M.A. in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The M.A. in Counseling program prepares graduates to be multiculturally competent professional counselors, able to work skillfully with deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, and hearing clients of diverse backgrounds in a variety of mental health settings. Our training model emphasizes the development of cultural self-awareness, sensitivity, knowledge, and skills essential to becoming effective and ethical practitioners who are able to promote health and wellbeing for all persons in the context of social justice and multiculturalism.
The Counseling program offers students the opportunity to have a clinical counseling emphasis through classwork and fieldwork. Practicum and internship opportunities typically include state, local, and private mental health agencies, addictions programs, psychiatric hospitals, and alternative educational programs serving the mental health needs of deaf and hard of hearing persons and their hearing family members. The program is a low-residency program with two weeks of on-campus work each summer and all remaining work done online, both synchronously and asynchronously.
The master's degree in Counseling consists of a minimum of 61 credit hours and requires three academic years, including two summer residencies to complete. The low residency program requires only two weeks on campus each summer in the first and second years of study, with the remaining coursework completed online. The former CACREP-accredited counseling programs suspended admissions in 2019. We are now reopened as a low residency program and we plan to stay aligned with CACREP standards until we are able to reapply for CACREP accreditation in the fall of 2024.
Admissions Requirements
- A completed online application including a payment of $75 application fee
- A Bachelor's degree with at least 6 credits in psychology or other human behavior coursework
- Official transcripts of all previous undergraduate work
- At least a B (3.0) cumulative GPA in undergraduate work (individuals who have a undergrad GPA below 3.0 must take the Miller Analogies Test and report scores to Gallaudet)
- One essay in written English
- An interview with the Program Director
- 3 letters of recommendation (using the provided form in application portal)
Accreditation
The former CACREP-accredited counseling programs suspended admissions in 2019. We are now reopened as a low residency program and we plan to stay aligned with CACREP standards until we are able to reapply for CACREP accreditation in the fall of 2024.
Plan of Study
Semester I – Summer (6 Credits)
| COU 710 | Orientation to the Profession of Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
| COU 755 | Legal, Ethical, and Professional Issues in Counseling | 3 |
Semester II – Fall (6 Credits)
| COU 730 | Social and Cultural Diversity Foundations & Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| COU 732 | Theories and Approaches in Counseling and Psychotherapy | 3 |
Semester III - Spring (6 credits)
| COU 717 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| COU 720 | Introduction to Research for Counselors | 3 |
Semester IV - Summer (9 credits)
| COU 748 | Principles of Assessment in Counseling | 3 |
| COU 753 | Group Psychotherapy | 3 |
| COU 765 | Crisis and Trauma Counseling | 3 |
Semester V - Fall (6 credits)
| COU 714 | Psychopathology and Diagnostics | 3 |
| COU 721 | Foundations in Helping Skills I | 3 |
Semester VI - Spring (6 credits)
Semester VII - Summer (6 credits)
| COU 728 | The Cycle of Substance Abuse | 3 |
| COU 742 | Practicum in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
Semester VIII - Fall (6 credits)
| COU 734 | Lifestyles and Career Development | 3 |
| COU 792 | Internship I in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
Semester IX - Spring (4 credits)
| COU 716 | Psychopharmacology for Counselors | 1 |
| COU 794 | Internship II in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
| | Complete Comprehensive Exam | |
Program Electives (6 credits)
| | Elective #1 | 3 |
| | Elective #2 | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 61
This plan represents 55 credits of required coursework. Students are also required to take six elective credits as 61 credits are required for the degree. Two electives are offered each academic year.
Program Outcomes
Students will be able to articulate the elements related to professional identity including the history and philosophy of the counseling profession, the value of professional organizations, the need for legal and ethical practice, and advocating for the profession and clients that are served. (CACREP 2.F.1)
Students will demonstrate multicultural awareness, knowledge, and skills necessary for competency in working with a diverse population. (CACREP 2.F.2)
Students can demonstrate an understanding of development across the lifespan and the impact on normal and abnormal functioning. (CACREP 2.F.3)
Students can utilize career development theory in the development of individualized and developmentally appropriate career development activities and interventions. (CACREP 2.F.4)
Students can demonstrate the skills necessary to engage in an effective and therapeutic helping relationship. (CACREP 2.F.5)
Students demonstrate competency in preparing for and facilitating group counseling. (CACREP 2.F.6)
Students demonstrate the ability to identify effective assessment strategies to facilitate treatment planning. (CACREP 2.F.7)
Students will demonstrate an understanding of research methods to inform evidence-based practice. (CACREP 2.F.8)
Clinical Mental Health students will develop effective treatment plans utilizing the diagnostic process, assessment data, and evidence-based practices (CACREP 4.F.7. F.8, 5.2.d, 3.a)
School Counseling students will develop a comprehensive school counseling program based on data and utilizing a program model for their state of residence (CACREP 5.G.1.b, 3.a.,b.,n)
Students will show sensitivity, genuineness, and positive regard for others, practice high levels of self-awareness and demonstrate a commitment to personal growth and on-going professional development. (CACREP 4.G)