarships

    At GovState, many scholarships are available and can make your education even more affordable!

    Learn More about Financial Aid
    The GovState counseling program taught me the why and how of who I am, while simultaneously teaching me skills to eliminate self-doubt and fear to develop the courage to conquer my dreams. As a wife and mother of 10, the professors' holistic approach to the development of future counselors is unmatched.
    Ruth Shannon M.A. School Counseling Alum

    Accreditation

    Accredited Program

    The M.A. in Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) through March 31, 2031.

    CACREP accreditation badge

    Faculty and Staff Contacts

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