The Master of Science program in Community Counseling provides academic and experiential training needed to prepare and develop students for the Licensed Professional Counseling licensure (LPC) designation. The purpose of this program is to educate individuals to work in Private Practice or a human service agency as a mental health counselor. Graduates find employment as community mental health counselors and work for a variety of federal, state and community agencies. Crisis counseling centers, correctional settings, schools, Veterans Administration (as a mental health counselor) and public and private mental health facilities. Note, the program is moving towards curriculum in Clinical Mental Health Counseling by 2014. The community counseling (CC) program’s mission is to prepare culturally responsive, competent, and ethical counseling professionals who adhere to the highest standard of curricula and clinical practice. The community counseling program pays special attention to systemic factors that undermine people's mental health and well-being.
Plan A: Thesis 52 cr.
Plan B: Comprehensive Exam 52 cr.
Full-licensure: An additional 2000 post- masters degree supervised clinical contact hours in a clinical setting is required to complete the requirements for Professional Counseling licensure in the state of Minnesota.
Additional Program Information
Accreditation:
CACREP Accreditation
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is the national program accrediting body for the Professional Counseling profession. Program accreditation brings national recognition and opportunities to a program, the faculty, and the students. A primary value to graduates of a CACREP accredited program is increased portability of education and experience across state lines in terms of practice opportunity and licensure.
Financial Aid:
Yes
Requirements:
To be admitted to the Community Counseling program the applicant must successfully complete a personal interview process with the faculty. Careful attention will be given to previous work experience, academic background, scholarship, interpersonal skills and commitment to the field of Mental Health Counseling.
GPA: 3.00
A current resume listing education background, professional experience and volunteer and community involvements. See program website for additional information.
Personal statement
Three letters of recomendation
Language testing scores
International Requirements:
In addition to submitting an application, application fee, GRE/GMAT scores if required by program, and 3 letters of recommendation, international students must also submit scores from a language admission exam and financial documentation showing the student ability to cover the cost of graduate study. Qualifying language admission exams and required scores are as follows:
TOEFL: 213 on the computer exam, 550 on the paper exam or 79 on the iBT with no subscore under 17;
Michigan Placement Test: 80;
IELTS: 6.5.
