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Master of Science in Counseling - Graduate Certificates in Addiction, Professional, and School Counseling {22-23}

Program Coordinator: Taryn Akgul, EdD, MEd, BA
Counseling
Lommen 113, (218) 477-2297
taryn.akgul@mnstate.edu

The Counseling program emphasizes the integration of counseling and developmental theories with interpersonal skill development. It has a generalist orientation, but can be individualized to meet each student’s educational and professional goals. The program provides extensive practical opportunities through practicum and internship experiences as well as relevant coursework. It can be completed full-time (maintaining 9-12 credits per semester) in two years or part time students have up to seven years. The curriculum is designed to help students develop core-helping skills and engage in concentrated study in one of three degree emphases: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, and Addiction Counseling. The Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling emphasis areas have specialized accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The Addiction Counseling emphasis will be seeking CACREP accreditation once eligible. These programs meet the educational standards for the applicable MN and ND state licensing board. All students are eligible for National Certified Counselor certification through NBCC.

Minnesota State University Moorhead's graduate program in Counseling has specialized accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The specialized accreditation is granted by CACREP which is an accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The program offers two CACREP emphases: Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling (K-12).

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling emphasis prepares students for positions in community mental health settings as well as college and universities counseling services. A counseling practicum and an internship in a community counseling setting or college counseling center is required. Graduates may work in settings such as community mental health clinics, hospital in-patient facilities, marriage & family centers and college and university settings.

The School Counseling emphasis prepares students for licensure or certification as a school counselor. Students complete coursework as well as one semester of practicum and two semesters of internship in elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools.

The new Addiction Counseling emphasis prepares students to work in a variety of settings to help those struggling with substance abuse disorders begin and maintain a recovery oriented life style. Students completing this emphasis will be eligible for addiction counseling licensure in both MN and ND. A practicum and internship experience in a substance use disorder treatment setting is required to gain further skill in working with this population.

***There is the option for dual emphasis areas/dual licensure. See Course Requirements for further information.

The Counseling graduate program at MSUM is unique in its flexibility and individual attention to graduate students. Some of the strengths of the program include: small class sizes, frequent interaction between faculty, staff, and students, with additional faculty support provided during practicum and internship semesters. In addition, students have an outstanding record of excelling on standardized national counselor examinations, which are necessary for certification and licensure. Graduates have high placement rates obtaining relevant employment in their field of interest. All of the courses are offered after 4:30 p.m. in the evenings and many are offered as hybrid delivery (combination of online and face-to-face classroom learning) to accommodate working, part-time and full-time student needs. Students have the option to join online for scheduled class meetings.

Master of Science in Counseling

Description
The Master of Science in Counseling program emphasizes the integration of counseling and developmental theories with interpersonal skill development. It has a generalist orientation, but can be individualized to meet each student’s educational and professional goals. The program provides extensive practical opportunities through practicum and internship experiences as well as relevant coursework. The curriculum is designed to help students develop core-helping skills and engage in concentrated study in one of three degree emphases: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, and Addiction Counseling.

Admission Requirements

Information on admission requirements can be found on the Graduate Studies webpage.

Student Learning Outcomes

The Counseling program prepares graduate students for careers and leadership positions in education, mental health and human service professions. The essence of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Addiction Counseling and School Counseling professions is the ability to relate to clients and students in ways that are helpful which facilitates personal and professional growth. The basic knowledge and core skills required are essentially the same for all three emphases.

Foundations: Students will demonstrate an understanding of their own beginning counselor identity, professional competencies and scope of practice.
Ethics: Students will demonstrate knowledge and application of ethical standards and decision making models through the use of ethical case studies.
Social Cultural: Students will demonstrate an understanding of issues related to diversity and privilege in counseling as it pertains to their experience and that of the clients and students that they will serve.
Human Growth and Development: Students will demonstrate an understanding in applying theory and research in the needs of others at all development levels, and assist in their emotional growth and development.
Career: Students will demonstrate an understanding and application of the career development process over the life span, career decision making and various assessment and sources of information used to provide career counseling.
Helping Relationships: Students will demonstrate their ability to use intentional counseling skills while maintaining an empathic, nonjudgmental, and professional disposition.
Theories: Students will display knowledge in a variety of counseling theories and can effectively integrate and apply theoretical techniques.
Group Work: Students will display knowledge and understanding of theories and principles of group dynamics and can facilitate group process using knowledge of methods and skills in a direct group experience.
Assessment: Students will demonstrate knowledge of a variety of assessment methods, skills, including individual and group approaches to assessment and evaluation.
Research: Students will demonstrate an ability to critique and use research methods, statistical analysis, and program evaluation to understand how to advance the counseling profession.
Trauma Informed: Students will demonstrate their ability to provide trauma informed care as part of a Compassionate Community in their work with clients and students.

Program Delivery Mode
Land plus: face-to-face where some online courses may be available or required

Core Requirements

The core must be completed by all students majoring in any of the emphasis areas: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Addiction Counseling, or School Counseling.

A total of 60 credits is needed for the degree.

CORE - 36 credits

COUN 605 Counseling Research, Statistical Methods and Program Evaluation (3)
COUN 611 Theories of Individual and Family Counseling (3)
COUN 612 Counseling Assessment & Appraisal (3)
COUN 613 Career Development (3)
COUN 614 Human Growth and Development for Counselors (3)
COUN 615 Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling (3)
COUN 620 Counseling Skills I (3)
COUN 630 Group Counseling (3)
COUN 641 Professional Orientation and Ethics (3)
COUN 682 Trauma Informed & Crisis Management (3)
COUN 696 Plan B or CNSA 699 Plan A (3)

1 Elective from any of the following:

COUN 671 Family and Couples Counseling (3) or
COUN 664 Introduction to Substance Use Disorders and Addictive Behaviors (3) or
COUN 668 Psychopharmacology for the Helping Professions (3)

Program Requirements

A core of 36 credits is required of all candidates. Additional credits specific to each of the emphases are also required.
Continued improvement in interpersonal competence and counseling skill development. Students are reviewed each semester to determine their satisfactory progress.
A 3.0 grade point average is required for courses submitted for the degree and a grade of B or better in all required courses.
Successful six credit internship.
Comprehensive examination passed.
Master's thesis, or Project satisfied through Plans A or B.
Oral examination which is a review of the student's Capstone project.

Students must adhere to ethical standards of the profession, function in an adequate fashion and at an acceptable professional level in the practicum and internship settings, demonstrate personal qualities consistent with professional norms, and maintain continuous registration.

Detailed information on these requirements and department policies are procedures may be obtained from the Counseling Graduate Program Coordinator.

Emphasis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Program Requirements ( 24 credits )

COUN 655 Counseling Children, Adolescents and Their Families (3)
COUN 670 Administration of Clinical Mental Health Services & Counseling (3)
COUN 672 Clinical Appraisal & Diagnosis, Intervention & Treatment Planning (3)
COUN 674 Psychopathology for Mental Health Professionals: Childhood to Adulthood (3)
COUN 676 Clinical Supervision and Ethics (3)
COUN 669D Internship in Clinical Mental Health Counseling - 750 hours (6)
COUN 691D Practicum in Clinical Mental Health Counseling - 150 hours (3)

These courses also required for Clinical Mental Health Counseling students wanting School Counselor Licensure:
COUN 650 Organization and Administration of School Counseling Programs (3)
COUN 654 K-12 School Counseling: Classroom & Program Management (3)
COUN 669A Internship in School Counseling - 300 hours (3)
COUN 691A Practicum in School Counseling - 150 hours (1)

Emphasis in School Counseling

Program Requirements ( 24 credits )

COUN 650 Organization & Administration of School Counseling Programs (3)
COUN 671 Family and Couples Counseling (3)
COUN 674 Psychopathology for Mental Health Professionals: Childhood to Adulthood (3)
COUN 655 Counseling Children, Adolescents, and Their Families (3)
COUN 654 K-12 School Counseling: Classroom & Program Management (3)
COUN 669A Internship in School Counseling - 750 hours (6)
COUN 691A Practicum in School Counseling - 150 hours (3)

Emphasis in Addiction Counseling

Program Requirements ( 24 credits )

COUN 664 Introduction to Substance Use Disorders and Addictive Behaviors (3)
COUN 668 Psychopharmacology for the Helping Professions (3)
COUN 672 Clinical Appraisal & Diagnosis, Intervention & Treatment Planning (3)
COUN 674 Psychopathology for Mental Health Professionals: Childhood to Adulthood (3)
COUN 676 Clinical Supervision and Ethics (3)
COUN 669E Internship in Addiction Counseling - 750 hours (6)
COUN 691E Practicum in Addiction Counseling - 150 hours (3)

Graduate Certificate in Addiction Counseling

Description
The Certificate in Addiction Counseling is open to applicants with a Bachelor's degree or higher that wish to pursue licensure as an Addiction Counselor in Minnesota or North Dakota. The Certificate in Addiction Counseling provides students with all the educational requirements to meet Addiction Counseling licensure standards in Minnesota and North Dakota. The Certificate in Addiction Counseling provides students with graduate level training to meet the needs of individuals struggling with addiction and addiction related behaviors.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the Certificate in Addiction Counseling program will have completed a bachelor's degree or higher to be eligible for admission. A graduate application for admission, copy of official transcripts, and interview with the Addiction Counseling faculty member or program coordinator is required.

Student Learning Outcomes

All course learning outcomes are determined by CACREP accreditation standards and Minnesota and North Dakota licensure requirements.

Students will demonstrate an understanding of theories and models of addiction related to substance use as well as behavioral and process addictions (CACREP V.AC A.1)
Students will demonstrate an understanding of neurological, behavioral, psychological, physical, and social effects of psychoactive substances and addictive disorders on the user and significant others (CACREP V.AC A.2)
Students will demonstrate an ability to screen, assess, and test for addiction, including diagnostic interviews, mental status examination, symptom inventories, and psychoeducational and personality assessments (CACREP V.AC A.3)
Student will demonstrate the use of techniques and interventions related to substance abuse and other addictions (CACREP V.AC A.3)
Students will demonstrate the ability to use principles and practices of diagnosis, treatment, and referral of addiction and other mental and emotional disorders to initiate, maintain, and terminate counseling (CACREP 2009, III.AC.D.1)
Students will be able to uses principles and practices of diagnosis, treatment, and referral of addiction and other mental and emotional disorders to initiate, maintain, and terminate counseling (CACREP 2009, III.AC.D.1)
Students will provide appropriate counseling strategies when working with clients with addiction and co-occurring disorders (CACREP 2009, III.AC.D.3)
Students will demonstrate the ability to provide culturally relevant education programs that raise awareness and support addiction and substance abuse prevention and the recovery process (CACREP 2009, III.AC.D.7)

Program Delivery Mode
Online Plus: offered entirely online with face-to-face options available for some/all sections

Core Requirements ( 23-26 credits )

COUN 611 Theories of Counseling (3)
COUN 620 Counseling Skills I (3)
COUN 630 Group Counseling (3)
COUN 641 Professional Orientation and Ethics (3)
COUN 664 Introduction to Substance Use Disorders and Addictive Behaviors (3)
COUN 668 Psychopharmacology for the Helping Professions (3)
COUN 691E Practicum in Addiction Counseling (1)
COUN 669E Internship in Addiction Counseling (4)

COUN 671 Family and Couples Counseling (3) (Required for North Dakota Licensure)
COUN 615 Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling (3) (Required for ND and MN Licensure)
COUN 674 Childhood to Adulthood Psychopathology for Mental Health Professionals (3) (Required for ND and MN Licensure)
COUN 614 Human Growth and Development (3) (Required for North Dakota Licensure)

*For individuals seeking licensure in North Dakota, a Bachelor's degree in addiction studies or closely related mental health field is required to be eligible for licensure.

Graduate Certificate in Professional Counseling

Description
Individuals already possessing a master's degree in counseling may qualify for licensure certificate program status. The Graduate Certificate for Professional Counseling is intended to lead to state licensure. This program requires students to complete the equivalent of our degree program through transfer courses and courses taken at Minnesota State University Moorhead. Specified courses must be taken from MSUM. Contact the Counseling program coordinator for further information.

Admission Requirements

Information on admission requirements can be found on the Graduate Studies webpage.

Student Learning Outcomes

Candidates who complete the Graduate Certificate in Professional Counseling will be able to:

Understand the roles and functions of clinical mental health counselors in various practice settings and the importance of relationships between counselors and other professionals, including interdisciplinary treatment teams.
Understand a variety of models and theories related to clinical mental health counseling, including the methods, models, and principles of clinical supervision.
Use the principles and practices of diagnosis, treatment, referral, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders to initiate, maintain, and terminate counseling.
Demonstrate the ability to recognize his or her own limitations as a clinical mental health counselor and to seek supervision or refer clients when appropriate.
Demonstrate the ability to modify counseling systems, theories, techniques, and interventions to make them culturally appropriate for diverse populations.
Demonstrate appropriate use of diagnostic tools, including the current edition of the DSM, to describe the symptoms and clinical presentation of clients with mental and emotional impairments.

Program Delivery Mode
Online Plus: offered entirely online with face-to-face options available for some/all sections

Core Requirements

Professional Counseling Grad Certificate - 17 credits

COUN 670 Administration of Clinical Mental Health Services & Clinical Counseling Skills (3)
COUN 672 Clinical Appraisal & Diagnosis, Intervention & Treatment Planning (3)
COUN 674 Childhood Through Adulthood Psychopathology for Mental Health Professionals (3)
COUN 676 Clinical Supervision and Ethics (3)
COUN 691D Practicum in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – 150 hours (1)
COUN 669D Internship in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – 550 hours (4)

Students who have a Master's Degree other than Counseling

**Due to recent licensure law changes in North Dakota, individuals must possess a Master's degree in counseling to be eligible for licensure in North Dakota.

Graduate Certificate in School Counseling

Description
Individuals already possessing a master's degree in counseling, psychology, education, special education, social work, or any other mental health field at another institution may qualify for licensure certificate program status. This program requires students to complete the equivalent of our degree program through transfer courses and courses taken at MSUM. Students that do not have a master's degree in counseling will need additional coursework, please see requirements listed below.

Admission Requirements

Information on admission requirements can be found on the Graduate Studies webpage.

Student Learning Outcomes

Candidates who complete the Graduate Certificate in School Counseling will be able to:

Know the roles, functions, settings, and professional identity of the school counselor in relation to the roles of other professional and support personnel in the school.
Understand current models of school counseling programs (e.g., American School Counselor Association [ASCA] National Model) and their integral relationship to the total educational program.
Demonstrate the ability to apply and adhere to ethical and legal standards in school counseling.
Demonstrate the ability to articulate, model, and advocate for an appropriate school counselor identity and program.
Know the theories and processes of effective counseling and wellness programs for individual students and groups of students.
Know how to design, implement, manage, and evaluate programs to enhance the academic, career, and personal/social development of students.
Provide individual and group counseling and classroom guidance to promote the academic, career, and personal/social development of students.
Develop measurable outcomes for school counseling programs, activities, interventions, and experiences.
Analyze and use data to enhance school counseling programs.
Know how to build effective working teams of school staff, parents, and community members to promote the academic, career, and personal/social development of students.

Program Delivery Mode
Online Plus: offered entirely online with face-to-face options available for some/all sections

Core Requirements

School Counseling Graduate Certificate (13 credits)

COUN 650 Organization and Administration of School Counseling Programs (3)
COUN 654 K-12 School Counseling: Classroom & Program Management (3)
COUN 655 Counseling Children, Adolescents and Families (3)
COUN 669A Internship in School Counseling - 300 hours (3)
COUN 691A Practicum in School Counseling – 150 hours (1)

Students without a teaching license for North Dakota School Counselor (additional 6 credits)

ED 601 Psychological Foundations of Education (3 credits)
ED 632 Curriculum, Instruction and Learning Theory (3 credits)
Praxis I & II

Students who have a Master's Degree other than Counseling

COUN 605 Counseling Research, Statistical Methods and Program Evaluation (3)
COUN 611 Theories of Individual and Family Counseling (3)
COUN 612 Counseling Assessment & Appraisal (3)
COUN 613 Career Development (3)
COUN 614 Human Growth and Development for Counselors (3)
COUN 615 Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling (3)
COUN 620 Counseling Skills I (3)
COUN 630 Group Counseling (3)
COUN 641 Professional Orientation and Ethics
COUN 682 Trauma Informed & Crisis Management (3) **optional