M.A. Counseling

The M.A. in Counseling prepares counselors for positions in community mental health and human service agencies, schools, universities, hospitals, government, business, and industry; and provides core courses toward licensure. Additional course electives can be taken to meet licensure requirements. Program graduates will be able to: 

• Provide counseling and consultation for individuals, families, and groups. 
• Deliver the continuum of community counseling services including prevention, intervention, outreach, and crisis and disaster response. 
• Assess the needs of diverse clients within the context of multicultural development and wellness across the life span. 
• Assess, diagnose and treat individuals who have mental health disorders. 
• Recognize the impact of alcohol, drugs, and other addictions on the individual and family in counseling. 
• Employ evidence-based practices in counseling such as cognitive behavioral therapy, person-centered counseling, and multimodal therapy. 
• Advocate for programs and services to meet the mental health needs of underserved individuals and groups. 
• Evaluate counseling practices and programs using research and technological methods.

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Curriculum Requirements

Phase 1 Courses (24 credits): 

NOTE: Effective fall 2012, new students in the MA in Counseling Program will complete COUN 626 successfully within the first 9 credits of the program. Taking the course in the first semester is highly recommended. 

Phase 2 Courses (15 credits): 

Phase 3 Courses (9 Credits): 

*View our course catalog for detailed course descriptions.
** Prerequisites: Permission of the Clinical Coordinator, approval by the Clinical Committee, and 30 credits successfully completed before beginning Practicum, including COUN 605, COUN 608, COUN 625 and COUN 626.

Practicum and Internship may not be taken in the same semester, and each course must be successfully completed in sequential order. The Practicum application must be submitted to the Clinical Coordinator at least one semester before the student plans to begin Practicum. The Clinical Committee reviews the student’s readiness in the three core areas: Knowledge, Skills and Dispositions. Go to Forms and Documents to find the Practicum and Internship Manual. 

NOTE: To comply with minimum time requirements according to CACREP standards, beginning Summer 2014, Internships I and II will no longer be offered during the summer sessions. Internship I and II will only be offered during the Fall and Spring semesters. Please click here for more details. 

Elective Courses for Counselor Licensure

Additional electives can be taken to meet the 60-credit educational requirement for the Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) application. Students must develop a planned program with their advisor and fulfill requirements specified in the New Jersey statute and regulations.

*View our course catalog for detailed course descriptions.